Professional Home Inspections

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. My service is unique in that I make every attempt to "call it right". To do this, I don't rush through inspections, or provide an on-the-spot report. I may need to do additional research such as call a construction official, dialogue with one of my colleagues, or check out a manufacturer's installation manual on-line. My written report is carefully worded to clearly identify the issue and offer suggestions for resolution. And I prefer to have my clients at the inspection, so I can help educate them on the issues and discuss options. This is a very personalized service, not a cookie-cutter approach.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. A home inspection gives me the opportunity to help property owners or buyers better understand the home. With buyers, they have not had the opportunity for a "test drive", and the home inspection provides insight into things that may not have known when doing walk-through's as part of the buying process. Conversely, sellers/owners may not be aware of things that are going on with their home because they have gotten used to issues, or simply were unaware because the problem is somewhere they seldom go (like a crawlspace). I like to help people, and this line of work affords me such an opportunity.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. Recently, I was starting an inspection for a home-buyer and realized the water was turned off to the premises. The buyer's agent contacted the seller's agent and the seller, and I was given permission to turn on the water valve (something home inspectors are not expected to do) which was located in a wall behind a panel . When I started to remove the panel, there was a small electrical explosion and fire shot out of the opening, along with acrid smoke. None of the breakers tripped, and the electric wires remained totally exposed and energized while the wood smoldered in the wall cavity. I called the agent and I was then advised by the owner's electrician to cut power to the house (something else a home inspector should not do!). When throwing the main breaker, a loud sizzle noise ensued, and I realized that the main breaker failed - in the "on" position, a serious problem. I had to shut off all of the circuit breakers inside to power down the house. When the electrician showed up, he told me I probably saved the house from burning down because I uncovered three latent electrical faults in this vacant home, which when combined could have resulted in an electrical fire from a faulty electric heat tape. I was glad I was able to help, and also happy I was not in fromnt of the panel when the fire shot out!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. As a New Jersey-licensed home inspector, I am required to take 40 hours of continuing education every two years. However, I augment this with continuing education that is now required of licensed professional engineers in NJ and PA (where I am licensed as an engineer).