FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I price my inspection service based on number of bedrooms, and also if the inspection is for a home or condominium. For escape, a three bedroom home inspection is $450; add or subtract $50 per bedroom. A three bedroom condo inspection is $275; add or subtract $25 per bedroom.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
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).
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
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!