The premier source for home inspector news and information. Whether you're a homebuyer or a licensed home inspector, you'll find valuable insight on the world of home inspection training and competency on this blog.
Insect infestations are a concern to all home buyers and sellers, which makes it something that certified home inspectors should know something about. And when it comes to house invaders, the termite is certainly the king of damage.
Each state has laws concerning the regulation of termite inspections.
On a home inspection report, you may be restricted only to the most general comments about termites; depending on where you live, you might have to call in a professional termite inspector. Before you get your real estate inspection career off the ground, check with local agencies to see what you can and can't say during a home inspection job regarding termites.
Despite that caveat, it's important that a licensed home inspector understands some of the habits of this pesky bug. There are thousands of termite species in the U.S., but we'll look at the characteristics of four termite species that can cause great problems in and around the home.
Subterranean Termites:
-Live underground in protected nests
-Resemble grains of rice
-Feed on wood
-Develop wings in the spring
-Dried insect wings are a sign of their presence
-Build tunnel systems
Drywood Termites:
-Create nests above ground
-Infest attic or high spot in home
-Don't require a water source
-Football-shaped pellets fall from nest
Dampwood Termites:
-Rarely found in the house
-Usually adjacent to house near moisture
-Do not construct tunnels
Formosan Termites:
-Mainly found in Texas and Louisiana
-Colony is usually larger than subterranean termite colonies
-Able to chew through metal and plastic to reach wood
There's nothing nice to say about termite infestation, but it's a reality that home inspectors will encounter time and time again. Professional home inspection training will certainly expose you to the general characteristics of termites and their ways, but it is each inspector's responsibility to know the applicable local laws regarding inspections and termites.
Labels: california home inspection, Certified home inspectors, home inspection training, home inspectors
In an effort to educate home buyers, sellers and real estate professionals about real estate home inspections, the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) recently released information on three key areas that often lead to misunderstandings between home inspectors and clients.
The biggest issue, according to CREIA, is that people don't understand the precise role of a certified home inspector. One of the biggest misconceptions is that a licensed home inspector is a specialist who will repair home deficiencies.
It's important to remember that becoming a home inspector means an individual provides a professional judgment on the condition of the house. CREIA states that the "services of a home inspector are those of an inspection generalist, who is not acting as an expert" in a field where further certification may be necessary.
The second misunderstanding "is confusing a generalist home inspection with that of a code complication inspection performed by public sector building and safety inspectors." In the state of California, it's the buyer's responsibility to contact the appropriate government agency and find out what the code is for specific issues. Any good home inspection school will emphasize this point with students.
Finally there is the issue of home inspectors estimating the costs to fix any deficiencies. Home buyers may have the idea that home inspectors can diagnose a problem, make an estimate and then go right ahead and fix it themselves. CREIA makes it clear this isn't the licensed home inspector's role: "Even if qualified, an inspector offering to perform repair work on any reported defect is in contravention of state law." In other words, home inspectors in California can diagnose the problem, but they can't go ahead and repair it - that's someone else's job.
Home buyers, sellers and real estate professionals are advised to check with local agencies to see what laws apply to home inspectors in their respective states. Anyone who is starting on a home inspection career should make sure they understand these fundamentals and then communicate them to their clients and partners in the real estate industry.
Labels: home inspection jobs, home inspector school, home inspectors
It has little curb appeal. Your average do-it-yourselfer wouldn't dream of taking it on. And the only time a homeowner gives it a thought, is when it fails. So, what overlooked part of the house are we talking about? Namely, the roof, which is arguably the most important structural element of a house, and therefore something every Home Inspector must know cold.
Although Home Inspectors aren't required to physically get on the roof during their circuit, there's no substitute for an up close visual inspection. In place of walking the roof, Inspectors should at least place a ladder up to the eaves. Most Home Inspectors own both a folding and an extension ladder to get this bird's eye view.
Once an inspector has a good visual, his first order of business is to look for water damage. A leak-prone roof is public enemy number one. Walking on the roof is a good way to find soft spots, which may indicate moisture in the sub-decking and damage to the wood beneath the shingles. A common source of leaks is poorly installed flashing, which is the material (usually metal) that connects the roof to other elements of the house, such as the chimney or a skylight. Flashing is often described as the last line of defense against leaks.
Gutters and downspouts are inspected within the scope of the roof. If they're clogged, or poorly installed, they fail to move water away from the house, and may even result in a flooded basement. A Home Inspector also considers the proximity of nearby trees, whose branches may be littering the roof and gutters with unwanted debris.
An Inspector will encounter several types of roofing materials in the course of his work and he must be familiar with the characteristics and lifespan of each one. By far, the most common roofing material in the U.S. is asphalt shingles. It is made primarily from petroleum and has a life expectancy of between 15 to 30 years, depending on local environmental factors and the slope of the roof.
So, when it comes to inspecting a house, a professional should get up on that ladder, walk the roof shingles and never be afraid of heights.
Labels: home inspection business, home inspectors, inspecting a house
As a professional Home Inspector, you rely on satisfied customers to keep your business going. One of the best ways to let them know you'll keep them satisfied is by assuring them up front, before your inspection is performed.
Here are four ways you can do this:
1. Provide Your Background, Experience, and Credentials
Customers are going to consider your inspection experience, including how many inspections you have performed, your certifications, licenses, memberships, and how long you have been in business. Why? Because all inspectors are not created equal. Extensive training in the art of inspection or other code knowledge goes a long way towards exhibiting you as a well-rounded inspector.
2. Have Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance
Errors and omissions insurance (hereinafter "E&O") is an important consideration. E&O may help resolve claims against an inspection, for items you may have missed during the inspection, after close of escrow.
E&O insurance is not required for inspectors and there is currently no reliable data on the percentage of inspectors who actually are insured. But consider what your potential customer might be thinking: An inspector who does not have E&O may have a broad range of reasons why they are not insured. E&O insurance sets you apart by displaying confidence in your work.
3. Use An Inspection Agreement
Today, most inspectors have their customers, your clients, sign inspection agreements prior to the inspection. These agreements detail the ground rules, the inspector's scope of work, and items outside of their scope. This provides your customer with the assurance that you'll talk straight and give them all the information they need once the inspection is performed.
4. Let the Customer Know You'll Be In Touch
Good follow-up and follow-through skills are essential when business relies so heavily on word of mouth. Not only is it important to keep in touch with your customer when there's good news, such as when the inspection passes with flying colors, but also when there is bad news. Hearing that the inspection revealed a defect can be a frightening moment to any home seller, as well as any home buyer, but that sets you apart as a reliable individual who conducts inspections with a keen eye. A smooth and simple callback procedure will calm nerves and will hopefully help facilitate any repairs that may be necessary.
Labels: home inspection license, home inspectors, inspection agreement, professional home inspector
With summer coming, the biggest home selling season will soon be upon us. This means buyers will be looking for deals, but not necessarily looking as thoroughly beyond the price as they probably should. Most buyers would rather not see any problems, especially if they think they're getting a great price.
The easiest problem to avoid in a home is the plumbing. Buyers in love with the look and the price might not even look under the cabinet. Little do they realize that their price might go up significantly if there's a problem they don't find.
This is another area of protection home inspectors provide for buyers. What should you be looking for when performing your inspection of a home's plumbing?
-Examine all faucets to make sure none drip.
-Open cabinet doors and check under sinks for leaks.
-Check the water supply valves. Turn these on and off to test for leaks.
-Look for rust and corrosion on all plumbing fixtures.
-Flush the toilet to see that it functions efficiently, doesn't continue running, and refills properly.
-Check the base of the toilet for water damage or soft floors.
-Run the garbage disposal and dishwasher to check for proper function.
Remembering these, and other things to look for from your home inspection training, will make your services invaluable to homeowners and potential homeowners.
Labels: home inspection, home inspection training, home inspectors, home selling season
Trained home inspectors will tell you that the three problems most houses run into are: water, water and water. From pipes to roofs, it's an ongoing concern, and that's not even addressing the worst culprit, the leaky basement.
Wet basements are unusable and unsafe, weakening foundations and creating a breeding ground for toxic mold. But the good news is they can be easily detected and prevented.
As a home inspector, you should know the things to look for when it comes to basements and foundations. Roof drainage is, by far, your biggest concern. Properly designed rain gutters should have at least once downspout for every 600-800 square feet of roof surface. Gutters should be cleaned; dirty ones overflow directly down near the foundation and not away from it. Make sure downspouts discharge 4-6 feet from the foundation, otherwise it could be blasting the basement with water.
Next to gutter problems, the slope of the soil around the home can also cause problems. The soil should slope away to keep water from collecting near the foundation. The angle and type of soil are also important. It should slope down six inches over the first four feet from the foundation. It can be graded more gradually afterwards but should never allow water to run back in the direction of the home.
Landscape treatments that hold soil to the house can also create problems. Although a brick or stone edging around a garden adjacent to the foundation may look attractive, it can be preventing drainage away from the foundation, increasing your risk of flooding.
These tips could save a buyer a bundle in repair costs or a seller from reducing the value of their home.
Labels: home inspectors, Trained home inspectors
