Beyond initial acceptance, a minimum of 20 hours of approved continuing education are required each year. Please study the ASHI website for more information on the requirements.

 

My inspections are top to bottom, inside and outside including surrounding grounds, all permanent equipment and systems; all under floor and under roof crawl spaces which are safe to enter are also included.

 

NOTE: please insist that all utilities are on  and ready for testing prior to our scheduled day.

 

ASHI has defined the scope of the inspection. Please study the ASHI standards of practice. There are excluded items and systems. These are listed in the ASHI standards and also in my pre-inspection agreement which I enter with you  - please study this agreement carefully.

 

You can download a copy of the agreement from my site as an Adobe PDF document that you can easily view and/or print.  Click the link below to go to my sample reports and agreements page:

 

 

Most homes require a minimum of 2.5 hours for about 1200 square feet,  to 3.5 to 4 hours for up to about 3000 square feet of on-site inspection time. A 5000 square foot home will usually require 5-6 hours of on-site inspection time.  Particularly complex and/or problematic homes will extend this time.

 

I do not waste your time formally creating your report while I am inspecting your home. I write your report immediately following the inspection, making it available that same day.

 

I also encourage my customers to test for radon. Central VA. does have a presence of radon gas. I provide further detail concerning radon testing here in my website.

 

I strongly urge my customers to attend the inspection. I enjoy teaching you about your home and I am good at it. I want you to understand how it works and how to take care of it, enabling you to better protect and enhance your investment.

 

On May 24, 1995 I completed my first fee-paid home inspection, which was for my parents. After presenting my report to them, my mom said, “Now Jim, you have been very thorough and detailed about problem areas you have found, but I’ve heard no compliments about what is good that you have found.” That was a valuable lesson (one of many).  Since then I have been careful to also highlight positive aspects of a house as well as all defects. I also prepare you for items and systems which are still functioning but which are nearing the end of their life cycle, suggesting you budget to replace them.

 

Specialty areas which are outside of my expertise and which are not typically within the scope of the home inspection such as mold, pests, termites, fuel tanks, asbestos, lead-based paint, swimming pools, wells and septic systems to name a few, will be observed and reported when found, with appropriate “next step” actions to be taken if any concerns are apparent; thus positioning you to include such items in your list of deficiencies found within your home inspection, but which require further investigation by certified experts. 

 

Please remember, I invite you to call me anytime, if you ever have any questions.