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I'm not sure what you mean! Anyone with a High Scholl diploma would be able to read it and infer its meaning. It seems straight forward to me, but I am not an english professor. What do JLC or Fine Home Building have to do with the way an HI writes reports? Just curious... Kevin

It depends on the amount of infestation, but I usually put something like this in my report under Environmental Hygiene Observations: There is evidence that the home maybe contaminated by rodents. Rodents can compromise not only the attic or crawlspace, but can eventually compromise the living space as well. Rodent infestation may be a health hazard due to the risk of contracting Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). HPS is a rare (only 20-50 cases per year in the United states) but deadly (40% mortality rate) disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. Recommend following guidelines in the CDC's Clean Up, Trap Up, Seal Up article for eradicating rodents, cleaning up their waste and nesting materials, and preventing future infestations. While Hanta virus is believed to survive less than one week in droppings and urine, specific precautions should be taken during clean up. Recommend a qualified pest control specialist evaluate and correct or treat as needed. Some may disagree, but it works for me. Kevin

If this issue was found in an older home, I would have verbally told the client, but not have included it in the report. However, this was discovered in a "New" home! I would have written it up and suggusted the client have the builder fix it! If I found this in a new home and didn't write it up, I would not be doing my job and would more than likely hear about it later on. Kevin '

"I could tell a homeowner that buying all new appliances and new HVAC equipment would lower energy consumption without doing an "audit". I'll bet homeowners who paid for this professional analysis were thrilled at this highly scientific, computer generated information." Malban, I am sure you can. The only difference between you and me is that I am providing a professional service and getting paid accordingly.....you are not! Again, I have nothing but positive feedback from my clients on this service. Here are just two examples: Our house was simply too cold - it was unbearable! The Home Energy Tune-uP provided us with steps to take to make our house warmer in order of importance. After following just a few of the steps, our house is much warmer and all around more livable. Thank you very much! David Sutton Kensington, MD Dear Kevin, I’m writing to thank you for the thorough and professional home inspection and Home Energy Tune up that you performed on my new home in December 2003. Your attention to detail uncovered many items that I had overlooked in important areas of my home, several of which were hazards that had to be addressed immediately. Your report was thorough and easy to understand and has become a “to-doâ€

Kind of makes you wonder how CMC makes any money. When the program was shown to me CMC received a percentage of the cost if the owner had the improvements done by one of their listed contractors. So with an energy survey like this how can you tell if the duct work or HVAC system is leaking air? I could be mistaken, but I do think any of my Tune-uP clients have contacted CMC to help with finding contractors. However, I do believe you are correct in that they charge a fee for that service. I do not know how successful this program has been across the country, but I do know that they have trained hundreds of inspectors. If hundreds or possibly thousands of inspectors eventually get trained to do Tune-uP's, then I guess CMC has the potential to make a lot of money. Anyways, what works for some may not work for others. For specific questions contact: Steve Luxton Regional Manager sluxton@cmcenergy.com 866.843.5500 Kevin

Chad, The home Tune-uP is a visual inspection that does not utilize any specialized equipment other than normal tools associated with HI work. Scott, While the people at CMC Energy Services offer help in finding contractors, they do not really try and sell anything to the client. I generate the survey using CMC's software, and then send it directly to the client. CMC does not attempt to contact the client after that. The 20 bucks is fee for using their software. I attended the very first training class offered back in 2003, and have been offering the service ever since. I charge 199.00 for a stand alone Tune-uP and 99.00 if ordered with an inspection. I also had my attorney draft a pre-inspection agreement specifically for this service that was approved by CMC Energy Services. The owner, Doris Ilke, is a very nice lady and I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with her several times since the program was launched. The company is in Bethesda, MD about 20 mins from my house. All of the clients that have purchased a Tune-uP from me have been very pleased with the overall service. Kevin

http://www.hometuneup.com/ It has certainly helped my business. Kevin

Chad, Hope you make it back to this thread on more time to hear me say that it was nothing personal. I don't get into politics either, but I was in a foul mood that day. My apologies Kevin

Scott, Honest mistake as they are very similar. Thanks for your reply and take care. Kevin

Scott, Where did you come up with that information. If you do a WHOIS lookup on www.interspectvoice.com, it is registered to Steve McNeese. Just wondering! Kevin

Kurt, I agree!! Kevin

Jim, Well, I was not referring to the decision to market to members of an organization. I was referring to the "assumption" that Chad made that NACHI was heavily populated by "Neophytes." If I was in the business of selling software to inspectors (which I am not), I would market to ALL of the organizations. I would think that each organization has a large portion of their membership base that are new to the profession. Example: ASHI Current Membership: Members: 3,848 Candidates with Logo Privileges: 199 Candidates: 2,443 Retired Members: 108 Total: 6,704 (Taken from the ASHI Reporter - Nov 06) Kevin

Chad, I usually don't get involved in the association bickering, but could not help but to strongly disagree with your statement: "At first glance it appears that it's just damn good business to offer a discount to members of an organization that is heavily populated by neophytes who may have yet to make their first software purchase." Without defending ANY organization, I think this statement is very ignorant! Scott, InterSpectVoice is not owned by Michael Rowan! That is Steven McNeese's software. Kevin

Anyone using eInspections? I use HG, and am very happy! I looked at the software last year and decided not to go with it, but they have an updated version that looks pretty good. However, I don't like the checklist style report format. Although, they clam that it can be customized. http://www.einspections.net/ Any feedback? Kevin

She is a Massage Therapist and works out of her home, so I would assume that she does burn candles. However, do you think that a few candles would cause this amount of soot on the walls? The pictures I provided are just a few examples. -Kevin

Here is an inyeresting article I just came across talking about the same thing: http://www.abe.iastate.edu/human_house/aen174.asp -Kevin

Rob, This house is an end unit town home that was built in 1973 (33 yrs old). Interesting that you mentioned Stack effect and neutral pressure plane issues. Most of the soot deposits are on the first floor.

Here are the photos.... Download Attachment: RK6322-EStarr 005.jpg 44.52 KB Download Attachment: RK6322-EStarr 006.jpg 39.31 KB Download Attachment: RK6322-EStarr 007.jpg 58 KB Download Attachment: RK6322-EStarr 011.jpg 29.65 KB

A client contacted my to conduct an Isolated Component Inspection on her HVAC System a few days ago. Today, I get to the property and she points out to me that she replaced her gas furnace with a new gas furnace two years ago. Recently, she has noticed soot deposits on the interior walls and around some of her electrical outlets. Has anyone come across this before. I conducted a visual inspection of the furnace (explained to her my limitations) and found it to be in acceptable condition, but was perplexed on the soot on the interior walls. The ducts are original to the residence and are about 33 years old. I did find that they were very dirty and contaminated. any suggestions??

Jim, Thanks for your post. I found the data sheet and the installation is correct. Thanks, -Kevin

Anyone ever come across one of these? Would they fall under the same requirements as a wood burning stove & stove insert. I could not find a UL plate on the unit. -Kevin Download Attachment: RK6311-CrRice 035.jpg 84.48 KB Download Attachment: RK6311-CrRice 036.jpg 76.28 KB

Has anyone ever attended Mike Crow's Seminar? -Kevin

Anyone have experience with working with Fidelity Inspection & Consulting Services. They sent me an email this morning asking if I am interested in performing Relo Inspection for them. http://www.ficservices.com/profile.htm -Kevin

Anyone ever come across elevators? I inspected a four story town home yesterday that had an elevator. Just curious if anyone includes them in their inspection reports or specifically disclaims them. I told my client that it was outside the scope of my inspection and expertise, and that he should consult a specialist. Any thoughts or experience? Thanks, Kevin

Sorry....here it is! Kevin Download Attachment: CIMG0547.JPG 617.48 KB