R-Mac Inspections

Here is an example of my inspection reports

 

 

 

 

Question and answer

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

 

A. Find an inspector who is willing to talk to you and educate you on what was found in the home and what best practices are about managing a home's mechanical system. Many inspectors try to do too many inspections in one day and get irritated when buyers want to ask questions. I do a maximum 2 inspections a day (and can't be on opposite ends of the city) because I purposely build in time for the buyer to ask as many questions as they can.

 

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

 

A. Is my house safe form gasses and carbon monoxide? I'll be happy to walk you through what your systems are and how you can monitor their operations for safety.

 

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

 

A. A home inspection is an objective opinion on the general condition of a home. I love my realtors that I work and appreciate their business. But you don't want a "yes" man inspector. Don't be afraid to interview your perspective inspector.

 

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

 

A. My work stands out because I truly love what I do. Many people in this business have grown complacent in the job and sometimes cut corners or just don't follow through on a thorough inspection. For instance; many inspectors don't want to walk on roofs. The roof is the most important mechanism of a home. You just have to walk on the roof and look at it from there. Binoculars and looking from the edge is just not a good inspection.

 

Q. What do you like most about your job?

 

A. I love interacting with people and educating first time buyers on what are big items vs. not sweating the "small stuff".

 

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

 

A. "What are the major concerns that I should have". The main components of your home that I pay special attention to are; The roof, the HVAC system, Foundation, and combustible systems. Those are the most expensive "fixes" for you and I want to take extra time to make sure they are quality installed and safe.

 

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

 

A. Always tie your ladder up to the house with a bungee cord to the gutter. Because if you don't, there could be a gust of wind…… that was not a good morning.

 

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

 

A. Even someone who has spent years in construction don't understand the impact of the knowledge of a home inspector brings to the table when evaluating a home's entirety. There are so many laws and liabilities associated with a home inspection. An inspector has to be thorough but yet he shouldn't "pick a house apart" to cover himself legally. This is a paradox because it is both legal and irresponsible to do this. It would give the impression that the house was nothing but a problem. An inspector has to be able to gage the house as a whole and then present the findings in an objective way.

 

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

 

A. It was a natural progression in my field and I love working for myself. Every day is Monday and Saturday. Ha ha!

 

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

 

A. As a fan of architecture I love old houses. Big and small. I got to inspect a 107 year old mansion in Taylor, TX that was mostly updated. The HVAC and electrical had all been upgraded within the past several years. The buyers wanted a historic home but worried about the infrastructure of the house for the future. The owners were very involved in the inspection. I took them under the house and over the house, much less through it. I showed them what "use be" and "what is" and I loved it. I felt like there was a camera crew following me around and I was a host on a DIY show! :)

 

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

 

A. Other than the standard continuing education that we have to have to maintain our license, I am always involved with building projects. That keeps my edge in the construction trades and knowing what is the new technologies and how they integrate into the home.

 

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

 

A. I am getting an energy audit certification. This will allow me to educate customers on what they can do to save money on energy bills.

 

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

 

A. My prices are pretty simple. $285 for any house under 2500 square feet. This includes a termite/WDI inspection. If no termite/wdi inspection is needed then the price drops to $250.

 

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

 

A. There are a lot of good inspectors in this business that didn't come from the construction fields. Even though a home inspection is a visual inspection of mostly surface areas you should be able to know what is behind the walls. What is standard construction techniques for Austin 25 years ago versus today. No matter what construction trade you came out of you were most likely onsite when other trades were working. That knowledge is invaluable.

 

Q. What is your greatest strength?

 

A. My communication skills are what sets me apart. I love talking and educating people on their homes.

 

Q. What are you currently working on improving?

 

A. I am getting my LEEDS certification. This is an environmental certification that will allow me to "legally" tell you how you can improve your homes energy efficiency.