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HomeExclusiveDo Home Inspectors Get On The Roof

Do Home Inspectors Get On The Roof

Carry Workers Compensation Insurance

How to Perform a Roof Inspection According to the InterNACHI® SOP

If you or one of your home inspectors is injured during a roof inspection, workers compensation benefits may be available to you.

Workers comp insurance provides employees who suffer from work-related injuries or diseases with access to medical and wage benefits. Unlike general liability insurance, which covers inspection-related bodily injury and property damage claims for non-employees, workers compensation looks out for you and the people who work for your company.

One accident can not only hurt you and maybe put you out of business, but more importantly, that employee has to have a way of making a living and getting his bills paid for it if it happens on the job, said Alan Grubb of 4U Home, Inc. in Maryland in a previous article.

If you have any employees, they need to have workmans comp, Grubb said. The amount that it costs for workmans comp is minor to what it could cost you or your employee if you didnt have it.

What expenses can workers comp cover?

In roof-related injury cases, workers comp coverage can assist inspectors in the following ways:

Note that, since states regulate workers comp coverage, the amounts insurers will pay for the above benefits varies from state to state.

Protect your business and your employees with workers comp insurance.

Get a quote for workers comp for home inspectors today by completing our application. Or, you can learn more about workers comp by reading this long-form article on our blog.

What Do Home Insurance Inspectors Look For

Home insurance inspectors will look for three basic things when they inspect your home. First, they will look for opportunities to increase security or safety. This search will include looking for potential fire hazards or liability risks in how you maintain your premises. If your home is full of unusual amounts of clutter, has mold, or exhibits signs of old water damage, the inspector will take note. If you have a problem that you have plans to fix, let them know, since it may help.

Second, they will take measurements of the building, look for special features, and check the quality of materials used in the construction of your home. They will take note of, for example, high ceilings, dormer windows, additional structures, and marble or specialty floors. They will also identify whether you need specialized architects or interior designers.

Third, they will check whether there have been updates to the electrical system, plumbing, heating, windows, or roof. They will try to make sure that everything is well maintained.

Home inspections for insurance are different from those for real estate. The former, as discussed, focus on loss prevention and may include recommendations regarding liability or other risks. The latter, on the other hand, do not usually focus on liability concerns.

Foundation Or Structural Inspection

A structural engineer looks for foundational issues, such as if the house has a distinct slope, there are cracks above the doorways, or doors are out of alignment. Structural issues can lead to sagging roofs, angled floors, or cracks that leave your home vulnerable to pests and water damage.

Costs:The national average cost for a structural home inspection is $600. Who to hire:Structural engineerWhen to get it:If theres a suspected issue with the homes foundation, frame, or other weight-bearing areas.

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Important Questions To Ask During Your Roof Inspection

While this might sound silly, the first question you want to ask a potential home inspector is whether they actually get on the roof in order to assess the condition of the roof. You might be surprised to learn that many home inspectors will simply perch a ladder on the eaves and use binoculars to get a closer look at your roof. This method inherently limits what an inspector can see and puts you at risk of purchasing a home with significant roofing problems that will require costly repairs.

If you encounter an inspector that assures you that it isnt necessary to actually get on the roof in order to conduct a thorough inspection, you need to give us a call. It is simply a fact that a qualified home inspector cannot properly assess damage with binoculars. This is an unacceptable practice, which makes it especially important to ask what standards of practice your inspector follows. Be sure to work with a certified inspector who conducts inspections by actually getting on the roof according to the recommendations and standards set forth by The American Society of Home Inspectors.

What Do Home Inspectors Look For When They Inspect Real Estate

Responsible Roofing

Without a doubt, one of the most common questions that people ask us about home inspection is what do home inspectors look for in a property inspection report? Its a valid question, because house inspection is a very misunderstood career. While some people underestimate the level of inspection done during a home inspection, others overestimate what is done by a home inspection company. Today were going to take a look at what happens when we inspection real estate in the Rochester Hills area.

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Well And Septic System

If your inspector works in areas where wells and septic systems are common, for an extra fee he might test your well water and check that your septic system is running correctly. But if most houses he inspects are on public well and water, youll have to hire a well inspector.

Well inspectorstypically employed by companies that install or repair such systemswill collect water samples for lab analysis for coliform, arsenic, and other harmful bacteria and chemicals. They will ensure that well parts such as seals, vents, and screens have been properly maintained and that the well and pump can produce enough water. This will cost around $250.

Does the home have a full-on ? Then for $100 to $200, a septic system inspector will check your tanks, baffles, and piping evaluate the inside of septic tanks using a camera to check on concrete conditions and make sure wastewater is going into the tank, not leaking to the surface.

You Cant Ask For Pictures

Any home inspector worth using will bring a camera along on the inspection. The inspector will also be heading into places that you wont want to go if you dont have to . Ask your inspector to photograph any potential issues that arise so you can see the issue for yourself and make sure you fully understand the problem. First-time homebuyers need to know these 10 secrets before buying a home.

Infrared and thermal cameras can give you and your inspector a look behind walls and floors that you otherwise wouldnt be able to get without ripping out drywall or flooring. Because this technology is so accessible, your home inspector should use these pieces of equipment throughout the inspection .

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Does A Home Inspector Get On The Roof

Does a Home Inspector get on a roof? That is a question that many people ask. In fact, Google that and you will see many, many different opinions. So what is the answer? Well, it depends on the individual home inspector. For one, I get on the roof when ever it is safe, and any good home inspector would. There are obvious reasons not to get on the roof, such as rain, if the roof is damaged, or if the shingles are bad enough that they shouldnt be walked on.

Ultimately though, home inspectors come in all shapes and sizes, and some go on roofs and some dont. It is a very important component, and in my opinion it should be closely examined. Before hiring a home inspector, ask this important question: Do YOU get on the roof?”

Contact CT Pro Inspection today for more information! We’re happy to help you with all of your home inspection needs.

Do Home Inspectors Go On The Roof Do They Get In The Attic

Do Home Inspectors Know How To Inspect Roofs? Ask An Expert

Monday, September 17, 2018

We get asked this question often, and the answer is yes…well, most of the time. The Standards of Practice of the home inspector association we belong to, InterNACHI , do not require that the inspector actually walk on the roof. The inspector shall inspect from ground level or the eaves is the way it is stated. Also, the standards note that the inspector is not required to walk on any roof surface. Other associations, such as ASHI , have essentially the same standard.

The State of Florida has more specific exceptions for an inspector walking a roof that are outlined by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation :

The inspector is not required to walk on the roof surface when, in the opinion of the inspector, the following conditions exist: Roof slope is excessive to safely walk on There is no safe access to the roof Climatic conditions render the roof unsafe to walk on Condition of the roofing material or roof decking renders the roof unsafe to walk on Walking on the roof may cause damage to the roof covering materials and Walking will place any liability or danger to the homeowner or other representatives involved in the home inspection process.

Sometimes we walk part of a roof, then examine the rest from the edge or the ground. Being able to get on the roof, touch and examine it close-up, always provides valuable insights for an inspector.

Again, the Florida DBPR standards are more specific:

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How Does The Rain Typically Affect Inspecting The Grading Drainage & Gutters

Theres no better time to evaluate your lots ability to divert surface water than when there is a torrential downpour of rain. If streams of surface water are being routed onto the rear patio of the home, your inspector will have an easy time documenting the problem.

Even more, she may spend more time evaluating the interior and exterior of the house at the floor level for signs of partial flood damage.

Conversely, if that same home was inspected during a dry spell, there may not be any evidence that large volumes of water have been collecting onto the rear patio and had flooded the home.

If a dishonest seller decides to make a few cosmetic upgrades, the inspector wont have any observable evidence that there was a problem.

I hope you enjoyed the read, and I hope this prompted you to take advantage of the rain. Even if youve had your home inspected recently, it would be beneficial to observe your attic during a moderate to heavy rain.

Stay tuned for my future articles regarding how to check your roof, and how to do a personal thermal scan along with what imager for periodic preventative maintenance.

I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you real information about predictive home maintenance and building science. You can read more here.

Your Home Inspection Checklist

A home inspection is thebuyers last opportunity to discover problems with the house before purchasing.And its a chance for the seller to address those problems and negotiatepricing with the buyer.

Heres what to expect onhome inspection day as a home seller or buyer. Learn what the inspector willlook for and how you should handle any issues that are turned up in theprocess.

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Telescopic Pole With Camera

One of my favorite tools for performing roof inspections, particularly roofs that are more than 25 feet in the air, is a telescopic pole with a mounted camera. This tool allows me the ability to take video footage of the roof from the ground level using a telescopic lightweight pole. The video footage can then be examined and screenshots were taken of roof defects that are found.

How Do I Negotiate After The Home Inspection

When to Get a Roof Inspection?

You have a number of different options when it comes to negotiating repairs after a home inspection. One of the benefits of a home inspection is that it can help to identify deficiencies in the home that you are thinking about buying.If issues are revealed during the inspection, this is an opportunity for you to negotiate with the seller.If there is a home inspection contingency in place, and the problems that have popped up make you no longer want to sell the home, you might be able to back out entirely. You should be able to receive the deposit that you put down back in full if you did have this contingency in place.One option is that you can ask the seller to make repairs before you will purchase the house. You can also ask them for credits towards the closing costs that you will be paying.Another option is that you could ask for a reduction in the sale price in order to make up for the repairs that you will have to pay for.The last option is that you could choose to move forward with the deal if you so choose to move forward and the sellers are not willing to negotiate.In general, sellers might be willing to negotiate when major issues are uncovered. However, with superficial or aesthetic items, they will likely be less inclined to negotiate. Sellers of homes in soft markets or that have been on the market for a long time, might be more flexible.

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A Home Inspector Is Only Helping A Seller Or Realtor

A home inspector is tasked with documenting the condition of the home for their client. But beware there is the possibility of a conflict of interest between real estate agents and the inspectors they recommend. The real estate agent might be more interested in closing the deal and put pressure on the inspector to complete their report quickly.

Home Inspection Vs Home Appraisal

Mortgage lenders will need a home appraisal to assess thevalue of the home youre buying. An appraisal is part of the borrowing processjust like checking your credit score or debt-to-income ratio.

But this appraisal will not reveal specific details about thecondition of the home. A home appraisal will be more concerned with the homeslocation, size, and general condition.

Unlike a home inspector, the appraiser will not crawl aroundin the basement or climb onto the roof searching for problems.

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Schedule A Roof Inspection With The Brickkicker

Now that you know about the different methods of roof inspection, when to replace your roof, how to check your roof for leaks, and how often to replace your roof shingles, if youd like an inspector to evaluate the roof of your Aurora or Lisle home, reach out to The BrickerKicker. The inspectors responsibility is to work hard for every client and provide the best inspection possible. At The BrickKicker, well use whatever method is required to provide a high-quality inspection without damaging your roof. Just give us a call at 821-1820 to book your appointment, and dont forget to explore our blog for other helpful reads, including our overview of chimney inspection considerations and more!

Bing And Rachel Plano

How to do a roof Inspection

We were battered by the windstorm of April 2008, which tore down our entire fence, a beautiful 10-year old tree, and a huge section of our composition roof.

Designer Roofing came to our rescue and immediately patched the roof to prevent further weather damage. Despite a heavy workload brought on by the storm, Designer Roofing proceeded to replace our entire roof as soon as was possible. They replaced all fixtures and chimney flashings to perfectly match our new roof color, too.

Designer Roofing was very professional throughout the job, helping us understand the re-roofing process, eagerly answering our every question, and giving us the greatest value for our insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs. If we ever need a new roof again, Designer Roofing will be #1 on our list, and we would gladly recommend them to friends and family alike!

Designer Roofing in Dallas, TX. We provide premium residential roofing services, specializing in stone coated steel and standing seam metal roofs.

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Do The Homebuyers Have To Be There

It is not required for the homebuyer to be present for the inspection. However, ASHI recommends attending so the homebuyer can receive the most value from their inspection. This allows homebuyers to observe the inspector and ask questions throughout the process. Many homebuyers find that talking with their inspectors gives them a better understanding the condition of the home and how to maintain it.

Ground Beneath Your Home

While home inspectors will thoroughly check the home, the ground beneath it might go largely ignored. So if youre worried about the lands structural integrityor whether it shifts, tilts, or has sinkholes or a high water tableyoull need to hire a geotechnical or structural engineer.

These professionals test the soil for an array of problems, but itll cost you: Basic testing costs $300 to $1,000, and drilling a bore hole for deeper investigations can cost $3,000 to $5,000. Thats a lot to pay for a hunch, so if money is tight, go to PlotScan, a free site that will tell you the history of sinkholes and other natural catastrophes in the vicinity of your homeand help you assess whether more research should be done.

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Do Inspectors Walk On Roofs During Home Roof Inspections

If you dont mind ladders and working aloft, home inspecting might be the job for you.

Homebuyers are quick to notice obvious things about the exterior of a house, such as the condition of the front door, the landscaping and the color of the stucco or siding. Roof systems, however, receive very little attention, despite the critical role they play in protecting the entire structure.

Roof inspections are important, which is why inspectors walk on rooftops. The roof of a house is the homes first line of defense against the elements. A roof thats in bad shape can be a huge and expensive problem for the homeowner. Homebuyers, as well as lenders and insurers obviously want to know the condition of a homes roof before committing to a purchase, granting a loan or providing insurance coverage.

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