FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I got into doing home inspections by doing plumbing work, doing electrical work, doing carpentry work, doing roofing, doing siding, doing concrete work, etc. I am the "poster child" for "One Thing Leads To Another". If "you know how to do it", you can "recognize good workmanship (as in good condition) when you see it". I have been doing home inspections since 2003, and have seen thousands of homes, from ones built in the 1800's to ones that are not yet completed being built. I felt that if I was to be taken seriously as a professional, I needed to be licensed, so I got trained and then passed the National Home Inspector Exam. South Carolina was the only state requiring a license for home inspection, so I went there, passed their test, and became a licensed home inspector in South Carolina. I have since become licensed in New York, and am qualified to do home inspections in Pennsylvania. I've seen good building practices AND I've seen bad. I know the difference, and can point them out to a home buyer. Being able to do that is what makes a good home inspector. In 2007, I bought an infrared camera. I use it when I do home inspections and it shows very vividly all water and air leaks. It also shows where and how the home leaks energy, which I feel is an important part of a home inspection. That can make the difference between an energy efficient home and one that wastes energy. I include an energy efficiency section in my home inspection reports so you will know what you can do to lower energy costs in your new home. I even evaluate your home for solar electric panels. If your home qualifies, and you install "solar", you may never have an electric bill in the house.