|
|
|
Martin P.
Hewitt
Certified ASHI Member No. 202935
Click here to
verify
Martin is also a Master CREIA Inspector (MCI) member of the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA). The Master CREIA Inspector designation is the highest possible rating that can be obtained through CREIA. This designation is only given to those inspectors that have obtained many hours of additional training, performed a minimum 1000 inspections, maintained regular CREIA membership for a minimum 2 years, and have been tested for knowledge above and beyond the already high standards set for the regular members of CREIA.
Martin is a past President of the San Luis Obispo CREIA chapter (2001-2002), and recently spent two years serving as a CREIA Regional Director (2002-2004).
|
Martin P.
Hewitt,
Master CREIA Inspector No. 39
What Does Your Home
Inspector Do?
Following are some of the systems and components ("items") that are inspected and reported on during the course of our inspection. These items are examined for material defects that would significantly affect the value, desirability, or safety of the home:
1. Foundations, basements and underfloor areas- including but not limited to: foundations and support components; ventilation; insulation; access openings; wood separation from soil; drainage and sump pumps; seismic anchoring and bracing.
2. Building exteriors- including but not limited to: surface grade; hardscaping; site drainage; wall coverings; doors and windows; attached appurtenances (decks, balconies, porches, stairs, railings and walkways, etc.).
3. Roof coverings- including but not limited to: roof coverings; flashings; vents; skylights; roof penetrations; roof drainage.
4. Attic areas and roof framing- including but not limited to: framing and sheathing; access openings; insulation; ventilation.
5. Plumbing systems- including but not limited to: supply, waste and vent piping; plumbing fixtures, faucets and drains; water heating equipment; functional flow of water supply; functional drainage at fixtures; gas piping and connectors.
6. Electrical systems- including but not limited to: service conductors, service equipment and capacity; panels and overcurrent protection devices; service and equipment grounding; wiring; switches: receptacles and light fixtures.
7. Heating systems- including but not limited to: heating equipment; venting systems; combustion and ventilating air; energy sources and connections; distribution systems.
8. Central cooling systems- including but not limited to: cooling equipment; distribution systems; energy sources and connections; condensate drainage.
9. Fireplaces and chimneys- including but not limited to: chimneys; flues and dampers; fireboxes, hearth extensions and accessories; solid-fuel and gas-burning appliances.
10. Building interiors- including but not limited to: walls, ceilings and floors; security bars; ventilation; doors and windows; stairs; railings; cabinets and counters; safety glazing; smoke detector placement; laundry provisions; built-in appliances.
For more detailed information about what it is we inspect (and do not inspect), you can download a copy of the CREIA and/or ASHI Standards of Practice at the links provided below (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).
CREIA Standards of Practice
ASHI Standards of
Practice
If you click on the link below, you can download and review a copy
of the Standard Real Estate Inspection Agreement used by Camelot.
Please don't hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions
concerning this agreement.
Standard Real Estate Inspection
Agreement
Once we've completed the inspection, the home inspection report will follow directly, usually within 24 hours. Our detailed narrative report, which includes photos, takes the guess work out of reading an inspection report, making it easier for you to better understand the condition of the home and assist you in your purchase decision. If you wish, we can speed up the delivery process by sending you the report via email or you can download it directly from our website.
If we have not yet convinced you that you are far better off using the services of Camelot than those of a competitor, we urge you to compare our inspection report with the reports issued by the other companies in the area. You will soon discover that most companies are still issuing their customers a report that is commonly referred to as a "checklist". Not only is this type of reporting method considered obsolete, it is the reporting system preferred by most new and inexperienced inspectors.
To view a sample Inspection Report issued by Camelot Home Inspection Services, please click on the link below.
Sample Real Estate Inspection
Report
|
|
|
|
|
|
Areas Served
Areas served include Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Baywood, Buellton, Cambria, Cayucos, Guadalupe, Grover Beach, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Los
Olivos, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Oceano, Orcutt, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Santa Margarita, Santa Ynez, San Simeon, Shell
Beach, Solvang, and Templeton.
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation. Having a home inspected is like giving it a physical check-up. If problems or symptoms are found, the inspector may recommend further evaluation.
What does an inspection include?
The standard home inspector's report will review the condition of the home's heating system, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic, and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement, and visible structure.
To provide our clients with the best possible home inspection
reports,
we proudly use InspectFaster home inspection
software.
Why do I need a home inspection?
The purchase of a home is probably the largest single investment an individual will ever make. You should learn as much as you can about the condition of the property and the need for any major repairs before you buy, so that you can minimize unpleasant surprises and difficulties afterwards. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase.
Talk to any experienced home buyer and you'll hear horror stories of properties they fell in love with, only to a have a inspector find out later that the house was structurally unsound or needed tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. Having this knowledge helped them pass on what may ultimately have been a bad deal, or provided them with the information they needed to negotiate a lower sale price. If you choose the right home inspector, most home inspections will pay for themselves many times over.
During the real-estate boom, there were some buyers (and agents) who thought that insisting on an inspection may cause the sellers of the property to go with another bidder, but in today's market, there's absolutely no excuse not to hire a qualified inspector to inspect a home before you buy it.
If you are already a home owner, a home inspection may be used to identify problems in the making and to learn preventive measures which might avoid costly future repairs. If you are planning to sell your home, you may wish to have an inspection prior to placing your home on the market. This will give you a better understanding of conditions which may be discovered by the buyer's inspector, and an opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.
What does a home inspection cost?
The inspection fee for a typical one-family house varies geographically, as does the cost of housing. Similarly, within a given area, the inspection fee may vary depending upon the size of the house, particular features of the house, its age, and possible additional services, such as inspection of a swimming pool, spa, or additional secondary structures. It is a good idea to check local prices on your own.
However, do not let cost be a factor in deciding whether or not to have a home inspection, or in the selection of your home inspector. The knowledge gained from an inspection performed by an experienced, long-term ASHI inspector is well worth the premium fee that he or she usually commands over less skilled home inspectors.
It's rather stunning that people will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a house but refuse to invest $400 or so on a professional home inspector who could warn them that they're throwing their money away.
The type of inspection report that your home inspector provides is
also an important consideration. A detailed, typewritten narrative
report is far superior to a handwritten checklist report, and is
much easier to understand.
Ultimately, it is the inspector's qualifications, including his or her experience, training, and professional affiliations, and the type of report that he/she provides that should be the most important considerations, not the fee that is charged. In the end, you will get what you pay for.
Can't I do it myself?
Even the most experienced home owner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector who has inspected thousands of homes in his or her career. An inspector is familiar with the many elements of home construction, their proper installation, and maintenance. He understands how the home's systems and components are intended to function together, as well as how and why they fail. In addition, most homebuyers find it very difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may affect their judgment. For the most accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial third-party opinion by an expert in the field of home inspection.
Can a house fail an inspection?
No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what may need repair or replacement.
How do I find a home inspector?
These days, the best source is via the internet, using a popular search engine such as Google. However, the names of local inspectors can also be found in the Yellow Pages under the heading of "Home Inspection Services". Real estate agents are also generally familiar with the service, and should be able to provide you with a list of inspectors in your area from which to choose.
Whatever your referral source, you will want to make sure that the home inspector is a Member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) in order to be certain of his or her professional qualifications, experience, and business ethics.
What is ASHI?
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is America's oldest and leading non-profit professional association for independent home inspectors.
Since its formation in 1976, ASHI's Standards of Practice have served as the home inspector's performance guideline, universally recognized and accepted by professional and government authorities alike. Copies of the Standards are available free from ASHI.
ASHI's professional Code of Ethics prohibits Members from engaging in conflict of interest activities which might compromise their objectivity. This is the consumer's assurance that the inspector will not, for example, use the inspection to solicit or refer repair work.
In order to assist home inspectors in furthering their education, ASHI sponsors a number of technical seminars and workshops throughout the year, often in cooperation with one of its nearly 50 Chapters. ASHI also serves as a public interest group by providing accurate and helpful consumer information to home buyers on home purchasing and home maintenance.
Who belongs to ASHI?
ASHI members are independent professional home inspectors who have met the most rigorous technical and experience requirements in effect today. To become an ASHI Member, an inspector must pass two written technical exams, have performed a minimum of 250 professional fee-paid home inspections, and maintained his or her candidate status for no less than six months. ASHI Members are required to follow the Society's Code of Ethics, and to obtain continuing education credits in order to keep current with the latest in building technology, materials, and professional skills.
Do I have to be there for the inspection?
It is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but it is highly recommended. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions directly, as you learn about the condition of the home, how its systems work, and how to maintain it. You will also find the written report easier to understand if you've seen the property first-hand through the inspector's eyes.
What if the inspection report reveals problems?
No house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. A seller may adjust the purchase price or contract terms if major problems are found. If your budget is tight, or if you don't wish to become involved in future repair work, this information will be extremely important to you.
If the house proves to be in good condition, did I really need an inspection?
Absolutely. Now
you can complete the purchase with full peace of mind. You will
also have learned many things about your new home from the
inspector's written report, and will want to keep that information
for future reference.
Most of the information above has been provided courtesy of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pricing a
Home Inspection
The price that Camelot charges for a home inspection is typically based on the age, type of foundation (slab or raised), and the total square footage of the home. We may also take into consideration the overall general condition, location, sales price, and ownership/rental history. Employing this type of pricing structure allows us to remain competitive with other qualified home inspection companies and still provide you with a level of service that the others cannot afford to match.
Please give us a call at 805-471-9447 so that we can provide you with a personal quote.
If you would like us to inspect a swimming pool, a spa, or any additional (secondary) structures or components, please let us know so that we can include those items in our quote.
If
you would like to have us provide you with a quote by email, please
fill out the form below and we'll respond as quickly as
possible.
Payment of
inspection fees are due and payable by cash or check upon
completion of the inspection. If you prefer, you can pay for our
services by credit card or PayPal by clicking the secure link
below.
Resources | Directories
Frequently Asked Questions
American Home Inspector Directory
Manufactured or Mobile Home Information
Home Inspections USA | National Relocations
Download Your Inspection Report Here
Home Inspection Software
Construction Software
Copyright (C) 1994-2010 Camelot Home Inspection Services.
All Rights Reserved.
Website Terms of Use
