Got another radon test back today with an elevated reading, with some spikes over 17pCi/l (over 4.25 times the EPA's remediation/action level). This was on another home in Clark County *no where near the Columbia River* (since there are some who suggest that it is only an issue in the most sourthern portion of Clark County).. A fixable issue, but something you will not know about unless you have the home tested. Let me know if you want me to test your home! The method and testing equipment we use is not something you can purchase yourself.
Hope you all have a great new year!
"WEST LINN, Ore. -- There is talk the housing market may be on the way back up.
Construction, homes sales and prices are all up. It's giving Wall Street and the economy an early Christmas present.
This time of year, the real estate market is in limbo. But, this November and December in West Linn, several home builders are busy again with new construction. Some are building on spec. That hasn't happened in years.
"They are buyers out there and everybody wants new construction," said Shawn Gentemann, owner of Park Place Homes.
In the Portland metro area, construction is up for apartment buildings as well as single homes. Across the country, new construction was up 9.3 percent in November, bringing the rate of new-housing construction to its highest level in 19 months."
Read the rest of the article here:
http://www.kgw.com/home/Is-The-Housing-Market-Close-to-the-Bottom-136039313.html
It seems that few people in SW Washington, including consumers and real estate professionals, know that the EPA rates Clark County and Skamania County in "ZONE 1", meaning that, on average, the EPA considers these counties to have the highest potential for radon levels in homes warranting remediation. "Zone 1" or "Red" is their highest average rating for a County. See map here: http://www.epa.gov/radon/states/images/washington.gif and see information on what the map means here: http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html#mapcolors
While SW Washington (Clark and Skamania Counties in particular) have the EPA's highest rating, radon measurement during real estate transactions is very rare, and I have found that most real estate professionals, as noted above, seem to dismiss the radon concern outright.
This is interesting because right across the river, in Oregon, a very high percentage of homes inspected have, among other things, radon testing performed. Consumers and realtors alike seem to expect it more. And yet, the EPA rates these areas lower than SW Washington: http://www.epa.gov/radon/states/images/oregon.gif
The only way to determine whether radon levels in a home are high or not is to test that specific home (or building).
Washougal recently had elevated levels of radon which lead to an evacuation of the building. It is recommended that all areas in downtown Washougal have radon testing performed. If interested, please contact us at 360.907.9648
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WASHOUGAL, Wash. -- A radon scare in Washougal has spread to other city buildings. No one is in immediate danger, but workers are being relocated to other city offices during testing.
Radon experts were inside Washougal City Hall all day long Monday, working to keep radon gas from coming inside. The basement tested up to six times higher than what's considered normal radon levels, prompting a temporary evacuation.
Radon comes from uranium-rich soil dropped in this region by glacial flooding thousands of years ago. So far this week, two other city buildings tested above-normal in radon levels. Work may be necessary at those buildings.
Continue Reading Here: http://www.kgw.com/home/Washougal-radon-concerns-spread-92143824.html
Mark Weisleder wrote an article titled “20 Things to Look for in a Home Inspection”, which 
appeared online at the online article Moneyville (http://www.moneyville.ca/article/1050873--20-things-to-look-for-in-a-home-inspection?bn=1), September of 2011. Mr. Weisleder’s article is full of recommendations for consumers when buying a home, but the article is a bit unclear as to whether he expects home inspectors or home buyer’s to carry out his recommendations. The lack of clarity, combined with some concerns over his recommendations, prompted my response. The entire article can be found above, but I have included it here as well, 
unabridged, with my commentary intertwined. My comments will be in BOLD throughout.
I continue to receive complaints from readers about problems that they discover after closing their home purchase. Most complain about sellers who fail to disclose defects or home inspectors who fail to find them. The system is far from perfect. However, there are steps that buyers can take before and during a home inspection to protect their interests.
This seems straightforward enough. “I want to write an article with suggestions for consumers buying a home.” However, since he includes “...complain about…inspectors who fail to find” certain problems, combined with the recommendations he has below, it makes it sound as if he expects the inspector to do these things. Keep reading…
Check all electrical outlets to make sure that they work.
It isn’t clear whether he expects the inspector to check all of the outlets or the consumer. Technically, ALL State and nationally recognized home inspector laws, regulations and Standards of Practice state that the inspector is required to check a “representative number” of outlets. This goes for homes that are furnished and homes that are not furnished. As such, both States and professional home inspector associations, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors do not expect that inspectors will catch every problem with every outlet, which is a logical deduction from the fact that they don’t ask that the inspector check “every
outlet”, only a “representative number”. Personally, if I can get to the outlet without harming myself, harming personal property or furnishings, and if no furnishings, etc. need to be moved, I will check every outlet. But, most homes that are furnished have some sort of impediment and, subsequently, not every outlet is checked. Now, if the author of the article is expecting that the consumer do this, then you have some liability issues to take into consideration. For example, it is realatively easy to slip off the end of a three-prong receptacle tester and touch with two fingers the hot and neutral parts of the tester, thus resulting in a buzz that is more powerful than a morning cup of coffee. I would say I accidentally do this to myself about once in every 500 homes. When I am at a home, though, I am completely insured. The consumer is not. What happens if a consumer gets hurt in somebody else’s home???
Open windows, even in the winter, to make sure they are not stuck or painted shut.
This is sort of a funny, but harmless, mistake on the part of the author. What he means is “check” the windows. If the window is stuck or otherwise painted shut then they are not going to be “opened”, are they? But, again, his point is clear. That said, this issue is the same as the outlet issue mentioned above. All Standards of Practice require that the home inspector open a “representative number” of windows. Again, if I can get to the window without moving personal belongings, I am going to open all windows. But, it shouldn’t be assumed that a home inspector will if they are doing their job. Remember that when you hire a home inspector, especially in a State which licenses home inspectors, such as Oregon and Washington, you are paying for something which is “predetermined by the State”. Anyone who would complain about a home inspector not opening all windows, even though I do, would be out of line. Their complaint would be with the State, not with the inspector who is doing the job that he was hired by the client to do.
Look under any area rug or bed and behind any picture to check for cracked tiles, stained carpets or walls. Lift anything on the kitchen counters to look for defects.
Now the author is getting to the root definitions of a home inspection. The home inspection process is defined by a number of things, but one of the most important of them is that the home inspection is “visually based, and non-invasive”. All Standards of Practice state this in more ways than one. Moving pictures and rugs would be “invasive”. As such, if a consumer purchases a home that is furnished at the time of the inspection, they are diminishing the risk of purchasing a home by having the inspection, but they are not removing all risk. I have had 
things blocked at the time of the inspection that I couldn’t see. It is what it is. So, let’s move on from the home inspector to the consumer. The author now expects that the consumer is going to go into somebody else’s house and move carpeting and pictures? Again, these seems harmless, but consider liability and consider this: it may be a house that you want to purchase, but it is not your home. I would recommend that consumers act in other people’s homes the way that they would expect strangers to act in their own…
Do any of the appliances show any rust? How old are they? If they are discontinued models, you will likely have to replace them if they break down because of the difficulty of finding replacement parts.
Good advice here.
Start the dishwasher at the beginning of any home inspection. By the end, it should have gone through its entire cycle, without leaking.
Good advice here. However, I again have to chime in. There are very few Standards of Practice that require that any appliances be checked during a home inspection. For example, the State of Washington doesn’t require that any appliance be checked during a home inspection. The State of Oregon requires that “built-in” appliances, such as a dishwasher, be ran through its normal cycle. Personally, again, I check all built-in kitchen appliances when I do an inspection, regardless of the State that the inspection is performed in. Nonetheless, it is again important to remember that the inspector has rules and regulations to follow and the consumer is paying for the inspector to at least follow said rules. What would be a good idea is for a consumer to ask if the inspector includes built-in kitchen appliances in his/her inspection process.
Put a thermometer inside the oven and turn it on to 350 degrees. After 10 minutes, check the temperature. Test stove burners.
If the consumer wants to do that, by all means go ahead… I suppose. Calibrating an oven is well beyond the scope of a home inspection.
Put a cup of water in the microwave for 45 seconds. Does it heat up?
This is fine advice. I suppose I would say to bring your own cup. If strangers came into my home and dirtied a dish of mine I wouldn’t be too thrilled.
Flush every toilet and see whether it stops running after it is filled.
Good advice.
Check sinks, tubs and showers in the house. Is there proper water flow from each faucet and does everything drain properly?
Well, this should already be done by the home inspector.
You may want to consider turning all the faucets on at the same time and then flushing a toilet upstairs to see whether the water pressure slows or stops in any sink. This could indicate a problem with the system.
That is fine. But I warn you of this: I have personally been present when significant water damages occurred by doing this very thing. If the inspector is doing this, they are doing their job. If a consumer does this and one of the sinks over flow, etc. they are putting themselves in a sore position of liability with the seller or bank.
In older homes, consider a separate sewage inspection. Stan Collini, the President of Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Service in the GTA, tells me that for $295, you can do a video camera of a property’s sewer system to see if there are any problems that would not be visible on a typical home inspection.
This is good advice, but the price is WAY too high. Most sewer scopes in the NW Oregon and SW Washington regions will run you between $85 and $150. I personally have never seen a sewer scope done for more than $150. And I have a pretty good idea of the costs because sewer scopes are done on homes I inspect over 200 times a year.
Check under the water heater for leaks or stains on the floor.
Good advice, but “where” are you checking. The crawl space?
Ask how old the air conditioning unit is and when was it last serviced Is there sufficient hot or cold air reaching all of the rooms in the house?
Fine advice.
Does the owner have a plan with their gas company to inspect the furnace once a year? When was the last inspection conducted?
With the gas company?
If the house has an addition, ask whether any upgrade was done to the heating or cooling systems to account for the additional living area.
Fine advice.
Look for water stains in the ceiling which could indicate leaking from the roof or other problems with the plumbing system.
The inspector should be doing this as well.
When your inspector is on the roof, ask them to check for broken or cracked shingles. If it is a flat roof, look for the low spots where water can collect for any evidence of a problem. Check the eaves to see if there is any rot or decay. If any concerns are noted, consider bringing in a roofing contractor for an additional opinion, especially if the home is 15-20 years old and it is still the original roof.
Sure. That is fine.
You may also want to consider a separate inspection for mould or termites, as these may not be visible on a home inspection but can result in significant costs to repair later. Check if this is a known problem in the area.
First, mould is spelled “mold”, is it not? Just kidding. Otherwise, good advice.
Always ask the seller and the seller’s agent if they know about any hidden defects that are not visible. They must answer truthfully if you ask them.
I am interested in this. Is there something in writing that says they must answer truthfully if you ask them? Is this verbal communication different from the Seller’s Disclosure?
Consider looking into after-sale warranty protection. Many of these products on the market will generally cover problems with a home electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling system, as well as the major appliances. But like any warranty, ask about deductibles and what is excluded from coverage.
This is VERY good advice. I did my own inspection on my own home and also got a home warranty. My home was only 8 years old at the time. I used my home warranty TWICE the first year I lived here.
By being properly prepared and asking the right questions both before and during any home inspection, you will be better protected against costly surprises after closing.
You sure will.
Inspection in Long Beach, WA a few years back revealed something very interesting... upon entry into the crawl space there was a fine dust, but it wasn't dust that appeared to have come from wood. Looking up, all we could see was aluminum faced foam insulation. While the inspection process typically doesn't "disturb insulation", as the Standards of Practice say, there was something that didn't seem right and our curiosity got the better of us. We pulled back the facing to reveal thousands of Carpenter Ants which had decided to take up residence in the foam insulation.
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Nickelsen Home Inspections, LLC - Local, family owned: not a franchise. Performing over 1200 inspections a year, 13000+ in career. Computer generated reports, 30-60 pages generally.
Contact Information
Justin Nickelsen, CMI - Board Certified Master Inspector
Professional Information
Professional Licenses, Memberships and Certificates
My Services in Brief
Areas Served
We Literally Go the EXTRA MILE!
We get a lot of requests to travel far and wide for our inspection services. New clients, past clients, and the family and friends of our past clients have asked us to travel over 300 miles for an inspection-and we are happy to do it. If you want our exceptional services, we will work with you on the price and we will make sure that you get the inspection done in a timely manner!
Nickelsen Home Inspections is proud to be serving all of western Washington and northwestern Oregon as "conduits for educated real estate transactions". We perform residential home inspections in more areas than any other home inspection firm in the Northwest, including all of the following counties and cities: Clark County, Cowlitz County, Pacific County, Skamania County, Klickitat County, Yakima County, Thurston County, Pierce County, Lewis County, Kittitas County, Chelan County, Multnomah County, and more! Our Home Inspectors also perform home inspection services in Vancouver, WA; Kelso, WA; Longview, WA; Camas, WA; Battle Ground, WA; Washougal, WA; Carson, WA; Kalama, WA; LaCenter, WA; Ridgefield, WA; Long Beach, WA; Portland, OR; Hood River, OR; The Dalles, OR; Gresham, OR; Woodland, WA; Ridgefield, WA and more!
Other Websites to Check Out
www.nickelsenhomeinspections.com
www.nickelsenhomeinspections.com/justin.htm
www.inspectorpages.com/jnickelsen
http://www.homeinspections-usa.com/inspector/2187
Give Justin Nickelsen a Call!
Schedule a Home Inspection
WA: 360.907.9648
OR: 503.502.1495
Toll Free: 1.866.284.3151
Professional Information
Associations
Justin Nickelsen is a member of many nationally and locally recognized home inspection associations, including ASHI - The American Society of Home Inspectors, NACHI - The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, WSPMA - The Washington State Pest Management Association, and is licensed with the WSDA (Washington State Department of Agriculture) as a Structural Pest Inspector.
Areas of Expertise
Areas of expertise include the identification of structural wood destorying organisms and insects based on damage and/or visual observation of pest, including, but not limited to all different types of termites, carpenter ants, moisture ants and other wood destorying insects. Justin also specializes in prelisting home inspections or seller's inspections (inspections that are done for the seller before they put their house up on the market). With a long background in construction, Justin also specializes in Construction Draw inspections and rehabilitation bids (inspections for people who are getting a loan to do work on their home and need an accurate estimate of the costs involved). Justin also does many of the standard home inspections for the buyer as a contingency for the transaction. To read more about Justin, visit his personal page: www.nickelsenhomeinspections.com/justin.htm
Proudly Serving All of SW Washington State and NW Oregon
Nickelsen Home Inspections, LLC
Vancouver, WA / Portland, OR
Nickelsen Home Inspections is proud to be serving all of western Washington and northwestern Oregon as conduits for educated real estate transactions. We perform residential home inspections in more areas than any other home inspection firm in the Northwest, including all of the following counties and cities: Clark County, Cowlitz County, Pacific County, Skamania County, Klickitat County, Yakima County, Thurston County, Pierce County, Lewis County, Kittitas County, Chelan County, Multnomah County, and more! Our Home Inspectors also perform home inspection services in Vancouver, Washington, Kelso, Longview, Camas, Battle Ground, Washougal, Carson, Kalama, LaCenter, Ridgefield, Long Beach, Portland Oregon, Hood River, The Dalles. Gresham, Wenatchee, Brush Prairie, Centrailia, Olympia, Seattle, Woodland, Stevenson, and more! We also provide pest and dryrot or “termite” inspections, prelisting or seller’s inspections, radon inspections, construction draw inspections, lender required inspections, siding or roof inspections, commercial building inspections, and other inspection services. All our inspectors are licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and all are candidates or members of ASHI - American Society of Home Inspectors and some are also certified by NACHI - National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
Testimonials
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Lindsey
Vancouver, WA
We were very happy with the inspections done by Nickelson Home Inspections. Being a first time home buyer can be very overwhelming, but they provided us with a very thorough, unbiased report. Their inspection was very detailed, including aspects such as dry rot/mold and even pests. Immediately following the inspection, we were provided with an entire report which was well organized and easy to read. It was complete with pictures identifying and highlighting specific areas needing to be addressed or taken note of. We would definitely use Nickelson Home Inspections in the future, and would recommend them to anyone in search of an informative inspector.
D. Crow - Oregon City
Realtors commented on the thoroughness of a recent home inspection report Justin performed for us. After discussing the report, Justin encouraged us to write an addendum to ask for further concessions on issues he addressed in his report. His advice resulted in an additional $1,250 concession from the seller. Highly recommend Nickelsen Home Inspections.
David Smith, Realtor
Prudential NW Properties
A home inspection is so much more than it sounds. Nickelsen Home Inspections takes a holistic approach, including the relationships of all principals, agents, and lenders, and the respective needs of each. Nickelsen knows that they've been hired to produce a report of the condition of the property, but they remain cognizant of the need to educate their clients just as they facilitate a means by which to proceed within a transaction. A bad inspection can help the transaction progress, while failing to maintain the best insterests of the client. On the other hand, a good inspection may very well describe the condition of the property, and still throw a wrench in the transaction due to poor communications, timeliness, and respect for the practical requirements to move forward. ***Nickelsen Home Inspections deftly navigates, offering their clients the best representation of their interests, while paving the way to proceed.*** The Nickelsen home inspection summary is provided at the time of inspection, with the full report delivered usually within the calendar day. Because the Nickelsen team is well regarded due to their education and experience, their reports form the bedrock of the most important phase of the transaction, the inspection period. The reports of lesser inspectors are frequently scrutinized for specious content or missed items, but not Nickelsen's. If ever there is a question regarding a Nickelsen report, they're always available to communicate in plain terms, the most complex issues, to acknowledged satisfaction. I count on Nickelsen Home Inspections to protect the interests of my clients. They've done so for years, and I anticipate that the will for many more. David Smith, Prudential NW Properties, 360.362.9103 ,www.NWRealProperty.com.
"Pig in a Pen"
Portland,OR
We used Nickelsen Home Inspections to review a dilapidated 1945 Cape Cod, which we knew would take considerable work to rehab into livable conditions. However, we were not prepared to find out the extent to which we would need to basically start from the ground up. Justin pointed out many things to us that we had not considered, such as the damage resulting from rodent infestations, asbestos roofing material (which turned out to be positive upon testing), an add-on family room that was not built to code, and unsafe chimney conditions. His thorough inspection and VERY complete report presentation basically kept us from keeping our original bid on the forclosed property and we ended up passing on it entirely. When I think about what we almost got into...well, I'm just glad Justin was recommended to us by our friend! The hunt for the perfect property in Portland continues, but we will not move forward without Justin Nickelsen's assistance!
Local Realtor
Vancouver,WA
EXCELLENT HOME INSPECTOR: I am a local Realtor and have known Kurt Nickelsen of Nickelsen Home Inspections for a long time... In fact, BEFORE I was a Realtor, I was buying a house and used Kurt Nickelsen. As it was then, and is now, Kurt Nickelsen's home inspection services were absolutly fantastic! Now, as a Realtor, I have the opportunity of meeting and seeing many home inspectors and home inspections taking place. KURT is the best!
Denice N. - Realtor at Prudential NW Properties
Portland, OR - Vancouver,WA
As a Realtor, I have recommended Nickelsen Home Inspections to my clients for years. I know that my clients will receive a thorough inspection, and an easy to read report. The inspection is always explained to the home buyer in a way that is not scary, but relays the information necessary to make an educated decision. You can count of Nickelsen Home Inspections to provide you with an electronic and paper version of your inspection. They make it easy to work with scheduling a time that meet most everyone's needs.
David A.
Woodland, WA
We had some trouble on our lender's end of things, and they came out and helped us to know what we needed to have done so that they could sign off on our house to the satisfaction of the lender. Worked out well. Did a thorough and professional job. Turned us on to things that we want to fix and take care of on our new home.
Darren C. - www.InventMarie.com
Portland,OR
My wife and I used Justin when we were buying our first home. He was very thorough, up-front and professional through the entire process. He took many photos and described in detail everything about the house. He helped us understand all aspects of our decision BEFORE we put our money down. Absolutely invaluable!
Harmony C.
Vancouver,WA
Do not buy a home without having these guys inspect it first! You will be amazed at what they find - it doesn't mean you won't buy the home but it will help you make sure you buy it right!
Bryan K.
Brush Prairie, WA
I have had 3 homes inspected by Nickelsen. Each time they have been excellent to work with and have provided through and easy to understand reports that have saved me thousands of dollars by identifing issues that I have negotiated the seller to pay for. Their inspectors are very knowledgeable and I highly recommend them.
Kelly M.
Vancouver, WA
Justin has learned the trade well, Kurt has inspected half a dozen properties and always amazes me with his professional manor, and both him and Justin will give you the most complete inspection for the money you will ever get. I have saved thousands by knowing exactly where i am negotiating from. Thanks guys, you are among the best.
Robyn S.
Vancouver, WA
I am hoping the word gets out how expert Justin is in his home inspections! I am so glad I found him through a referral. They were more than impressed with his work--and now I can see why! Extremely thorough, helpful, with great prices. I feel confident that I can walk into my house knowing what is wrong now--and knowing what I need to plan for maintenance-wise in the future. I am spreading the word about Justin. I would hire him in a heart beat. Thanks again, Justin!
Joann M.
Vancouver, WA
We have looked at several homes in the last 8 years, and had several other inspecters. No one even came close to the kind of thorough professional inspection done by Justin. His fees are minor compared to the expense and grief his thoroughness saved us. We would never even consider any other inspecter! We highly recommend him to anyone and everyone including friends, relatives, and in one case even a stranger. Truly world class all the way. Every business should be this good.Thanks!
Nicolas Q.
Vancouver, WA
Very impressed by the thoroughness of the inspection. Very informative report and excellent explanation of issues. I look forward to using them on my next real estate venture!
Camile S.
Vancouver,WA
Justin inspected a home for us that we loved, and sadly during his inspection found way too many things wrong with the home. Most of the things he discovered were not required to be looked into for a home inspection. He went above and beyond those requirements and we were so thankful that he did, otherwise we would have ended up with a home that required way too many fixes. About a month later we had Justin inspect another home for us and he gave it an enthusiastic stamp of approval. He wrote a great inspection report for us and we were able to communicate clearly with the seller the items that needed to be fixed. Justin even went above and beyond AGAIN to communicate directly with the seller about things that needed fixing and suggestion for the best way to fix them. Thank you Justin and Nickelsen Home Inspections for helping us find our dream home in Vancouver!!
Nick W.
Vancouver,WA
I called Justin upon recommendation from my aunt. I left a message with him at 4:00pm, he called me back 15min. later and by 6:15 that night, he was at the home inspecting away! He was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I would recommend him to anyone without hesitation. His report was thorough and easy to read! Great job!
Chana Dolbey
Realtor at Century 21
Justin at Nickelsen Home Inspections is always very professional and makes sure the client is completely understanding the process. He answers quesitons and makes himself available when needed. He is an expert in his field and very knowledgable about his work. He is thorough and does not cut corners during inspections. I recommend him every time I can. All my clients are satisfied with his services. Chana Dolbey - Century 21 Expert Realty
Angela H.
Vancouver, WA
Two huge thumbs up for Nickelsen Home Inspections! Justin has provided inspection services on several properties for us. He represents his company in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner. His reports have been thorough, have proven to be reliable, and hes been available to answer any questions weve had. I highly recommend Nickelsen Home Inspections for their dependable work, attention to detail, and excellent follow-up. Theres no question about using their services again. Thanks Justin!
David A.
Vancouver, WA
Did a very thorough and professional job. Helped us with a sticky situation with our lender. We had to fix some things before the lender would ok it. Justin was very quick at getting the work we had done reinspected.
Bethany
Battle Ground, WA
Justin was professional, courteous and very thorough during the inspection of the home I'm buying. I will call Nickelsen again if I ever need another inspection.
Marilynn G.
Vancouver, WA
Highly recommend Justin from Nickelsen's Home Inspections. Justin was very thorough and quick to answer any questions that we had. He went above and beyond in making sure we understood the report and in explaining anything we didn't know much about. Although the purchase of the house didn't happen, you can bet we will use him again when we try again.
Jason W.
Vancouver, WA
Justin was very thorough, and explained everything to me in great detail. I would use his service again.
Mike D.
Vancouver, WA
Justin is phenomenal to work with. He was thorough, considerate, and friendly. His report was detailed and concise, and during the inspection he made sure that I knew exactly what was going on. I never felt like he was rushing to get done, and he never made me feel like I was asking too many questions. He took time to explain what he saw and, more importantly, he explained the process. World class service and excellent presentation. The only inspector I'll be recommending.
Lacey B.
Vancouver,WA
I would, without any hesitation, recommend Nickelsen Home Inspections to any homebuyer. A few months ago, we made our first offer on our first home. Justin performed the inspection and he did a great job of explaining everything he was doing and he was very patient with our questions. That home ended up not being the one for us, but one month later, we found another worth looking into. Nickelsen Home Inspections was brought in again, Justin and Kurt were both there to offer their expertise and I couldnt be more thankful. They have both gone out of their way to make sure we understand exactly what we are getting into. Also, after every inspection, we have received a very detailed report on their findings with pictures to clarify so there is no question about the condition of the home. Call on Nickelsen Home Inspections if you want a trustworthy, well-informed start to your new home.
Ellie and Steve P.
Bremerton, WA
Justin did a phenomenal job with our home. You can tell he is an extremely ethical person. He pointed out a lot of things that even my husband (trained in construction and building) didn't see right away. His attention to detail was impeccable and his timeliness and professionalism were amazing. Inspecting a home that was over 100 years old would seem daunting, but he was extremely thorough and precise in all his assessments. We were lucky to have someone so experienced work with us. His report was finished promptly and his overall friendly and relaxed attitude helped ease any concerns we had. Justin has a way of explaining things in a very easy-to-understand and patient manner. I couldn't possibly think of entrusting a home inspection to any other person from here on out. Highly recommended.
Mary M. - Realtor Woodland,WA
I have been referring Nickelsen Home Inspections for almost 4 years. I have found them to be professional, fair and honest. With everyone looking for the best bang for their buck, I can assure them they won't regret choosing Nickelsen. I would certainly use them for my own home.
Geoffrey H.
Vancouver, WA
Not having bought a new house in several years, this was my first experience with having a home inspection. I wasn't sure what to expect, but having remodeled professionally for several years I knew I could tell what was basically going on with this older home I was looking to purchase. When Justin showed up he explained how it all worked, what he would look at, how far an inspection went and who to see if I wanted to take it further; if I wanted a mold or radon test preformed, for example. He was clear, concise and completely through in his inspection - taking over four hours to carefully check out this place from top to bottom. He produced a report, about thirty pages long, with carefully taken photos of any problems he discovered. As a result of Justin's professional and painless (for me; not him) examination, we were able to see and present all the things that needed to be fixed or accounted for in our offer to the seller. I would use him again without any reservation and would also recommend him to anyone who wanted to know exactly the shape that house that they are thinking of buying is actually in. Thanks Justin for all your good work.
Susie R.
Vancouver, WA
I would definitely recommend Nickelsen Home Inspections for future home buyers. My husband and I are first time home buyers and feel very lucky to have chosen such a great inspector. Justin was extremely thorough in his inpection process and explained all of his work in detail. He provided an on the spot report with pictures. With his help and advice we were able to get repairs (fixing of siding and crawl space) done to our house (all paid for by the sellers) and obtain a warranty for the repairs. Justin was extremely pro-active, and at one point even talked to the owner of the company making the repairs, in order to make sure the repairs were performed properly. My husband and I will definitely be referring his services to our family and friends.
Amy M.
Vancouver, WA
I would highly recommend Nickelsen Home Inspections, LLC. As a first time home buyer Pillar To Post inspected our home and their report doesn't even compare to how thorough Nickelsen Home Inspections put into the inspection of our home. Justin answered all our questions and explained the answers in detail, and also gives us a report with detailed pictures so we know exactly what is wrong and how to fix the problem.
Dr. Kate Wiggin - www.drkatewiggin.com
Vancouver,WA
Justin provided an excellent and thorough inspection, complete with a detailed report and pictures. He was professional and his work was professional and timely. We were so impressed, we sought out his business for inspecting a second house!
Shawn and Misty E.
Vancouver, WA
This was our first home inspection ever for my boyfriend and I so we weren't really sure what to expect. As soon as we met Justin, I knew that we were in great hands. He was very down to earth and laid back which relieved your concerns and relaxed the whole process. He answered all of our questions and was VERY thorough (a good thing) with the entire inspection overall. At the end, we were given a complete package including the entire inspection report broken down by individual sections, photos and recommendations. This took the guesswork out of the identifying the major and minor opportunities which was very appreciative.. A+! We recommend Justin and team for any inspection in the future, we will definitely use again. Thanks Nickelsen Inspections!!
Brooke H. - Realtor at Keller Williams Realty
Vancouver, WA
As a real estate agent in Vancouver, I know how important it is to surround myself with a team I can trust. When recommending Inspection Services to my buyers I ALWAYS recommend Nickelsen Home Inspections. I know I can trust Justin to do a complete, detailed inspection of every property in a timely manner. I feel completely comfortable sending my clients to meet Justin at the house because he always takes the time to go over his report and any inspection items - explaining to the client in plain english any items found during the walk through. Plus, Justin follows up with a detailed report that includes color photos and a detailed summary. The service doesn't stop there! Whenever I have questions or need referrals for repair - I know I can call or email Nickelsen Home Inspections and get a quick response. I go farther then just recommending Nickelsen Home Inspections. I also called Justin when I was looking to purchase a home myself. It was Justin's inspection that found recalled plumbing on one of the potential purchases! I can't say enough good things about Justin and the guys at Nickelsen. I would highly recommend Nickelsen Home Inspections!
David K.
Vancouver, WA
I recently hired nickelsen to perform a home inspection for me and although I was aprehensive about it, once I met justin face to face I was instantly releaved. he was down to earth, friendly and best of all strait to buisness. As a first time home buyer I feel justins exstensive knowledge of home inspections is something every home buyer should have access to before purchasing a home. (there were several items I dought I would have found or recongnized prior to them becoming big money issues) Its the only way to know what your realy buying. and who deosnt want to know that?
"Ma J"
Vancouver,WA
My husband and I have nothing but the highest regard for Nickelsen Home Inspections and have used them for 2 homes. People who think that because they buy a new home, they don't need an inspection are wrong! In our brand new home Justin found several issues, the worst one being our sewer lines were going up in several places instead of down, the way they should be going! The poor plumbing continued but finally in the end we found someone to do the job correctly. All total Justin was here 4 times for one house. Each time he was very timely, personable,thorough, helpful and in our case extremely patient. We also used him on an older home that we needed to make a rental. If you can believe it our sewer lines were going up in a couple of places again (as well as a few other minor issues)! Fortunately, we had finally found a good plumber. I can't say enough good things about Justin and his great attention to details, he saved us today from future problems that could have really caused great damage.
Mike F.
Vancouver | Camas, WA
Buying your first home is an exciting and, at times, daunting experience. The professionals at Nickelsen Home Inspections immediately put me at ease during the inspection of the home. The report that I received from NHI was extremely complete and thorough and presented in a easily understandable format. Justin was fantastic, after the inspection he sat down with me and explained what he found in plain English and recommended various solutions based on the best practices that only years of experience can provide. Since purchasing the home I have followed some of these suggestions and couldn't be happier with the results. Thank you so much for making my first home buying experience enjoyable.
M.H.
Vancouver,WA
I found the service you provided to be friendly, helpful, informative, knowledgeable, efficient, and skilled. I was impressed that I left the inspection with a hard color copy and electronic copy of the report! Wow! Justin, you were simply great to work with. I had a list of questions to ask, and before I could, you asked me for the list and made sure everything was answered and I understood. I really appreciate your thoughtful and courteous service. It was actually a fun and informative experience and I was happily surprised by that. I would definitely recommend your service, or use you again.
Lisa Huddleston
Vancouver,WA
I found the service you provided to be friendly, helpful, informative, knowledgeable, efficient, and skilled. I was impressed that I left the inspection with a hard color copy and electronic copy of the report! Wow!
Justin, you were simply great to work with. I had a list of questions to ask, and before I could, you asked me for the list and made sure everything was answered and I understood. I really appreciate your thoughtful and courteous service. It was actually a fun and informative experience and I was happily surprised by that. I would definitely recommend your service, or use you again.
Brooke V.
Ridgefield,WA
Justin did a great job working with us during a process that was wholly unfamiliar to us! We are first time home buyers, and had about a million questions. Justin explained the entire process to us as he went, and provided us with a very thorough report on site. He clearly and concisely categorized all of the problems and potential issues, and explained to us what needed to happen to get them resolved! He even took multiple phone calls from us asking follow up questions later with a smile and a friendly attitude. We thank him so much for not leaving us with an overwhelmed feeling, which can easily happen in the home buying process, especially if you're new to it!
Scott Kreitzberg
Chinook,WA
I enjoyed the excellent service provided. Justin demonstrated expertise in the field both on the ground and in the inspection report. He was all over the house and the detached cottage. Being a multiple structure property, Justin took the extra time and care, to complete the job. The inspection report clearly communicated the condition of the home, and is thorough, concise and comprehensive. I sincerely recommend Nickelsen Home Inspections without hesitation.
D. Rimer
Vancouver,WA
I will certainly recommend your services if I have the opportunity.
C. Danilov
Kelso, WA and Onalaska,WA
Nickelsen Home Inspections did a fantastic job in inspecting the home that I plan to purchase. Because the home was built in the 1920s and has been extensively remodelled, the inspection required some extra time to examine and consider. Justin from Nickelsen delved into every nook and cranny of the home, took excellent photos of every item of concern, wrote a top notch report, and followed up on every question I had regarding the inspection.
Finally, Justin was able to identify a serious problem with improper ventilation and mold beneath the home, a problem which would have prevented me from buying the house, had the seller not been willing to remedy the situation. Thanks to Justin, I will continue in the closing process with peace of mind, knowing that his thorough inspection both prevented some serious risks to my health and home and saved me many thousands of dollars in repairs and treatments.
Thank you Justin and Nickelsen Home Inspections!
Michael and Christine
Battle Ground, WA
Thank you for the job you did. We are so happy, I think we were meant to be here. The value of our home goes beyond money of course, but you made an honest [inspection] of the property and we appreciated your services.
Robert G.
Welches, OR
Professionalism and thoroughness on the inspection and a wealth of information was provided. The documentation and service is a model for what every home inspection should be. Justin Nickelsen earned a great recommendation here. A tremendous performance from start to finish. We now refer people to him and highly recommend his services.
The Coverts
Longview, WA
December 8, 2006
Please know how much we appreciate your honesty and professional integrity. We would not hesitate to request your home inspection services for any house we might consider in the future, and we would certainly recommend your services to anyone.
D. Beckett - Realtor
6.14.2007
"Your work is outstanding! Willingness to come on very short notice helped us put a deal together than otherwise should not have happened.
It was [the buyer's] first investment venture. She considered proceeding without an inspection. I know that would have been unwise and would have discouraged her even if it cost me a sale. The client's interest always comes first."
Josh and Andrea Poe
Vancouver, WA
February 7, 2009
Wanted to say thank you for coming out so fast to do our inspection. This is our first house and we were scared about investing any money into it, but Justin and Kurt Nickelsen made us feel very good about investing in their services. They scheduled us over the weekend, were out 2 days later, were in and out in no time and we received an extensive report on the condition of the home. I was able to get prices and quotes that same night on everything because the report was so easy to understand. I will definitely recommend Nickelsen Home Inspections to my parents, my aunt who owns a realty company and to my loan officer. Thank you again!
T. Taylor
Vancouver, WA
February 9, 2009
Thank you for your inspection of the house. Both Dan ... and I were impressed with your thoroughness and attention to detail (as well as explaining things in a way I could understand!). I gave out one of your business cards (had to keep one for myself!) at our ... meeting last night (Monday). If you could send me some more, or drop them off ... I will recommend you to others!
Dawn Shaffer
All About Virtual Tours
www.allaboutvirtualtours.com
If you need an inspector in Clark County, or anywhere in Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon, you can trust Nickelsen Home Inspections to make the process informative and reassuring. They are down-to-earth and explain things using words the rest of us can understand. I highly recommend them when you need a home inspection or any other inspection service!
Shirean M.
Vancouver, WA
February 12, 2009
16 Unit Apartment Building Inspection
I really appreciated the knowledge and professionalism that was brought to my inspection. More importantly, I was pleased that you took the time to answers questions and requests following my inspection in a timely manner. I fully intend to use your company on future transactions!
The Hoy Family
Beaverton, OR
February 14, 2009
I would like to say thank you for your honesty and positive attitude. I would like to recommend your services to anyone that needs home inspection services in the future!
Ann Clemon
Vancouver, WA
February 18, 2009
Justin, it was a pleasure working with you. I really appreciated your honesty and integrity, thoroughness and patience, and taking time to answer my questions. Your expertise has helped me get to "know" my home. You not only saved me a lot of money but I will move in with peace of mind knowing my home is safe and sound.
If I hear of anyone that is looking for a home inspection, I will be sure to send them your way.
Donna and Lee Fanning
Woodland, WA
March 4, 2009
Nickelsen Home Inspections was recommended to us and we were very happy with the service. Justin arrived at the house before us and was already working when we arrived. As he worked around and thorough the house he explained everything he was doing and why. Justin was so thorough that we have not been able to come up with any questions for him to answer. His report was thorough,concise and left no unanswered questions.
We would not hesitate to use their service again and would highly recommend them to anyone buying a home.
R. Kim
Vancouver, WA
March 4, 2009
Professional, timely and thorough! As a first-time homebuyer I had lots of questions and concerns with the purchase of a home. Justin made the inspection experience seamless and worry free. He answered all of our questions and offered resolutions and solutions to anything that was discovered during the inspection. I wouldn't use anyone else but Nickelsen Home Inspections for future purchases and would without a doubt recommend them to all of my family and friends.
Martha R.
Vancouver, WA
March 4, 2009
Thanks for doing such a great job! I appreciate knowing all the things you discovered. I will recommend you to others!
Happy Client
March 5, 2009
Camas, WA
Our purchase was successful.... We were very pleased with your services and appreciated your positive attitude, your excellent written material and explanation of your work, and attention to detail.... I would be pleased to recommend your work!
Jason and Katie Mozes
Vancouver, WA
March 13, 2009
Katie and I just wanted to thank you both for doing a great job. Thanks for being thorough and very upfront about all the things that were right and wrong about the house. We both have little to no clue about homes so your knowledge on the problems and advice on how to fix them was great. I'll overlook Justin being a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and recommend you guys to any friends looking to purchase a new home. Thanks!
Chris Strahm
Ridgefield,WA
It is always refreshing to encounter a firm that cares about their work, takes it seriously, and does a professional job at a very fair price. They are called hard working, ethical, honest people. I called Kurt and he gave me a quote in advance on a short sale beautiful very large brand new house we were going to buy. Justin did an incredible job on the inspection, spending 2 partial days at the house, and producing an 80 page report with 3 dozen pics. It was a lot of work to inspect. No doubt far more work than how they had priced the job. The house had a ton of issues, and we dropped the purchase. We will be buying some other house this year, we will not buy any house without an inspection, and we will use Nickelsen to inspect them all. I gladly give Nickelsen my highest recommendation.
L. Gallup
Camas/Vancouver, WA
I hired Justin on two separate occasions to perform home inspections. Both times he did a thorough inspection that went well beyond what he was obligated to perform. The resultant report was clear and detailed with photos to further illustrate observations. I would recommend Justin to anyone looking to buy a home.
Aprilfool1963
Vancouver,WA
Thank you so much!! I appreciate you taking time to show us specific things and how to work/use certain things. You were very helpful!!!
GF
Portland,OR
I had Justin do a home inspection for me last week. The inspection was thorough, highly detailed and professional. Nothing else to say.
Nickelsen Home Inspections is proud to be serving all of western Washington and northwestern Oregon as conduits for educated real estate transactions. We perform residential home inspections in more areas than any other home inspection firm in the Northwest, including all of the following counties and cities: Clark County, Cowlitz County, Pacific County, Skamania County, Klickitat County, Yakima County, Thurston County, Pierce County, Lewis County, Kittitas County, Chelan County, Multnomah County, and more! Our Home Inspectors also perform home inspection services in Vancouver, Washington, Kelso, Longview, Camas, Battle Ground, Washougal, Carson, Kalama, LaCenter, Ridgefield, Long Beach, Portland Oregon, Hood River, The Dalles. Gresham, Wenatchee, Brush Prairie, Centrailia, Olympia, Seattle, Woodland, Stevenson, and more! We also provide pest and dryrot or “termite” inspections, prelisting or seller’s inspections, radon inspections, construction draw inspections, lender required inspections, siding or roof inspections, commercial building inspections, and other inspection services. All our inspectors are licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and all are candidates or members of ASHI - American Society of Home Inspectors and some are also certified by NACHI - National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
CHECK OUT OUR MAIN WEBSITE:
www.NickelsenHomeInspections.com
www.nickelsenhomeinspections.com/justin.htm
www.inspectorpages.com/jnickelsen
Nickelsen Home Inspections - Vancouver, Washington / Portland, Oregon / Clark County
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