Rumor has it that Arizona termite inspectors (like myself) will soon fall under the authority of the AZ Department of Agriculture. AZ termite inspectors and other pest control professionals are currently licensed and regulated by the Arizona Structural Pest Control Commission.
You can read all the details on my favorite Arizona real estate blog!
If you are a resident of Mesa and are looking for ways to reduce your household expenses (I think we'd all like to do that) you should check out the "Grass-To-Xeriscape" Landscape Rebate Program.
We all know that we live in a desert and that water is one of our most important resources. In an effort to promote water conservation, Mesa is offering a $500 rebate to qualifying single family residences if you replace 500 square feet or more of existing lawn with Sonoran Desert appropriate plants.
If you would like more information or to see if you qualify, visit the City of Mesa's website.
All types of homes can get termites! See the termite tube hanging from the ceiling in the picture above? This picture was taken inside a masonry home, but the little critters still found the wood! Even if you have a brick or block home instead of a wood-frame structure, your home should be regularly inspected for termites and other wood-destroying insects. Termites are commonly found throughout Arizona, and early detection is the key to preventing/minimizing costly damage to your structure. Brand new homes can have termites too. While the lot is usually pre-treated for termites prior to construction, that 'barrier' is often damaged when the landscaping is installed.
You should have your home inspected for termites annually. Homewerx Home Inspections can take care of both your home inspection and your termite inspection.
Call for an inspection today!
(480) 503-2611
TOLL FREE: 1-888-THE-WERX
Or Schedule Online!
If you have a leaky roof, you probably know about it after the last few weeks of rainstorms! But rainy weather is a good opportunity to check more than just your roof. For example, rainy/windy monsoon storms make it easy to tell how well your windows and doors seal up! Rainy weather is also good time to check your lot for drainage problems. You can easily see whether or not water is draining away from your house, and any place you notice significant water puddling may be an area where the grading needs attention.
You should also walk around the exterior of your property and look for any damage 
from the wind after a monsoon storm. Pay special attention to areas where your landscaping might have been blown against your home. It would be a good idea to make sure all trees and shrubbery are trimmed away from your house before the monsoon season to prevent them from damaging the exterior of your home during windy weather. You may notice pieces of shingles that have been torn from the rooftop and blown to the ground. If you are extra motivated, you may want to get a ladder and look at your roof from the eave. Be careful not to fall and don't walk on a tile roof unless you are a professional!
Your swimming pool also needs extra attention during the monsoon season. Most pools and spas need more chemicals during the summer heat, and the windy monsoon season makes it almost impossible to keep the leaves and other debris out of the water! Clean your pool, skimmers and filters more often, and pay closer attention to your water's chemical levels during the Arizona summer months.
These are just a few of the areas you should regularly inspect on your home. Water damage is expensive and not much fun. If ignored, it can even lead to mold and other problems. Taking steps to keep your home properly maintained will be well worth the effort.
If you have any questions, or are interested in having an Annual Home Maintenance Inspection, call us today!
(480) 503-2611 Valleywide
TOLL FREE: 1-888-THE-WERX
Or Schedule Online!
Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
Even when you are not buying or selling a home, you can still benefit from a home inspection in a variety of ways:
We also inspect rental properties:
We even do Commercial Inspections!
So remember, home inspections are not just for buyers! The longer you have owned your home or plan to own your home, the more important it is to have regular inspections in order to properly maintain your home and avoid costly repairs.
Call for an inspection today!
(480) 503-2611
TOLL FREE: 1-888-THE-WERX
Or Schedule Online!
You see it on the news. Wildfire season is upon us. Fires are constantly burning acreage all across the country, and Arizona is no exception. Each summer, Arizona also sees numerous fires and hundreds of acres scorched due to our dry, desert conditions along with our extremely high temperatures and winds. However, there are some easy steps you can take to protect your property this wildfire season:
It is inevitable that wildfires will burn across Arizona this summer, like last. However, taking a few simple steps can help protect your home and family from a wildfire.
Can you guess what the problem is here? If you asked how is the water going to get out of this completely buried downspout, you're right! This condition is particularly bad for the foundation.
Did you know that some queen termites can give birth every 15 seconds?* You learn something new every day!
* Source: Animal Planet's Top 10 Most Extreme show
WE CAN NOW TAKE CARE OF BOTH YOUR HOME INSPECTION & TERMITE REPORT WITH JUST ONE APPOINTMENT**
Termite Inspections & Wood Infestation Reports (WIRs)** - $65
Offered in conjunction with a Home Inspection ONLY
CALL TODAY!!
(480) 503-2611
Toll Free 1-888-THE-WERX
You can even SCHEDULE YOUR INSPECTION ONLINE!
Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
* 5-day Scheduling Guarantee means 5 business days. All above special offers, promotions and guarantees apply in the Phoenix-metro area only, and other restrictions apply. Call for complete details.
** Termite Inspections are scheduled by Homewerx, Inc. at the same time as your home inspection, but Termite Inspections are performed by Canyon State Termite & Pest Control LLC. Only one appointment and one payment required!
Say hello to termite breeding season. That's right, with the beginning of the new year we also begin the time of year where termite activity increases. According to the US Department of Agriculture, over $750 million in damage is caused by termites each year. That's a lot of bugs. The good news is there are some easy things homeowners can do to help avoid these costly pests.
According to the Arizona Structural Pest Control Commission, the most common termite in Arizona is the subterranean termite. Therefore, a good barrier between the ground and the wood in our homes is extremely important. Here is a list of things that homeowners should look for (source: Arizona Structural Pest Control Commission). Although this list is not all inclusive, it will give you a good place to start.
All of these conditions are things that termites and termite inspectors look for, and so should the homeowner. By eliminating these conditions, you can reduce the risk of infestation. However, it is important to remember that all homes are at risk to termite infestation, even masonry structures. See MPEG movie of termites (Source: Arizona Structural Pest Control Commission)
If you have any concerns, be sure to call a professional to check it out before that termite takes a bite out of your house and your wallet.
We inspect in accordance with the Arizona BTR Standards and ASHI® Standards. A standard home inspection includes the following:
Termite Reports & Environmental Inspections are not included in a standard home inspection, but can be done for an additional fee.
There are many reasons one might need a home inspection:
Call today!
(480) 503-2611
or 1-888-THE-WERX
Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
We are still working on this blog so we're sorry in advance for anything that may seem confusing or features that are not yet working! Many feature are working, however, so take a look around...you will find useful, interesting information about your home.
Thanks for visiting and be sure to come back soon!
DON'T PAY FOR YOUR BUILDER'S MISTAKES!!
All homes have flaws and hidden defects, even brand new homes. The cracks in the walls and sticking doors may just be the tip of the iceberg. Some defects can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to repair, as well as put your family’s health and safety at risk. That's why it’s important to have someone on your side like Homewerx Home Inspections.
A warranty inspection by Homewerx Home Inspections will help you find the hidden problems that exist in your new home BEFORE your warranty expires. From roofs that are improperly installed and in some cases, not even finished, to broken trusses and missing insulation, we regularly find major builder errors that slipped by the busy city inspectors. Our inspection can easily pay for itself by saving you future out-of-pocket repairs.
In addition to revealing problems caused by sub-standard materials and workmanship, we will also document the problems you already know about, making the ‘builder warranty process’ less of a headache. Our easy-to-read, yet comprehensive typewritten report has color digital photos, a summary of necessary repairs you can give to your builder, and home maintenance tips to help keep your home in top shape. Let us catch the problems now to save you time, frustration and money in the future.
HURRY...CALL BEFORE YOUR WARRANTY EXPIRES!
(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX
...or you can schedule online!
REMEMBER...if our Inspector finds one flaw covered under your warranty that you were unaware of, this inspection can easily pay for itself!!
Protect Your Investment...call for an appointment TODAY!
Why would you need a Special Inspection?
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The leaky shower head that caused this damage LOOKED like it was only leaking outside the wall. An inspection revealed that the leak had actually caused the wall to rot, requiring that it be completely rebuilt. (Picture above was taken during wall repairs. No dismantling or destructive testing is performed during a home inspection.)
Special Inspections are for homeowners that need help with a specific problem instead of an 'entire house inspection'.
CALL for an inspection TODAY!
(480) 503-2611
Toll Free 1-888-THE-WERX
...because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
Need an Expert on your side?
Let one of our experienced Home Inspectors be your Expert Witness and:
We're on your side! Call for a free price quote today.
(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX
Think you don’t need your new home inspected during and after construction because the city inspector will catch any flaws?
Think again…New homes need to be inspected too!
Many defects can affect your family’s health and safety, not to mention your pocketbook and the long term condition of your home. By hiring Homewerx to inspect your new home during its construction, you are sending a message to your builder that you expect quality workmanship and intend to hold them to the highest standards possible. Having an inspection during the construction of your new home also allows us to inspect inside the walls and other areas that can’t be seen in a finished house. Therefore, the Inspector can make sure important items, like the stem wall, are constructed properly.
City inspectors look mainly for code violations. And most people would be AMAZED at some of the defects our inspectors have found that apparently slipped by the city inspector!
Depending on how far along construction is when you call us, we will perform 3 separate inspections while your house is being built. Of course, Clients are always welcome to call their Inspector at any phase of the construction to discuss whatever concerns they may have.
Stem Wall Inspection - takes place upon completion of the stem wall, preferably before the underground plumbing is buried
Frame Inspection - takes place just before the drywall and insulation are installed
Final Inspection - takes place when construction is complete and utilities are turned on (just prior to the final walk-through)
CALL TODAY!!!
(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX
or you can schedule online!
...because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
WHAT'S HIDING IN YOUR ATTIC?
We all perform regular maintenance on our cars by having a tune-up every so many miles, but what about your house? Often times, our biggest investment is also the most neglected.
Homes in Mesa have increased in value approximately 50% over the last year. To maintain that value, you need to have periodic inspections and repairs performed on your home. Catching problems early can help prevent more severe and costly damage later.
The average home inspection reveals more than 43 defects. Even new homes have many hidden problems never seen by the occupants. Some defects even pose a significant HEALTH and SAFETY RISK to you and your family. Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind!
A Home Maintenance Inspection from Homewerx will make you aware of what repairs are needed now to avoid further costly damage, and which ones can wait. In addition to identifying and prioritizing those conditions that need attention, a home inspection can also detect immediate safety issues. From broken trusses and roof problems to plumbing and electrical issues...we’ll check it all out for you. We even do a carbon monoxide test. By identifying and correcting problems early, you can save a great deal of time, money and frustration.
A Home Maintenance Inspection is also a great learning opportunity. You can walk through the house with the Inspector and ask any questions you may have about your home or its components. Our Inspectors will take the time to answer your questions and address your concerns. In addition to being extremely knowledgeable, our Inspectors are also very personable and are able to answer questions and discuss their findings in a manner that is easy to understand. Many Clients are amazed at how much information they obtain during a 2-3 hour home inspection.
Selling your home soon and don’t want to do repairs? Not only do most buyers have a home inspection, but the average buyer negotiates TWICE the cost of necessary repairs during the sale. Knowledge is power! Properly maintaining your home now will ensure maximum sales price and minimum time on the market when you sell.
If your home has not been inspected recently, CALL TODAY!!!
(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX
or you can schedule online!
Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
If you have a question relating to home inspections, you may ask it by using the 'Comments' below. Keep in mind that anything you post in the 'Comments' will become a permanent part of this blog. If you have a more personal question that you do not want published, you may email me your question instead.
Your question will be answered within 48 hours. If you email your question, the answer will be emailed to you. If you post your question in the Comments, the answer will be posted in the Comments. Please understand that I cannot always answer your question definitively without actually seeing and inspecting the condition you are asking about, but I will do my best!
You are always welcome to call my office with any questions or concerns. My contact information is below. Have a great day, and remember...an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
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Scott Hubbard Certified Home Inspector, ASHI Member Homewerx Home Inspections Office: (480) 503-2611 Toll Free: 1-888-THE-WERX Email me |
