When the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) went into effect, blower door testing became a requirement on all new residential builds and remodels. Prior to this code update, blower door testing had been in use for many years. However, this was the first time that it had become mandatory for many new construction [...]
We are often asked by builders, contractors, and architects - what is included in the IECC Code? Understanding code content is critical to building and designing homes. And yet so many people don't completely understand the content of the IECC Code. Reading codebooks from cover to cover seems to be a daunting task. Most contractors [...]
Ask Your Inspector Series: Question: Why are some outlets installed upside down? Answer: Electricians use this standard practice to indicate which outlets are controlled by a wall switch that a light or lamp can be plugged into. Why are some outlets installed upside down? This is one of the most [...]
One of the questions we are asked on a regular basis by home buyers is "Should you attend the home inspection?" For our pre-purchase home inspections, we highly recommend that all buyers attend and engage with the inspector to understand the condition of the home. There are a number of reasons this is helpful and [...]
Where are the best places to insulate a home to get the most energy savings and best comfort gains? That question is asked in every energy audit we perform. While this answer can vary depending on the age and the type of home, there are general solutions that apply across the board. Improvements in the [...]
During the course of our 16+ years performing home inspections, with a team of home inspectors in Colorado, we have seen a wide range of electrical issues. And while we have written a lot of articles on specific issues, we wanted to compile the top electrical issues found at home inspections into one place. GFCI [...]
View from the Roof is a blog series written by me, George Scott, Founder, and CEO of Scott Home Inspection. The series is meant to share my thoughts and views of the home inspection and real estate industry, as well as the general challenges of running a small, growing business from my own [...]
Ask Your Inspector Series: Question: After a home inspection is performed, do home inspectors give repair estimates to the buyer? Answer: Home inspector's are an independent 3rd party and typically do not quote repairs and these numbers can be inaccurate. It is best that you and your real estate agent receive quotes [...]
One of the most common things we recommend during a home inspection is to "consider furnace filter replacement at this time". Why is such a simple action so often overlooked? And what impact does having a dirty furnace filter have on the home? Often the simplest things can cause the biggest concerns. In this article, [...]
On October 15, 2019, the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) submitted a report to the Colorado General Assembly, summarizing the results of a Sunrise Review Application proposing licensing of home inspectors. The report's conclusion from DORA recommends: Do not regulate home inspectors in Colorado. Statutes in Colorado require that individuals or groups proposing legislation to [...]
