HomePro Inspection Book System

The HomePro system was designed to provide prospective home owners a detailed written report on the structural soundness of the house being inspected. Our inspectors work through a very long checklist of potential concerns to identify the major and minor deficiencies in a prospective home.  The resulting report clearly describes the problems and often illustrates them along with the what-to and how-to of repairs.  This information is backed up with authoritative references.

Inspections are done to a generalist’s non-intrusive visual standard relying on accessible symptoms, clues, and telltales.  Additional services and more intensive, or specialized inspections are available upon request.

The HomeBook System is much more than a report.  It becomes a complete owner’s manual, tailored to the eight major systems of each individual home including:

Structural	Electrical
Heating & Air Conditioning	Plumbing
Basement/Crawl Space/Slab	Kitchen
Interior	Exterior

Any problems found are grouped according to the cost of repair and safety risk, and an itemized maintenance program is established.  Approximations of repair and replacement costs for systems and components set up a five year budget projection.

Listed below are just a few of the HomeBook’s outstanding features:

A System-by-System Perspective Summary rating the condition of the property by comparing it to peers.

The eight ‘Key’ Sheets are color coordinated to the backup text.  There are four copies of these sheets to facilitate timely and complete information dissemination to sellers, agents, appraisers, insurance companies, etc.

Illustrated Narrative Sheets back up the ‘Key’ Sheets and provide the referenced consensus problem descriptions and repairs.

Component and System Maintenance Guidelines.

Authority Reference/Useful Products Guide.

“Cost Guides” and Five-Year Projected Budgeting.

Life Cycle Replacement/Repair Cost Guide.

Prioritized Weatherization Recommendations.*

Problem/Solution Articles.*

Buyer’s Guides for Major Systems and Components.*

Design Templates and Step-by-Step Renovation Guides.

Presettlement Walk-Through Guide.*

Tax Organizer Envelope System.*

The easy to understand HomeBook is considered the ‘Bible’ of the industry and is routinely used by public and private sector institutions.  It is updated yearly for comprehensive accuracy.

The purchase of a home represents the largest single investment most Americans make in their lifetime.  Yet surprisingly, the majority of people still buy "on impulse," basing their selection on the aesthetic appeal of the house, rather than a knowledge of its actual physical condition. Our home inspection system is designed to provide you with an objective analysis of the strength and weaknesses of your prospective home.  The more informed you become the more likely you will make a more educated purchasing decision and the more prepared you will be to finance improvements should they be necessary.  In this regard, it is easy to see the value of a home inspection. Our inspectors go through properties with you explaining everything in detail, answering your questions, and making sure you understand things, including the visual limitations.  Training and experience give our inspectors insight about houses similar to yours, so they really know what to look for and can readily compare your house and its systems with other houses of similar age and construction.  This inspector is checking the roof and gutter system over the house and porch for proper installation and functionality. Define Scope of Inspection Knowing what areas of a house will and will not be inspected is important in choosing a quality home inspector.  Below is a good list, though not exhaustive, of areas a quality home inspector will check. Structural  The structure of the home is identified in terms of materials used, type of construction, and the degree to which various areas are accessible to the inspector.  Significant subcomponents, such as foundation type, framing materials, etc. are listed, as well as their idiosyncrasies.  Our inspector also checks for major or minor problems in the various structural systems of the building, including the foundation, floor, wall, and roof framing.  This image of block columns reveals a dangerous structural flaw (click on image for enlargement).  Will this hold for a year?" Your guess is as good as ours!  The column has a mix of materials-brick on top, 8X16" single block with little cement on two 8X16".   Blocks without cement rest on an inverted metal patio table that is directly on ground without a cement footer. Electrical  The existing electrical system is checked for sufficient capacity and safety.  Our inspector evaluates the system in terms of its current condition, and considers its suitability for future intended use.  The type of wiring used and it's potential for becoming a fire hazard are evaluated.  Upgrades and repairs are recommended where appropriate.   While there should only be one wire per terminal, this pictures shows too many wires of different sizes connected to a terminal thus creating a potential fire hazard (Click on image for enlargement).    Heating & Air Conditioning  Our inspector assesses the capacity of the existing equipment to produce comfortable conditions.  By considering the age of the existing equipment and the intended capacity, our inspector can approximate the life expectancy and recommend appropriate repairs or upgrades within a budget.    The heating unit featured on the right  indicates a faulty gas heater with rust.  It shows black marks from when flame rolled out of burner area.  Left in this condition, this unit and house is waiting to be burnt down (click on image for enlargement).  Plumbing  The piping and fixtures throughout the house are checked for functional flow and life expectancies.  The system is screened for unsanitary conditions and potential repairs, such as freeze vulnerability or spillage/overflow.  The laundry equipment, tile work, and domestic water heating equipment are surveyed as well.  Useful upgrades are itemized and upcoming replacements budgeted.    The picture on the right shows a home owner patch job which used more duct tape than metal pipes (click on image for enlargement).   Basement/Crawlspace/Slab  Water seepage probabilities and structural problems are evaluated and remediation advice is given.  This picture illustrates the results of a bad shower pan leak under shower ruining structure inside crawl space (click on image for enlargement).  Our inspector also looks for possible problem areas that could cause structural problems, such as poor soil, surface drainage, close proximity tree roots, rotating stoops, etc.      The appliances are operated and deficiencies noted. Our inspector recommends appropriate upgrades and approximates the life expectancy of each piece of equipment. Depending on age and usefulness, our inspector may suggest a budget for repairs from complete renovation to typical minor problems such as appliance malfunctions, damage to floor seams, or inoperative door springs.   We test for proper electrical functionality.  This is a kitchen  outlet that is being tested for proper electrical connections and proper functionality of the safety receptacle -GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter).  (click on image for enlargement).   Interior  Our inspector scans the wall, floor, and ceiling surfaces for problematic conditions, such as visible evidence of water penetration, potentially dangerous or toxic materials, fire hazards, or security breaches.  The ventilation and energy conservation aspects are checked and appropriate upgrades are itemized.    The good intentions of the insulation company which capped vent to prevent blowing insulation from getting into vent pipe were reversed when they forgot to take cover off and reconnect the vent.  (click on image for enlargement).     Our inspector walks on the roof (where safe and appropriate) and notes preservation deficiencies.  Roof runoff controls and landscape drainage are checked and improvements are recommended where necessary.  Stoops, steps, walks, and drives are checked for voids, surface problems, and safety hazards.  This picture shows shoddy insulation of a new AC Compressor on uneven pad.  (click on image for enlargement).   Additional Services Additional items such as pools, spas, barns and other outer structures, well flow, wood destroying insects, lawn sprinkler systems, fences & gates and EIFS (Exterior Insulation & Finish Systems) are also provided for an additional fee.   Environmental Assessment testing services provided include: Water Radon  Lead  Asbestos Formaldehyde Carbon Monoxide Comfort Factor Assessment Septic Inspection Airborn Particulates Underground Storage Tanks Environmantal Assessment (Phase I, etc. Indoor Air Quality  (mold, mildew, fungi)

The HomeBook may be published in several different formats.  Those items marked with an asterick are omitted in formats other than the standard HomeBook.

Environmental Air Quality - Legal Investigations and Consultations - Mold, Bacteria & Other Hazards - Causes of Air Problems - Sick Building -  Moisture Problems - Stachybotrys Fact Sheet - Health Consequences - Frequently Asked Questions - Air Monitoring - Environmental Assessment - Testing Services - Asbestos - Radon Maps - Professional Tips - Request for Technical Assistance - Meth Lab Testing - Commercial & All Types of Building Inspection - Choose An Inspector -The HomePro Book System -Inspecting New Buildings - Synthetic Stucco (EIFS) -  Schedule an Inspection - Credentials - Testimonials - Contact Us

Proudly Owned and Operated by a Disabled Veteran! Toll Free: 1-800-564-5537 Georgia: 706-278-3202  Tennessee: 423-892-5258

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