11 Questions
01.How can I know if the inspectors I am interviewing have ACTUAL building experience?
Easy, you can€™t. California has NO requirements for individuals acting as home inspectors. That means ANYONE can work as a home inspector. So what is the closest officially authorized certification to prove a home inspector has had genuine building experience? A California state GENERAL CONTRACTORS LICENSE. When becoming a contractor of any trade, one must demonstrate, at the very least, 4 years of experience and education in the trade for which they are licensed, be fingerprinted, have an FBI background check, and be bonded.
Marc Mazza has years of genuine hands-on building experience in all fields of contracting, which include: residential, commercial and public works. Within these fields, Marc has had practical experience in multiple building trades and is a licensed General Contractor in both California and Arizona, Commercial and Residential Swimming Pool Service Contractor in California and Arizona and a California Weatherization and Energy Conservation Contractor.
02.Once you've narrowed your choice to a Contractor, how do you judge the inspector's experience?
One way, is to ask, how many inspections he or she has performed to date. The more inspections performed, the more issues the inspector has been exposed to, the more experience they gain, the better they get. In addition, the inspector will also become more familiar with repetitive issues specific to various housing tracts.
Mazza Inspections has conducted, in excess, of over 10,000 properties, collectively.
03.Will the inspector walk on the tile roof?
Most home inspectors will not walk on tile roofs at all, even one story houses. Tile roofs are the most durable but are also the most fragile when walked on. Only trained individuals (who know where to step and not break the tiles) should perform this task.
Marc Mazza is a certified Tile Roof Institute installer and knows how and where to walk on tile roofs, when accessible.
04.Do you use an infrared camera during the inspection? Is it free?
Yes, and sort of free€! Thermography is the process by which an infrared camera takes a picture of thermal temperature patterns and produces these images in colors. The use of infrared technology in the inspection industry is relatively new and is basically, a form of nondestructive testing. Infrared cameras can detect leaks or suspected moisture, hot spots in electrical circuits, energy efficiency issues and more.
We use our state-of-the-art infrared camera in EACH and EVERY inspection, at no charge to our clients (FOR RESIDENTIAL INSPECTIONS ONLY). The areas in which we use the camera free, are limited. We will scan under all bathrooms on second stories, all electrical panels and any other area we feel is suspect, absolutely free. A full thermal scan of the building envelope is a separate fee.
05.Has the inspector been inspecting long enough to become familiar with issues which may be specific to the housing tract I'€™m buying in?
Often homes in housing tracts by the same builder have similar features and issues specific to that tract. One must do a fair amount of inspections in specific tracts to become familiar with some of these recurring defects. Additionally, certain jurisdictions can require specific code compliance to components unique only to that area.
Our company has been doing inspections in the greater Los Angeles area since the mid-nineties. A majority of our inspections are centered in the Santa Clarita, Simi, Antelope, and San Fernando Valleys.
06.Is the inspector a F.I.R.E.® Certified Fireplace Investigator?
F.I.R.E® inspectors and investigators are a specialized group of trained professionals and are practically impossible to find in the home inspection industry. The goal for F.I.R.E.® certified investigators is to prevent property damage and personal injury through accurate evaluation. These investigators are trained to inspect and detect construction defects, product performance, post fireplace fire investigations as well as inadequate maintenance.
Marc Mazza is Certified by F.I.R.E® to conduct level 1, 2 or 3 Fireplace and chimney Inspections.
07.Is the inspector qualified to inspect an in-ground pool and its equipment?
Swimming Pools vary in design, age and equipment. Pools can be extremely complex, especially with the different types of chlorination systems, remotes, PDAs, filters, pumps, pool sweeps and water features. It is beneficial to have an inspector who has €śhands-on€ť experience, is familiar with the many different swimming pool systems and qualified to test the various types of equipment.
Marc Mazza is a licensed contractor in both California and Arizona for commercial and residential swimming pool repairs, modifications and service.
08.Is the inspector certified to indentify and remediate Mold?
Most inspectors will stay as far away from mold as humanly possible. However, only certified mold inspectors are trained to visually identify conditions that could possibly have created an environment for mold. Certain types of mold can be deadly if left untreated. Specialty tools and laboratory testing may be necessary.
As a certified NAMP® mold inspector and remediation contractor, we have performed many mold tests, independent from our inspections. In addition, as a general contractor we have also conducted the remediation of mold.
09.What type of report does the inspector generate?
The inspection report is used as an informational guide for the buyer and in some cases, a negotiation tool. An inspector must be able to articulate the findings in a manner which is logical to the buyers, sellers and perhaps, a contractor or handyman that is selected to correct the negotiated or necessary repairs. A checklist style report which lists the finding as good, fair or poor simply won€™t do when purchasing such a huge investment.
Marc Mazza uses a fully narrative report that clearly articulates findings. We will also include digital photography, videography and thermography, when necessary.
10.What type of FOLLOW UP does the inspector provide once I receive your report?
Once you receive your report, you will need someone to answer any questions you may have.
Marc Mazza is available via email or telephone to follow up on any questions or concerns. We also offer re-inspections for free (with just a few small limitations) to our customers. This way you can feel secure knowing the item was inspected for proper operation or safety after it was repaired.
11.Are you insured...enough?
Home inspection insurance is NOT mandated by the state. The inspection industry is a difficult and very litigious business to be in. Many inspectors are doing this part-time in this vulnerable market and, as a result, may not elect to carry the necessary and, very costly insurance.
We inspect so many houses, and within these houses, are literally thousands of components. As human beings, we are all susceptible to imperfection. This is why we carry Errors and Omissions insurance, and our record is impeccable! We can and will be happy to provide you with a copy of our insurance at your request. Our insurance covers damages up to $1,000,000.
A few more questions to ask!
Do they provide Permit Searches for your property?
We do, call for more information or visit our website. Often additions or modifications have been performed on a structure which is not currently occupied or the current owner has no knowledge of permits for the work.
I'm a new home owner, and as such, I'€™m not familiar with the typical necessary maintenance associated with homeownership. Do you have suggestions for this?
Some inspectors will provide their client with service and maintenance information in a book form at the time of the inspection. The problem with this (not that it'€™s a bad idea, we used to do this) is that most people will lose this book during their move-in or during the course homeownership, rendering this information useless. So we came up with an alternative to this method. We send out email reminders to all of our clients during ALL typical maintenance intervals. These reminders include such items as, concrete or clay tile roof inspections, water heater maintenance, smoke detector testing, GFI receptacle testing, HVAC maintenance, and more!
Can you give me information during the course of the inspection which may include potential costs of repairs or improvements?
Most inspectors will not comment on repair or improvements of any kind. There may be many reasons for this but most will hover around just a few, such as, a lack of genuine building experience or limited understanding of the scope of your issue, it may be a conflict of their association€™s code of ethics, or maybe he / she simply choose not to get involved.
First let me say, WE DO NOT PERFORM ANY WORK ON STRUCTURES THAT WE INSPECT, PERIOD. THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE TO CALIFORNIA BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE §7191(1). That being said, I will offer my opinion of what costs I believe the buyer may expect to assume in order to improve or repair their prospective structure. Over the years, as a contractor, I€™'ve participated in the complete or partial construction, service, repair or improvements of both residential and commercial structures. As a result, I€™m familiar with the costs associated in multiple specific construction trades and costs involved such as, costs of doing business, material costs, private wages (residential)to prevailing wages (public works/ commercial). This knowledge allows us to approximate repair or improvement costs within a reasonable degree of accuracy for our customers, excluding (obviously) any unforeseen circumstances, which are typical, during the construction process.
