Bill Zoller's blog

How many of you have actually read the Citizen's Guide to Radon published by the EPA?  See if you can recall these facts:

As we pause and honor our veterans this year on November 11, 2009, it’s occurred to me the pure expectation of a soldier encompasses all the traits expressed in the company's Human Qualities initiative.  Without redefining each human quality in this blog post, trust me in saying the soldier to whom we give so much responsibility is expected to be Dependable, Giving, Diligent, Honest, and Knowledgeable.

A recent fast moving snowstorm expected to bring heavy accumulation of snowfall had XCEL Energy (natural gas supplier) warning radio listeners of making sure exterior vents were not blocked by snow buildup.  Xcel's concern, obviously, was a safety issue that if venting was not properly maintained, indoor carbon monoxide levels may increase due to inadequate combustion and venting of gases.

As a Home Inspector for U.S. Inspect the most exciting part of the home evaluation for me is the Electrical System.  Frequently, I find myself educating the seller or buyer on the purpose, function, and proper configuration of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI or GFI).

I came across this situation recently and am wondering if any of my readers, inspectors, engineers, or otherwise, have seen this as well.

As somewhat anticipated, related to my recent post on FPE panels, I received a call from a Master Electrician, 35 years in the trade who informed me I was wrong to call for replacement of the FPE sub-panel with Stab-Lok breakers.

During every home inspection I begin by covering with my client the scope of the inspection. It’s very common to run into misconceptions about the purpose of the home inspection. 

But it is also important to understand what a home inspection is not. Generally speaking, the home inspection is general in nature. That’s why it’s referred to as a General Home Inspection. 

To answer this question, one must first ask, “What is a home inspection”?  Simply stated, a home inspection is an objective examination of the overall condition of the visible and accessible components of a home.

The average home inspection ranges between $200 and $500 (roughly 1/10 of 1 percent of the cost of the average home).  Another way cost is determined is by square footage of the home and the year of construction.  You may also want to ask what services this price includes.  What are additional costs of radon testing, well flow, septic walks, etc?  Also, is there a surcharge for travel out of the inspectors area of coverage?

All home inspection companies are not equal.  Purchasing a home can be a stressful time and the buyer(s) should take the time to choose a home inspection firm that will meet their needs.  When speaking to potential clients about the home inspection process, I always recommend that buyers interview several home inspection firms before making a determination of which firm will best meet their requirements.  

The following is a list of questions that the prudent consumer should ask in making this determination: