Our thorough report exceeds industry standards and will inform you about:

Hiring

ATLANTIC HOME INSPECTIONS

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Extra Benefits!!

Like cars, all home inspection companies are not the same!! Our report offers more detail on some very important house systems such as electrical, energy efficiency and ventilation. We make extra effort to report situations (especially electrical and fire but also items such as stairs, decks and balconies lacking railings, railings too low or poorly supported) where potentially unsafe conditions exist.

The American Society of Home Inspectors claims that "the best inspectors come from the trades". Ask your prospective inspector if they: (1) have worked in the trades, (2) have any trade certificates, (3) the length of time they have been involved in the building and inspection industries.

Presently, there are no government regulations for the home inspection industry, allowing persons from fields unrelated to the building industry to become home inspectors. As well, some franchise companies are "self-certifying" their new operators.

Our company is not a franchise operation where only a week or two of training is given before the inspections begin. With an extensive 29 years experience in the building, energy and inspection fields (see full resume), the inspector has advanced skills in most of the inspected items and can offer insights or information not available from other companies:

EXTERIOR: Having hands-on experience running a roofing / siding / window company ensures that recommendations will lead not lead to decisions that are not warranted and may not be cost effective, especially when dealing with attic ventilation, siding / insulation and window systems.

Foundation/structure: The inspector has renovated historical houses, built new homes and worked with newer products. Concrete and other materials testing is part of his background.

Electrical: Working for a licensed electrical contractor gives the inspector a backgound necessary to comment on the condition of the house electrical system. Regular contact with the province's Chief Electrical Inspector ensures that recommendations are up-to-date and reliable. Since we also conduct inspections for insurance companies, we can alert clients on what to expect when certain items are found (aluminum wire, "Knob and Tube" wire, etc).

Plumbing: The inspector has taken the plumbing inspection course required for municipal building inspectors.

Heating / Cooling: The inspector (WETT Master Advisor certification) is a guest lecturer at all local Wood Energy Technical Training (WETT) courses and has been a reviewer of their training and other materials. A few inspection companies do not do WETT inspections and refer the buyer to a certified individual (at extra cost).

While working in Sackville, N.B., the inspector had access to the design departments of two furnace manufacturers and participated in a large government heating system efficiency testing program. He has installed both furnace and heat pump / air conditioning systems. While with the Nova Scotia Government, he developed the "Space Heating Fuel Cost Comparison Chart" (available on the internet).

Optional furnace / boiler efficiency testing is available. This service verifies efficiency testing done by the heating service company. We can do an economic analysis of your heating and hot water costs to determine if changes are warranted that give reasonable savings and payback. NO OTHER INSPECTION COMPANY OFFERS THIS SERVICE.

Energy Efficiency: This is a main concern for home buyers today. Energy conservation and efficiency in housing has now become a specialized field......but every one you talk to has a different idea of what's best to heat with or how to reduce your home's energy use (and bills). Most home inspection companies offer little or no advice on how to reduce energy bills.

The inspector's experience running an insulation / airsealing company, as an energy auditor, an R2000 program advisor/ inspector/ researcher, and Nova Scotia government energy analyst / advisor is invaluable in helping clients make decisions that will affect their pocket book for years to come. He was part of a team that developed Nova Scotia's "economic insulation levels" for the National Energy Code and was responsible for the province's energy-efficiency regulations.

From the 28 years of working in or being associated with the residential energy field, we have developed a list of "Popular Energy Misconptions"- statements heard on the street, practices used (or not used) by trades and others, and the truth about products that have been tested and rated in laboratories but do not perform as claimed when installed in the real world.

Ventilation: Some companies do not give an opinion on any of the ventilation systems that may be found in today's homes.....whether they work, are they properly sized and ducted, should they be improved, do they need servicing? From an actual report- "Air exchange system was noted"

Being a Heating, Refigeration & Air Conditioning Institute certified designer and installer for residential ventilation systems ensures that the information being communicated is accurate and in your health interests. The inspector began installing air exchange systems in 1981. During the 1981-1998 period, a few of the larger manufacturers used his services to critique new exchanger designs and "troubleshoot" problem systems by other installers.

The inspector has worked with environmentally ill persons, set up and managed an Indoor Air Quality division of an engineering firm, designed/sold/installed air exchange & filtration equipment, and while with the Nova Scotia government, co-authored publications on ventilation (available on the internet). He is recommended by a local environmental clinic for consultations on conditions in your home.

CHOICES:

We offer a choice of two report formats. This allows for a two tier pricing structure.

1) Our standard report is for those who do not need or want a lot of supporting, educational information. It covers all items and is followed by a short appendix for referral where necessary. Our "Information Sources" section leads you to some of the most knowledgeable and unbiased building organizations. Handout materials are available if desired.

2) The deluxe "Home Reference" Book- (see link at bottom or left)

Our pricing is based on the size of the home and the anticipated time it will take to conduct an inspection and deliver a completed report. A house inspection takes a minimum of 2 hours on site (for a small house with an unfinished basement) and up to 4+ hours for a large home with multiple baths and systems. The report is completed within 1 hour of the inspection, if desired.

ONGOING ASSISTANCE:

For our past clients, we offer ongoing telephone assistance if you have questions that aren't being answered to your satisfaction by others. We can also refer clients to a Professional Construction Management firm that maintains a pre-qualified list of contractors to ensure high quality work and customer satisfaction.