Charlotte, NC Home Inspection
704 641-2729
paul_southcharlotte.net
In Charlotte, NC buying a new home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make. It is a decision that will affect you for years to come. The process can be extremely stressful and confusing. And of course, there is always considerable risk involved when making such a large purchase decision. Our professional home inspection will significantly reduce your risk and help make the entire home buying process easier and less stressful. We really enjoy helping my clients in this process, customer service is our highest priority.
We strongly encourage all of our clients to accompany us during the home inspection. You should feel free to ask any questions you may have during the inspection process. During the home inspection we will point out areas of concern and explain them to you. We will show you the good points of the house as well. Plus, we will explain what routine maintenance is needed to keep the house in top condition. This will help you to get the most benefit from the home inspection and gain the most understanding of the systems that make up your home, and how to maintain it. You will get a comprehensive home inspection report that is easy to understand. Everything identified during the inspection will be included in the report.
Armed with the information my home inspection report will provide, you can make your buying decision with confidence
Building Science
Our experience as a certified HERS Rater, Green Rater, and certified BPI Building Analyst Professional give us an understanding of Building Science - the interrelationship of duct leakage, house pressure, duct pressures, exhaust fans, back drafting, equipment efficiency, insulation, ventilation, windows, air tightness, and moisture as it relates to the design and structure of the house. Our knowledge of building science gives us an advantge to precieve and find problems that most other home inspectors would not be aware of.
Energy Star, Green Certified Homes
If you are purchasing a new or existing Energy Star and/or Green Certified Home we have the knowledge and expertise as a third party energy / green rater to inspection the home to ensure that the house complies with the certification standards.
What is a Home Inspection?
According to the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics glossary, a home inspection is "The process by which an inspector visually examines the readily accessible systems and components of a home and which describes those systems and components in accordance with these Standards of Practice.
As always there must be the legal terminology: "Our Inspector will perform a visual inspection of, and prepare a written report on, the apparent condition of the readily accessible installed systems and components of the property existing at the time of the inspection. The inspection is essentially visual, is not technically exhaustive, and does not imply that every defect will be discovered. Latent and concealed defects and deficiencies are excluded from the inspection. Cosmetic flaws and defects will not be a part of this inspection." (South Charlotte Inspection Services, Inc. home inspection agreement)
South Charlotte Inspection Services, Inc. examines:
Lots & Grounds Exterior Surfaces Roof
Garage/Carport Structural System Electrical System
Attic Basement/Crawl Space Air Conditioning System
Heating System Plumbing Living Spaces
What it all comes down to, is that we are going to educate you about the home you are having inspected: what systems are present; the basics of how those systems work; the basics of how to maintain those systems; and the apparent condition of those that we can inspect in accordance with our Standards of Practice. If we find things that need to be repaired, we will give you advice and guidance on what kind of specialist needs to make the repairs. We will also offer advice and guidance on resources to learn more about maintaining the property.
We are not going to tear systems apart. That would be a technically exhaustive inspection. We can arrange technically exhaustive inspections; however, they cost several thousand dollars and are usually not necessary in a real estate transaction. In a technically exhaustive inspection, specialists in each system of a home are called in, systems are dismantled, destructive testing is conducted, and extensive measurements/calculations of system capacities are made.
A common analogy about Home Inspectors relates to the medical profession. When you don't know exactly what's wrong, you see a Family Practice Doctor or generalist. If there are serious problems, the generalist refers you to a specialist, such as a heart doctor.
The Home Inspector performs the function of a generalist. Our training and experience guide us in determining if there are serious problems, and if there are, which specialist(s) to refer the home buyer to given the symptoms of the serious problems. In effect, if we determine that there is a serious problem with: your electrical system, we recommend that you have the problem repaired by a licensed electrician; with the roof, a qualified roofer; and with the plumbing system, a licensed plumber.
To maintain our objectivity, we will not perform any repairs on a property that we inspect.
Because we service a large area, it is not possible for us to be up to date on which contractor in each specialty and geographical area does a good job or a bad job, therefore, we will not recommend a particular contractor to make a repair.
We WILL provide a comprehensive report, including a summary, of the problems we found, along with a photos of those problem areas. If questions arise about our inspection or the report, you should feel free to contact us and we will help clarify the issue.
Samples of our inspection report are available on this web site. Please call or e-mail us with your information to obtain the price of a professional home inspection.
Services
Basic Services
Pre-Purchase Home Inspections: Homebuyers need to have a professional inspection in order to learn the condition of the home they are planning to purchase. Few homes are perfect and a quality inspection will allow a potential buyer to consider the expense of any needed repairs and make an informed purchase decision. The cost of a professional inspection is small when compared to the peace of mind gained from knowing the true condition of the property under consideration.
Pre-Listing Home Inspections:
Home sellers use home inspections to learn of repairs or service needs that should be handled before they put their homes on the market. Completing repairs in advance eliminates a source of stress and minimizes requests by potential buyers to lower the price of the home to allow for future repairs. The home that is in excellent condition will be easier for the seller to market and will attract better offers.
Other Services
BACTERIA WATER TEST:
The water is tested for coliform bacteria only. Usually the results are available within 48 hours
FHA WATER TEST:
Home buyers obtaining an FHA loan to purchase a house whose water is supplied by a well are required to have this test. It detects the presence of total coliform bacteria, nitrates/nitrites, and lead. The results are typically available within 7 to 10 days.
Radon:
Radon gas is an odorless, tasteless, invisible, radioactive gas released into the ground as a by-product of uranium decay. It has been determined to be the second leading cause, after smoking, of lung cancer. Radon testing can be performed using our Continuous Read machine or with Charcoal Absorption Canisters. The results of test with the Continuous Read machine can be known in 48 hours after the test is started. The canisters are placed in a house for 2-6 days, after which they are sent to an independent laboratory for analysis. The results are typically available within 7 to 10 days of the completion of the test.
Wood Destroying Pest Report (WDIR):
South Charlotte Inspection Services, Inc. is a Certified Applicator with Termitech South, Inc. and is qualified to conduct termite inspections. The inspection can be performed alone or at the same time as any other home inspection. It consists of an inside and an outside examination of the house to determine the presence of wood destroying insects, including termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and insects commonly referred as "powder post" beetles. The results are available immediately following the inspection.
The Inspector
Paul Curcio (pronounced: Kur-see-oh) is a licensed North Carolina General Contractor (residential and building classifications) as well as a licensed North Carolina Home Inspector. Paul has lived in the Charlotte area for over 25 years and has been involved with the construction industry for over twenty years, during which he gained a great deal of hands-on experience. Paul has earned his associates in mechanical engineering degree and worked more than 10 years as head designer for an industrial construction engineering firm where he gained knowledge and understanding of building systems and components. Paul also manages the Green Program division of Energy Wise Solutions, Inc.
Licensed:
Green Building:
Certified:
Member of:
Green Building Verification & Consulting
In partnership with Energy Wise Solutions we can offer the follwing servivces:
Energy Star RemRate Plan Analysis,
Thermal Bypass Inspections,
Home Performance Testing (Blower Door/Duct Blaster, etc.)
Energy Wise Solutions
Energy Wise Solutions is dedicated to improving the efficiency of our structures from the ground up, and providing comfortable living and working environments that utilize renewable, reliable energy sources. We are certified through multiple green building programs and offer training for both residential and commercial clients. For more information vist out website:
http://www.energywisesolutions.net/
The state of North Carolina requires that a contract be signed prior to each home inspection performed.
Click on the PDF Icon to download the contract:
Please complete where indicated and fax or email the contract to us prior to the start of the inspection:
Fax: 704 543-0844
email: inspector_southcharlotte.net
Contract.pdf
Home and Energy is a Charlotte, NC area home inspection company specializing in inspecting the "house as a system" from a building science perspective.
What is a house as a system?
A building is a very complex system, wherein each part of the system affects every other part of the system. Consequently, and in turn, each individual system is made up of components. Each component is further made up of individual products, technologies which dictate how the products function, and particularly the relationships between the different products. How things function as a whole is the focus of our investigation
Copyright 2012 - South Charlotte Inspection Services, Inc.
