THE CHEAPEST INSPECTION
MAY BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE MISTAKE YOU CAN MAKE!

                      
Member 249171                                               Member 6082094

707.245.7545 (cell/text) or 707.987.9970 (office)
BYRON DUERKSEN, ACI, CMI
MBA - CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
ASHI CERTIFIED INSPECTOR * NACHI CERTIFIED MASTER INSPECTOR
HUD/FHA 203(k) INSPECTOR * CERTIFIED THERMOGRAPHER * CERTIFIED MOLD/RADON/AIR QUALITY TESTING

A+ Rating        

HOUSECHECK IS LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
DEDICATED TO MEETING YOUR HIGHEST EXPECTATIONS FOR A HOME INSPECTION


 

Welcome to Housecheck Inspection Services.  I am a seasoned professional, a Certified Master Inspector conducting thousands of inspections in Northern California's wine country in the last fifteen years.  The dictionary defines a "professional" as "skilled, proficient, knowledgeable, prepared, talented, competent, and experienced,"  in other words, a master of his craft.  I take pride in providing courteous, friendly and competent service.

I have earned three Master Inspector certifications from three different home inspection organizations (NACHI, AII, CREIA), and achieved the ACI which is the ASHI's highest accreditation.  I am also a Certified HUD/FHA inspector and consultant.  Twelve years ago I passed the National Home Inspector Examination used for licensing home inspectors in states that require licenses.  Here are my pertinent home inspection qualifications:

*  Board Certified Master Inspector (NACHI) - international certification
*  ASHI Certified Inspector (ASHI) - international certification
*   Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI) - national certification
*  Commercial Building Inspector (Carson Dunlop Weldon) - international certification
*   Certified FHA/HUD Inspector, S0770 - federal certification
*  Former City Building Inspector (City of Clearlake)
*  Past President, American Institute of Inspectors (A.I.I.) - 3 terms
*  Former Region 1 Director, California Real Estate Inspection Association (C.R.E.I.A.)
*  State Approved Trainer of Licensed Home Inspectors in Washington,
    Oregon & Nevada

Whether a website has a couple of paragraphs of "humble pie" on a home page, or professional photographs of beautiful houses, or dozens of logos of affiliations and accreditations plastered all over, it's a marketing strategy that really doesn't tell you anything.  I prefer facts.  Facts that can help you make an informed decision. So, there no boiler plate here.  These are my words from fifteen years of experience inspecting.

YOU GET SO MUCH MORE WITH A HOUSECHECK INSPECTION

Our main focus is to provide the most comprehensive inspection service available for our customers.  We continually strive to improve our customers’ home inspection experience.  Along with performing high compliance inspections, I include additional services at no cost to you. 

1.  By utilizing my infrared camera, I can detect costly leaks and potentially dangerous electrical hot spots.

2.  I submit model and serial numbers on appliances to RecallChek from whom you'll get a separate report. 

3.  Included with that you will have a 90 day warranty from Residential Warranty Services on structural and mechanical components. 

4.  I will mail you a plastic covered, bound Hard Copy for easy reference as well as email the PDF. 

5.  And, finally I will send you a valuable 225 page e-book titled The Safe Home which answers many questions for home owners.

"THE HOME INSPECTION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION"

Consumer Reports - March 2015 issue

THE CHEAPEST INSPECTION MAY BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE MISTAKE YOU COULD MAKE

The few dollars you think you could save may cost you thousands of dollars down the road because of missed or overlooked defects, some of which can injure or even kill you.

Home repairs can be some of the most costly expenses consumers face.  Identifying potential problems with a home's infrastructure or its major systems before close of escrow can ultimately save thousands of dollars in repair costs.  Problems or potential problems that are identified during the home inspection can then be used as a negotiating tool.  A seller might reduce his price, or may even fix the problem before the close.

The importance of having access to all the relevant information on a house before making a purchase decision cannot be understated. Equally important is getting information that is accurate, complete, and unbiased.

You can be sure you are getting the best information because I have no conflicts of interest.  I won't exaggerate the extent of the issues in hopes of getting the repair work. California Law prohibits home inspectors from making repairs resulting from an inspection.  Likewise, I will not minimize the extent of  the issues to please anyone involved in the transaction who may have his own agenda.  I will report to you exactly what I find.

The home inspection industry is unregulated in California.  Don't let anyone mislead you by claiming to be State Certified or a State Licensed and Bonded home inspector because there is no such thing.  Only in California can a guy be a dog catcher on Tuesday and a home inspector on Wednesday, and I promise you I'm not making this up. 

If you have your sights set on the cheapest inspector, he knows his services are not worth more.  So if your deck collapses during a family barbecue or your master bedroom ceiling leaks at 3 a.m. during the next winter storm, spend your money on repairs instead of an attorney because that would be cheaper.

Seriously, you couldn't put a price of your family's health and safety.  Your home inspection costs very little but it will tell you a whole lot.  It's worth much more than the inspection fee.   My fees are reasonable and affordable, and depend on the perceived amount of time it will take to inspect the property and to produce a fully documented report.

For your own peace of mind, let Housecheck provide you with the most qualified inspector and the most comprehensive report you can find.   It's the difference between your peace of mind and nagging doubts.

ONE HOME INSPECTOR IS NOT THE SAME AS ANOTHER

There are many home inspectors from which to choose.  What sets Housecheck apart is (1) highest level certifications, (2) advanced continuing education, (3) extensive home inspection experience, (4) a professional, high-quality, detailed report, (5) customer service skills, and of course, (6) Errors & Omissions insurance.

Continuing education is crucial for a home inspector to keep abreast of new materials, advanced methods, code changes and different applications.  Your real estate agent is required to take condtinuig education as mandated by the State.  However, the State has no requirements for education, training, insurance or conduct of home inspectors.

I have attended Conferences and Seminars in Las Vegas, San Diego, Nashville, Philadelphia, Reno, and Portland to obtain advanced education.   I recently had an 8-hour class on the Significant Changes in the 2016 California Building Codes.  Also, just completed 16 hours in a Radon class which was very illuminating.

In order to be a professional home inspector in California, an inspector must be trained, educated, tested and certified by a reputable national organization, like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), whose sole purpose is to provide that training, education and testing for certification.  Few inspectors are able to meet ASHI's rigorous standards for proven competency, yet ASHI's exam is the very same national exam used to license home inspectors in other states. 

As a former contractor, I can tell you that home inspecting demands far more detailed education in every discipline than a general contractor.  A professional home inspector must possess a unique combination of disciplines, skills and education involving many elements that are particularly complex in order to perform the very detailed job of investigating a home’s structure and components. 

I exceed the American Society of Home Inspectors and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors Standards of Practice and abide by their Code of Ethics.  The Standards of Practice are minimum requirements for inspecting.   Often, that isn't good enough.  I maintain a higher standard for myself.  Look for the best home inspector that you can possibly find; not someone who does the absolute minimum. 

I use state of the art equipment: tablets, drones, infrared camera, laser devices, and the most sophisticated software utilizing the Cloud, in order to deliver the highest quality inspection report.  Why settle for an inferior report of a dozen or so pages with check boxes OR 2 letter acronyms for you to decipher?  That will leave you with more questions than answers.  Plus my reports do not require a secret decoder ring.

WHEN YOU WANT THE BEST, THE CHOICE IS CLEAR

THE BEST INSPECTION AND REPORT DOESN'T COST, IT PAYS  

In fact, it could very well prove to be life saving.  This is your last opportunity to gain information and understanding on a property which is a major long-term financial commitment.

Judge the home inspector by the quality of the Inspection Report which should speak for itself.  The report must be well written and skillfully prepared.  The report should leave nothing to your imagination, cover every room, component and system and should not require your real estate agent or anyone else to interpret it.  A Home Inspector must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.  My report is designed to walk you through each area of the house and show you what I saw and report on it right then and there.

It costs relatively little compared to real estate commissions and down payments, but the home inspection is the most important part of the real estate transaction according to Consumer Reports magazine.  I provide a 60+ page, room-by-room, system-by-system report written in plain English with pictures every step of the way.

You can be assured that I value your business.  I encourage you to call me if you have any questions.

PRICE SHOPPING?

There is no comparison between an in-depth inspection that provides you with a detailed report compared to a hasty, superficial inspection reporting the absolute minimum.   A report should be comprehensive, full of pictures and cover every essential aspect of the home.  If you don't get that, you've wasted your money.  An inspection, like a diagnosis, is not the place for bargain hunting. 

If all you know about an inspector is his fee, then you really know nothing. 

PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ESSENTIAL TO EVERY REPORT

Without photographs, you get less the half the information.  In my experience as a home inspector, sellers have removed etched shower doors, wood carved mantles, brand new water heaters, air conditioners, even doors between the inspection and close of escrow.  And since they replaced them with like items, albeit of lesser value, they see no harm.  What do you think?

Pictures show why a fascia board should be replaced even if you don't know what a fascia board is.  My reports are unmatched in details, in number of pictures and in readability.  View any inspector's sample report online and compare.

The report is a direct reflection of the inspector's knowledge and expertise.  Look at any sample report.  Can you understand it?  It should not resemble a contractor's checklist. 

UNINSURED HOME INSPECTORS COST BUYERS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS

If an inspector has no insurance specifically for home inspecting, you are at risk for potential undisclosed issues.  You have a lot of home inspectors from which to choose and you also have a lot to lose.

MY PROMISE TO YOU

My first priority is to provide you, the client, with an honest and complete evaluation of the property you are about to purchase.  Every inch of the property is inspected -- all structural, electrical, air conditioning, heating and plumbing are examined.  I crawl under the house.  I climb into the attic.  I inspect the roof.  I will notify you of any item that has a current or potential issue. 

BAY AREA DECK COLLAPSES CAUSE DEATHS AND INJURIES

Decks cause more injuries and loss of life than any other part of the home.  It can happen in a split second without any warning.  The deck suddenly collapses to the ground, injuring and sometimes killing the people who were on it.  About 45,000 people a year are injured or killed in deck collapses. Deck collapses may be caused by decades old rotting wood and corroding fasteners.  Many deck collapses, however, are newer decks, improperly constructed.  About 40% of today's decks are unsafe.  Many capable contractors do not know how to build a deck properly.   With recent changes in California building codes, more stringent laws have been enacted for building decks and stairs.         . . . read more

A deck may look good, even beautiful, but if it isn't built correctly, it is a huge safety risk.

THERMAL IMAGING

There are times when a visual inspection is just not enough, like seeing the tip of an iceberg.  In those cases, I use my infrared thermal imaging camera.   Infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot.

Infrared thermography cameras produce images of invisible infrared or "heat" radiation and provide precise non-contact temperature measurement capabilities. If objects emit infrared energy at different levels, and we can see the difference in a camera, then we can find and solve problems much quicker and at a lesser cost.

The cost of unseen and undisclosed moisture intrusion and electrical hot spots could cost you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars if not discovered.      . . . read more

RADON

New homes are air tight and older homes that have been remodeled are more air tight.  This reduces the air exchange rates and that is where it creates problems.  There are companies who provide radon mitigation without understanding the concepts.  They provide improper capping, incorrect edge sealing or none at all, and do not set down poly sheets correctly.

One thing you must know if you are concerned about radon is get all steel wool insulation or fiberglass insulation out of your attic.  Uniformity in radon mitigation and vapor barrier market is dismal.  Unless it is done correctly, it may be better to just leave your windows open.  You can easily get a false sense of security with these systems if they are not installed correctly. 

Add to that the fact that there is a long list of toxic substances in our homes, of which radon is only one.  The perhaps old fashioned notion that we should open our windows and let in the fresh air and let out whatever gases and aromas are building up is still your best bet.

FOUNDATIONS

This area of Northern California has an average annual rainfall of 24 to over 75 inches of rain.  This is typically concentrated in a period of 5 to 6 months.  That is a huge amount of water seeping under a house if it is not properly controlled.  The end result is foundation cracking, shifting and rotting wood structure or mold.

Walk past the hairline cracks in the foundation wall. Those are a normal sign of settling. But large cracks, dramatically uneven blocks or bowed walls suggest potentially catastrophic and expensive issues.

        
For crawl space homes, poor drainage amd hydrostatic pressures are the number one culprit.  As pressure builds beneath the surface around the crawl space, force is exerted on the walls that leads to cracks and/or bowing of foundation walls.
MOLD TESTING

Mold not only leads to respiratory problems, it also means water is entering and collecting in a house. While the mold should be cleaned, the source of the mold must be addressed.

If mold is on a tile or a hard surface, it can almost always be cleaned up with bleach and water.  Mold on drywall can’t be scrubbed clean.  What you see on the surface could be much worse behind the surface. You have to find the source of the water.        . . . read more

BAD WIRING AND ELECTRICAL DANGERS

OSHA reports that one person is killed every day just from opening an old defective electrical panel.  It's not just a strong electrical shock, they are actually cremated.
 
Knob-and-tube wiring, the exposed wire anchored by porcelain posts common in homes built well into the 1930s.

The main issue with this early wiring system is the likelihood that it was improperly modified, often decades after it was installed. Also, building insulation was commonly laid down on top of the knob and tube wiring, interfering with its ability to cool down thus presenting a fire hazard.

Although the system can work well, replacing it may be recommended for several safety reasons, including the fact that the circuit isn't grounded, and the wires are sometimes covered in cloth that frays with age.   Do-it-yourself electrical projects can especially be red flags on any house wiring. 
    . . . read more

ROOF LEAKS SPELL DISASTER

For each 1" of rainfall on a roof, there are 600 gallons of roof run-off water for every 1000 square feet of the roof surface.  Most homes have well over 2000 square feet or more roof surface area. 
      . . . read more

 
On Honey Do List Too Long             Mushrooms in the Ceiling

SMOKE DETECTORS CAN BE DEADLY

Claiming hundreds of lives each year, Carbon Monoxide is the #1 cause of accidental poisoning in the United States.  So CO detectors are mandatory in all bedrooms with the recent upgrades to the California building codes.  Most residential smoke alarms are either ionization or photoelectric type alarms.  Around 95% of the smoke alarms installed in US homes are ionization type alarms.  There are very significant differences in how these 2 types of alarms respond in real-world fires.  Ionization alarms are notorious for nuisance tripping, such as from cooking, steam from a shower, etc.  But ionization alarms are very slow to respond in the smoldering fires that account for most residential fire deaths.    . . . read more

YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE GROUND WATER ISSUES

County officials reportedly became aware of unstable ground conditions and five homes have been deemed uninhabitable, the public sewer system has been damaged, and the water system, other homes and roads remain at risk.  I inspected a large house in Lakeport with many amenities but the grounds were wet and there was some standing water.  There had been no seasonal rain yet, so it was very suspicious.  Nevertheless, I had to call it out as an issue that needed to be addressed.   My client backed off the purchase which disappointed the realtor.  A lot of sellers view the moisture intrusion issues as only an inconvenience and do not declare the issue when they put their house up for sale.  But, this is serious, invites termites, mold, compromises the foundation and worse.  A few months later, the front page of the newspaper shows a home right above the property I inspected.           . . .  read more

Home Collapsed Due to Underground Water

PROPANE DANGERS

In most areas propane gas is used as natural gas is not available.  The majority of propane gas users are not aware that propane has different properties than natural gas.  The following may scare you and it should.

Leaking natural gas vapors rapidly dissipate in the atmosphere and float away from their source.  Though this is dangerous, natural gas is much safer than propane. Propane gas is heavier than air and as a result it drops to the lowest level around the appliance or source of the leak and remains there permanently unless moving air blows it away. Water heaters, furnaces, and propane gas tanks when located in an enclosed area such as an under-house crawl space or basement pose a definite danger because a propane leak will collect or pocket and will explode when the appliance ignites or in some instances even when a light switch is flipped.

Checking for gas leaks on every appliance is an important part of my inspections.   . . . read more

          

       Relief Valve on Water Heater Had Been Jammed

CRAWL SPACE REVEALS

Crawling under the house and up into the attic are not optional.  A basic home inspection must include attics and crawl spaces.  Most serious issues are found under the house or in the attic.

     
  Under 2 Story House                 Hole Burned in Floor Under Fireplace              Break in Sewer Line

I do Lake County Home Inspections, Mendocino County Home Inspections, Napa County Home Inspections and Sonoma County Home Inspections.          

PRE-LISTING INSPECTIONS

If you are about to put your home on the market, a pre-listing inspection will put you ahead of the competition.  It will alert you to any immediate issues discovered before potential buyers tour your home.  Then, any issues or repairs can be resolved ahead of time without rushing, which will help the home show better and give you time for repair choices.  This alone can save you a considerable amount of money.  Without a pre-listing inspection, defects can cause unreasonable price adjustment demands from the buyer or even kill the sale and escrow may drag on instead of closing quickly and smoothly.                                                                                    . . . read more