Checklist, Tips and Suggestions
Checklist to Speedup and Improve a Home Inspection:

  1. Replace blown light bulbs. This will avoid a "light inoperative" comment that may suggest an electrical problem.
  2. Make sure that all services are turned on. This includes water, electrical and gas. Also make sure that pilot lights are lit.
  3. Test Carbon-monoxide and smoke detectors, and replace dead batteries.
  4. Make sure pets are secured or contained, so they won't hinder the inspection process.
  5. Remove debris, stored items and wood from the foundation, as these could be listed as a prime condition for termites.
  6. Remove any items that may be blocking access to Electrical panels, water heaters, HVAC equipment, attic and crawlspace.
  7. Clean or replace HVAC filters. These should fit properly too.
  8. Repair or replace any broken or missing items, such as doorknobs, locks and latches, windowpanes and screens, gutters/downspouts, and chimney caps.
  9. Make sure to unlock any areas that your home inspector must access, such as the attic door or hatch, electrical service panel, the door to the basement, and any exterior gates.
  10. Trim tree limbs back 10 feet from the roof. Trim any shrubs that are too close to the house.
CO Testor info.
   Proper placement of a carbon monoxide (CO) detector is important. If you are installing only one CO detector, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends it be located near the sleeping area, where it can wake you if you are asleep. Additional detectors on every level and in every bedroom of a home provides extra protection against CO poisoning.
   Homeowners should remember not to install CO detectors directly above or beside fuel burning appliances, as these may emit a small amount of CO, especially at start-up.
Appraisals are not home inspections.

Why a Buyer Needs a Home Inspection
A home inspection gives the buyer more detailed information than an appraisal--information you need to make a wise decision. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to:
• Evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction, and mechanical systems.
• Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced.
• Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes.

What Goes into a Home Inspection
A home inspection gives the buyer an impartial, physical evaluation of the overall condition of the home and items that need to be repaired or replaced. The inspection gives a detailed report on the condition of the structural components, exterior, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, insulation and ventilation, air conditioning, and interiors.

Be an Informed Buyer
It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer. Be sure that what you buy is satisfactory in every respect. You have the right to carefully examine your potential new home with a qualified home inspector. You may arrange to do so before signing your contract, or may do so after signing the contract as long as your contract states that the sale of the home depends on the inspection. 

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Homeowners Help Links
Expert Advice for Home Repair-Home Tips.com
Helpful Info. for the Handyman-DIY Network
Home Maintenance and Repairs-About.com
Tips from a Handyman-The Natural Handyman
Inpsectapedia
Life expectancy of stuff around the House
​
Home and Business Inspector Directories
National Home Inspector Referral Directory
Georgia Home Inspector Referral Directory




If you have questions or concerns
Give me a call anytime. 
Brian Simms, cell 706-252-1357
I WILL answer.
Seven Signs of a Bad Roof:

  1. Roof age - How old is your existing shingle roof? Most experts agree that a typical roof will last between 20 and 25 years. Several conditions can affect the useful life of roofing, such as whether the old roof was removed before installation and if the roof is properly ventilated. If the roof you have was installed over another layer or layers and it is older than 20 years, chances are you will be looking at a new roof.
  2. Curling and buckling of shingles - Shingles that are curled or buckling are another sign that you may need a roof. By looking at the slopes of your roof that have direct sunlight and you notice the shingles are curling and loosing granules, (accumulated in the gutters or on the ground) it could mean the shingles are past their life expectancy. This could also mean the roofing is possibly defective. Check with the manufacturer.
  3. Valleys - If your shingles are falling apart or missing in the valleys, it is a definite sign you may need a new roof. Valleys are one of the most important areas of your roof. Storm water accumulates and flows through the valleys. So if the valleys are compromised you could be susceptible to leaks.
  4. Missing shingles - This is another sign to look for. Check to see if all "Tabs" are intact and secure. If tabs have slid down out of place, this is usually an installation error. A common mistake of roofers using air nailers, is having the compressor air pressure set to high. This allows some of the roofing nails to penetrate through the roofing material, thereby not holding the shingles in place. Contact your roofer immediately about this.
  5. Chimney flashing - If your flashings have an abundance of roofing cement or tar applied to them, it may need to be replaced. Look for areas of separation between the chimney and flashing, which is a good indicator to future problems.
  6. Loss of Shingle granules - Look in the gutters or on the ground at the Soffit line to see if there is a build-up of granules. Roofs tend to lose more granules towards the end of their useful life cycle.
  7. Fiberglass matt showing - If the matting material is visible on the shingle surface. This is an indication of a worn or possibly a defective shingle. This would allow storm water to penetrate through the roofing material and into the home.
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Virtual Home Inspection Tour!
This brief tour has eight sections that display photo examples and audio clips of what a standard home inspection includes. The video can't possibly detail every item that is inspected, but it does provide a good sense for what an inspection includes.
The Home Inspection Process

To avoid delays and to ensure that you get a complete inspection;
When setting up the inspection appointment, ask the listing agent to have the home inspection ready. 

Making sure of the following;
  • Water is turned on to sinks, toilets, tubs, etc.
  • Gas to the furnace and water heater is turned on and pilots lit.
  • Electrical service is turned on throughout the house.
  • Make sure the "Winterized" tags are removed.
  • Replace any blown light bulbs.

Many homes have the utilities turned off so make sure that if you or your Realtor set up the inspection appointment, that you request that the home gets fully prepared for an inspection, so a full evaluation of the electrical system, plumbing system, heating/cooling system, and water heating system can be done.

1. Has your purchase agreement been accepted? If so - Great!

2. Once you have an accepted purchase agreement;

​Please email me as much of the following information as you can.
A. Your name, email, current address, inspection address and your telephone number.
B. Your agents name and phone number (if you are using one).
C. The selling (listing agents) name and phone number. 
(So that I can schedule with them to inspect the home)
D. The MLS number
E. Any Disclosure Statements, if possible.

3. I will call you and we can choose an inspection time that is convenient.

4. Then I will make the appointment, call you back and confirm the time.

5. The day of the inspection, you are welcome to be there during the entire two to four hour inspection (honestly most people get bored) or if you want I can call you when I am about 30 minutes from completion and you can come over then.

6. We will do a complete walk through where I will explain any deficiencies or maintenance issues that I observed during my home inspection and I will also answer any questions you might have.

7. The report will be emailed to the customer shortly after the home inspection. This is a full report covering all of the house systems including interior, exterior, roof, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, ventilation/insulation, and structure with color pictures where necessary to help explain any deficiencies. I also include the model and serial numbers of the furnace and A/C units (if possible), along with suggestions of action to remedy any deficiencies, and maintenance tips on various aspects of the home.