Posted by: realestateresources on: July 14, 2009
It’s set. It’s on the customer’s calendar. At 4pm or 5pm or 6pm, that’s when you, the Home Inspector, arrive to start the home inspection. But do your customers know that home inspections really begin before you even arrive on the property?
Part of every home inspection is in the preparation; it’s what the homeowner does to see to it that the inspection results will be as positive as possible. A little preparation on the part of the homeowner can make the house look better, allow the inspection to proceed more smoothly, and prevent any unnecessary dings against the house.
First, make sure the homeowner verifies that electricity is working throughout the home and that all circuits are working.
Have the homeowner double check the pilot lights on all of their gas appliances and have them fixed if they’re not working. Any appliance that is a part of the home should be serviced and in good working order.
Make them aware you’ll be inspecting any attic or basement and that they’ll need to be cleaned to provide access for your inspection.
They will also want to check all door and window hardware to verify proper function and tighten anything that’s loose.
Let them know to check their faucets and the plumbing for leaks and functionality. This would be a good time to have any problems repaired. Have them make sure that you will be able to access any plumbing under sinks for inspection.
They should also replace any burned out light bulbs, clean out rain gutters, and generally make sure everything is in good working order.
This kind of pre-inspection will not only make your job easier, it will also help guaranty a favorable inspection for the seller and confidence for future buyers.
Posted by: realestateresources on: June 29, 2009
Do you like the idea of managing the daily activities of a construction business? There has never been a better time to get your California contractor license. In the current real estate industry, people are deciding to stay put in their current residence or take advantage of real estate bargains which oftentimes need a lot of work. As these people decide to make improvements to either their current house or new purchase, they need a qualified licensed contractor to do the work.
By earning your contractor license, you can perform contracting duties in a legal manner, without the risk of getting fined for doing large construction work. You also won’t lose any more jobs because another contractor has a license. The proper education will give you the ability to expand your contractor career potential and your construction business.
Benefits of Getting Your California Contractor License
You can protect yourself financially and legally
You can gain prestige as a professional
You can qualify for small business loans
You can purchase building materials and supplies at a discount
You can advertise your new business knowing you are 100% state compliant.
As a construction manager, you will oversee other construction workers acting as a project manager. You will have the opportunity to oversee your own construction business or be a salaried employee of a construction management or contracting firm. Your contractor license will enable you to coordinate and supervise the construction process from concept to final construction. Managing a team of people, you will oversee the planning, scheduling and implementation of the work.
You can become the professional licensed contractor you have always wanted a little extra work can take your contractor career to the next level. Dont take orders anymore you can give them and act as your own boss! Getting your contractor license will enable you to assume a management role. Choose the licensing category that fits your needs General Engineering, Earthwork & Paving, HVAC, Roofing, Swimming Pool, Tile, and more. Specialize in the areas that interest you most!
A California contractor school will require you to enroll in a package that includes the areas of Law & Business and Trade. Once you complete the coursework, you will prepare for the Law & Business and Trade exams. You will then complete a state exam application. Further study will prepare you for the California Contractor License Exam and put you on your way to an exciting new management role.
Posted by: realestateresources on: June 5, 2009
Many people mistakenly think that insulation is only for homes in cold climates; and while this was true as recently as thirty years ago, everything has now changed. These days you’re as likely to find insulation in Miami as you are in Maine, and the reason is the same in both cases – energy efficiency. And if you want to become a home inspector, this is an important development to keep in mind.
So for home inspectors in warm climates, one of the first tasks in the home inspection process is to learn if the house has insulation, which is becoming more important as larger numbers of Americans rely on air conditioning to cool their homes. Proper insulation in a warm-weather home will help reduce a home owner’s energy bill. When looking at your new home inspection checklist, this question won’t be as pressing because all new homes, wherever they are built, will have insulation.
There are three spots where one will find insulation: attics, walls and floors. To check out the attic, locate the crawl space opening in the ceiling and take a look and see what’s between the rafters. Generally it shouldn’t be necessary to climb up into the attic, but if you must, then be sure to wear a face mask.
Determining whether there is insulation in the walls is a bit trickier. Overall a good strategy is to take off one of the plates covering an electrical circuit box (make sure you first go to the circuit breaker box and cut the electricity). There’s usually a little gap between the wallboard and the circuit box where you can slip in a screwdriver and learn if there is any insulation present; a flashlight may even spotlight the furry pink stuff as well. If you have no luck, try another electrical circuit box in the room, if that too turns up empty, you probably have your answer.
Finally, home inspectors must check to see if the floors are insulated. This is much easier than checking the walls, for all one needs to do is get into a crawlspace to see if there are insulation bats in between the floors joists. If the house has a basement, it’s as easy as taking a stroll down the cellar steps and looking up at the floor from below. Starting a home inspection business means you’ll cover the house from top to bottom.
Just as a home inspector must be insulated against the vagaries of weather, prospective home inspectors must protect their future careers by enrolling in an accredited, home inspection program. Online home inspection courses come in all shapes and sizes, so it is important that a distance education home inspection school be an accredited member of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). Allied Schools
Article Source: http://www.homeinspectioncourse.com/reblog/2008/08/you-cant-insulate-yourself-from.html
