This is just one of many things that I found in a new home. Not that price matters but this is in a home over $500,000.00 in a nice area near Powell Ohio.

This vents into the kitchen soffit. This is not something that the building department would have noticed.

This is a fire/safety hazard. The builder said that the range hood would still work.

Would an inspection of a new home make sense? Would it be worth a few hundred dollars?

This fix will probably be over $1000.00. Not counting the other problems.

There are many who claim to have expertise in New Construction Home Inspections.

I would like you to consider the following:

My credentials are:

•1. RBO

•2. RPE

•3. RBI

•4. RPE

•5. RUI

•6. MHI

•7. ESI

Now let me explain what these are. These are State of Ohio certifications.

•1. RBO: A Residential Building Official: A RBO is the individual who runs the building department (1,2,3 family). He is the one who interprets the code.

•2. RPE: A Residential Plans Examiner: A RPE is the individual who examines the plans submitted by architects, engineer's, builders and others to see if they comply with the code.

•3. RBI: A Residential Building Inspector is the individual who inspect the foundation, framing and mechanical systems of the structure.

•4. RPI: A Residential Plumbing Inspector. A RPI is the individual who inspects the plumbing systems of the structure.

•5. RUI: A Residential Industrial Units Inspector. A RUI inspects residential industrial units.

•6. MHI: A Manufactured Housing Inspector. A MHI inspects manufactured housing approved by HUD.

•7. ESI: An Electrical Safety Inspector. An ESI is the only one allowed inspects all electrical installations.

IF you should have a problem with your new home who would you like to examine it?

Does your inspector have ANY, just one, of these certifications?

PS. This means that I can give you an expert opinion anywhere in the State of Ohio.

Does anyone care.

In January the 2008 NEC© went into effect in Ohio. Recently the Governor under pressure from builders took Ohio from the New 2008 NEC© back to the Old 2005 NEC©. For 1, 2, 3 family homes.

Some of the changes where meant to improve the safety of homes. For the occupants. That means you and you kids. But the builders complained that ‘IT' cost too much.

I do not wish to get into the code issues here. I was just wondering if a $1000.00 was worth a life. While I do not believe that all of the changes would save lives, is not one life worth the extra money?

Just was curious how Realtors and Home Inspectors are going to inform their clients about this. Is "mum" the word or do you let them know that there are better, safer ways to protect their families?

Not trying to kill deals. Just wanted to know how you would handle this.

The following post have the new rulings:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/449842/GFCI-s-and-the

http://activerain.com/blogsview/451246/AFCI-s-in-Ohio

AFCI's in Ohio

If after reading this opinion should those of you wishing further understanding of AFCI's please contact me. Or ask them here. And I will try to answer them.

The following is copied from a letter from the Ohio Chapter of the IAEI.

"Let the Code Decide"

OHIO CHAPTER

International Association of

Electrical Inspectors

Understanding the Cost Impact of the 2008 NEC

The impact of additional Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters and the new Tamper Resistant Receptacles in

The 2008 NEC has prompted controversy driven by the misunderstood cost impact of moving from

The 2005 NEC to the 2008 NEC. The NEC provides for the safe use of electricity from fire and

Shock. Technology over the years has enhanced that protection with minimal cost impact. Circuit

Breakers protect the home from overloaded circuits to prevent fires and GFCIs are well recognized in

The safe use of electricity to protect us and our children from shock hazards. The GFCI entered the

home in the 1970s, AFCI's became part of the NEC in the 1999 NEC and the tamper resistant

Receptacle in the 2008 NEC.

We will show that the impact of adding AFCI protection and Tamper Resistant Receptacles will have

Minimal impact on affordable housing. Keep in mind the NEC establishes the requirements for the

Safe electrical operation of a home. Additional circuits that include extra lighting, specific known

loads, or a desire to separate circuits for isolation purposes is an additional cost that may be incurred

that is once again not driven by the NEC. The additional lighting loads or appliances are not code

driven, they are upgrades similar to windows, roofing configuration, or brick vs siding.

This report has been prepared by the following Ohio Chapter Board of Director Members ; Oran P.

Post, Electrical Inspector for the City of Tallmadge, Ohio and Thomas E. Moore, Electrical Inspector

for the City of Beachwood, Ohio and Tim McClintock, Building Official/Electrical Inspector for

Wayne County, Ohio. All three Board Members have extensive experience with the code

development process.

This report provides an impact statement based entirely on the 2008 NEC requirements for three

different homes. The first is a 900 sq ft home to help understand the impact to affordable housing.

The other two homes are typical size homes and will include a 1700 sq ft home and a 2100sq ft

home.

The findings are based on prices obtained at a local electrical distributor and other verifiable

resources as follows:

Combination AFCI $36.34

Standard Receptacle $.50

Tamper Resistant Receptacle $1.25

Standards GFCI Receptacle $8.00

Tamper Resistant Receptacle with GFCI $14.85

Results

900 sqft Home $160.18 for 900 sq. ft. dwelling unit or $.18/sq. ft.

1700 sqft Home $205.27 for 1700 sq. ft. dwelling unit or $.12/sq. ft.

2100 sqft Home $241.36 for 2100 sq. ft. dwelling unit or $.11 /sq. ft

The 2008 NEC impact is minimal at less than a 20 cents per sq ft.

Respectfully,

Jack Jamison, President

GFCI's and the 2008 NEC

The following are my opinions as a RBO (Residential Building Official) and are meant for those residing in Ohio. Nothing contained herein is meant as legal advice. Should you have questions about these opinions you should contact your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction).

As of 1 January 2008 GFCI's (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) are required in all wet and damp locations. Examples are kitchen counter top receptacles, basement receptacles, garage receptacles, outdoor receptacles. These include sump pumps, GDO's (garage door openers), and any receptacles in garages and unfinished basements. Yes, this could include freezers, security systems, and whole house vacuum systems.

All exceptions, dedicated circuits, have been removed from the NEC (National Electric Code) except receptacles for heat protection of waterlines on manufactured housing (this exception is not in the NEC, this is a HUD requirement).

These receptacles may or may not have been required at the time of construction. They are not required to be added in those locations. These receptacles are not required to be GFCI protected unless changed or added.

You may refer to this information but you may not copy this information without written permission.

When building a new home the most important inspection that you can have performed is a footer inspection.

If not performed quickly enough the footer can be hidden by the backfill and the basement floor.

That is why I like to inspect the footer rather than waiting to do a foundation inspection.

Here is what a footer depth should be. Assuming a 8" thick wall.

Now here is what the footer looked like in another location.

Can you see why it is important not to wait or skip this inspection?

Can you see why having a Residential Building Inspector perform this inspection for you is important?

In a couple of days later this would have been hidden.

Please read this blog carefully. Nothing contained here is meant to give anyone legal advice.

Electrical and electrical systems are some of the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood systems in a home.

How you write your requests to remedy and/or how you accept that request is very important. What I mean is the wording.

Did you agree to have the ‘entire' electrical system examined or was the panel the item in question? Some inspectors cover their backside this way.

Did you agree to have a licensed electrician, in Ohio there is no residential license, make ‘all' necessary repairs? What is necessary? We do have a state license for electrical contractors but it is a commercial license. Some local building departments do require this license to perform residential work, but not all.

Do you know what these terms mean? http://activerain.com/blogsview/164492/Grounded

All of these have much different meanings.

Are you asking, is it safe or is it code compliant. These are two different meanings.

Should it be brought up to today's standards? What are today's standards? Code?

I could go on for pages but do you get the drift?

IMHO not knowing what you are signing, or advising your client what to sign, is very important.

Missing a GFCI is a simple fix. Missing other electrical issues are not.

Just food for thought.

I get a lot of work from Realtors® because I hold both a state license, OH. Lic.#26286 (displayed as required by law) and an Electrical Safety Inspector Certification #1820.

PS. Please learn something about the electrical terms. Not understanding these terms could be the difference between $100 and $9300 (a recent example).

© RBI

This is what happened to me last week on the start of a new construction home.

I stopped by and introduced myself to the superintendent running the job.

First I think that I caught him off guard. I guess no one hires an inspector to inspect new construction.

He was polite and I have no problem with him.

MY problem is that when I asked to be informed when the home was under roof so I could walk my client through the home to determine the electrical layout I was told that NO changes were allowed. Not even adding one outlet.

Now I understand if uncle Harry was trying to layout the wiring. But I only asked if 'we' could (maybe) add some outlets while the walls were open. I should say not us but the electrical contractor would add these.

No was the answer.

My questions to you builders are:

• Is business that good?
• Is it reasonable to ask this before the hole was dug?
• Are your electricians so dumb that they can only wire a home one way?

This layout would be performed weeks ahead of the electricians coming in.

Did I mention that I am a licensed electrician? An electrical inspector?

It would take 5 minutes for me to explain the changes AND the client would pay for the additions.

Builders and anyone else what are your thoughts?

Am I getting to upset about this?

I (we) will but your home for cash in the central Ohio area. Franklin county, Union County, Delaware County, Pickaway County, Madison County or maybe some where else.

Rehabs.

Forclouseres.

Rentals.

It does not matter to us the condition of your home or its location.

We are looking for win-win deals.

I mean we are not trying to steal your property.

Grounded, ground, grounding, bond, bonded, and bonding.

These are some of the most misunderstood words in the electrical field.

I did not want to put all the definitions here because it may be copywritten.

Here are some terms:

Bonded (Bonding).

Bonded (Bonding). Connected to establish electrical continuity

and conductivity. 2008?

Bonding Jumper.

Bonding Jumper, Equipment.

Bonding Jumper, Main.

Bonding Jumper, System. May be missing in 2008?

Ground.

Ground. The earth. [ROP 5-8]

Grounded (Grounding). ROP 5-9]

[ROP 5-12]

Grounded, Effectively. May be missing 2008?

Grounded, Solidly. New 2005

Grounded Conductor.

Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor (GFCI).

Grounded-Fault Protection of Equipment.

Grounding Conductor.

Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC).

Grounding Electrode.

Grounding Electrode Conductor.