RandiTS Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Hi - I am in the process of deciding on whether to purchase a Greek Revival home built in 1847 (brick) with an addition added in the 1850's (wood) in Virginia. While I have been "told" that the main house is in good condition (if you overlook that no working plumbing), the addition was apparently built on the foundation of a previous building from around the 1780's that was on the property. I looked on the historical home inspectors site and there are no inspectors registered in VA. What next steps would you suggest for finding the proper person for the inspection? It is going to have to be someone with great references and skills because I most likely will have it done before I even see the house in person as I live in Texas and won't be able to make the trip north until the week of Thanksgiving. Any suggestions on where to start would be appreciated. The house is on both the National and Virgina Historical Listing and I would be restoring as much to the original conditions in the 1850 - 1870's as feasible.. thanks Randi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Virginia's a big place (ok, not as big as Texas). Whereabouts in VA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandiTS Posted October 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 It is in Front Royal, VA. About 70 miles from Washington, DC, 2 miles from the Appalachian trail (in case I buy the house and need to run away, I apparently can walk to Maine or Georgia) and the actual house can be seen at remounthome.com. I have found out that the town has file cabinets full of the history of the house and the family who lived there until 1960 and the battle of Front Royal (led by Stonewall Jackson) would have taken place on part of the original property which was 700 acres, now down to little under 4 acres. I want to make sure that I don't let the history and my dreams to preserve it take over my common sense. As I like to say, I may be blonde but I am not stupid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Give Bill Kibbel a shout, my bet is he'll know someone that can help. http://www.tchomeinspectors.com/historic.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 I would contact JD Grewell, he is out of the DC area. http://www.jdgai.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Yeah, Kibbel would be the guy to get. Have him drive down and pay the distance surcharge if there is one. If it will take more than a day to inspect, put him up in a local motel till the job is done. Don't expect to pay Yugo rates 'cuz you'll be hiring the Lexus. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Kienitz Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Without question Kibbel is the one to contact for best direction or as Mike O. suggested get him (Kibbel) to go and do the inspection for you. One of the absolute best for historical properties and respect for same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Kibbel. Or, fly me to Virginia. It sounds like a cool job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandiTS Posted October 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Thanks ya'll so much for the input... we go see the house the week of Thanksgiving and will decide then if we want to take that big plunge. If so, then I will call Bill and see about paying for the Lexus instead of the Hyundai... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 It would be worth it to get Kibbel for this property. He's a one man walking encyclopedia of American history and homes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 On the 'Forums' tab of this website is a 'Search' function. Use it to read Bill Kibbel's posts. You'll see why everyone here has such high regards for him. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmcg Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Hands down, Kibbel is the man to call. Not only will you get the inspection and history lesson you need, but he is a great communicator as well. He is a natural talker and investigator that man is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandiTS Posted October 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 I "lurked" last night which is kind of like stalking but not as creepy and read all of the topics that you had under the Inspecting/appreciating old homes.. I found it absolutely amazing how Bill could just whip out the knowledge on anything that someone posted - just didn't know if he traveled to other states too (and if I can afford him And also enjoyed seeing the things that you all have run into while inspecting... gives me a new appreciation for what I might can expect and also makes me extremely grateful that at least in Houston, we don't have basements so that I don't have to worry about rats and snakes and crawl spaces although that won't be the same in Virginia.. although, we do have armadillos and while there seems to be several raccoon run ins reported, I think a field trip is in order to see some of our critters... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Bill would be great but VA is now a licensed state and I doubt he has one for VA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Our friend, Mike Bryan, is in Virginia and he, too, would do a splendid job. www.mgbinspect.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim5055 Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Bill would be great but VA is now a licensed state and I doubt he has one for VA. If I am correct, VA is an "optional" license state. From the state paperwork it states: These regulations do not prohibit individuals from performing home inspections for hire provided they do not hold themselves out as or use the title of "certified home inspector," or conduct or offer to provide a "certified home inspection." It would appear as long as he does not say he is "certified" he can inspect for hire in VA. Virginia Home Inspector Regs as of April 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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