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Chris, As Les said, "You can drive yourself nuts..." Somebody mentioned a while back - here or on ASHI - that thousands of people can make it through a 4-way stop without incident, but put 4 home inspectors at that intersection and they will bump into each other for sure. With the thoughtfulness that you put into your posts here, I'm sure you are quite good at putting in the pertinent information for each case, and the relevant CYA that will allow you to sit on any hard surface. But I have also worried, like you, that perhaps I should give the client a wealth of information. I offer my clients a choice of two reports. I show them a sample of my written report (20-30 pages, depending) and I show them the Home Reference Book (A nice 2" encyclopedic binder). I let them look at these while I'm on the roof or in the attic and then I ask which they want. So far, I haven't handed out a Home Reference Book. People have a lot on their minds at this point - "Just the facts, please," or "I'm a bullets sort of guy," is what I always hear.

Oh, one more thing... The breakers all have to be UP=ON and DOWN=OFF. Something to look for when mounted sideways like your pics.

Strictly speaking, I would state it as having a 100A service and a 200A service. Sure, that gives you 300A, but it's not on one service, so that would potentially be misleading. It would help the client if you indicate the section(s) of the house served by each service. That might also help you understand why they are doing this - how big is the house? Is there a special need - bowling alley, grow-room, film studio??? And yes, AFI in the bedrooms - even though the debate as to their worth is ongoing...

I love the spirit in these two! Succeed or fail, what an incredible experience to carry with you the rest of your life. When I worked for Kodak, I was one of a room full of software engineers. We needed to establish a development group in Shanghai. When the speaker asked who would be interested, I couldn't believe how everyone looked down at their laps or at their watch. Most people just don't like change. I find that so sad - and boring. I loved working in Shanghai and learning something about life outside our very protected domain. God bless Jimmy and Charlie as they go for the gusto!

Hell of a kicking, for sure, but OSU still had an amazing year to say the least. You show good sportsmanship, David. As you know the years come and go. I'll wish the best for your Bucks if you pull for Auburn - when they aren't playing each other, of course!

Whew! That's a word that can go either way. (... bites or annoys livestock & other animals.) I have developed great respect for you over the past many months, Les. I was afraid you might have thought I was being sarcastic when I told Chris it is nice to have him on this forum, or that I was implying he writes reports poorly. He is one great inspector boy in my book, as are you. My heart skipped a beat, but now feels warm and happy. Thanks Les!

Les, How so?

Hi Chris, Many HI's use extra words because they don't have enough substantive information (i.e., knowledge) to fill a report. There are also those who cannot create a complete sentence without help. This is why software that 'automagically fills in' a report is used as a tool by many excellent home inspectors, but as a crutch by the bottom feeders. An example... "I whole-heartedly recommend to my client, Mr. Smith, that the grade of his prospective home be modified (by a professional, licensed, landscape architect) such that it will gently guide water away from the home. This simple modification will help prevent water from coming into the basement of the home." Now, the above paragraph, concisely written: "Find another inspector." BTW Chris, it is really nice to have your participation in this forum!

Sorry to hear it, but not surprised. If you don't see a satisfactory reply here in the next couple of days, please know that many ASHI (the best) inspectors are in California for a major conference. The couple of guys you have read here, who also happen to be in your state, are the best. Just didn't want you to think we stopped caring...

Back where it belongs, yep. Now, let's see, Florida lost to one team didn't they??? Just one team all year. Who was that? War Eagle!

Hi Scott, That is definitely insulation done wrong. Good picture for the files. Bill and Kurt, Thanks for the info. I see your points, and if any of those studies are someplace you can point me to, I'd appreciate it. I agree, it's way down the list, but it is on the list. I suppose if I saw a young couple buying an old home they planned to stay in for more than 25 years (because it's next to mom & pop) I would recommend replacing the plaster & lath with good insulation and drywall - doing it right. Love this forum!!!

Got goose-bumps just watching it! It was a tough year for this War Eagle, but I'm not just a fair-weather fan.

Hi Bill, I'd like to hear your reasons. I could use the list when I'm questioned. Why not blow in some insulation? Thanks.

No pot? Boring[:-party]

Hi John, Don't know about erudite, but you sure are smooth. I'm not picking on the new guy. You seem quite nice. When I tell my clients that the last thing they need is someone who attended a one day seminar going around disturbing spores, I mean exactly that. You aren't that guy, right? The CMI comment is more an inside joke - not about you. You must have noticed that I spend a good amount of time fixing up Habitat houses. These things have basements full of mold. Nobody who works on these homes, nobody who moves into these homes, and nobody who visits has suffered effects more than sneezing. We install dehumidifiers and the mold seems to become moot. I went to Louisiana right after Katrina and worked with other volunteers in extremely hot, damp conditions. Heavy mold was in many of the homes. The smell kept us out of a few, but nobody suffered ill health. While working toward a doctor of pharmacy degree, I took graduate courses in microbiology, medicinal chemistry, and biochemistry. I saw many things that scare me to this day. Not mold - sorry. But my mind remains open. If science shows a reason to make mold inspections a regular part of life, then I will do everything to help my clients. Currently, the only fear I have of mold is what it can do to building materials. The solution, however, requires no analysis - just get rid of the moisture. I don't see any significant credential here. "Certified Mold Consultant" doesn't exactly ring my bells. - Jim Katen, Oregon Hi Gary, Picking on the new guy without knowing me. I went to your website to get to know you, and to my amazement I saw we have a lot of things in common. Beautiful lovely wife, I do too. I call mine “The Agitator Generalâ€

Chris, More of us should admit what we are weak at. It leads to good stuff. Since the best of the best are here, does anyone comment on insulation in walls and floors? I have inspected many homes over 100 years old and I always tell the client to obtain the utility bills for the last year to get a better indication of the home's efficiency. It just doesn't seem complete to tell them how well the attic is insulated while ignoring the 100 year old plaster & lath with stucco exterior. In this bitter cold part of the country, it is also important to check the perimeter insulation just above the basement walls - lots of heat loss there.

Never do anything in business that you are not qualified to do. Tommy, as a New Yorker, I expected more. This is the first time I've heard a realtor have a legit gripe about an HI. New York does not regulate radon measurement providers, but that doesn't mean they don't take them to court. An unqualified Radonaire guy just north of Buffalo got slapped a few years back for using a continuous monitor. In NY, you also have to be ELAP certified to report CM results. Please get the NEHA certification as has been suggested. Not only do the canisters have to be 20" above the floor, they are to be placed 4" apart and clearance from walls and windows is critical. I received my training from Rutgers University - it is the northeast regional radon training provider. As a bonus to becoming qualified and providing quality service, NY places you on this list: http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/radon/certified_radon_testers/erie_radontesters.htm%20

Actually, Jim, their titles are Certified Mold Inspector - CMI. (Want CMI after your name?) I tell my clients the last thing they need is someone who attended a one day seminar going around the house disturbing spores. Some leave me and get a 'mold certified' inspector. Others think I make sense - they hire me and an IAQ expert. I don't see any significant credential here. "Certified Mold Consultant" doesn't exactly ring my bells. - Jim Katen, Oregon

Exactly. When I clicked on this, I thought I was clicking on that thread. Imagine my disappointment.[:-bigeyes

Just find a good attorney. If need be, the attorney will find the appropriate expertise. I don't know of an attorney in your area, but others might. Good luck.

What everybody said, plus... My reports are also Word based. I use IntelligentReporter (aka, Cramerware). In the summary, all I do is 'select all' of particular paragraph styles (safety issues and major repairs). Then I just paste them into the summary. Simple.

Chris: That's nice. NY state does not license contractors. I'd love to have a document like that to point to up here (Any New Yorkers got something for me???) BTW, if the homeowner is still reading - Chris would be an excellent choice!!!

The sub responsible for placing the original concrete should have recognized the slope into the garage. The builder has, however, done what he can to fix that mistake. I wouldn't call it a huge trip hazard unless you lived someplace where water freezes. Still, it's an annoyance. I'm curious as to why yours is so different from your later picture of a similar model. Do you have a sunken living room? What is different? Something must be. That's correct. That might not be true. Two of the three hired by you did not view the slope as a problem. Even if the inspector did note it, many buyers may decide it's no big deal (since water into the garage is fixed). Now you're talking. Rather than describing the outside walk/driveway differential as a trip hazard, perhaps you should use the Sesame Street quiz - "Which of these is not like the others?" You surely have asked the builder why your home is different from the other homes of a similar model. What did he say? And why do you have a half inch differential in your upstairs flooring? Issues like that always have a verifiable cause. You aren't rambling. This is a forum of inspectors. We care about such matters and appreciate your concerns. Although we are used to being kinda rough with one another, we all respect our clients. Careful with that word, code, however. If your home was not built 'to code', then you should not have received a cert. of occupancy. The code is a minimum. Homes can have serious issues and still be to code. We look at much more than the code. For example, I notice you have a water softener. Be sure to drain the bottom of your hot water heater at least once a year. Salts can settle and cause premature rust. You may not realize it, but you can hire an inspector during the construction phase to catch such issues when they can still be fixed. When you choose an inspector, be sure to look for real credentials/experience. Licensing and certification by no means imply qualified. And never rely on a realtor for the name of a good inspector. Good luck.

Best of luck, and thanks for your service.

Definitely anti-bounce HO work. Likely works too, but it won't once the earth settles. Let client know they are there, but no big deal if span tables agree with existing work. Bingo on the termite comment as well. Sure, quite often. Like Chris said, to take some of the bounce out of the floor. They're most often under dining rooms, where the china in the cabinet rattles when the overweight family member waddles in. They're termite portals to an all-you-can-eat buffet on the dwelling above. Smart folks stick a patio block under the post.