randynavarro

Good info. Different also is the Candian term for the plastic wire nut. I forget what they call them, but it start with an 'm' I think.

Dunno. We just tell our box to record anything that says "Holmes Inspection" and it automatically seeks, finds, and records.

I have finally seen a few episodes of the newer "Holmes Inspection" show, (thanks to my recently acquired ability to digitally record the show without commercials.) I'm aware he has been discussed here before and I concur with the sentiments of hogwash and balderdash that his show is all about. However, in this one particular episode, he and his electrician looked right past the Stab-lok panel in the house. Are Canadian Stab-loks different in Canada? This panel actually looked quite different from the units I'm familiar with. It was mounted horzontally--which appears to be commonplace in Canada--but the Stab-lok label was clearly visible.

Thanks for setting the record straight. I too delivered reports on site for the first 8 years. You're right, the clients don't care if it takes an extra day. I can also say that my report work is much better than it was delivering on site.

One of the finest home inspectors in the country delivers his report on site. Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Katen. This doesn't make that method better than delivering the report later; it's just what works for the individual. Pissing over each other arguing which method is better is getting boring. Suffice to say, I'm pretty confident a large majority deliver the report later. A minority of inspectors deliver on site. Way to hang, Eric. Edit: By the way, Eric, the doctor analogy is pretty poor, IMO. I hate going back to the dr's office a second time just to get test results. I wish they would just email it to me along with a few comments and recommendations from the doc. Much more convenient.

Scott, Which camera would you recommend for our line of work? Second, do you have any of those cameras that you'd like to sell me used for a good deal? That's it! I asked first. None of youse can get his used cameras before me. . . .

It appears there is a signficant cost-of-living factor in Indiana that is being compensated for.

Yup. It often takes me five button taps to hang up a phone call. That's not good. There isn't a calendar app, IMO, that rivals the Palm calendar so inputting schedule is not as convenient as it used to be. The stock email client that comes with the phone doesn't work that well and I have trouble getting my biz email account to function. I haven't taken the time to research another email program. As I list all this stuff, I affirm my thinking that the Droid (and maybe the iphone?) are just expensive toys for the youth of the world; those that want to surf and play online, chat, do pictures, and boast about the cooles apps they downloaded, etc. etc. As a productivity tool, the Droid falls short. Why did I buy it? I was able to save about $20/month as the Droid phone allows me to tether my laptop to I can get online anywhere. Before I was paying for a separate data card and plan for the laptop. Time savers in my biz? Hmmm. I need to think about that one. Nothing is coming to mind right now. . . .

Eric: Slow down. I've not read any bashing comments or anybody harshing you too badly. You asked questions and you got answers--straight answers. You don't realize it, but this forum gains you access to decades of collective experience from some of the top inspectors in the country--seriously. You've launched a fairly new business and the internet has given you this gift of asking how others who have gone way before you have succeeded. Lucky you! We'll tell you! Just listen and don't get offended because our answers don't match up with your naive ideas for running a home inspection biz. Edit: one last thing--don't forget that home inspectors by nature are critical, grumpy, and curmudgeonly. . . all in a good way of course. Every one of the guys I've met in person on this forum are fine folks with pretty gracious hearts. Well, except for Mike O. He really is a crank-pot curmudgen.

Eric, you mention in your sample report that "all components designated for inspection in the ASHI Standards of Practice are inspected..." yet you are not affiliated with ASHI. In fact, you show InterNACHI credentials all over your website but don't mention InterNACHI in your report. Could you clarify the paradox?

I've not seen it before, either, but it appears to be some sort of fiber reinforced mortar or concrete. The question is whether it's ok to use inside the firebox. Google reveals all sorts of applications for outside the firebox.

Dryer duct? Exaust fan duct?

Crap. I wish I would have known about it in time. I was too late for registration. Now. . . about the fact that you can't submit that course for CE in Washington state . . .

I don't really know what my customers' expecations are. Fact is, they're total strangers. That's why I take the time to include more details to cover more bases than the minimum standards. I walk that fine line of not trying to please and accommodate everyone while not going crazy and taking forever to write a report. Regarding report writing software: in my experience, it increases the time to write a report. It does, however, allow an inspecting mammal to barf out more on the page than not having software, all for the same amount of time.

I'll give them an A for effort . . . .

I do almost the same routine minus serial numbers, hyperlinks, and such. I'm at about 2-3 hours. That's about 50% more time than what it used to take me. I think it's because I write more stuff than before, plus inserting photos and adding arrows and such. I can no longer do 2 inspections a day what with a family and a life outside of inspection work. I think it's too much time and I'm searching for ways to cut down the work load. On the table right now is hiring an assistant who can write and type well to do the reports for me. I figure to take that workload from me would easily free me up to do at least 1-2 more jobs a week to pay for her. Edit: I don't know Inspect-Express that well but I know MS Word ok. It seems like there'd be an easy way to format your findings with the numbers already included. Check out the Style options in the Formatting toolbar and define your text using the "Bullets and Numbering" options.

The general gist here is to protect the "client" and be honest with him or her. In this case, it appears the client may be the trouble as they even want the report modified so they can get the loan. As already mentioned, who is protecting the 12 people/families in those units? The client here could end up being a slum lord and a negligent property owner. If the bank requires the panels to be replaced then good! What I've learned about this whole housing/real estate world over the years is that no one wants to make a stand and be the bad guy and actually require something to happen. All the way from the buyer up the food chain, even to the United State Congress. In some small way, I sleep better at night knowing that I took a stand and stated the truth and wouldn't budge. A building inspecting unit's responsibility extends far beyond the "client" in my opinioin.

Yea, I can't really find any complaints about SugarSync. I've also noticed it drags the system when it's backing up, sometimes very noticeably, sometimes not. But I can live with it for the peace of mind of having my files always backed up. I don't even worry about back up anymore. It's so automatic and pretty much seamless.

Those spec's pretty much duplicate what the other readily available Certainteed install instruction state. I'm pretty confident with those for now. Thanks for the taking the time, though, to help a brother out, Mike. I owe you a smooch next time I see you.

Now that I've got your attention you perverts, my question is does a corroded nipple or nipples on top of a water tank necessarily indicate a more lethal problem inside the tank? I've postulated that the nipples get attacked because the anode rod inside and perhaps even the metal liner are getting corroded and the corrosion had advanced to the next available metal which would be the nipples? I could be all wet here. . . .

Mike, I don't know the shingle manufacturer but the Certainteed Master Shingle Applicator manual would do just fine. Trouble is, I have to order a copy and I'm trying to get the report out in the morning. It'd be good if I could reference something solid and credible. I'm sort of loading for bear. The seller of the house had three, yes three roofing contractors inspect this roof before my inspection and one even provided a 5 years cert.--don't get me started on roof certs. again! I found lifting shingles everywhere. Even the top laminated layer of shingle is lifting from the base layer which is something I've not come across before. Do you have a PDF of the manual you could email or even post in the Downloads section?

I've got a roof where the seal strips aren't holding and the shingles are easy to lift. I've always recommended sealing the tabs with 3 or 4 dollops of roofing cement. Is this a published standard or just common sense repair work? The NRCA Roofing Manual isn't available any longer online. I believe the dollop repair was spec'd in there, no?

I've never seen a heat welder before. Now I've seen two in one week. That's the exact same tool they used to seam the marmoleum floor I just had put in my bathroom. I guess they're pretty expensive.

So the hot air welder melts the two layers of TPO together, thus the real definition of "welding", right?

I don't think the thing about hot water pipes freezing faster is B.S., though. I can't quite cite something, but I remember it from one of my building science classes in the past. If I can find the gumption, I'll see if I can cite a source.