Long Island home inspectors help drive other businesses and contribute to the economy. - 05/24/10 10:30 AM
Whether it is welcome news or not, you have to realize home inspectors find issues in peoples homes that need to be addressed by licensed contractors. As for myself, I only recommended in my reports that licensed contractors evaluate these issues and perform repairs.
Inspectors are the first people to recognize issues in a home when buyers, especially first time home buyers, who can't turn a wrench or replace a filter, don't know what to look for, or who do not  know who to turn to for repairs. A lot of things are easily fixable, and many can tackle these issues on there own … (0 comments)

Long Island real estate agents that leave the inspection and return (or sometimes not) are not only unprofessional... - 05/20/10 11:34 AM
Do you show up at the inspection to open the door, then leave during the inspection? Not too smart in my opinion. You also show your client you don't really care.
The agent should stay in attendance in case a problem arises. If someone is missing a piece of jewelry after they get home, and they find out the agent was not present, how do you think they will react? On this very litigous island I live on I do not want to hear 'he stole my watch', or 'the leak the inspector caused has damaged my carpeting'. I am not … (2 comments)

Watch out for contractors who hire illegals. - 05/18/10 09:53 AM
I heard a disaster story yesterday that opened my eyes. A contractor that was hired to do renovations on a house on Long Island that was about to go on the market had illegal workers on his crew, and the homeowner had her family heirlooms stolen from a closet in her master bedroom.
The box was marked 'silver', and it contained an old tea set, silverware, and some very old jewelry. The cops found some of it a a local pawn shop, but only a small amount. The homeowner is now suing the contractor, who has since fired his illegal crew and … (3 comments)

Long Island home inspector finds exterior patios with kitchen tiles that are slippery when wet. - 05/17/10 09:32 PM
I am always on the lookout for the not so obvious, hidden and covered items that inspectors are always looing for, such as a stack of boxes in front of a foundation crack, or a locked room that cannot be inspected, but sometimes the issues are so blatant, you wonder what someone was thinking.
I did a home inspection on a house in Hampton Bays yesterday, and was checking out the raised concrete patio with ceramic floor tiles meant for the interior. The installer (probably the homeowner) tiled the patio probably due to its poor surface, and it was easier to … (2 comments)

Boilers and water heaters in garages are fire hazards! - 05/16/10 10:31 AM
Many old homes have heating equipment in the garage, but this is no longer done in modern construction. All boilers and any combustion equipment located in the garage should be 18 inches above the floor surfaces.
Why do you ask? A gasoline leak from your car, or a can of gas or lawnmower can emit fumes that can explode when this equipment turns on. I see people relocate the heating equipment into the garage themselves after a renovation without the use of a licensed technician, and they do not realize there are codes that govern such things.
Moving the eqipment to this … (4 comments)

Will you please remove your shoes? No way! - 05/15/10 09:23 PM
I have been asked to remove my shoes several times when I am doing an inspection. This has caused some grief once or twice, but it is a rare occurance. I was asked to remove my shoes today, but during the course of a home in a strangers house I have stepped on small toys, a fork, staples, and a piece of banana. I will no longer step on such items. 
Now I understand the seller has a clean house, and I appluad this as there are more sellers that have a filthy house than you can shake a decayed chicken bone … (9 comments)

Asbestos and lead paint is still an issue on Long Island, and testing is available for these hazards. - 05/09/10 10:32 PM
Keep in mind that many home inspectors have ancillary services such as lead-based paint testing, and asbestos testing as well. Most people do not realize that chipping and flaking paint is an issue in the home if it is older lead-based paint.
 
Long Island inspection company Meticulous Home Inspection Corp. offers these services, and much more!
 
Please call 631-902-6761, and Don't Be Ridiculous, Call Meticulous!
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