ES Ventures, Inc.

TESTIMONIAL

The services provided by Emmon Snyder have been exemplary - he is prompt, professional, and very thorough. His expertise was evident as he walked us through the method and logistics of our home inspection. We feel that his knowledge and his concern for detail provided us with the knowledge needed to proceed with the purchase of an older, problem-prone home. The report given to us has served as a template for every aspect of our rebuild, identifying key issues that not only improve the safety of our home but foresight toward adding resale value. You would be hard pressed to find a more friendly, thorough, professional home inspector.

WHY HIRE A HOME INSPECTOR?

This purchase may be one of the biggest purchases of your life. By hiring a home inspector you're trying to limit the number of surprises and difficulties that you may encounter both with newly constructed and older homes. Home inspectors will conduct a visual examination of the physical components of your home to look for damages, needed repairs, improper construction, and general maintenance items that affect your home. This inspection will allow you to make an educated decision about your potential home.

Current home owners can benefit from a home inspection to help identify maintenance related items or items that may become a problem in the near future. Home inspectors have also been asked to look a homes before they are placed on the market to identify items in need of repair.

What to look for in a home inspector?

• The state of Montana has no required certification standards!
• As a result, you should check for affiliations with any national organization that requires membership and continuing education requirements.
• Make sure they are a member of an organization that has a standard of practice.
• Ask about formal training and/or previous job experience.
• Make sure they have both general liability insurance and Errors and Omissions insurance.
• Referrals from realtors who have worked with them before or previous clients and/or friends who have had home inspections before.
• Make sure they regularly send in their radon machines and other devices to be recalibrated.

THE HOME INSPECTION PROCESS

The home inspector will work with all parties to determine a time and day to perform the home inspection as well as a time frame to set radon machines. The inspector will inspect the home, and if requested, will meet you at the home at the conclusion to conduct an on site walk through and evaluation with you. The inspector will inspect the major systems and components of your home including

• Structural components
• Exterior
• Roof condition and installation
• Attic, basement, and crawlspace
• Plumbing and plumbing fixtures
• Electrical components
• Interior
• Insulation and ventilation
• Fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances
• Foundation
• Deck structures

The inspector will also show you the gas, water, and electrical shutoffs for the home so that you can access them during an emergency.

Most home inspectors become home inspectors as they were/are members of the construction trade such as plumbers, electricians, and general contractors. Most inspectors can identify problems but will defer to to a licensed professional for confirmation and/or repair. We identify problems or potential problems for you to consider and address.

Most inspections take 2 to 4 hours depending on the size of the home. You may chose to be at the inspector's side during the entire inspection, or you may chose to conduct a walk through upon the completion of the inspection.

After the physical inspection, the inspector will provide you with a written report with photos that addresses the items of concern or consideration. THE REPORT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ANY FORM OF WARRANTY, GUARANTEE OR INSURANCE.

PRICE

Since the home inspector is hired by the prospective buyer, they are responsible for paying the home inspector on the day of the inspection. Although this cost may seem difficult during the home buying process, the deficiencies that may be found and the piece of mind provided can easily offset the cost of the home inspection.

Additional costs may accrue for additional requested tests such as water testing. Water testing is done at a lab either in Missoula or Kalispell with a water sample collected by the home inspector.

Additional costs may be added for travel depending on the location of the property

For an estimate, please call (406) 546-2280.

RADON

Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced by the decay of uranium. Radon is a “tricky beast” as it may rate high in one home and be significantly lower in the home adjacent. Radon is affected by a variety of factors such as age of the home, construction of the home, barometric pressure and/or soil capping. The E.P.A. Considers radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

Home inspectors need a minimum of 48 hours to test for radon. The radon machine is placed in the lowest living bedroom in the dwelling. After a minimum of 48 hours the machine can be picked up and the results can be read. High radon levels can be treated by having a radon mitgation contractor install an active system to remove the radon gases from below the foundation and release it into the atmosphere above the roof line. Radon is measured with Pico curies per liter of air or pCi/L based upon the E.P.A. recommendations, any levels more than 4 pCi/L should be mitigated. Of course with any test, longer term tests portray the most accurate readings. Real estate transactions usually only allow for a short term tests, so after higher readings, a home inspector will recommend a longer term test or recommend that you discuss with a radon mitigation contractor.