Electrical Systems
Zinsco Electric Panels
There is no question that electrical issues, especially those related to panels themselves, rank high on the list of home inspection findings. One problematic panel in particular, Zinsco, was widely installed as early as the 1950’s and through to the 1970’s. They were later manufactured for a time by Sylvania and are still commonly found…
Read MoreDon’t Forgo the Building Permit
Home inspectors are often challenged by structural modifications, additions and electrical, mechanical or plumbing installations which have been performed without the benefit of a building permit. With the ever growing trend toward doing it yourself and the abundance of advertising encouraging the homeowner to be their own contractor, the frequency of un-permitted projects seems to…
Read MoreNavigating Through the Home Inspection Report
For inspectors, there are many different reporting formats to choose from which operate on a variety of data collection methods. These may range from a simple written checklist to a sophisticated computer generated report where information is entered on a PDA. Regardless, there are some basic components to look for in any professionally prepared report:…
Read MoreBe realistic about old home inspection findings.
One of the most difficult things buyers face as they sift through the myriad of inspection findings on an older home is trying to decide what’s important. Personally, I like to use what I call the “70-20-10” approach. Simply put, 70% of the inspection findings document extraneous data, 20% report minor conditions and 10% are…
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