Steven Hockstein

This house has horizontal wood siding that was installed with flush joints. It appears to be stucco from afar. When you get up close it is painted wood. The quoins are also made of wood. Anybody know the technical term for this type of installation and materials? (Mr. Kibbel?). The sides and rear are clapboards and shingles. There were multiple offers and the asking price is $2.7 Mil. Click to Enlarge 28.41 KB

Mostly 12 Arial for body of report. Occasionally bolded or underlined for emphasis

Bell Shaped Porch Roof?

Mike, You are right. I was making reference to improperly vented attics and specifically to a large development of houses near Darren where the wood shake roofs all failed. The photo looks like one of those roofs. Unfortunately there are not many builders or roofers around here that have the skill to properly install wood shake roofs. Regards, Steve

Hi Darren, If you look at the roof just from a cost vs. benefit basis it may be a better decision to replace the roof. Even if you can repair this roof, it will be an ongoing maintenance effort that will be expensive. Of course this is completely ignoring the aesthetic and historic signficance (if any) of the current roof. Some of the 1960's-1980's houses around here have wood roof shingles/shakes installed directly over plywood sheathing with no provisions for ventilation. (there is a large development off of Sussex Turnpike in Morris Township with this type of installation). Those roofs are junk and need to be replaced. My experience is that the only people giving "Thumbs up" on that roof are the sellers and their agents. Ask them for a 20 year written warranty from a reputable roofer and see what happens! Decent wood shingle and slate roofing contractors are few and far between around here. You did the right thing. Regards, Steve

I use this: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200276974

I can visualize this scenerio: "You are a deal killer! I can't believe how picky you are!. Oh and I was wondering if you were busy this weekend because my daughter is buying a house and she needs a picky inspector so we can use the report it to negotiate a lower price. Also-can I have a discount because of all the referrals I have given you?"

At least he was smart enough to protect the door behind him when he falls backwards! I also like the kitchen vent through the top of the door where the transom is supposed to be located. You must have had a lot of fun writing the report on this one.

Jim, Point taken. In concept I agree with you about animations on websites. Based on past comments regarding this, we have increased the speed of the flash so there should not be much of a wait if you have a reasonably fast connection. As an architecture firm we have to balance being too mundane with being too glitzy. Thanks for taking the time to look and comment. Regards, Steve

In my neighborhood they will not take down trees (that they own) with roots that are heaving my sidewalk because they claim that they want to keep them and maintain the "Beauty" of the street. I have had to replace the sidewalk twice in the last 14 years. They ignore the fact that the tops of the trees look ridiculous because the utility companies have hacked away all of the limbs that are anywhere close to the wires and so now the trees all have weird "V" shaped canopies. Anyone know how to kill a tree?

A few months ago I asked for constructive critique of our website. We have spent some more time on it and I would appreciate it if you could provide some more feedback based on the current version. Last time there were a few of you that could not see the site because of other web browsers that you were using. I think this issue is addressed. We have also added the process section and streamlined the gallery. Lastly, we added buttons on all pages to allow you to jump to other sections. Ready, Set, Go---- http://www.ahmarchitects.com/ Thanks in advance. Steve

I hope these people have life insurance!!

If I need to use my moisture meter it is because there are already stains and/or damage and I need to determine if the area is currently wet. The pinholes are insignificant. Never had a problem regarding the holes because patching and refinishing are needed anyway.

Wow, Really cool stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Sorry to Hijack this thread but my son is in the market for a used Fender Bass. He prefers the Jazz bass but will also consider a P Bass. Anyone have anything like this in their attic or basement that they are looking to sell? Walter-I would like to hear some of your music. Anything that I can hear on the web?

IN NJ we have to include energy calculations as part of the plan submittals for new houses. If the A/C is lower efficiency it will have to be offset by additional insulation, better windows, etc.. In some cases, the miminum performance cannot be met without higher SEER A/C systems. The requirements are a moving target, but they were in affect in 2007. Checkout this website for information about how to calculate energy efficiency of homes. There is a free program that you can download. There are also energy code specialists that can answer your questions. http://www.energycodes.gov/rescheck/download.stm Hope this helps.

In my office we have recessed lights in the ceiling. They seem to burn out in groups. I think it is related to the fact that whenever your front headlight in your car burns out, you had better buy two because the second one will burn out shortly after you replace the first one.

Using contractors for systems you do not inspect or the $15 Brinks program? I am thinking that it means helping another company to sell their goods or services ( for $15 or $0) as part of your home inspection.

Sorry Mrs. Les. If it helps any, the story was sent to me by my married sister. Steve

Chad, You said in six words the best response to my initial question. Thanks Steve

Anyone that is offering a "Free" inspection is not doing it because they are kind-hearted. There is a chimney inspection company in our area that is offering a similar program to home inspectors. It is a marketing opportunity for these companies and I don't want to participate in this type of business relationship. I feel it degrades the image as an unbiased, "Professional Home Inspector."

Should we also offer to check the telephone and internet wiring and then make a deal for referral fees (Kickbacks?) from the telephone and cable TV providers? Where does it stop?

A man was on the water for his weekly fishing trip. He began his day with an 8-pound bass on the first cast and a 7-pounder on the second. On the third cast he had just caught his first ever bass over 11 pounds when his cell phone rang. It was a doctor notifying him that his wife had just been in a terrible accident and was in critical condition and in the ICU. The man told the doctor to inform his wife where he was and that he'd be there as soon as possible. As he hung up he realized he was leaving what was shaping up to be his best day ever on the water. He decided to get in a couple of more casts before heading to the hospital. He ended up fishing the rest of the morning, finishing his trip with a stringer like he'd never seen, with 3 bass over 10 pounds. He was jubilant . Then he remembered his wife. Feeling guilty, he dashed to the hospital. He saw the doctor in the corridor and asked about his wife's condition. The doctor glared at him and shouted, "You went ahead and finished your fishing trip didn't you? I hope you're proud of yourself! While you were out for the past four hours enjoying yourself on the pond, your wife has been languishing in the ICU! It's just as well you went ahead and finished, because it will be more than likely the last fishing trip you ever take!" "For the rest of her life she will require 'round the clock care. And you'll be her care giver forever!" The man was feeling so guilty, he broke down and sobbed. The doctor then chuckled and said, "I'm just ****ing with you. She's dead. What'd you catch?"

The termite inspector is an odd relationship. We have been using the same Pest Control Company for many years and I trust them to do an honest inspection. As part of their report they provide an estimate for treatment if they find an infestation. My opinion is that the work is almost always performed for the seller of the home and they have the option of seeking competitive bids from other treatment companies prior to closing. I do not receive any compensation for the treatment work if the company I know gets the job. I know I am unbiased. I just want a good inspection for my clients. Comments? By the way, I explain this in my pre-inspection contract.

Mike, As far as I am concerned, this is an improper business relationship without disclosure. NJ does not allow referral fees or similar thinly veiled "Kickbacks."