Bradd Judd

Steve, ballsie but reserved.....nice approach. I usually avoid any confrontation with the seller, since he or she may be my next client. However, there are the rare isolated instances where I do feel like I have a monkey on my back and must advise the seller that the report is confidential and is between the buyer and the company(me). Followed with a firm but polite excuse us, please. But I love housedoks' idea with the recall. People seem to think "if it's printed, it must be true". Thanks.

Dear Realtiy, The answer is yes.....any advertising material...Phone books, Newspaper, Big sign in front of your house.......will require you to include LLC, Corp, Inc., Etc. Etc. The reason we do this is two fold: 1. We do not want our corporate vail pierced and our personal assests and monies siezed by unscrupulous attorneys. 2. We Form LLC's Corp's, C and S corporations depending on our federal and your state tax structure. Your best route is to find a CPA you trust and Ask him which is right for your area and the upcoming tax laws (not HR Block) and then You may form your corporation. Whichever it may be, the simple process is usually found on your secretary of states website. Usually less than $100 to form a corporation........ Don't forget you minutes!!!! Brad

Great Information!!!! I go ga ga somtimes attempting to keep up with the coding systems of the different manufacturers of all permantly affixed appliances. I really appreciate you taking the time out to help relieve the code game......especially since it's one of the last systems of the house I look at!!! Thanks Again!!!![:-angel] Brad

Ok Kurt, this has got to be my last thread I respond to tonight.......(my eyeballs are poping out, and I have an inspection in 5hrs.) Ummmmmm.........If I remember the peoples republic of illinois code (IPC) Illinois Plumbers Code, It's somthing like this......An overflow vent,hole, whatever, shall be equipped to ensure that "potable water" will never come in contact with drainage,or sewer water.......Somthing like that so we don't get all those nasty micro-biological creatures on the faucet which would basically be contaiminated and continue to fester, even after the clog or drainage issue was addressed! OK , I'm going to bed now!!!! : ) P.S. have you attended the Peoples Gas Class yet??? It's excellent!!! i'm really going to bed this time. OK, I lied....I just saw what Jim said above...thats the issue with the overflow.[:-paperba I'm really, really going to bed now !!!!!!

Konrad, Not sure about the codes in your state, but here in "The Peoples Republic of Illinois", The Illinois Plumbers Code (IPC) rules over all other codes. I am currently attending a class given by the Peoples Gas of Chicago and the wealth of info is amazing. Let me bottom line you..... Your Gas company will know the code. They will know the code like the back of their hands because they want to protect their butts as much as we want to protect ours...... they have spent millions fighting off lawsuits. They usually will have (free of charge) a guideline publication for you, just for the asking. I have found them to be a great resource in the past and you may wish to enroll in one of their up-coming classes.

Wow, talk about going for the Gusto!!!! Bravo[^] I have done a few inspections for some friends prior to The State of Michigan requiring an inspector to be licensed, in the (UP)Upper Peninsula. I have seen those lines in basements and crawl spaces up there and they were for Heating Oil. If you vector a course from that wall straight out, onto the property up to 100ft. away, you will possibly find the irregular landscaping or the tell tale sign of where the tank use to be. If its still out there, you should at least come across the vent and/or fill tube that was capped and stowed. As I look at your picture, I also see a faint outline of whatever that supply line was used for. I have seen a dual oil/wood burning stove in a few of those homes. However, you should have seen some type of hole for a flue or exhaust tube in the flooring. As my colleges mentioned, when in doubt, call it out!!! Beat of Luck to you1!!!

Fritz, Mavis Beacon is the ticket. I did take typing in school which was one of the classes I cut often since it was my last.......... Then years after College I had to re-aquaint myself with those damn desk top computers. Mavis Beacon training (not sure which version it was) re-paved my typing skills. Good Luck!!

Mike, Thought you had Adobe Photo Shop 7.0.1 already. If you did, (or you still do) it's in there with a little digging. Brad

Mike, It's kind of both. It has a extensive narrative database, However it will let me change wording or multiple strands of text. I had to get use to it at first, but after changing the Librarys in the Program itself, I was able to streamline it to the typical houses here as well as the gepgraphical region. The Creator (Lorne) has always been helpful in supporting the product and If I can't get a hold of him right away, he E-mails me back within 24 hours with a solution.....furthermore, Not sure if InspectExpress hosts the reports on a server, but Lorne does for 30 days on an encrypted server, which allows my absent clients, or anyone with the client name and password to view the reports from anywhere on the planet. Big selling point of my services. People love the slogan "Your report will be on-line by nine" I would love to go to your hardware.......Touch Screen Tablet.....talk about the cats Meow.....I'm in denial (I probably need glasses soon) and a larger screen than the Dell Axiom I'm using now would be welcomed. Denial, It's not just for the young anymore....... Brad

Dear Scott, I wish that was the case. I have two great guys "on call" should I be confronted with a commercial property or somthing on your scale. They are employed by a mega insurance company and perform ASTM inspections all over the state for commercial properties only. They have been a godsent and good friends over the years. The day I can hire permanant full-time employees' will hopefully be a happy one. I really appreciated the gravity of your story and your pictures. Thanks. Brad

I have enough companies asking me if I want a job, that I just file the letters and then refer the new HI's to these companies. It allows me to be helpful and at the same time send them to someone who has the time and the vacancy for someone new. As far as the mega homes, my largest was 8500sq.ft. and turn of the century to boot. All day and some of the night, everthing from asbestos, mold, lead, rodent and insect infestation. Not to mention the structural hack jobs that happened to it over the last century.

Yes, The damn oven.....I always check it twice. Finally I just remember to turn it on first (as soon as I check that I'm not going to burn any combustionables in it), then the burners on the cooktop, then check to see that it's getting to temperature, and shut it off..... But then another nemesis takes it's place......with going back over the damn Safety/Tempered Markings on the Sliding Glass doors, The upstairs, downstairs, bathrooms.....I go over the entire house again, because I think there may be one I forgot....but there is'ent. Probably next year, it will be...the damn t-stats!!!! Don't feel alone!!!

Kurt, Pretty Cool!!! I just find the old style railroad glass insulators..... maybe I need to get into the city more often for inspections......... Thanks, Brad

Dear Donald, You're going to love this..... As I do share Fritz's comment on the side stepping, I must share with you this story..... My wife,last year decides that we need the top of the line BOSCH Dishwasher. I don't remember the cost, but it was over a thousand dollars. As I am slaving away (installing it)and making the right connections, I read that it needs it's own dedicated circuit of 15 or 20amps. I can't remember which one.... I'm puzzled by this until I get to the part that states it has a water heater of it's own to crank up the temperature to some insane national sanitation foundation scolding/sterilizing, dis-infecting, germ killing temperature. Is this somthing I see elsewhere? Rarely, but it may be worth mentioning in the report to check the appliance manual should I find a shared circuit between the dishwasher and the garbage disposal.....especially if it's one of those Monster 3/4 hp - 1 1/4hp models. P.S. I melt all of my tupperware and similar plastics (to the point that they no longer engage a seal) whenever I run a full cycle.[:-eyebrow

Hey Les, If you supply the EMT, Wire, and Fixtures.....I'll bring my bender, meters and beer!!!!!

Well, I'm using Inspectvue by Portervalley. What makes me cringe every time is when there is an update to the program...... Yes, It's adding features that I may need, but at the same time something goes wrong with other areas of the program. Incidentally, It goes wrong when I'm with the Client and at the Inspection site. I make my best attempt to update it at lulls in business, but If I wait too long, I have to order the disc (free of charge) and re-initiate the program.....not to mention the synchronization for my PDA. Having said that, if you intend to jump into the stiff competition of Inspection Software, you may want to design it for different regions of the country. Inspectvue appears to be geared for California/Western Region and I have had to chage a lot of my narratives to reflect the Chicagoland Burbs. Furthermore, I would suggest your updates to fine tune the program overall, as well as add new features, so that people like myself can stay focused on explaining (to the client) the content of the report as opposed to the missing content of the report. [^] Best of luck!!![:-graduat

Reality, I'm finishing my 3rd year in business for myself as an HI. My first year was -$30,000 and in the red until halfway through my second. I'm finally in the black and have an operating monthly expense of approx. $1200. The Money (almost 50% if not more)goes back into Marketing, Advertising and Promotions. The Schooling, training seminars, association meetings are never ending, as it should be. As previously mentioned by my colleges, you must be genuinely interested in doing this type of work. It's no quick buck, semi-hazardous and your attitude has to remain positive and pleasant. There will be times when you may secretly feel that you need to be the final solution to a Snobby realtors' demise or participate in driving a nail into an attorneys coffin. There is no glamour in it, but a harty and sincere thank you for a job well done and a check in my pocket is all I need to be happy these days. Best of luck to you!!! Brad

Ron, I'm not sure if you are a fellow inspector, but it is your duty and responsibility to rip that roofer a new [:-censore!!!! I'm sorry that's not very productive, but I would be going into full melt down if that was on my roof, and had just paid my hard earned money for it. [:-crazy] On a different approach, I share my colleges ( jim, kurt and bill's)sentiments on what needs to be done. I'm not sure what requirements your roofer has to operate in your state, but many towns, townships and counties require a contractor to be registered in their jurisdictions. I usually have had luck (in the past)with getting a county engineer or a code enforcement officer on my side before threatening any kind of litigation. This may either educate the roofer and allow him to right his wrong, or motivate him to keep out of the local authorities radar by expediting the replacement of your roof and exterior flashing/skylights. Good Luck Ron!!!

Reality.... When I chose the vehicle I was going to use a number of factors came into play...... 1. Ease of Storage and retrival of egupment and tools. 2. Condition of your current health (my back is not as good as it use to be) So I wanted a vehicle that I could enter and exit easily. 3. Ability to accessorize vehicle- add a ram mount for laptop, PDA, Printer, Minor office equipment, cell phone, inverters, storage boxes (for Mini-vacs, million candel flashlights, bunny suits, Roof walking shoes, knee pads) etc.,etc. 4. The vehicles apperance/condition(this is how my clients and associates will get their first impression of me/my company. 5. Ease of maintenance. 6. The vehicles ability for me to advertise via magnetic signs, Lettering, Window Stickers, etc. 7. Last but not least, it's security to lock and have an alarm (including the ability to) keep my equipment and tools secured and out of sight. I started with an old 94 Explorer 4x4. When the Transmission gave out, I invested in a 04 F-150 Pick-up with a locking ARE Lid thats tied into the locking/alarm system. I went with the Largest Little Giant Laddar (that would fit in my 6'bed) and Pelican Boxes for all my tools and equipment. As mentioned above, I used Ram for all my computer stuff in the cab, as well as installed two inverters to supply 120vac for electronic power need. I hope this helps......[:-graduatBest of luck to you!!!

Mr. lawson, I'm so happy you shared that story with us..... I had always wondered if I was being paranoid(on thankfully 1 incident only) when the buyer showed up with his immediate family (and their children), distant aunts' and uncles' as well as their neighbors and friends on an inspection of a 3bed/2bath townhome. At least 16 people were asking me about the unit and if I had found Jesus, as everyone was rifling through the sellers personal possesions. I immediately identified with the police who must engage in crowd/riot control. I can't even begin to tell you the utter feeling of uselessness. I was very thankful that the realtor was their to fend off most of the irrelevant questioning as well as patrol the unit. I never have forgoten that experience and remembered that the ending was poetic when the owner on the lower unit (one area was shared wall space) came up and said that their was a law suit (due to lack of noise abatement material in the floors and ceilings) and that she could literally here someone peeing from one of the bathrooms in her bedroom! Thanks again.

I just had to chime in on this one....... I love going to a particular area in The Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, because it's garenteed for me to find mold on the roof sheathing from the bathroom exhaust fans exiting the air directly onto the interior of the roofing structure. The municipality inspector must have thought this was ok (as well in his own mind) as the attic being "outside" since I find it on every single home in the same devlopment by the same builder of only 10-12 year old homes.....Let me see if I have a picture of this.... This is not the best one I had, but it gets the point across.......... [^] Download Attachment: mold.jpg 54.22 KB

Dear Monte, I just had to respond to you post on GFCI's..... How many times have you found one inoperable in the kitchen or Bathroom? If you have more than one "daisy chained" or "downstream" to just that one and it's circuit does not interrupt, what is the percentage of increase that someone will get shocked or electrocuted? With a heavy electrical background in Commercial/Industrial I say the more GFCI's, the better. I do not enjoy being shocked by any voltage at any frequency, not to mention the damn amp's that kill you. Furthermore, If we look in our IRC2003 (International Residential Code) books, we will see on page 472 and page 473 (respectively)Figure E3801.4 Which shows all outlets are GFCI with the exception of the refridgerator and the Island. Under Kitchen Receptacles E 3802.6 it states "all 125 volt, single phase, 15 and 20 ampere receptacles that serve counter top surfaces shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel". The word "all" to me means all! Not every 3 outlets or 6,10, but all of them that serve a countertop. I don't mind eating dirt either.....Thanks.

Mike, In otherwords, If I wanted to have the inspectors journal website on my links page I would have to ask the administrator (someone like yourself)to give me permission to copy www.inspectorsjournal.com to my links page. Actually, now that I think about it.....I may have already which is infringing on your copyright, registered, or trademark rights. You have the right to ask me to remove it or you may file complaints with several federal agencies as well as sue me. What I'm saying is if everyone concurs with this idea, lets all give permission by submitting our websites addresses on a page here at the inspectors journal . com. Brad

Mike, No. We have to have others (inspection members/companys) permission to have their links on our link pages. If you want to see what the spiders look for........point your mouse to the top left of this page and click on "view" then (on the drop down menu) click on "source". That is this sites and specific page's HTML. As I look on it, I see this site has been built with tabkes as opposed to Casscading Sheet Style. This is what can be built with using microsoft frontpage with a few garden variety plug-ins. The Spiders, (when they look for Alt, Meta, and Header Tags) are searching for key words and phrases such as "Home Inspectors, inspections, inspection,etc., etc. or anything relative to the word or phrase. If we could have 10-100 of our fellow members allow or give permission to copy their websites to our links pages, the spiders will eventually get to our links pages and see how relative our sites actually are. Did that help at all??? Brad

Hey fellow inspectors.....[:-angel] I was just replying to an inspector and realized this may be a good idea for all of us! Maybe you have done this in the past and I missed out and we should link-up again.[^] As most of you know by now, having a website is helpful to our business. It accounts for approximately 25% of my leads. Some of you may or may not know that when we run our submission programs to the top search engines that our HTML is scanned by algorithmic spiders(robots). As these spiders scan our sites, they have certain parameters that are established by the search engines themselves. What makes google one of the best search engines is the engineers who build these spiders and what they believe are relative and pertinent to the searchers key word or phrase. Without going into an absurd amount of boring details, could we ask hausdak if he could build us a page or topic that would allow each of us to give the others permission to link together our sites? The google spiders feel that the more relative links to the key phrase or word the better the placement our sites would have on hopefully the first 3 pages. This will be the coming trend with other search engines including MSN, Yahoo, and AOL. Tell me if this is do-able! [:-graduatid="size6">