Home inspections in Oklahoma City will be going fast and furious. Make sure you hire a reputable, experienced home inspector in Oklahoma City.
Over 75% of individuals who give up their homes, for health or physical reasons, could remain at home with the right planning and assistance. Your home must be made safely functional and pleasurable and modifications should be affordable.
Here are some suggestions that you consider when you are setting up the inspection:
What is their accessibility and timeliness. By that I mean do they offer Next Day Service (sometimes same day service). When is Report Available—Same Day. Are they a single inspector or is it a company with licensed Inspectors available 365 days a year — there may be an additional charge for Sundays/Holidays). Is the final detailed report reviewed on site; Did they return your phone call promptly; is it a digital report with pictures; Is Thermal Imaging and Scoping Available.

You want a home inspector that knows roofs and can tell if the roof was replaced correctly and within the normal standards and practices of the roofing industry.

Trending Now

Hot

Trending Now

Hot

The purchase of a home or commercial property is a huge investment of money and time. We want our property to perform to our hopes and expectations. We need and want to feel safety in our decision.

Many statements are made about property inspectors that you should evaluate. They usually fall into four categories:
“It’s new construction so you do not need an inspection” In our 18-plus years in business, we have found unfinished roofs, unfinished plumbing, incorrect and dangerous electrical writing, leaking shower pans…all in new construction. When will it be easier to get the work corrected? Before you close? Or after you have paid?
“You have a warranty so you don’t need an inspection.” Warranties can certainly be a benefit. Even the best warranties that we have seen, however, take a lot of time, never cover everything, and sometimes seem written not to cover items. As an aside, A to Z Inspections provides the best warranty for a home owner: We will buy the home back from you at what you paid for it if we miss anything that the standards of practice require. The only caveats are that you must live in the home, a real estate agent must be involved, and the warranty is good for 90 days.
“We’ve got an inspector that we always use.” Or “That company is a deal killer.” Be sure that you get an independent third party that is working only for your interest. As past president of our state professional association twice, I have certainly heard inspectors say that they work for the real estate agent because that is where they get their referrals. Nationally-known inspector Barry Stone, in his syndicated column, says that you should seek out the inspection company that is “too picky, a deal killer” and similar descriptors.
“There are other offers. You don’t want to blow the deal” If you let sales tactics stop you from performing due diligence, you will regret it later.

The basics are there, but you wouldn’t build a skyscraper on a house foundation.

Sure, a few very small commercial jobs are basically home inspections. The condo office complex would be an example. As size and complexity change, home inspection training isn’t sufficient to do the job.

The roof is usually the single most expensive component. It may be a built-up roof (BUR) aka the hot tar and gravel system, a metal panel roof system, a two-ply modified bitumen torch down rubber roof system, a single ply membrane (TPO, EPDM, or PVC system), or a spray polyurethane foam-based system. Inspectors do not learn how to properly inspect these systems by inspecting residential roofs. The only professional training and certification for commercial roofing that I am aware of is the HAAG Engineering certification. A to Z Inspections has this certification.

Chillers, fire suppression systems, structural steel/I-beams, huge electrical panels, cranes, walk-in freezers, well and septic, large swimming pools, elevators—these areas are not part of the standard experience or training for home inspectors. There is a vast difference in knowledge, experience, and education needed to properly perform a commercial property inspection. All inspectors hired by A to Z have the four-hour on-line “Commercial Inspector Certification” from InterNACHI, but that is wholly insufficient for serious commercial inspections.

A to Z Inspections as a serious, competent commercial property inspection company brings to the job:
Property Condition Assessment (ASTM-E2018) certification
HAAG Engineering certification for commercial roofing
Construction Degree from OSU
EPA Certification in Waste Water Treatment Systems
Thermography Certification
Experience

A to Z has inspected office buildings, shopping centers, apartment
complexes, refrigerated warehouses, mini-storage facilities, build-outs, car dealerships, metal bus barns, manufacturing plants, distributions centers, and multi-story hotels.

Look for these three things when securing a commercial inspection:
Credentials – Certifications, training, degrees
Experience with commercial inspections
Ability and willingness to bring in experts – elevator company, commercial electrician, large generator technician, commercial roofer, fire suppression systems company, plumber

Actions, knowledge, experience, degrees, certifications, publications/articles, communications – all of these may indicate professionalism. Two questions: How do I become more professional? How do I identify a professional?

Here are my personal commitments to become more professional:
Secure a degree or certification every year
Write one article that educates about our industry each month
Support industry educational activities
Serve as an officer in our professional association
Teach to the highest industry standards

What can you look for to quickly determine professionalism. Like the lotto: Pick 3!
A degree in their chosen field. Are you aware that under the direction of Dr. David Chapman, the University of Central Oklahoma offers a bachelor degree in real estate, one of only a few in the nation?
Additional certifications, designations beyond their initial degree or license
Published articles or books
Officer in their professional association
Over 5 years experience
Rave referrals from at least two customers
Recognized trainer or teacher

The commercial property or home that you buy is one of the largest financial investments, financial risks that you undertake in your life. Shouldn’t you expect, demand, maybe even invest 10 or 15 minutes to research, your real estate agent’s and your home inspector’s professionalism?

If you want more information about one of the best real estate degree programs in the country, contact, J. David Chapman, PhD, UCO Real Estate Program, [email protected], 405-202-2676, https://www.facebook.com/groups/ucorealestateclub/.

If you want information about one of the best inspection schools, contact Fred Ayers, HITS (Home Inspection Training Specialists) at 405/323-9722.

If you want the most thorough, the most professional property inspection, contact A to Z Inspections at 405/412-7861, extension 2 for commercial, extension 1 for residential.

Yes, there is a reason A to Z has been picked up in a client’s private airplane and flown to New Mexico to perform an inspection. It is the same reason that we have been hired multiple times by law firms as expert witnesses, that the Oklahoma Department of Commerce hired us to inspect properties all over the state, and the National Association of Home Builders designated me as one of twelve Master Instructors in the nation: A continual commitment to providing the most thorough property (commercial or residential) inspection available by being a learning and teaching company.

WE HAVE SOME BAD REVIEWS—but not one from a customer. We probably have a hundred RAVE reviews, but there are five or six out there from disgruntled real estate agents or home sellers that say we are too picky, are deal busters, and take too long. There are two reviews from dishonest home owners who were intentionally trying to hide things.

Let me answer the question, “Where’s the beef?” Three answers:

Please, go on line to the Oklahoma Supreme Court Network (www.oscn.net) and look up A to Z Inspections or Jack Werner under civil lawsuits AND LOOK UP ANY OTHER COMPANY YOU ARE CONSIDERING. We are slower, we are more expensive—there is a reason we have never been sued. WE ARE THOROUGH. If we ever miss something or break something, we stand up. My biggest competitor is at least 25% cheaper. If you look up that company you will see six lawsuits have been filed over their inspections. THERE IS A REASON.
Always call your state home builders association (OSHBA) and ask, “What inspection company is the most professional, the most thorough?”
As Barry Stone, www.housedetective.com, syndicated columnist, has said dozens of times: You want the inspector with a reputation of being “too picky,” “deal buster,” “takes too long.” You want “the most thorough.”

THERE IS A REASON.

Commercial property purchases are major commitments. Failure to secure the most thorough professional property inspection available is a failure to demand the due diligence we would normally exercise when purchasing a used car, selecting a physician, or considering an investment advisor.
A pre-listing/seller’s inspection by a tough inspector can make for smooth “sale-ing”!

Trending Now

Hot

Trending Now

Hot