Ray Wilson - NYS Licensed Inspector

I performed an inspection in a wealthy neighborhood today. The house was unusually large - over 2500 square feet. I generally charge the same fee for all houses under 2200 square feet, but the bigger houses take much more time and can have much more to them.

I asked the agent what the square footage was only because I know the area is known for large homes and mansions. She said it was a normal size home.

I said 'Normal for WHO?' This place was sprawling, and I soon told the buyer the fee would increase by only $75. And I got an attitude from the agent! Un-freakin-believeable!!!

I kick butt on my competition as I am at the lower end of the fee scale as I am an independant and I can charge less than the franchise guys. The buyer pays for the big franchise fees. I have no such fees.

I asked the buyer and his agent "Did you want a regular inspection, or a Meticulous Inspection?'

When the inspection was over, the buyer had no qualms with me and gladly wrote out the check to the fee I indicated. The agent seemed annoyed. Oh well. I told the agent to call one of my franchise competitors next time and even gave her the number. When she hears they are more than $150-200 more than me, she may call back. - Ray

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We look forward to working with you, and we listen you you as well. No attitudes, no superiority, no difficult to understand langage. We want to show you how educational an inspection can be.

So don't be ridiculous, call Meticulous! 631-902-6761

...then there are special considerations you must think about as a buyer.

I inspected a home that was built in a low area - the street is higher than the house. The asphalt of the street has a built-up 'curb' to channel the runoff away from the house. The concrete driveway has a substantial slope towards the house and garage, and they even put a curb of concrete at the base of the garage door in an effort to keep out the runoff.

When I checked the sheetrock in the garage (it was completely finished), which has stains consistant with mold, I found the sheetrock was pretty much wet. This house will probably always have rainwater runoff into the garage, unless a grading contractor can alleviate the problem. There was a drywell right in front of this garage door.

The buyer, a young woman who was accompanied by her father, saw first hand what I saw. I think she might not buy this house. The house had 4 foundation cracks, the front stoop was cracked heavily. These crack probably are from settlement as the soil becomes saturated when it rains heavily.

One of the things I find so difficult about this business is trying to determine if a buyer is going to have a future problem that may only show up when it rains heavily. In this case, a typical rainfall shouldn't cause too many problems. But those 5 day soakers could. - Ray

I see many oil tanks in basements and crawl spaces, and many times these tanks look like they came off Noahs Ark. These tanks have been in service 30, 40 and sometimes more than 50 years. Why is it so shocking to people the hear that the tank is in need of replacement?

I know it looks okay from the outside - sometimes they all do, but the inside is where the damage is occurring. All heating oil contains water. It can't be helped. Sometimes your oil delivery truck, if it has been sitting with a half empty tank, can have gallons of water in it. And you pay for it, in more ways than one.

Condensation happens naturally within a large vessel, and your oil tank has water at the bottom of it. The water stays at the bottom and can rust the metal. If this happens at the wrong time (after you have purchased the house), it can be disastrous.

Some inspectors offer ultrasonic testing of the tank for a moderate fee, and I was going to purchase this equipment as well, but few tanks that I see are accessible enough for me to test, so I didn't bother. The cost and lack of interest on the part of the buyers were part of my decision.

Also keep in mind that oil tanks are not supposed to be in contact with concrete walls, other metals, and they should not be used for coathangers for wet coats, BB gun targets (don't laugh- I have seen it), laundry supports, sawhorses, chin-up bars, dog chain anchors, and plant supports. - Ray

I have seen a few cabinets and microwave ovens above the stovetop lately that have been much too close. Wood cabinets can burn if heated to the right temperature, and microwave ovens sometimes have plastic bottoms or faces that can melt.

When you buy a rangehood the directions state the unit must be at least 24 inches above the stovetop. You could probably get away with less, but too much less is a fire hazard. Imagine cooking a large pot (8 inches tall) of spaghetti, now all this humid heat is pummeling the microwave or cabinet above it.

Learn not to burn! - Ray