1. Is there a legal definition and description of a Home Inspection? 2. How much does an inspection cost? 3. Why should I buy a Home Inspection? 4. How long does a Home Inspection take? 5. Will GSS be bidding on the work recommended in the inspection report? 6. May I attend the inspection? ... and what if I forget what you said? 7. Is there a warranty with your inspection? 8. How is payment handled? 9. How much notice is needed to schedule an inspection? 10. Can you inspect commercial buildings or multiple units? 11. How long have you been in business and how many inspections have you done? 12. What are your qualifications to be a Home Inspector? 13. Can you help us understand the feasibility of some remodeling we'd like to do? 14. What does the report look like? What is your reporting style? 1. Is there a legal definition and description of a Home Inspection?     Here it is, straight from the horses mouth: 7195 California Business & Professions Code -- Home Inspectors Chapter 9.3. HOME INSPECTORS Historical and Statutory Notes, 1996 Legislation Section 1 of Stats.1996, c. 338 (S.B.258), provides: "It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to assure that consumers of home inspection services can rely upon the competence of home inspectors. It is the intent of the Legislature that, in ascertaining the degree of care that would be exercised by a reasonably competent home inspector pursuant to Section 7196 of the Business and Professions Code, the court may consider the standards of practice and code of ethics of the California Real Estate Inspection Association, the American Society of Home Inspectors, or other nationally recognized professional home inspection associations." 7195. For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply: 1. "Home Inspection" is a noninvasive, physical examination, performed for a fee in connection with a transfer, as defined in subdivision (e), of the real property, of the mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems or the structural and essential components of a residential dwelling of one to four units designed to identify material defects in those systems, structures and components. "Home Inspection" includes any consultation regarding the property that is represented to be a home inspection or any confusingly similar term. . "Home Inspection", if requested by the client, may include a inspection of energy efficiency. Energy efficiency items to be inspected may include the following: . A noninvasive inspection of insulation R-values in attics, roofs, walls, floors, and ducts. . The number of window glass panes and frame types. . The heating and cooling equipment and water heating systems. . The age and fuel type of major appliances. . The exhaust and cooling fans. . The type of thermostat and other systems. . The general integrity and potential leakage areas of walls, window areas, doors, and duct systems. . The solar control efficiency of existing windows. a. A "material defect" is a condition that significantly affects the value, desirability, habitability, or safety of the dwelling. Style or aesthetics shall not be considered in determining whether a system, structure, or component is defective. b. A "home inspection report" is a written report prepared for a fee and issued after a home inspection. The report clearly describes and identifies the inspected systems, structures, or components of the dwelling, any material defects identified, and any recommendations regarding the conditions observed or recommendations for evaluation by appropriate persons. c. A "home inspector" is any individual who performs a home inspection. d. "Transfer" is a transfer by sale, exchange, installment land sale contract, as defined in Section 2985 of the Civil Code, lease with an option to purchase, any other option to purchase, or ground lease coupled with improvements, of real property or residential stock cooperative, improved with or consisting of not less than one nor more than four dwelling units. 7196. Standard of care It is the duty of a home inspector who is not licensed as a general contractor, structural pest control operator, or architect, or registered as a professional engineer to conduct a home inspection with the degree of care that a reasonably prudent home inspector would exercise. 7196.1. Construction and application of chapter; certain professions a. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to allow home inspectors who are not registered engineers to perform any analysis of the systems, components, or structural integrity of a dwelling that would constitute the practice of civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering, or exempt a home inspector from Chapter 3 (commencing with section 5500), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700), Chapter 9 (commencing with section 7000), or Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 8500) of Division 3. b. This chapter does not apply to a registered engineer, licensed land surveyor, or licensed architect acting pursuant to this or her professional registration or license, nor does it affect the obligations of a real estate licensee or transferor under Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 1102) of Chapter 2 of Title 4 of Part 3 of Division 2 of, or Article 2 (commencing with Section 2079) of Chapter 3 of Title 6 of Part 4 of Division 3 of, the Civil Code. 7197. Unfair business practices It is an unfair business practice for a home inspector, a company that employs the inspector, or a company that is controlled by a company that also has a financial interest in a company employing a home inspector, to do any of the following: a. To perform or offer to perform, for an additional fee, any repairs to a structure on which the inspector, or the inspector's company, has performed a home inspection report in the past 12 months. b. Inspect for a fee any property in which the inspector, or the inspector's company, has any financial interest or any interest in the transfer of the property. c. To offer or deliver any compensation, inducement, or reward to the owner of the inspected property, the broker, or agent, for the referral of any business to the inspector or the inspection company. d. A home protection company that is affiliated with or that retains the home inspector does not violate this section if it performs repairs pursuant to claims made under the home protection contract. 7198. Waiver of duty of care; liability limitations; public policy Contractual provisions that purport to waive the duty owed pursuant to Section 7196 or to limit the liability of the home inspector to the cost of the home inspection report, are contrary to public policy and invalid. 7199. Commencement of legal actions; time The time for commencement of a legal action for breach of duty arising from a home inspection report shall not exceed four years from the date of the inspection. 2. How much does an inspection cost?     There are, of course, many variables considered in determining the fee so I do not publish a rate sheet but quote each inspection fee based your answers to a series of questions I will ask when you call or Email for your appointment. My fees for Home Inspections begin at $500 and usually do not exceed $600. Single-trade inspections, such as for a roof or earthquake protection, will be considerably less. Remodel Coaching will depend upon the breadth of the service you ultimately opt for. Initial consultations typically are around $200 and phone call or email inquiries are, of course, free of charge. 3. Why should I buy a Home Inspection?     Unless you have your intended purchase inspected by an experienced and qualified home inspector, you simply don't KNOW what you are buying. It only makes sense to spend some time and money to find out the real condition of this major investment. 4. How long does a Home Inspection take?     A minimum of two hours. The average single family home is about three hours. Times will vary depending upon the complexity and condition of the subject property and the inquisitiveness of the attending client. 5. Will GSS be bidding on the work recommended in the inspection report?     No. It is against my personal ethics and the standards of The American Society of Home Inspectors. 6. May I attend the inspection? ... and what if I forget what you said?     You not only MAY but you SHOULD! There will never be a better opportunity for you to become familiar with your new home than the two to three hours you spend with your home inspector. Essentially I will be conducting a seminar and a tour... and taking all the notes for you. Come armed with all your questions and let's get them answered. The report is intended to refresh your memory and remind you of our on-site conversation about the condition of all the systems. Still, the concepts and descriptions may not be familiar to you and you may be a little saturated by the time you have listened to me for three hours so... If there are questions after you get home with your report, simply contact me via Email and I will be glad to answer all your questions in writing, or direct you to specialists if need be. Part of the fee you pay for a GSS inspection includes all the follow-up you might ever need -- for as long as you like. There is never an additional fee for Email consulting. 7. Is there a warranty with your inspection?     No. I endeavor to inspect thoroughly and report accurately. The report is *information*, gathered with diligence and integrity, to help the client make an informed decision. It is not a warranty. If you wish a warranty on any specific item, contact a specialist in that field (e.g., a soil's engineer for soil matters, a heating contractor for heating matters or a roofer for roofing matters). Also, there are general home warranties available through your real estate agent. It is important however, for your own protection and "reality check", to understand the limitations of a home inspection from a philosophical standpoint. A home inspection is fundamentally an effort to disclose all that is reasonably and readily accessible, visible or available. Keep in mind that there may be undiscovered conditions that could not reasonably have been found given the lack of access, concealment by stored property and the overall time constraints. I think of it as a team effort (you and I) to study the components and systems of the house to see what we can learn, through direct observation and some intuitive perceptions, about its condition. Remember, your inspector is in someone else's home and we must be very respectful of their space and property. 8. How is payment handled?     Cash or check at the time of the inspection. I do not bill escrow nor do I accept credit cards. 9. How much notice is needed to schedule an inspection?     Typically, your inspection can be scheduled within one week -- sometimes the very day you call. I am a one-man operation and that means FLEXIBLE! This assumes you are flexible in your time and day requirement. If you must have the inspection done on a specific day or at a specific time, it may take a little longer to find a spot that meets your needs. Saturday inspections are often available. 10. Can you inspect commercial buildings or multiple units?     Yes. Different buildings will have different "occupancy" ratings from the local jurisdiction and will accordingly have some different requirements. I help you to understand some of those differences and to see that they are complied with. Please note that I cannot claim to be familiar with every idiosyncrasy in every jurisdiction. What will be of value to you is the awareness of the major and common issues such as exiting requirements, safety issues, natural lighting and ventilation standards and so on. 11. How long have you been in business and how many inspections have you done?     I have been inspecting homes since 1985 and have completed nearly 7000 reports. 12. What are your qualifications to be a Home Inspector?     It is not unusual for buyers to be confused about who is qualified to perform a Home Inspection. For example, there are no university degrees offered in "HOME INSPECTION" nor is specific training required by law and there is no licensing available for Home Inspectors in California. This is why it is imperative that consumers choose an inspector who is a member of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or The California Real Estate Inspection Association. ASHI, for example, has formidable criteria for membership, continuing education requirements to maintain membership, strict standards of practice and an ethical code to which we members must adhere. Additionally, I have a background in residential and commercial construction and remodeling and I hold a California State General Contractor's License. Click on "Philosophy & Profile" at left to see a complete resume. 13. Can you help us understand the feasibility of some remodeling we'd like to do?     Certainly. Bring your dreams and ideas to the Home Inspection and let's take a look at the house and see how they can be implemented. I will tell you if, given the existing structure, the changes you want to make are reasonable and practicable and just how difficult the task is likely to be. We can also discuss approximate costs and time frames for completion. ...     AND, if you are an EXISTING HOMEOWNER, planning to do an addition or a remodel, I provide remodel coaching. We have life coaches today and personal training coaches, why not hire a coach, someone who has been in the trenches and speaks the contractor language and YOUR language, to facilitate your major home improvement undertaking and save money, time and stress while ensuring the outcome you dream of? Do-it-yourself doesn't really have to mean going it alone. Let me drop in once or twice a week to keep you on track. Want to make sure your contractor isn't cutting corners? Are you sure you could even recognize sub-standard work if you saw it? I'll take care of that for you. By meeting ahead of time with you and the contractor, reviewing the plans and letting him know, from the outset, that I'll be monitoring the job, the path is paved for excellence and success in your remodeling effort. The objective is to create a single-minded, collaborative team: YOU, your CONTRACTOR and me (YOUR COACH). It is a win for all, including the contractor who cannot always keep close tabs on every detail of the project. 14. What does the report look like? What is your reporting style?     Each of my reports is an original, created by me, specifically for you and your property. I have developed my own exclusive method and reporting system over the years, resulting in highly accessible and understandable information for you. There are six fundamental pages -- an outline if you will. These pre-printed forms are what I use on-site to take my notes and to generally rate the condition of the many components that I will be inspecting. After I return to the office, I will use a word-processor to add more pages to the report, in order to expand on the information in each of the form pages as, and if, needed. This allows me to fully describe my observations, explain the formation of my opinions and clarify my recommendations. I may, where appropriate, include some ‘theory' to help you understand the all-important "why" of a particular correction that is needed. My average report is typically 14 pages long and includes the original six ‘overview' pages to provide you a very quick and accessible perspective of the systems and their condition. My hand-printing on the forms is neat and legible. While it is not my first recommendation, I can complete a report on-site for those times when you are in an extreme hurry for the documentation. If you wish to have a site-generated report, you must so indicate when placing the order. A site-generated report may affect the fee structure and will be ultimately dependant upon the condition and complexity of the property. In other words, a site generated report is only appropriate for a property that is typical in design (structurally and systemically) and without obscure or unusual conditions that would require more in-depth documentation.