Bob's first home was full of code violations, defects, hazards, and things that just plain didn't make sense. He could not see the issues, though, as it was his first home and he thought the home was the greatest. After living there a while, he wished that someone objective, independent and trained could have walked through the home with him during the purchase process and opened his eyes. He would probably still have bought that home, but his expectations would have been a bit lower, and the surprises not quite as deep.

Over the next 20 years Bob has had two more "challenged" homes. He and his family lived through two major renovations that replaced systems, added structural components and dealt with everything from biohazards to historic preservation. He also was involved in the design and beginning construction of a unique custom home that was featured in a well-known architects book.

Living in a "challenged" home teaches you much more than you can imagine, as you need to learn how things work, where they are, and how to keep them working. When something fails on a rainy Friday night and the repair man laughs when you call, you know you are going to have a learning experience during that night. Similarly, some seemingly small jobs are impossible to get people to do, or their prices are equally challenging. Again, you learn, maybe more than you wanted to. Maybe you learn more than once.

Independent Home Inspection

All Maryland Licensed Home Inspectors have bound by an Ethics pledge that they will keep their clients interests first, but this is not always enough.

There are many home inspectors that get most of their clients from only a few sources. "Upsetting" one of these sources with a bad home inspection report could jeopardize future home inspection leads.

Bob gets the majority of his leads from the internet, or from previous client referrals. Some agents do refer clients to Bob because they know he is thorough, picky and takes the time to explain things, and they are looking out for their clients' interests. They will be the first to say that they don't want to see him when they are the seller's agent.

How important is Independence?

Check out the Independent Home Inspectors of North America web site. They have some interesting stories about inspections by "the agent's inspector" along with a copy of the pledge IHNA members have signed.

I am one of only seven inspectors in all of Maryland who are truly "independent."

See the list at: http://www.independentinspectors.org/home-inspections/maryland.html#maryland

Over the years Bob has learned about:

• Heating systems (Electric, Ground Source, Gas & Oil, forced Hot air, Hot Water, in floor, radiant)
• Cooling systems (Through the wall, Conventional and High pressure retrofits, Ground Source)
• Electrical systems (Upgrades, re-work, grounding, communications, low voltage, additions, moves and sub-panels)
• Private septic systems (Gravity, pump)
• Private Water Systems (Shallow Jet wells, Deep Submersible Wells, Ice House retrofits, pumping & conditioning systems)
• Plumbing systems (PB pipe, CPVC pipe, Copper pipe, fixtures, well & septic, water treatment systems, tank less, conventional and zoned DHW)
• Hardware (Doors, windows, locks, fixtures, historic)
• Fireplaces (Flues, re-lining, inserts, gas-retrofits)
• Insects & Vermin (Termites, Carpenter ants, Wasps, Carpenter bees, flying squirrels, snakes)
• Roofs (Flat built up, asphalt shingle, wood shake, gutters & drainage)
• Insulation (Blown, Bat, fiberglass, cellulose, foam, rigid, attic, wall, pipe, crawl)
• Hazards (radon, asbestos, abandoned tanks, Lead, methyl chloride)
• Network and telephone equipment (Ethernet, wireless and private PABX's)
• Driveway paving, brick & flagstone patios and walks.
• Heavy equipment (tractors, backhoes, trenchers, chippers), power tools, welding (Wire, Brazing, Oxy-acetylene), Deep wire tracers
• Home Automation (X10, Insteon, wired, SmartHome, HomeSeer, scripting, timing, Curtain Motors)
• Low Voltage Lighting (Solar, Wired, High Power transformers and long runs)
• Animal Control (Groundhogs, Skunks, squirrels , Flying squirrels , Chipmunks, birds, Bats, Electric Fences)

Bob is continuing to learn and has chosen to formalize the education that he has already received so that he may help others through the process of buying and enjoying their homes by becoming a Home Inspector.

What training has Bob Sisson had?

In March of 2003 Bob completed Inspection Training Associates (ITA) 90 hour Home Inspector course. This is TWICE the requirement for most of the professional associations that govern the industry. All of the associations require continuing education for membership, so he will continue to take courses on a wide variety of subjects. ASHI requires 20 Hours a year, so Bob had had over 100 Hours of additional training on a variety of topics.

Is Bob certified as a Home Inspector?

Bob is proud to have passed the stringent NHIE (National Home Inspector Examination). Although this certification is not required in order to be a Home Inspector, it is another indicator of the level of dedication and integrity Bob brings to his work.

What standards does Bob follow?

As a licensed Maryland Home Inspector, Bob must follow the State of Maryland Standards and code of Ethics, which is a copy of an earlier ASHI standards set with some minor changes.  As a Member of ASHI, Bob must also adhere to their standards .Basically Bob uses the stricter standards in each case.  Bob also is an Independent Inspector, and follows that pledge in his marketing efforts.

How many Inspections has Bob Done?

As of December 31, 2009 Bob has completed nearly 1,000 Inspections.

Does Bob belong to any professional associations or other organizations?

Bob is a member of the following professional associations:

• ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) Member # 212016
• IAEI (International Association of Electrical Inspectors
• NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association)
• ICC (International Code Council)
• IHINA (Independent Home Inspectors of North America)
• BBB (Better Business Bureau of Metro Washington DC and Eastern Pennsylvania)

Is your Home Inspector Licensed?

As of Jan 1, 2008 All home inspectors in the State of Maryland must by Licensed by the state and must provide a copy of their license at the time of the inspection. Inspections by Bob is already fully licensed by the State of Maryland and has also passed the National Home Inspectors exam (NHIE) along with the ASHI ethics exam. To see our license click Here.         

Home Inspections in Maryland

A home inspection is a professional examination of the home. Our trained home inspector may, if appropriate go through each room of the home, every closet, every cabinet and home area looking for indications or instances of things that are inspection issues or could become issues.

The home inspector may, if appropriate inspect the floors in the home, walls, windows, ceilings, hardware, fixtures, outlets and registers. The electrical panel, heating and cooling systems and plumbing systems of the home will be inspected and evaluated. If appropriate the home inspector may go into the attic and crawlspaces and walk the roof of the home. If the home inspector is unable to walk the roof, the home inspector may, if appropriate use binoculars to inspect it. The home inspector will walk the exterior of the home and look at the exterior windows, doors, gutters and grading. The home inspector may, if appropriate also take pictures of the home. At the end of the home inspection, the home inspector will provide you with a report describing any observations about your home, the home inspector will email relevant pictures to you that night.

Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetimes. Unfortunately, it is often done with the least amount of information. Once you have found a home that you like, you are often given a very short time to address any concerns as to its health. Few people outside the building trades know all of the signs to look for, and where to look. Home inspectors like Bob are specifically trained just for this.

A home inspection is not just for buying a home. If you are planning to sell your home, you might get a "pre-listing" inspection, which can tell you what your buyer's inspector may have found and give you time to correct potential problems before placing your home on the market. If you have a newly built home, getting a home inspection prior to the builder's one-year walkthrough will help you identify issues that need to be addressed by the builder before the warranty expires.

Radon, Termite, Septic and Other Inspections

Radon

Because Bob is thorough, his inspections take time, sometime a lot of time. Adding the time required to setup a Radon test, and return in a few days, would add too much time to the inspection. Bob Suggests that you use a firm that does JUST Radon inspections. You agent may have a list of people they have worked with in the past. The results from a Radon test are not subjective, so there is no risk of results being manipulated.  In Montgomery county only Bob has teamed with a Radon testing company and will place their test kits at no extra charge to you.  You will need to tell Bob your confirmation number ahead of time so he can bring an extra kit.  The radon firm Bob's has teamed with is: United Radon Sciences.

Termite

Bob does not do Termite inspections for a different reason, he feels that it is important that you get a termite inspection from a company that can issue a renewable "termite Certificate" that will Warranty the house Termite free for a year... and can back it up with treatments if necessary. If you maintain the certificate with annual re-inspections for a nominal fee after the initial inspection (and any necessary treatment) any further infestation or damage will be the responsibility of the Termite Company, not you. It is important to maintain the certificate. (ask Bob about people who didn't keep their certificates up to date)

Water & Septic

Bob does do basic water testing, as it does not take too much time away from the rest of the inspection. Septic tests are another matter. The BEST way to inspect a septic system is to have a Septic company locate the tank, open and pump it and then certify it (several jurisdictions require this method). Dye tests, or other non-pumping methods are of little value and may delay discovering a significant problem. Bob cannot make a recommendation, but ask him and he will tell you who pumps his tank at home. More information on Septic inspections HERE.