Received: from FARADAY.ECE.CMU.EDU by K.CS.CMU.EDU; 14 Apr 87 14:41:47 EDT Received: by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Tue, 14 Apr 87 14:36:06 ast; Date: Tue, 14 Apr 87 14:36:06 ast From: Robert Zimmermann Message-Id: <8704141836.AA02780@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> To: bovik@k Subject: List of Home Inspectors Received: from gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 10:58:36 ast; Received: by gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 10:57:31 ast; Date: 8 Apr 1987 10:53-EST From: Rob.Rutenbar@gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU To: raz@eef Subject: housing inspectors Message-Id: <544892020/rutenbar@gauss> Status: R Rod Harkness, in the phone book. He was reccomended by my real estate agent. Cost me about $150. Very thorough job, walked thru the house, took copious notes, has some neat forms that he fills out indicating all sorts structural details pertaining to the house. Later, walked me thru the house, pointing out all kinds of stuff to fix, to ignore, to be wary of, etc. Also, you get his advice for free after that, for some time period, so ifyou need a widget fixit man, you can call him and get a pointer to one for your particular problem. -Rob Received: from ISL1.RI.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 11:44:57 ast; Date: Wednesday, 8 April 1987 10:44:34 EST From: Marcella.Zaragoza@isl1.ri.cmu.edu To: zimmerman@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Cc: mlz@isl1.ri.cmu.edu Subject: home inspector Message-Id: <1987.4.8.15.9.12.Marcella.Zaragoza@isl1.ri.cmu.edu> Status: R Hi! We are in the process of buying a home also, and we had a structural inspection done Monday evening. The man's name is Leo O. Kaylor, and he's formerly a home builder. He's a very nice man, first of all, and he did a very thorough inspection of the building, inside and out, top to bottom. He spent a total of about 1-1/2 hours. I don't know whether other inspectors get this involved or not, but we were kind of surprised that he went into such things telling us what kind of windows were in the house; recommending that we DO NOT put aluminum siding on our wood-sided house (we thought this would be a necessity down the road); telling us all about the furnace, water heater, and attic fan and how to operate them; and telling us different ways to correct the small problems we have, including a drainage problem in the yard (I'll elaborate on more of the problems, if you wish). Mr. Kaylor is one of four inspectors suggested (do not read "recommended") by our agent, Howard Hanna in Moon Township. He will go to all areas (I asked), and he advertises 48 hour service on his business card. The best thing of all is this: the other inspectors suggested to us all charge between $150 and $175 for the inspection and written report; Mr. Kaylor will do a verbal inspection for $100, and a written, if you feel it's necessary, for $125. The written inspection would not be necessary, in my, my husband's, and Kaylor's opinion, unless there was something wrong serious enough to be reported to the sellers of the house. As you can tell, we were very happy with the inspection and the inspector. I would be happy to answer any questions you have or give you a copy of his business card. Mr. Kaylor can be reached by calling 941-8231. Good luck! --Marce Zaragoza, mlz@d, x8818 Received: from IUS1.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 12:22:39 ast; Date: 8 Apr 1987 12:11-EDT From: James.Moody@ius1.cs.cmu.edu To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Home Inspectors Message-Id: <544896713/moody@ius1.cs.cmu.edu> In-Reply-To: Robert.Zimmermann's bboard message of 08-Apr-87 10:43 Status: RO I made the same querey back in April. I was going to send this list to Bovik but he never returns my calls. Actually, I just never got around to sending it. Here it is: -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- -*- From: Bob Walker Subject: inspector Jerome Valenti 130 Fifth Street 782-3153 We used him 3 years ago when we bought our house. He made an appt, looked over the house, showed us some things as he did so (like this water heater is about to go, with a slate roof you need to get the shingles checked yearly, you might want to replace this fuse box, etc.), and then sent us a written report (~10 pages or so) a couple of days later. I don't remember what his rates were, but I think they were reasonable. He didn't check appliances except the heater and air conditioner, and he didn't go into the attic, but other than that he gave it a pretty thorough inspection. We didn't find any surprises other than in one of the appliances he didn't check (the dishwasher broke a week after we moved in). Perhaps we should have gotten insurance on things like that breaking, but... - bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: charlie#@andrew.cmu.edu (Charlie Wiecha) Subject: Re: House inspector You might want to suggest that your inspector also check the house for Chlordane (sp? the insecticide) contamination, as well as radon levels. CVS sells an inexpensive ($12) radon kit. Charlie Wiecha - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: David.Zubrow Subject: House Inspector I just used a fellow name John(?) Larson. His fee was $120 and he gave us a report that rated the mechanical and structural features of the house. I was satisfied with his work. Dave ------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: David.Anderson@dba.mach.cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: House inspector I have a friend who does home inspections for a living. I haven't ever dealt with him professionally (except to get occasional random advice about upkeep on my house), but I believe him to be honest and competent. His name is Rod Harkness, and you can call him at Harkness Building: Products, Services and Information -- 241-1980. --david - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: mm8s#@andrew.cmu.edu (Michael Meyer) Subject: Re: House inspector I've used Ray Schinhofen to insepct houses a couple times in the last year (its a LONG... story). I found him to be very good. He'll walk around the house with you and tell you everything he finds and knows. He's more than willing to answer questions as well. I don't have a phone number, but he is an architect with an office on Northumberland in Sq. Hill. --Mike Meyer Statistics. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Paul.Parker@q.cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: House inspector if you want someone good, call rodney harkness at 241-1980. this guy is a real pro. he just did my house for a refinance. i thought i knew alot about houses, plumbing, heating, electrical systems and construction. after talking with this guy, i don't know squat. i highly reccommend him. paul - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Randy.Bryant@vlsi.cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: House inspector I can highly recommend a friend of mine: Glen Vernon. His home phone is 885-3431. I've never used him, but have talked with him extensively about home construction. He used to be a contractor, but now makes a living doing inspections. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Takeo.Kanade@n.sp.cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: House inspector I know one who did the job twice for me and did an excellent job. I'll find out the name when I am at home this evening. --- Takeo [Note: It turns out to be Jerome Valenti - see Bob Walker's message. Takeo says that Jerome is the inspector you want if you are buying a home, not if you're selling. I guess that means he's thorough.] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: James.Moody@ius1.cs.cmu.edu Subject: House Inspector Addendum I've spoken with Jerome Valenti (the inspector who got two recommendations in my survey) and he is going to inspect my house. His credentials: 15 years inspecting, he is a licensed structural engineer and surveyor, he has some sort of certification for heating and electrical inspection as well. His fee for my house is $180, I assume this will be the same for any house not too far out of the ordinary. He recommended another inspector, actually a two-man operation, because it wasn't clear when I first called if our schedules were going to jive. Anyhow, the other name/number is: Dave Anderson 323-8880 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Keith.Gremban@ius2.cs.cmu.edu Subject: house inspector The inspector I used was Rod Harkness 241-1980. I was pretty impressed with him. Received: by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 12:23:45 ast; Date: Wed, 8 Apr 87 12:23:45 ast From: Bob Walker Message-Id: <8704081623.AA00160@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> To: raz Subject: inspector Status: RO Jerome W. Valenti 782-3153 Received: from po3.andrew.cmu.edu by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 13:32:16 ast; Received: by po3.andrew.cmu.edu (5.54/3.15) id for Robert.Zimmerman@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU; Wed, 8 Apr 87 13:30:18 EDT Received: via switchmail; Wed, 8 Apr 87 13:30:13 edt Received: FROM dallas VIA queuemail ID ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 13:29:23 edt Received: FROM dallas VIA qmail ID ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 13:29:02 edt Message-Id: X-Trace: MS Version 3.22 on ibm032 host dallas, by mbsc (455). Date: Wed, 8 Apr 87 13:29:00 edt From: mbsc#@andrew.cmu.edu (Marybeth Cyganik) To: Robert.Zimmerman@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Home Inspectors Status: R Hi!! I too will soon be in the market for home inspectors and would greatly appreciate a summary of your recommendations. I am a first time buyer and relatively new to Pittsburgh, so I am not sure what to expect or look for. Thanks a bunch, Marybeth Cyganik Operations Manager, Andrew Systems Administration Received: from NEWTON.ECE.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 16:00:41 ast; Message-Id: <8704082000.AA08137@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> Date: 8 Apr 1987 15:58:59 EST From: GERRY.VAEREWYCK@NEWTON.ECE.CMU.EDU To: zimmerman@faraday Subject: inspectors Status: R I went through this ordeal 2 years ago. I had inpspections done for termites, structural integrity, and formaldahyde insulation. All of these came back in good order. Within a year I found termites in the front wall that had been there for a long time (the same company said 5 years), found formaldahyde insulation in one small wall where work had been done and had to replace a 2 x 12 x 6ft beam in the porch that was completely rotted out. None of the companies would even offer a refund of the inspection fee. A friend also found termites subsequent to the inspection. Now for advise (I'm sure you'll get a lot) It is impossible for the person purchasing the house to do an impartial estimate of what's wrong just because anyone in the process of buying a house is somewhat irrational. (I was too) The inspections can be costly and don't seem to be worth it although some companies do offer guarantees. I would suggest getting the cheapest company possible and then having someone else (homeowner friend, handyman, etc) come in and give the house a thourough going over and give a list of how much money and time is necessary to correct the problems. Calling up an exterminator and telling them you think you have termites will guarantee that you will be told of the termite that walked across your lawn in 1936. It's a much better stategie than paying for an inspection although you do need a fromal inspection for the bank. Also check behind every cabinet, picture, door in the entire house. I put down $2500 on a house that had a section of the foundation collapsed and very cleverly hidden. REMEMBER- the real estate agent represents the sellers interests in selling the house, NOT your interests in buying it. Received: from IUS2.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 8 Apr 87 16:58:45 ast; Date: Wednesday, 8 April 1987 15:57:04 EST From: Keith.Gremban@ius2.cs.cmu.edu To: robert.zimmerman@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Subject: house inspector Message-Id: <1987.4.8.20.54.24.Keith.Gremban@ius2.cs.cmu.edu> Status: R When I bought my house, I was very pleased with the structural inspection. They were on time, very thorough, and walked me through the house afterwords, pointing out everything of interest. I went with: Harkness Professional Home Inspection (412) 241-1980