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I took digital video and not photos. It would be practical to upload video here. The house in question as related to the window in the chimney may have been a result of someone just adding windows in walls, all walls. The chimney wall was at least 10 feet wide. Perhaps on the drawings the person placing the window in the chimney area have have thought that the chimney wall was just another standard wall that needed a large window. The drawings were not available but it is clear that who ever built the property was not clearly thinking very long term, nor did they have any concept of needed details. The house is 5,000 square house on 3 acres is 4 years old, never lived in and the builder went bankrupt. It was selling for $500,000.00 as a bank forclosure. Some areas were never finished and all the major appliances were missing. It appears my client will buy it, since the price was reduced from $750,000.00

Last week I saw a large limestone chimney that actually had a 3-foot by 4-foot window mounted in it. The fixed pane window was mounted to the outside. From the exterior, through the window you could see the chase area, the metalwork for the exhaust and its supports. Sorry, I do not have a photo. The builder also forgot to add in gas or electrical connections for the cooking equipment, a receptacle for the hood vent, dishwasher /garbage disposal, the drain for a bidet, and proper access to the huge (2000 sq ft) attic area. The attic access was a single small door that was mounted 16 feet above the floor. No maintenance was done on the hot water heater, or HVAC mechanical equipment that was far more than 25 feet from the "attic door.â€

Cat person, I agree with Scott Patterson. You might hire a proper professional to do it for you or get the proper education before trying to do it yourself. A mechanical or hydrology engineer might be the best bet. You need emperical data.

Many commercial reporting software programs might not work very well for use in Texas with all its rules and regulations. Other inspectors may find the commercial programs perform it meet their needs, but each inspector needs can vary dramatically. Regional considerations are also an issue. For example, no boilerplate is needed for basements because they are exceptionally rare and because they would soon flood. Foundations types too vary from one area to another. Easy modification of the boilerplate is essential to reflect those differences.

A few good websites can help you save energy. There are also many books available with quite a few tips. Here are a few little free tips. Tip 1: For each degree, you set your thermostat above 78 degrees F in warm weather expect a 5-percent energy cost savings. Tip 2: Install an air conditioning condenser that has a high SEER rating. Find one that is 13 or higher. Tip 3: Use leftover incense to test for drafts. A draft smoke line, rather than a straight one, could indicate a problem. Tip 4: Do not use the "rinse hold" function of a dishwasher. That can waste 3 to 7 gallons of hot water. Tip 5: Recycle. Reduce base consumption where practical. Tip 6: Buy a hybrid and use other "green technology.â€

The information of government revocation, suspension or other policing action of licenses is not easily available. Only minor statistics are available and most of those lack any real detail worthy of a courtroom. In relation to my past search for such statistics in the facts, the governments entities are mostly unwilling to cooperate with any such investigation of their own activities where their judgment comes into play. They do not want their authority questioned. One must use the freedom of information act and any open records act, which many of the government agencies hate, to get the rough details.

Some states have some regulation and others almost none. Having a formal set of regulations over the industry comes with a weighty price that forces alliance to practices at some time are unrealistic or impractical. Rigidity and selective interpretation of vague government policy via bureaucratese is common within its ranks. Common sense can get lost in the shuffle. A fairly transparent fact, like the elephant in the room no one wants to talk about, is that the Board(s) of Realtors and others want a controlling interest over the inspection industry. Based on sheer numbers and dollars the agents and brokers are the Goliath and the inspectors are poorer David element. Many of those David elements are sound asleep while Goliath tells everyone else “how the cow eats the cabbage.â€

There are some ways to minimize some common complaints but there is no magic method to eliminate all complaints. Sometimes when dealing with problematic situations it seems that, there are not that many reasonable people in the general populace. Some are just sitting on a hot button activated irritating burr that bugs them to some degree and that irritation can spill over into unreasonable avenues. When common sense and rationality can get lost in the emotion-based demands, there is an obvious need to use diplomacy and common sense to see through the troubled viewpoints. Power and control issues are always worthy of consideration as to motivations of aggressive actions. Passive disinterest will only distance the participants from common ground. A mediation-oriented common ground can be achieved with some focused effort provided everyone has some sense of deliberative problem solving and the ability to employ those techniques. Digging in one’s heels into an entrenched defense position does not work, nor does and an inconsiderate counter aggression. Solutions reside in moderation, not extreme positions. The problems are not isolated to any industry or country. They are as pervasive as people allow it to exist. However giving recognition strokes to bad behavior only perpetuates the reactionary problems that are all too common in any dysfunctional society. In stopping any potential negative behavior, before it can fester is essential but using clear considerate respectful dialog is of utmost importance for all parties involved. Given the conflict of special interests and manipulative influences of the various parties, the situation can become pointed and unproductive. That includes the influences of unethical agents who want special favors, and the lazy inspectors who are the minimalist types. Ultimately, everyone to some degree protects his or her own self-interests and financial benefits first long before consideration of others becomes an issue. As usual, understand the origin of many complaints is rooted in the understanding of psychology and sociology as they apply to human behavior and eventually personally dished out by karma. Karma’s influence is the ultimate negotiator, judge, and policing force. May all your complaints be minor ones, but do not fully count on it.

"Many folks don't realize that the profession started around 1955." Based on terminology, there were "structural inspectors" long before they built the pyramids. They even used a crude but accurate liquid / bubble level. The builders back then also used the standard 3-4-5 trig ratio / process to make framing squares. Regardless of the date, whenever anyone builds any type of structure, there is a requirement for an inspector in order to maintain quality control. Hopefully the inspector is smarter than the builder.

grain colors? and other non-essentials. Max Factor has all you need to know about cosmetics. We don't inspect for that unless it somehow becomes a "very sensitive issue." Let the women cluck over the minor trivialities in their nests. It may be more important to them.

Jim, I wish any American relocating anywhere much success. There may be some adaptive effort necessary to adjust to living in a foreign environment. At times we all may want to visit a "some day Isle" that is as close to paradise as society and Nature allows it to be. Such trips might be likened to the work of an educating mission or perhaps an escape from other influences. All the same, Good Luck.

“Where Did the Money Go?â€

Norman Island appears to be a dreamy "Someday I'll" escape. Some might make it a brief reality. Watch out fcr "island fever" On track with the topic: Where ever there is a buck to be make someone will eventually fill the void. Marketing hype and spin is so rampant one has to take all advertizing with much filtering. We are all bombarded daily with misrepresention via lies, half lies and trickster exploition. Marketing companies often use psychology to exploit the weakesses, habits and addictions of the target market to garner sales and thus profit. The inspection business is no different than the others in some aspects. At least some of us actually try to protect the consumer's intersts. Other industry may try to protect the consumer's welfare but when push comes to shove they protect their turf first and hide bedhind disclaimers and legal dodging of responsibility. Some of that turf protection can be justified to a degree where it deals with fairiness issues.

What ever ASHI proposes or disagrees with is possibally ethically tainted by their obnoxious branding program. Having personally seen an ASHI representative with a hyped up sales pitch at association of State real estate commission persons and lic inpectors, it was clear that ASHI wants the last and only word on the subject. No thanks. ASHI is an option not the final authority. That is the way it needs to stay.

It is the art of diplomacy to tell others when they are wrong to some correctable degree without overtly offending them and their values. There is an old Irish saying that describes the art of telling someone to go to "hell" while at the same time having them think that are being complemented. The meaning of the intent sinks in later. In relation to the slander and libel, do not do it. Pick your words carefully when giving criticism. It can be a cold hearless world if you try to manipulate or exploit anyone for personal advantage.

The film helps the public bust as all things human it has some fear, hype, spin and flaws. The video that should be seen by all our clients before hiring. There is also so much more that is omitted in the short film. IMHO Too many inspectors are lazy and short sighted in reation to public service. Let the cameras roll. I treat every place in the public as if I am being filmed constantly with hidden cameras. Privacy rights is an government issue that is actually rare in the U.S public areas. Some could be watching you right now. Smile you are on candid camera.

Another commercial for ASHI. Without the hype it boils down to this: "Inspectors shall not directly or indirectly compensate realty agents, or other parties having financial interest in the closing or settlement of real estate transactions, for the referral of inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors, preferred providers or similar arrangements." Inspectors shall not inspect properties for compensation in which they have, or expect to have, a financial interest. Inspectors shall not repair, replace or upgrade, for compensation, systems or components covered by ASHI's Standards of Practice, for one year after the inspection. Inspectors shall perform services and express opinions based on genuine conviction and only within their areas of education, training or experience. Inspectors shall be objective in their reporting and not knowingly understate or overstate the significance of reported conditions. More items can be listed to the ethics section to help protect consumers from the bad inspectors in the business. I will not list those items now. But the follow contains some items of consideration. What can be said about all the other inspectors that send ads to real estate offices? Some such as US inspect, Pillar to Post, Amerispec and others have relationships that appear on the surface to be "far too close for comfort" for inspectors who are independent and ethically minded. The position with ASHI is in question as to the degree of complicity. Their branding program is an expensive and mandatory adverting avenue that is unpopular with many ASHI members. The real question is whether ASHI should pay any real estate company for advertising while policing its members for doing the same thing. It is similar to politician taking favors, trips, cash etc form lobbyists and special interest groups who want to influence legislation. It just doesn’t pass the smell test. So how does ASHI or any organization promote its member services without funding real estate brokerages and their allies? I’m not sure that the inspection organizations can totally sidestep the issues without some ethical conflict as the money flows from one hand to another. When flyers and other presentations are made to real estate companies the end result is that the referrals are being solicited. The real estate agents should not expect any favors, but we all know that is not the reality. Many agents want to find inspectors who will “soft soapâ€

That is strange that Lousisna has the highest ranking. Many of that state's very weak laws invite corruption, misrepresentation and obvious fraud. I have seen evidence of it first hand in the often backwards LA. May the buyer beware of poor inspectors and their associations with real estate agents etc. ASHI (and others) has a vested interest in trying to control the inspection industry so you have to wonder how valid their views are since their main function may be in collecting necessary membership dollars. I don't think that since they have an obvious vested interest that they can be actually fair and balanced in evaluating any other organization. It is all about money flowing into certain people's pockets.

That is very helpful. Thanks again.

It seems unnecessary to have a user name and password just to find out which area uses which code reference. They are probably planning a mailing list for ads and marketing promos. It also appears that any good inspector whould already know which code applies to their work area/locale. But then again I asumed that it is targeted to inspectors. Many people do not know that code information. They also may not know any regional code specifics as they relate to a particular area. That is why they should hire us to do that review for them. For the most part use ALL the International codes with the NEC as reference.

I can imagine that many cities are too understaffed and overworked to handle such a demand. There is also a knowdledge issue involved. Training of the city workers may be necessary.

Market dynamics change with the boom / bust cycles. I think the RE bubble is leaking now in some areas of the country. It's becoming a buyer's market.

Moving form LA with the weakest consumer protection and lic laws to Texas with a solid lic law is quite a major challenging adjustment for the relocated company.

Those who know me even slight know what I am going to say. IMHO Programs such as Coldwell Banker's should be illegal because they are obviously highly unethical. The (I'm looking for the right word here) people who sell their allegiance for a referral are highly suspect.

It seems NC needs a good inspection SOP and some quality control measures to help upgrade the level of performance. The thing about news broadcasts is that they rarely tell about the good proformers in fields such as inspections. Sometimes No news means good news. To get good news you need a PR team that is adequately funded and connected to the media.