Panther Inspections

Category: Inspections

  • How Does Rain Help Inspections

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    How Does Rain Help Inspections?

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    In some cases, an inspector using no special equipment will be able to catch large issues like water leaks from rain during an inspection. However, what can the inspector do if there is nothing visible? This is where thermal imaging saves the day. Thermal imaging can see new leaks as soon as 15 minutes after they start.
    The above image is a great example of a roof leak that appeared during an inspection on a rainy day. This leak had no visible evidence because of how new it was, however, the thermal imaging picked it up easily.
    This image saved the buyers thousands of dollars in repairs that they did not have to pay for.

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    In an opposite scenario, when used in a home that already has stains, thermal imaging is able to pick up areas of high moisture indicating that the stain is still wet and that the leak may still be active.  Or confirm that repairs have been successful and the area is dry.
    So to answer the question, If the inspector is using thermal imaging the rain can help the inspector see any newly formed leaks and verify whether or not existing stains are active leaks. If they aren’t using thermal imaging they are likely missing these problems. Or confirm that repairs have been successful and the area is dry, especially useful after a recent rain.
    This is why Panther Inspections uses thermal imaging on all of our inspections at no additional charge to our clients.

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    If you are curious to see more of what thermal imaging can do check out our other posts here.
    If you have water stains and want to know more about them, a thermal imaging consultation could be the solution for you.
    If you or a friend are looking for a great home inspection with the added peace of mind that thermal imaging provides and a whole host of other options, look no further.

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  • Why Are Re-Inspections Necessary

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    Why Are Re-Inspections Necessary?

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    Disconnected Items

    During a home inspection if something is disconnected it won’t be inspected or will have a very limited inspection. This can mean a sink, appliance or air conditioner doesn’t have any visual defects, yet does not function correctly when reconnected and operated.

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    Utilities Are Off

    If utilities are turned off it will affect how much of many different systems the inspector can evaluate. For instance, if the gas is turned off to the home many different appliances like the water heater, furnace, and oven can’t be tested. Therefore, limiting the inspector’s ability to find issues other than those that are visible without operating the unit. Furthermore, any issues not found during the initial inspection have the potential to cost the clients lots of time and money in the future.

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    Check Completed Repairs

    Lastly, re-inspections are a great way to check to make sure any repairs performed after the initial inspection were done correctly. These inspections also typically cost a fraction of what the original inspection did and are an unbiased professional analysis of the completed work.

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    Re-inspections fill in any gaps left from the first inspection and check any repairs that have been made. So, the next time you or someone you know get an inspection, consider a re-inspection if any of the above items apply. We at Panther Inspections offer transactions and have flexible scheduling to ensure our clients get the info they need to make informed home purchases quickly.

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  • Why New Homes Need Inspections

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    Why Do New Homes Need Inspections?

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    Builders Make Mistakes

    All builders use subcontractors to complete a home quickly. Many times even having to share these subs because of the high demand for housing in Austin at the time of this writing. These “subs” are many times in a hurry, under pressure, and minimally paid. So, mistakes are made in every home. The builder’s representatives monitor and revise construction but they too are typically overseeing more homes than they can handle. That means any mistakes made, go unnoticed or are forgotten.

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    Builders’ Inspectors Miss Things

    Yes, many builders have their own inspectors or contract them. These inspectors are usually paid bottom dollar for their services and perform as many as 10 inspections a day. That is not enough time to thoroughly inspect a home. All this means it’s easy for them to miss problems with the home. Furthermore, since they are paid by the builder, they are liable only to the builder, not the buyer.
     e is performing as intended.

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    Clients Are Ultimately Responsible

    When reading the paperwork from the builder, the buyers must pay very close attention to where responsibility lies. Many builder’s contracts put the liability of ensuring the home is properly built on the buyer, who many times is not equipped to do so. We can’t all be experts on homes after all, so the best thing to do is call a third party inspector. An expert inspector of your choice will take the time needed to completely evaluate the home.

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    If you or a friend are are buying or building a new home, the home inspection experts at panther inspections are fully equipped with the latest technology and techniques to help ensure a new home is performing as intended.

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  • What Are Conducive Conditions

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    What Are Conducive Conditions?

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    Conducive conditions are things that make it easier for wood destroying insects like termites to get into our homes without us seeing. These are things like having a high soil line, a wood fence touching the house, or having wood piles leaning on the home. Others include wood rot on the home, heavy foliage or trees touching the home, and even wood siding or trim touching the ground. Many of these conditions are easily changed, but there are a couple that aren’t. Conditions like a slab joint from an addition, which is virtually impossible to remove, or a very low deck which would have to be removed to resolve the condition. For these, preventative treatments are recommended to make infestation less likely.

    If you are concerned about conducive conditions on your current home or the one you’re buying we can help. Give us a call to schedule a consultation or a termite inspection today.

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  • The Benefits of a Consultation

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    The Benefits of a Consultation

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    Save Time

    A normal inspection will take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the size of the house and what is being inspected. A consultation generally being only an hour or so limits the amount of time needed to get the desired info. The inspector will check any specific items in question and advise the client verbally on the outcome and recommendations, on site. Therefore eliminating the wait time associated with a full inspection or the headache associated with calling many different contractors.

    Get Only The Info You Need

    Sometimes a full home inspection isn’t needed. A consultation focuses only on getting the client the answers to the questions they have. The inspector arrives prepared to use all of their knowledge and tools available to them (including a thermal camera) to investigate any areas of the home in question and consult the client on findings and next course of action.

    Save Money

    A consultation is billed by the hour at $149 for the first hour and $99 for every hour after (these prices may change). Most consultations only take one hour so there is a large money savings compared with a normal inspection which can range from $300 to $1000 depending on the size of the home. Clients get the info they need to move forward without costing a small fortune.

    Lastly, not all inspectors offer consultations. So the next time someone you know has questions about a water stain, a hot room, or any issue with their home and they don’t know who to call, Panther Inspections can help.

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  • How Do Inspections Change During Winter

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    How Do Inspections Change During Winter?

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    Other than your inspector looking like an Eskimo, there are 2 main things that change with an inspection in winter. The first one is the air conditioner. On days that temperatures are below 60°F the air conditioner likely won’t be tested, because operating the unit at those temperatures can damage it. Instead, it will be visually inspected and any deficiencies found noted in the report. The other item is the roof covering. At low temperatures and wet conditions, ice and snow can make a roof very slippery. Therefore an inspector may have no choice but to inspect the roof from the ground or with another method instead of walking on it, for their own safety.

    So make sure that on cold days you check with your inspector on whether or not they could normally inspect these items so you are comfortable with the level of information that you or your clients have about the property.

    If you or a friend are in need of a high-value inspector, Panther Inspections can help.

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  • The Difference Between Resale and Warranty Inspections

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    The Difference Between Resale and Warranty Inspections

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    In short the only real difference is the type of issues or deficiencies your inspector will find on a new home versus a resale home. In new homes improper installation and poor materials performance are the most common issues. Where on an older home the most common deficiencies are code updates and maintenance issues.

    In regards to how the inspection is performed, every company is a little different. We at Panther Inspections believe there should be no difference in how a recently finished home is inspected in relation to one that is older. We treat the warranty inspection the same way as a resale or pre-purchase inspection so that comparisons can be made between the home inspections and proper performance of each system is ensured.

    So, whether you or a friend have a home coming up on its first birthday, and need a thorough warranty inspection or are buying a resale home and need to have it evaluated we can help. Call us now to book your inspection.

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  • Occupied vs Vacant Homes

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    Occupied vs Vacant Homes

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    As far as the inspection goes, it’s generally better to have a vacant home. This is because the inspector has full access to the home and all of its interior and exterior surfaces. However, vacant homes see more intrusion of insects and rodents because there is no one there making the normal noise of living to ward them off, putting down pesticides, or calling a pest control company. They also can be in greater disrepair since no one is there constantly seeing what needs to be repaired. For these homes, a thorough home inspection coupled with a termite inspection is recommended.

    Occupied homes, on the other hand, have many belongings and furnishings that make inspecting some areas impossible and others difficult. Things not inspected could include some windows, many outlets, large areas of flooring and walls. They do, however, tend to be better maintained and show fewer signs of pest inhabitation.

    Whether a home is vacant or occupied, new or old, no home is perfect. So, every home needs a great inspection to identify any major issues. If you or someone you know is buying a home and would like even more peace of mind, Panther Inspections has many inspection types to make the home buying process a little easier.

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  • Benefits of a Report Presentation

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    Benefits of a Report Presentation

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    Some (but not all) home inspectors take the time after the inspection is complete to either provide a brief summary of the findings or present the entire report to their clients. This practice has some major benefits. First time home buyers often need extra explanation about some of the materials used in a home or the proper function of a system. With a presentation, these buyers get the extra explanations they need to fully understand the report and the home. More experienced home buyers benefit by getting the info they need about the home as soon as it’s available and have any specific questions and concerns addressed on the spot. For home sellers, they get access to an inspector with experience in what issues buyers are most concerned with on an inspection report. This gives them the ability to focus on making repairs that help the home sell.

    While a home inspector can’t answer all questions, they can answer many questions that clients may have about the home they are purchasing or selling, putting them in a more educated position.

    At Panther Inspections, all of our inspections include a report presentation giving our clients extra insight and knowledge about the home they are buying or selling. So, if you or someone you know could use that extra insight call us now to schedule an inspection.

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