There appears to be no end to the old saying, “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” Synthetic stucco fits neatly into that category, and for a number of reasons. It looked great, and at one time it was thought to be a fine solution to finishing home exteriors. But now that the…
DetailsWhat’s odorless, colorless and causes nearly a quarter of all lung cancer deaths in the United States each year? Radon gas. This not-so-noble Noble Gas is so risky because homeowners can live with it every day and never know that it’s there. The good news is that you can empower your customers with information. While…
DetailsWater heaters have largely remained the same for decades, with some improvements in efficiency along the way. But on April 16, 2015, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) mandated new water heater energy factor (EF) standards for most new appliances. This applies to most electric, gas and oil-fired water heaters as well as tankless…
DetailsHow well do you know current building codes? If you’re a home inspector, you should be well versed so that you can provide your customers with a more comprehensive inspection report. Code changes often, sometimes just a bit and sometimes significantly. It can also vary somewhat from town to town. The more you know, the…
DetailsThere’s nothing like a cozy fire when the cold winter winds blow. But owning a fireplace is a big responsibility, and one that some homeowners aren’t as familiar with as they should be. That’s why a home inspection covers fireplaces and chimneys so thoroughly. Unlike a defect such as damaged drywall, a bad chimney is…
DetailsThere’s something about an industry-smart professional that can put people at ease. Your customers probably don’t know a lot about the differences between an inspection and an appraisal. To them, an appraisal might appear to be enough, but you know why your work is so important. Question is, do you know what an appraisal is…
DetailsYou’ll inspect roofs and service panels and basements and more, but what about the parts of a home that your inspection doesn’t cover? Your customers need at least some knowledge about what an inspection doesn’t include. The more that they know, the less likely you’ll be to face a claim that you didn’t perform the…
DetailsModel homes are supposed to be perfect, but can you count on that? New home developments pop up all over the country. And where there’s a development, there’s always at least one model. It’s usually got all of the upgrade accoutrement such as the best flooring, highest-grade countertops and everything else under the sun. But…
DetailsHow can you inspect a home’s electrical system if you know nothing about it? Believe it or not, you aren’t expected to be an electrician. And you can learn what you need to know about inspecting it. This is a confusing subject, and it’s a potentially dangerous one, too, since most of the system is…
DetailsWhen DIY television shows promote a product or trend, it’s only a matter of time before it starts popping up in homes that you’ll eventually inspect. It wasn’t that long ago when hardly any homeowner would dare take on a tile project, and now tile is touted as DIY friendly. New products geared toward homeowners…
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