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King of the House Home Inspection, Inc
Steven L. Smith, owner, certified and licensed inspector
It was more than 35 years ago, the first time Steven L. Smith conducted an inspection -- a pest inspection on a home where carpenter ants were found in the crawl space. In home inspection, experience and knowledge counts! Choosing a home inspector is an important decision. That is why you should pick an experienced and detail oriented home inspector with expertise in the field. Steven L. Smith is a leading home inspector in the Pacific Northwest including Whatcom, Island and Skagit counties. He owns King of the House, Inc. a Bellingham home inspection firm, and, in addition to serving his clients, Smith works as a consultant in the field of home inspection. Under the auspices of the state college system, Steve teaches home inspection and professional report writing to prospective home inspectors around the state. Smith has lived in the region all of his life and is familiar with the problems and issues most likely to afflict homes in our damp climate. If you hire King of the House, Inc. to inspect your investment, you will receive the benefit of a professional, detailed, same day, easy to read and comprehend report. That is Steve's promise to you.
Find out for yourself why more and more buyers and sellers are turning to King of the House Home Inspection when they want a detailed and thorough home inspection with a quality report.
Report sample one Report sample two
A King of the House home inspection includes virtually all areas of a home. Based in Bellingham, WA I inspect homes in Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Everson, Birch Bay, Point Roberts, Sudden Valley, Glenhaven, Glacier, Maple Falls, Bow, Edison, Mt. Vernon, Anacortes, La Conner, Burlington, East Sound, Friday Harbor and other cities in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties. One of my special interests, and very important in our damp environment, is seeking out conducive conditions and damage from wood destroying organisms. In fact, for a number of years I have taught, across the state, a course on identifying and inspecting for wood destroying organisms. I am a member in good standing of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors and also home inspection training coordinator for Bellingham Technical College (more below) which offers one of only two inspection training programs that are accredited by the state college and university system. If you ask a Bellingham home inspector, it is likely that he or she graduated from the BTC program. In fact, many home inspectors in both eastern and western Washington were students of mine as they prepared for the state structural pest inspector licensing exam. A bit of advice to homebuyers: If you hire a home inspector, make sure that inspector is a state licensed structural pest inspector. Any home inspection in this state, that excludes wood destroying organisms and conducive conditions, would be of little value and in most cases would be an illegal inspection that is in violation of state law. As an instructor of home inspection, and a working inspector as well, I am uniquely qualified to perform inspections throughout the region. I am knowledgeable, and keep up to date, in the areas of roofing, structure, exteriors, plumbing, ventilation, electrical, heating and air conditioning, wood and electric heat, etc. Below are photos of three of the most common wood destroying organisms that I have found in this region. See if you can correctly identity them.
  
Carpenter ants, Point Roberts Anobiid beetle, Bellingham WA Wood rot, Blaine, WA
LEFT: This photo, which can be subtle and easy to miss at an inspection, is frass from carpenter ants. They were chewing in the ceiling structure above. Most people think otherwise, but ants do not eat wood. They build in it and throw out the shavings, along with some other debris. The good news is this: Carpenter ants tend to be active and visible so homeowners often see them and seek professional help before serious damage is done. CENTER: This photo depicts one of the worst pests on the Washington coast, the anobiid beetle. This destructive larvae can work for years and years in wood and is common in damp crawl spaces. While the adult beetle is tiny and will never be seen, an anobiid infestation (often mistakenly called powderpost beetles) can silently turn structural lumber into dust. In this home, all beams, joists, posts and even the subfloor had to be replaced. The little holes, upper right in the center photo, are a telltale sign. RIGHT: This is rot, or wood decay fungi. About 80% of the time people mistakenly believe this to be dry rot, which is not the case. True dry rot comes in two forms and, in each case, it involves a vine that leaches moisture from the soil up into the wood. Rot does not form in the absence of moisture! So, again, this is just plain old rot. Dry rot is one of the most mis-used terms by inspectors, buyers, sellers and realtors. By the way, logs like this have to be carefully inspected, as they are often installed in a way that makes them prone to decay.
Bellingham Technical College Residential Home Inspection Training
Bellingham Technical College has a traveling professional level home inspection education program that is offered in major cities around the state. This class, the curriculum of which is fully accredited by the state college and university system, attempts to improve the quality of home inspection training and the home inspection industry. The course is 160 hours, four full weeks, of intense training. Students learn about wood destroying organisms, heating and air conditioning, ventilation, insulation, roofing, structure, electrical, plumbing, exteriors, etc. The course includes five real field inspections, where a professional supervises students. One goal of the program is to provide a more standardized inspection, so inspectors are more reliably calling "real issues" as opposed to making incorrect judgments based on too little information or a poor understanding of a condition or design. Another goal of the BTC program is to provide clock-hour credit to realtors around the region and to, at the same time, increase the professional realtor's understanding of the sometimes complicated decisions an inspector must make on a daily basis. Steven Smith, King of the House Inc, is an instructor and coordinator of all home inspection training at Bellingham Technical College. In addition to being an experienced inspector, Steve worked for many years as an electrical engineer in electronics and is still federally licensed to do that type of work today. David Helm of Helm Home Inspection (Whatcom County) and Charles Buell of Charles Buell Inspections (Seattle area) are both members of Active Rain, and are instructors in this college level training program. Below we have included photos of all the instructors for this rigorous 160-hour class. Below that are links to official websites that provide information on the full 160-hour home inspection training program and also the state accredited realtor clock-hours course.
   
Steven L. Smith Charles Buell Rick Pen David Helm
Do it yourself home inspections and your well-being!
Are you, a friend, or a client thinking about doing an inspection without the help of a professional? Any person considering this option, to save money, should take the exam below to find out if he or she is really up to the job.
If you, or someone you know, has ever given serious consideration to performing a "do it yourself home inspection", this is your lucky day! Just for fun, and as a guide for those thinking about doing an inspection on their own, King of the House, Inc has designed a short, interactive, online home inspection aptitude test. The most common problems, found in new and old houses, are included in the easy to take exam and you receive your score instantly. Go ahead and take it, it is fun, enlightening and free! Unfortunately, if you score less than 100%, you should seriously consider hiring a professional inspector who is also state licensed to report on wood destroying organisms. To take the test right now, simply click on the link below and then choose your viewing preference. That setting is found at the upper right hand corner of the screen and lets you see questions individually or, the other choice, all of them displayed in order on one page.
Take the "Do It Yourself Home Inspection" Exam now
Professional Associations, Resources, Specialists
 
Any professional, including a home inspector, can run into a problem now and then that requires the attention of an expert. Realizing this, King of the House maintains excellent relationships with a number of other industry professionals. In fact, one expert has been retained as a fulltime staff member of King of the House Inc. In memory of Topolino, the best cat friend I ever had, 2005-2007.
More information on the late Mr. Toplino Stromboli, a multi-talented employee
Testimonials
Letters to King of the House Home Inspection, Inc
Steve, we appreciate the great job you did with our home inspection at Sudden Valley. We were able to rely on your report as a "to do list" as we made improvements to our new home. Clif Brown, Sudden Valley, Bellingham WA
Your inspection on the Point Roberts home was detailed to the point of being exhaustive. Thank you very much! Your efforts are appreciated as we work to make an informed decision. John, a buyer, Point Roberts, WA
We first found King of the House online. We appreciated your website and your attitude. Now we have your great inspection report to work from, as we get ready to put our Whatcom County house, in Everson, on the market. We will contact you when we are ready to buy another house. Thanks. Amy, a seller, Everson WA
Having been taught by "one of the best", Steve, I can hardly miss. My own inspection business is doing well and much of that is directly due to Steve's knowledge of home inspection and his abilities to share that knowledge....both with his students and, most importantly, with his own clients. I cannot give a higher recommendation to anyone, as an inspector and as a person. Randie Carlie, Simcoe Inspection Services, Goldendale, WA
We love the new house at Glenhaven and really appreciate the quality of your inspection. It helped us determine what needed to be done so there were no surprises. Mike, a buyer, Sedro Woolley, WA
I have referred Steven Smith to several clients and colleagues over the past years. His inspections are thorough and the written reports are concise and professional. Because of the positive feedback I have received, I highly recommend the services of King of the House, Inc from Bellingham WA. Curt Cummings, State Licensed Appraiser, Camano Island WA
Do you have any recommendations for a reputable contractor? We don't want to use someone who is flaky and way off the mark. We appreciate your help. By the way, we think you did an awesome job with the inspection! Our daughter recently hired another inspector to inspect her Seattle area home.Never again. Next time we will bring you down to this area instead. The Hoffmans, Bellingham WA
Steve, I have received the report and it looks good. Thanks so much for the inspection at Point Roberts.
Al L, a buyer, Point Roberts WA
As a realtor, I recommend King of the House because I value Mr. Smith's honesty, professionalism and commitment. When necessary, he goes beyond the call and researches issues that might require further clarification or investigation. His detailed reports and advice enable my clients in Whatcom county and Skagit county to make informed decisions and that reduces the anxiety that goes with purchasing a home. Lynda Spaulding, Realtor, Keller Williams, Bellingham WA
Your report on the Whatcom county home, in Bellingham Washington, is very detailed and easy to understand. I may call you with some more questions about improvements we can make. You have really gone out of your way to help us. Thank you again for being so detailed, prompt, professional and knowledgeable. K and Laura, buyers, Bellingham WA
The thorough home inspection and excellent written report you did for me, when I bought the Skagit county home, was very helpful. I like the house very much and it is conveniently located being near both Mount Vernon and Burlington. Mike C, a buyer, Mount Vernon, Burlington WA
Thank you for providing such a complete and detailed home inspection report on the investment property we were looking at in Island county, Anacortes. Your comments and recommendations were valuable to us as we considered the pros and cons of buying this home in Anacortes. Barb and Brad Clure, buyers, Anacortes WA
Thank you for the very thorough inspection at Point Roberts in Whatcom county. We appreciate receiving such a complete report. My wife sold real estate for several years and she said this was the BEST home inspection and the best report she has ever seen. Ron, a Point Roberts buyer, Delta BC
Boy, what a detailed inspection and inspection report you did on the home I was buying in Skagit county, in Mount Vernon WA. We ended up buying the home but the things you pointed out really helped us in the final negotiations. Thanks again. Robert P, Mount Vernon WA
Angela Gardner and I, Eric Badgley of Bellingham Washington, have been referring our clients to Steven Smith of King of The House Inc. for almost two years. Steven provides speedy, friendly and professional service. His inspections are detailed and provide our clients with piece of mind that the home they are purchasing is the right fit for them. We highly recommend Steven Smith for anyone in need of a home inspector; he will take care of all your inspection needs. Eric Badgley of RE/MAX Whatcom County Inc, Bellingham Real Estate Agent
Hi Steve. What a great report you did for me at the house in Blaine! This is the most comprehensive report I've ever seen for a home sale - excellent service & I really appreciate the recommendations for repair people. Thanks again. Elizabeth S, Blaine WA
Brandi and I, the principals at Property Watch in Blaine WA, appreciate your professionalism. That was brought home to us when we worked with another inspector who was hired by one of Brandi's clients. It was a nightmare! Brandi knew more about the inspection process, and what to look for at the house, than the "inspector" did! Thanks again Steve. We will keep sending you the referrals. Rose Abbaspour, CFO, Property Watch, Inc., Real Estate Management Solutions, Blaine WA
Thanks for looking at my activerain website!
Steven L. Smith
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