Now that the state has mandated home inspector education for all people entering the field of home inspection, in my role at Bellingham Technical College, I spend a few minutes almost every day speaking on the phone, or by Email, with potential students. Most potential inspectors, who are checking out the choices in this field, are interested in the BTC program since it is offered through the state community and vocational college system. They ask what to expect if they take the Fundamentals of Home Inspection course that is offered in Bellingham. The student will receive text books that retail for nearly $1000.00. They will also receive classroom training that will be among the most intense three weeks they have ever experienced. Even former builders find that, during the course, they arrive at 8AM and they are still working on homework till 11PM or midnight. Then it is off to school the next day. Along with the mandated 120 hours of classroom education, students will be introduced to wood destroying organisms and conducive conditions. If students want to, they can go on to become licensed structural pest inspectors as well as licensed home inspectors. Students, in the final week, take the final test and then begin 40 hours of intense field training. They have to do a report on each inspection and those reports come trickling in for the next week or two after the class is over. When students are done, they not only learn the fundamentals of inspecting -- yes we admit there is more to learn after that -- but they also qualify to take the state licensing exam. BTC had the first ever WA state approved fundamentals course. In fact, Rhonda Meyers. who manages the home inspector licensing program for the state, drove up to BTC that day to present the first ever certificates of completion of a "fundamentals" course. Since she is a busy lady, Rhonda does not come up to do this for every class. But any student who completes the course, will receive this same certificate and the letter confirming that he or she has completed 40 hours of field training. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
When I teach at Bellingham Technical College, one of my favorite days is when Dr. Dan Suomi of the Washington State Department of Agriculture comes to speak. Up until home inspector licensing going into effect on September 1, Dan was the main guy an errant home inspector was likely to see. Prior to September 1, realistically, anyone who was working as a home inspector in the state would not be able to do a full report without being licensed by the WSDA as a licensed structural pest inspector. If a complaint came in, Dan was the investigator. Part of Dan's strategy is to better train inspectors so there will be fewer complaints. And, two years ago, we started asking Dan to speak to many of our home inspection training classes at BTC. Here is Dan sharing one of his treasures -- hardwood damaged by lyctid beetles -- with one of our instructors, David Helm. Then we have David checking it out, prior to passing it on to the students, We cannot take some of Dan's offerings at face value. He just might be pulling a fast one. Dr. Dan Suomi has a sense of humor and, more than once, he has brought something along to class to try to stump the instructors -- such as bringing some exotic sample of damage from a wood destroying organism that is not found in the state. Thanks Dan, looking foolish looks good on me! Since the new home inspector licensing law went into effect in September, those who work in the field have to make a decision as to whether or not they wish to work only as a home inspectors or if they also wish to report issues with wood destroying insects. If they wish to report on insects, then they must have -- as before -- a license as a licensed structural pest inspector. All of the four instructors at BTC plan to keep our licenses in both fields, but some home inspectors are choosing to drop the structural pest inspector license which means they can only report on rot and what are known as conducive conditions -- plumbing leaks, gutter problems, etc. Our goal, at Bellingham Technical College, is to introduce students to the various options available to them and then allow those students to make up their own minds. BTC offers one of the few state approved fundamentals of home inspection training classes. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
As a home inspector, I see this one a lot in Bellingham and Whatcom county. It can be hard to spot from outside in winter if people have those Styrofoam plugs in their crawl space vents. Sometimes the first inkling you have to look for the problem is the rat poison or the traps down in the crawl space. When you see those indications of baiting in progress, then it is time to look at the vent screens. When the screens have come loose at the crawl space vents, just about any creature you can imagine might be down in the crawl space -- cats, skunks, opossums and the rather aggressive rodent variety. Many homeowners do not realize it but, often the rodents that end up in the house started down in the crawl space. Once down there, they emerge above around a plumbing pipe, a wire entry point, etc. Crawl space vents require screens, typically about 1/4" mesh is recommended. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
Here in the northwest, homeowners love the look, so do the buyers. Buyers might like the plants around a house better than the house itself. I have decided that people love plants, vines and various flowers. They look great around the house -- bursts and bundles of color with a touch of splendid elegance. Enter that rat who supersedes all other rats -- the home inspector. The home inspector looks around and then informs the buyer that the plants should be trimmed back, even a foot or more, away from the siding. The startled clients ask why. How can it be that this beauty presents any kind of problem? The answer is simple: In my climate, when vegetation touches siding, the siding does not dry. It stays damp. Especially with wood siding, that can lead to decay. But, with any siding, the plants and vines need to be cut back. Enter the next concern, attracting wood destroying insects -- mainly carpenter ants -- who will take any opportunity to turn nearby vegetation or a fence into an ant super highway into the siding or the framing of the home. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
As many people at active rain know, I am program coordinator and an instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College. We offer one of the few state approved "fundamentals of home inspection" courses in the state. Here is the story that goes with this post. The first three weeks of the course are dedicated to classroom training, 120 hours of it. The final week is spent in actual field training, where instructors -- who must be state licensed -- take students on field inspections. Below is a photo of students descending on a house for a full home inspection as part of the final week of field training. For the first time, in the several years that I have been teaching this, I had a physical injury. A few days before the field inspections were set to begin, I twisted my back -- sore and stiff as a board. I was okay walking about, but carrying ladders, getting in the back of my truck, was a real challenge. This created a problem. The other instructors, Charles Buell, David Helm and Rick Pen, had their own businesses to tend to that day since the schedule had been set weeks before. I knew that I could oversee and advise during the inspection but I needed professional help to lift some of the burden. I immediately thought of a working local inspector and a BTC student and graduate from two years before -- Curtis Brown of Curtis C Home Inspections. Curtis (a member of active rain) has a background in the trades, works as an inspector and he has passed all of the state exams, as a home inspector and as a licensed structural pest inspector. Curtis is knowledgeable and a perfect choice. Plus, he has taken the BTC course twice so he knows how I work. He has been in more houses with me than anyone else that I can think of. I gave Curtis a ring, the day before, because there was a time crunch. Sure enough, he could help. He had to do a limited early morning inspection that next day, but then he agreed to arrive on-site to help. Curtis knows what he is doing. He is detail oriented, thorough and a good communicator. He has a positive "can do" attitude. I could tell that the students liked the fact that Curtis was, also, on-site. By having two licensed home inspectors on-site, they heard our opinions on various concerns. I was the supervising inspector but it was oh so nice to have Curtis helping. Below is a photo of a student down in a crawl space doing what home inspection students do -- taking a photo. My achin' back is much better now. Actually, it was a problem for nearly a month and just improved over the past week. Curtis really saved my back, and my bacon, that day. I am very appreciative. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
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Experience counts! Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #207. Licensed Structural Pest Inspector. Member Washington State Home Inspector Licensing Advisory Board.
If you compare our detailed inspection reports to those provided by our competition, we are confident that you will hire King of the House Home Inspection, Inc.
View a typical King of the House home inspection report:
Steven L. Smith, owner -- Washington state licensed home inspector
Experience, attention to detail, knowledge and ethics. Those are the attributes people are looking for in a home inspector. Steven L. Smith, owner of King of the House Inc, meets all of those requirements. More than 35 years ago, Steve performed his first inspection - locating wood destroying organisms that were severely damaging a home. Since that time, Steve has worked in the fields of inspection, building, remodeling and real estate investment. Steve is a WSDA licensed inspector and is top-ranked at the active rain real estate network. In 2008, Steve was appointed by the Governor to serve on the newly formed home inspector licensing board.
Choosing the right home inspector is an important decision. Steven L. Smith is uniquely qualified to help you evaluate the condition of a home that you plan to buy or sell. Steve has acquired many years of experience in purchasing, renovating, building and repairing residential and investment properties. When buying investment properties, or advising others in that regard, an inspector must have a critical eye and be able to identify those properties that are "sound" investments while eliminating those that are not suitable. Let Steve, a leading home inspector in the Pacific Northwest, put his experience and knowledge to work for you!
In addition to serving new clients and maintaining many repeat clients; Steve works as a consultant in the field of home inspection. Under the auspices of the state college system, he teaches home inspection, ethics and professional report writing to prospective home inspectors across the state. A King of the House home inspection is thorough and the written report is an industry leader, detailed and easy to understand. A King of the House home inspection includes virtually all areas of a home. To view a sample report, click here.
Steven L. Smith has lived in Whatcom County all of his life and is familiar with the problems and issues that afflict homes in our damp climate. If you hire King of the House to inspect your investment, you will receive the benefit of an honest report based on Steve's many years of professional experience and his industry knowledge. When you hire King of the House, you can count on a thorough inspection and a great written report. That is Steve's promise to you.
Based in Bellingham, WA I inspect homes in Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. One of my special interests, and very important in our damp environment, is discovering damage from wood destroying organisms. In fact, for a number of years I have taught, a course on identifying and inspecting for wood destroying organisms. I am a member in good standing of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors and also home inspection training coordinator for Bellingham Technical College which offers one of only two inspection training programs that are accredited by the state college system. If you ask a Bellingham home inspector, it is likely that he or she graduated from the BTC program. In fact, many home inspectors in both eastern and western Washington were students of mine. A bit of advice to homebuyers: If you hire a home inspector, make sure that inspector is a state licensed structural pest inspector. Any home inspection in this state, that excludes wood destroying organisms and conducive conditions, would be of little value and in most cases would be an illegal inspection. As an instructor of home inspection, and a working inspector, I am uniquely qualified to perform inspections throughout the region. I am knowledgeable, and keep up to date, in all areas of home inspection. Below are photos of three of the most common wood destroying organisms in this region.
Carpenter ants, Point Roberts Anobiid beetle, Bellingham WA Wood rot, Blaine, WA
LEFT: This photo is frass from carpenter ants. They were chewing in the ceiling structure above. Most people think otherwise, but ants do not eat wood. They build in it and throw out the shavings, along with other debris. CENTER: This is one of the worst pests on the Washington Coast, the anobiid beetle. This destructive larvae is common in damp crawl spaces. While the adult beetle is tiny and will rarely be seen, an anobiid infestation can silently turn structural lumber into dust. RIGHT: This is rot, or wood decay fungi. About 80% of the time people mistakenly believe this to be dry rot. True dry rot comes in two forms and, in each case, it involves a vine that leaches moisture from the soil up into the wood. Rot does not form in the absence of moisture and dry rot has never been found in Washington State!
Bellingham Technical College Residential Home Inspection Training
Bellingham Technical College provides a course in Residential Home Inspection Training. This is a professional level home inspection education program that is offered in major cities around the state. The class, the curriculum of which is fully accredited by the state college system, attempts to improve the quality of home inspection training and the home inspection industry. The course is 160-hours, four weeks, of intense training. Students learn about wood destroying organisms, heating and air conditioning, ventilation, insulation, roofing, structure, electrical, plumbing, exteriors, etc. The course includes five field inspections, where a professional inspector supervises students. A goal of the program is to provide a more standardized inspection, so inspectors are more reliably calling "real issues" as opposed to making incorrect judgments based on having too little information or a poor understanding of a condition. Another offering from BTC is RHI 105, an affordable three-credit real estate clock-hour course designed to help realtors keep up with their continuing education requirements. Steven L. Smith, King of the House Inc, is the program coordinator, director of curriculum and an instructor of home inspection training at Bellingham Technical College.
Do it yourself home inspections and your well-being!
Are you, a friend, or a client thinking about doing an inspection without the help of a professional? Any person considering this option, to save money, should take the exam below to find out if he or she is really up to the job.
If you, or someone you know, has ever given serious consideration to performing a "do it yourself home inspection", this is your lucky day! Just for fun, and as a guide for those thinking about doing an inspection on their own, King of the House, Inc has designed a short, interactive, online home inspection aptitude test. The most common problems, found in new and old houses, are included in the easy to take exam and you receive your score instantly. Go ahead and take it, it is fun, enlightening and free! Unfortunately, if you score less than 100%, you should seriously consider hiring a professional inspector who is also state licensed to report on wood destroying organisms. To take the test right now, simply click on the link below and then choose your viewing preference. That setting is found at the upper right hand corner of the screen and lets you see questions individually or, the other choice, all of them displayed in order on one page.
Take the "Do It Yourself Home Inspection" Exam now
Professional Associations, Resources, Specialists
Any professional, including a home inspector, can run into a problem now and then that requires the attention of an expert. Realizing this, King of the House maintains excellent relationships with a number of other industry professionals. In fact, one expert was retained as a fulltime staff member of King of the House Inc. In memory of Topolino, the best cat friend I ever had, 2005-2007.
More information on the late Mr. Toplino Stromboli, a multi-talented employee
Letters to King of the House Home Inspection, Inc
Steve, we appreciate the great job you did with our home inspection at Sudden Valley. We were able to rely on your report as a "to do list" as we made improvements to our new home. Clif Brown, Sudden Valley, Bellingham WA
Your inspection on the Point Roberts home was detailed to the point of being exhaustive. Thank you very much! Your efforts are appreciated as we work to make an informed decision. John, a buyer, Point Roberts, WA
We first found King of the House online. We appreciated your website and your attitude. Now we have your great inspection report to work from, as we get ready to put our Whatcom County house, in Everson, on the market. We will contact you when we are ready to buy another house. Thanks. Amy, a seller, Everson WA
Having been taught by "one of the best", Steve, I can hardly miss. My own inspection business is doing well and much of that is directly due to Steve's knowledge of home inspection and his abilities to share that knowledge....both with his students and, most importantly, with his own clients. I cannot give a higher recommendation to anyone, as an inspector and as a person. Randie Carlie, Simcoe Inspection Services, Goldendale, WA
We love the new house at Glenhaven and really appreciate the quality of your inspection. It helped us determine what needed to be done so there were no surprises. Mike, a buyer, Sedro Woolley, WA
I have referred Steven Smith to several clients and colleagues over the past years. His inspections are thorough and the written reports are concise and professional. Because of the positive feedback I have received, I highly recommend the services of King of the House, Inc from Bellingham WA. Curt Cummings, State Licensed Appraiser, Camano Island WA
Do you have any recommendations for a reputable contractor? We don't want to use someone who is flaky and way off the mark. We appreciate your help. By the way, we think you did an awesome job with the inspection! Our daughter recently hired another inspector to inspect her Seattle area home.Never again. Next time we will bring you down to this area instead. The Hoffmans, Bellingham WA
Steve, I have received the report and it looks good. Thanks so much for the inspection at Point Roberts.
Al L, a buyer, Point Roberts WA
As a realtor, I recommend King of the House because I value Mr. Smith's honesty, professionalism and commitment. When necessary, he goes beyond the call and researches issues that might require further clarification or investigation. His detailed reports and advice enable my clients in Whatcom county and Skagit county to make informed decisions and that reduces the anxiety that goes with purchasing a home. Lynda Spaulding, Realtor, Keller Williams, Bellingham WA
Your report on the Whatcom county home, in Bellingham Washington, is very detailed and easy to understand. I may call you with some more questions about improvements we can make. You have really gone out of your way to help us. Thank you again for being so detailed, prompt, professional and knowledgeable. K and Laura, buyers, Bellingham WA
The thorough home inspection and excellent written report you did for me, when I bought the Skagit county home, was very helpful. I like the house very much and it is conveniently located being near both Mount Vernon and Burlington. Mike C, a buyer, Mount Vernon, Burlington WA
Thank you for providing such a complete and detailed home inspection report on the investment property we were looking at in Island county, Anacortes. Your comments and recommendations were valuable to us as we considered the pros and cons of buying this home in Anacortes. Barb and Brad Clure, buyers, Anacortes WA
Thank you for the very thorough inspection at Point Roberts in Whatcom county. We appreciate receiving such a complete report. My wife sold real estate for several years and she said this was the BEST home inspection and the best report she has ever seen. Ron, a Point Roberts buyer, Delta BC
Boy, what a detailed inspection and inspection report you did on the home I was buying in Skagit county, in Mount Vernon WA. We ended up buying the home but the things you pointed out really helped us in the final negotiations. Thanks again. Robert P, Mount Vernon WA
Angela Gardner and I, Eric Badgley of Bellingham Washington, have been referring our clients to Steven Smith of King of The House Inc. for almost two years. Steven provides speedy, friendly and professional service. His inspections are detailed and provide our clients with piece of mind that the home they are purchasing is the right fit for them. We highly recommend Steven Smith for anyone in need of a home inspector; he will take care of all your inspection needs. Eric Badgley of RE/MAX Whatcom County Inc, Bellingham Real Estate Agent
Hi Steve. What a great report you did for me at the house in Blaine! This is the most comprehensive report I've ever seen for a home sale - excellent service & I really appreciate the recommendations for repair people. Thanks again. Elizabeth S, Blaine WA
Brandi and I, the principals at Property Watch in Blaine WA, appreciate your professionalism. That was brought home to us when we worked with another inspector who was hired by one of Brandi's clients. It was a nightmare! Brandi knew more about the inspection process, and what to look for at the house, than the "inspector" did! Thanks again Steve. We will keep sending you the referrals. Rose Abbaspour, CFO, Property Watch, Inc., Real Estate Management Solutions, Blaine WA
Steve, I was sooooo impressed with your report. You did a great job. I also sent my realtor friend, at Century 21 Bay Properties, a copy of your report. I was praising you as the best inspector in the business. So, my friend, thank you once again for the excellent inspection report. I will sing your praises for the rest of my life and I hope I will have a long ways to go. Peter, owner of multiple condos, Lynden WA
Thanks for looking at my activerain website!
Steven L. Smith
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