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My Right Hand Man

By James Quarello

Home Inspector with JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC HOI 394

February 02, 2011 12:10 AM

Some things in our jobs are indispensable. For me as a home inspector it's tools. I have acquired many over the years. I look to acquire more in the future. Its part "need" and part fun. And yes ladies it also a guy thing. Its wet!

One of the very first tools I bought was a moisture meter. I still have it and use it on every inspection. There is nothing that I would trade for my moisture meter. The only other tools I would rank as important are my plug tester and voltage detector.

So often during any inspection water stains or suspicion of water crops up somewhere in the house. Instead of saying to the client I don't know if this is an active leak or old stains, I have the ability to provide a little more info. Now I have to be careful to temper that information. If it's the middle of summer and hasn't rained in over a week, then the stain may in fact be active, but has dried. On the other hand if it's pouring rain during the inspection or rained hard the day before, then I can be more definitive. Dry, old leak.

The point is my moisture meter is one tool you would have to pry from my hand. I would give up many other tools before handing over my moisture meter.

James Quarello
Connecticut Licensed Home Inspector
2010 - 2011 SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

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Fred Hernden, CMI

Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque area Master Inspector

You are right James... I use mine on every inspection!!

Feb 02, 2011 12:13 AM

Richard Strahm

American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA

Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

I work with a lot of different inspectors. The ones on my recommended list all have the right tools including moisture meters. I was at an inspection last week where my buyer piked the inspector because "he was a lot cheaper." When he was pointing out an area of water damage, I asked if he could check it with his moisture meter. "Sorry, i don't have one." You get what you pay for!

Feb 02, 2011 12:32 AM

Jim Allhiser

Perfection Inspection, Inc. - Salem, OR

Salem, Oregon Home Inspector

Oh geeze, Richard! James, many home inspection "standards" do not require moisture meters but this is a great example of good professionals going above and beyond "standards."

Another way to look at it: "A standard home inspection is the worst possible home inspection allowable by law......"

Feb 02, 2011 12:45 AM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Where would we be without our gadgets...

Feb 02, 2011 12:50 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good post. After all of the snow and ice, many Maryland homes have moisture issues.

The colors of winter in Maryland. Life is good!

Feb 02, 2011 01:04 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Jim, I find it amazing that there are still inspectors out there that don't think they are necessary---let alone essential :)

Feb 02, 2011 01:39 AM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Now the controversy is the potential liability over IR cameras and whether an inspector should spring for one. I remember the controversy over whether home inspectors should use moisture meters! Of course, I ignored that and got one right away!

Feb 02, 2011 07:55 AM

Joe Kenny

Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL

Better Than Your Average Joe

Jim, water can create the majority of issues, why wouldn't you use a moisture meter.? It's like a doctor without a stethiscope.

Feb 02, 2011 08:07 AM

Reuben Saltzman

Structure Tech Home Inspections - Minneapolis, MN

Delivering the Unbiased Truth.

I have the exact same tool, and I feel the same way about it as you. I'd kinda like to have the Surveymaster, but my dad has it and says he rarely uses the non-invasive scan.

Feb 02, 2011 01:56 PM

One really neat thing that should be mentioned is that the new models can be used left handed as well.

Oh, hey! Look at that! Your photo must be of the newer model...

You should change the title of the post:

My Both Hand Man... My Either Hand Man... My Ambidex Man...

Just a thought.

Feb 02, 2011 09:04 PM

Jeremy Wrenn

Winslow Homes - Youngsville, NC

VP of Finance, Winslow Homes

I take one with me on all my estimates so I can find the "real" problem. Very valuable!

Feb 03, 2011 02:25 AM

Just saw Jay's comment about left hand models. HA!

Feb 03, 2011 02:26 AM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Fred, It's indispensable.

Richard, Low priced inspectors can't afford tools and therefore can not do as good an inspection.

Jim, No set of standards that I'm aware of cover using moisture meters. It just makes good sense to have one and it helps provide better service to the client.

Michael, Gadgetless and that ain't no fun :)

Roy, Same here. Lots of ice dams and leaks.

Charlie, Don't we know it. I bet they talk about increased liability. :)

Jay, Yep, just like I said to Charlie. In my opinion those are excuses to do less work.

Joe, Exactly!

Reuben, Yep, I want one of those too.

Jay, Ambidex? Sounds painful. Do they have a pill for that?

Jeremy, Finding where the watr is I would imagine is a big help to you. Ann as far as Jay's comment, He eats Lots o Nuts.

Feb 05, 2011 01:31 AM

My Right Hand Man

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