Allied Home Inspections

read moreChoosing the right person to inspect your home can be difficult. You've probably been referred to me by your lawyer, a trusted friend, or one of my former clients. Unlike most professions, you probably will not get to meet me until after you hire me. Furthermore, different inspectors have varying skills, reporting methods, and pricing. One thing for sure is that a home examination requires a lot of work. Ultimately a good inspection depends heavily on the individual inspector's own effort. If you permit me to inspect your new home I guarantee that I will give you my best effort.

read moreMinimize wood contact with the ground. Most termite infestations are caused by wood being in direct contact with the soil. Ground to wood contact provides termites with easy access to food, moisture, and shelter, as well as direct and hidden entry into the home. Wood siding, lattice, door frames and similar wood items should be at least 8 inches above ground level. Eliminating wood to soil contact may require regrading or raking soil and mulch back from the foundation, cutting the bottom off of wood latticework, or supporting steps or posts on a concrete base.

read moreBed bugs are small, flightless, rust-colored parasites that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Inspectors should learn the telltale signs of these pests and be capable of providing information to their clients. Bed bugs were diminished to an historical footnote after their near-eradication in the 1950s, but they are re-emerging in a big way. At the EPA's National Bed Bug Summit in 2009, researchers decided that the parasite's revival is more appropriately termed a pandemic rather than an epidemic, noting its rapid spread across large regions and different continents.

read moreAsbestos is a mineral fiber that can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. InterNACHI inspectors can supplement their knowledge with the information offered in this guide. How Can Asbestos Affect My Health? From studies of people who were exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards, we know that breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer in the forms of mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity, and asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.

read moreMany firms advertise their services as unbiased home inspectors. The good news is that this may be a trend that will protect the home buyer and make it easier to get an honest inspection. The bad news is that you can't trust everything you read. One great reason to hire me? Because your Realtor probably recommended someone else! The majority of home inspectors in Connecticut and NY get their business as referrals from real estate agencies and Realtors. Some CT home inspectors tailor their business or reporting methods specifically to real estate agents and not to the home buyer, their true client.

read moreAs with most things in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Perform a roof checkup in the spring and fall to help diagnose potential problems early. The National Roofing Contractors Association has a good roof checkup guide for homeowners and can help point you to a reliable roofer, if needed. Looking for a Connecticut Home Inspector?

read moreDid you know that the septic system is probably the most costly component of a home? It can cost up to $30000 to repair. Also, your septic system can impact properties other than your own, possibly contaminating your neighbors' well water. It pays to understand how the system works and to have it examined before purchasing a home. A septic tank is a big underground container, usually about 9 feet long and 6 feet high that is connected to a house's sewer line. Some are built with a 1,000 gallon capacity but the size of the tank is dictated by the number of bedrooms in the home.

read moreTo start with I'm experienced and have lots of good references. You get your written report the same day as the inspection. I'm licensed. I'm certified. I'm insured. Member in good standing of various home inspection organizations. My written report is both checklist and narrative, tailored to your home and includes digital pictures. Usually three hours, sometimes longer. I stay until I'm satisfied that it is done - a professional job takes as long as it needs to take, no more, no less. If you are looking to get in and out quickly I'm probably not a good choice.