Photos from Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector
Internation boundary, between the US and Canada, in Peach Arch ParkLocated in: Peace Arch Park (Blaine, WA)
I had a funny coincidence today. I was doing a home inspection in Lynden. I was on my way back to Bellingham when I took a turn into a credit union parking lot. Out of the corner of my eye I saw this sign and the name on it was familiar. It was the Whatcom Educational Credit Union, and the bold sign -- low and behold -- had a name on it that I recognized. It said: Congrats BJ Van Leeuwen. Well, it just happens to be that BJ is the son of a very good friend of the wife and I. I have met BJ a few times and, actually, did a consultation with him about a home a few months back. He ia a very pleasant young man and, from what his mom told me, he is doing great in his job, as a loan officer, at the credit union. It is always nice to see a young person doing well in his or her chosen profession. Once again, Congratulations BJ. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
The concept of how gutters and downspouts are supposed to work seems to go over many homeowner's heads. I find this to be true in the wet Pacific Northwest. The idea of the gutter is to collect runoff water from the roof and the downspouts should , in a benign manner, drain that water from the gutter away from the home. As often as not, the inspector will find that the downspouts are emptying near the foundation which can lead to a wet crawl space or a wet basement. Then there are times where the downspouts end in such a way that the runoff water is run against the siding. The siding is the "backer" for the downspout. When that is the case, almost always, the siding is decayed. Downspouts need to properly terminate into drains, splash blocks or some similar means that will get rid of that runoff water. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
On an ongoing basis, due to being the program coordinator for home inspection training at Bellingham Technical College, I am receiving calls and Email inquiries from individuals who wish to be trained to work as licensed home inspectors in the state of Washington. Licensing kicked into place in this state almost a month ago on September 1, 2009. That new law, when it went in, created a commotion for a few in the business. As far as we can tell, it impacted only a few inspectors but there are those who would have been "grandfathered-in" had they completed the licensing process prior to September 1. Those who would have been grandfathered, but missed the deadline, are now treated as new inspectors....period. Those individuals are in a position where they have to take an approved 120-hour course in fundamentals of home inspection and obtain 40 hours of field training to obtain their state licenses. There are only a few state approved courses. The first class to obtain state approval, several months back, was Bellingham Technical College. Any presently unlicensed inspectors, or those hoping to enter the field, might be interested in the class we have scheduled at BTC beginning October 5. The first three weeks meet the classroom requirements and the final week meets state field training guidelines. New or old-timer, if you complete the 120 hour course and field training, you will be prepared to sit for the state exams. Anyone who wishes more information on the October 5th class, should click on the BTC logo below. And, to give the post some color, below are photos of a recent class that was very involved in the field training. The classes are in demand, and popular enough, that we are having many students from around the state move to Bellingham for the month in which they are in class. Those four weeks involve lots of hard work for the instructors and the students, but I think that we all have a pretty good time during the time we are together as a class. Students make many friendships that stay with them during their careers. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
Sometimes those on-site problems that lead to more significant issues are subtle enough that the average homeowner completely misses the clues. Some homeowners or buyers will pick-up on dirt that is too close to, or up over, wood trim or siding. They know that is bad. But most of these folks do not notice soil that is sloped in such a way that it routes runoff water toward the home. There is another even more subtle condition. The level is one tool that can be used to detect the problem. The bubble indicates that there is a slope toward the home. Concrete, since rain will not settle down into it, is a vehicle to deliver heavy runoff into the foundation or on to the structure. The slope at this patio has led to runoff water being routed toward the home and, over time, that has caused rot at door trim and problems with the nearby doors opening and closing. If one lived in a dry climate this might not matter, but it sure does end up being a problem in Bellingham and the wet northwest corner. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
I have had a number of potential home inspectors contact me and ask why they should take the home inspection course that is offered at Bellingham Technical College as opposed to a cheaper online course. They ask me because I am the program coordinator of the program. I can answer that question, and tell you more, in a few sentences: 1. If you settle for an online course, as your fundamentals training, then it will not count one iota towards getting your license. In this state, there are four approved classes in fundamentals training and two of them require purchasing a franchise. BTC is one of the other two. 2.This field of inspecting is competitive and a tough job. There are training facilities out there that are trying to tempt new recruits by offering unrealistic riches at the end of the rainbow. You know the story: Work for yourself and earn large sums of money by working half-time. Yeah, right! That Cinderella story looks attractive in print but it is misleading. Sure, some inspectors make lots of money but it is not usually done when one is first starting out and by working part-time. If you talk to those of us at BTC, we will let you know, upfront, that you have to work hard to make it. You can get the training and the license, but you have to make the business happen. 3. The BTC course provides you with 120 hours of fundamentals training and 40 hours of field training. If you complete the course satisfactorily, you will receive documentation to present to DOL that allows you to take the state exams. Pass, pay the licensing fees and you will be licensed as a home inspector. 4. The BTC class includes instruction that allows you to determine if you want to become a licensed structural pest inspector. If you do that, it increases your opportunities for marketing and additional income. If you wish to take that additional step, BTC will teach you the skills that are required to achieve your goal. 5. As part of your basic course materials, you will receive a set of the outstanding Carson Dunlop books and a copy of the WSDA Structural Pest Inspector Manual. That is between $800.00 and $900.00 worth of books and it is part of the basic tuition. This is the series of books, not the abridged version. 6. After the class is over, BTC will provide you with a number of state-of-the-art study guides and materials that will help you prepare for your exams. And, again, after the class is over, you may contact any of the four instructors who will be glad to offer advice on any of your inspection challenges. In a nutshell, that is what you get when you choose fundamentals training at Bellingham Technical College. The course will give you a realistic view of the field. You will not be promised a rose garden. And the school is committed to providing you with excellent training that will prepare you to work in the real world of home inspection. No hype, just facts! If you would like more information on the Bellingham Technical College program, which is a part of the state community and technical college system, please visit the BTC site. 
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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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