Homewerx Home Inspection Blog

Don't Just Have a Home Inspection, Get a HomeXray!!

What is a HomeXray^SM?
A HomeXray^SM is a scan of your home using a special infrared thermal imaging camera.  This infrared (IR) camera detects very small temperature variations in your home’s components, even in hidden areas such as behind the walls, above the ceiling and beneath the floors.  These very minor temperature differences often reveal ‘invisible’ problems which cannot be seen with the naked eye, and would not be found with just a traditional home inspection.  Some people refer to this technology as "seeing through walls" or "X-ray Vision".  While neither of these analogies are technically correct, in many cases a HomeXray^SM can help the Inspector "see" problems that would otherwise not be visible.

Why do I need a HomeXray^SM?
A HomeXray^SM takes your home inspection to the next level!  While a good home inspector can detect a wide variety of problems without "seeing inside the walls", a standard home inspection has limitations because it's a visual inspection.  A HomeXray^SM is an inexpensive, non-invasive and non-destructive method of finding hidden problems that would otherwise go undetected.  Often times, a HomeXray^SM can find a problem in its early stages before there are visible symptoms, making it easier and less expensive to repair.  Much like a medical x-ray can help a doctor to diagnose a problem inside your body without doing exploratory surgery, a HomeXray^SM is a quick and painless way to find certain types of problems that can be hidden within your home’s walls, floors and ceilings.  But even a HomeXray^SM has limitations, and it takes much more than a special IR camera to "see through walls".  Just like it takes a trained Radiologist to properly interpret your medical x-ray, it takes a trained Thermographer to properly interpret your HomeXray^SM.  Rest assured that when you order a HomeXray^SM from Homewerx, your Inspector is also a trained, experienced and Certified Thermographer.

The U.S. Dept. of Energy recommends having an infrared scan done before purchasing a home because even new houses can have defects in their thermal envelopes.

This HomeXray^SM of a ceiling reveals an area with no insulation.         
 

What types of problems can a HomeXray^SM reveal?
A HomeXray^SM can find several different types of hidden problems, including:

• Plumbing leaks, moisture intrusion and water damage
• Missing insulation and energy loss
• Heating, cooling and ventilation problems (HVAC), including ductwork leaks
• Roof leaks, structural issues and foundation cracks
• Faulty wiring, breakers and fuses 
• Pests such as termites, rats and mice

Is a HomeXray^SM part of a Home Inspection?
A HomeXray^SM is not included with your home inspection - it's an additional service.  You can order a HomeXray^SM by itself, or with a home inspection.  You may also choose to have a HomeXray^SM of your entire house, or we can do a HomeXray^SM of one specific area where you suspect a problem.  It's up to you!  Of course, you can save money when you order both a home inspection and a HomeXray^SM at the same time!

Do I get a report with my HomeXray^SM?
Yes!  The Inspector also prepares a comprehensive, typewritten report which explains the results of your HomeXray^SM and includes several color photos.  The report is EASY-TO-READ and understand and contains maintenance advice plus other helpful homeowner information.  Reports are usually emailed the next day, but can also be delivered by fax or regular mail.

How much does a HomeXray^SM cost?
The price of a HomeXray^SM depends on several factors:  the size of your home, whether you want a HomeXray^SM of the entire house or just a certain area, and whether you order your HomeXray^SM with a home inspection or by itself.  But for a limited time, when you order a home inspection from Homewerx, you can get a HomeXray^SM for an additional fee of:

ONLY $149.00* (for homes up to 3000 square feet)
This is an introductory offer only and won't last long... so HURRY!

   

Order your HomeXray^SM today!
 

(480) 503-2611
TOLL FREE:  1-888-THE-WERX

Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!

*IMPORTANT NOTE:  $149 HomeXray^SM offer is good only on homes that are 3000 square feet or smaller, and requires the purchase of a Home Inspection at regular price.  The HomeXray^SM must be performed at the same time as the Home Inspection or additional trip charges may apply.  No other discounts or offers may be used in conjunction with this offer.  This price is offered for a limited time only and may end without notice.

Now Offering Arizona Disclosure Reports to Sellers, Buyers & Real Estate Agents!

ATTENTION: REALTORS, SELLERS & BUYERS!

Beginning September 25^th, Homewerx Home Inspections will be offering Arizona Disclosure Reports.  Under a new Arizona law (H.B. 2779) effective September 21^st, sellers and listing agents can greatly reduce their liability for disclosures by obtaining a "disclosure report" prepared by a third-party provider.  To qualify, the disclosure report must must be based on officially adopted governmental maps, and must include disclosures on the following 9 conditions:

1. Special Flood Hazard Areas
2. Military Airports or Ancillary Military Facilities
3. Military Training Routes
4. Public or Private Airports
5. Expansive Soils
6. Soils Subject to Fissures
7. Special Tax Assessment Areas
8. Radon Gas Potential Zones
9. Environmental Hazard Superfund Sites

While it is not mandatory, it is recommended that all sellers provide these reports to their buyers.  However, disclosure reports are also available to buyers if the seller or builder does not provide one.

It's important to understand that the Arizona Disclosure Report does NOT replace the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) or other disclosures the seller is required to make!  However, the new Arizona Disclosure Report contains information in 9 areas that sellers don't usually know much about.  The new law basically says that if they obtain one of the new third-party disclosure reports, sellers & their agents will not be held liable for errors or ommissions in the disclosure report, unless they know the report to be incorrect and fail to disclose the correct information.  In other words, the liability for the disclosure of those items is shifted from the seller/agent to the third-party provider of the disclosure report.

EDR-Certified!!!   Arizona Disclosure Reports are available for as little as $89.00, so there's no reason to assume unnecessary liability when selling or listing a home!

Arizona Disclosure Report - $89.00 (Available in Maricopa & Pima County only)
(Sample AZ Disclosure Report)
This report discloses whether any of the 9 conditions listed above are known to be present within 300 feet of the property.  This report meets the minimum requirements of Arizona's new disclosure law.

Neighborhood Environmental Report - $129.00  (Available in all AZ counties!)
(Sample Neighborhood Environmental Report)
If you order the Neighborhood Environmental Report, you will receive BOTH the Arizona Disclosure Report and the Neighborhood Environmental Report.  In addition to disclosing whether any of the 9 conditions listed above are known to be present within 300 feet of the property, this report covers a much broader geographical area and also discloses known/potential contamination sites beyond 300 feet. Certain hazards are disclosed in this report if they're within a mile of the property (see distances below). This report also contains additional information that the Arizona Disclosure Report does NOT contain, such as whether there are any known meth labs in the area.  Below is a list of the types of known/potential contamination sites disclosed in the Neighborhood Environmental Report:
1.  Leaking underground tanks (within 1/2 mile)
2.  Landfills (within 1/2 mile)
3.  EPA Final Superfund sites (within 1 mile)
4.  Water Quality Assurance Revolving Priority Fund Sites (within 1 mile)
5.  EPA Proposed Superfund Sites (CERCLIS) (within 1/2 mile)
6.  Arizona Superfund Program Sites (within 1 mile)
7.  State Hazardous Waste Sites (within 1 mile)
8.  Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage & Disposal Sites (within 1/2 mile)
9.  Clandestine Drug Lab Sites (within 1/8 mile)
10. CDC Environmental Health Assessments (within 1/4 mile)
11.  Active Department of Defense Sites (within 1/4 mile)
12.  Former Department of Defense Sites (within 1/4 mile)
13.  Manufactured Gas Plants (within 1/4 mile)
14.  Radioactive Material Activity Sites (within 1/4 mile)

Commercial Disclosure Reports also available - Please call for pricing and other details.

For more information on the new law, read this article, "New Arizona Disclosure Reports Reduce Seller & Agent Liability".

Call today!

(480) 503-2611
TOLL FREE:  1-888-THE-WERX

Or Order Online!

NOTE:  Homewerx Home Inspections offers Arizona Disclosure Reports and Neighborhood Environmental Reports in cooperation with third-party provider, Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR), a national provider of environmental information.

HomeInspectionBlog.com Gets Mention in Arizona Republic Real Estate Blogging Article!

HomeInspectionBlog.com was recently mentioned in an Arizona Republic article by David van den Berg.  The article on real estate bloggers came out in the May 17th Arizona Republic.  "Blogs Will Grow As Tool For Real Estate", can also be viewed online.

Note:  In the article, the link to HomeInspectionBlog.com mistakenly has a space in it, so the link in the online article doesn't work.

Now Offering Home Energy Tune-uPs®

Homewerx Home Inspections is now offering a new service that can help homeowners keep those electric and gas bills affordable.  It's called a Home Energy Tune-uP® and it's easy and inexpensive to have done.  Our Certified Home Inspector will collect certain data throughout your home such as information about your windows, doors, insulation, heating and cooling units, etc.  The Inspector examines and measures all energy related parts of the house, and then uses the data to prepare a report describing what you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home.  For each energy-saving recommendation, your report will estimate the cost and potential savings.

Anyone who plans to live in their home for more than a few years should consider having a Home Energy Tune-uP®.  It can easily pay for itself by reducing your utility bills, and we should all do our part to conserve energy!

A Home Energy Tune-uP® costs:

• Up to 3500 square feet - $200
• Over 3500 square feet - $250
• SAVE $50 if you also order a home inspection or other service!!

For more information or to schedule a Home Energy Tune-uP®, call Homewerx Home Inspections today. The sooner you call, the sooner you can start saving energy and money!

(480) 503-2611
Toll Free 1--888-THE-WERX

Or Schedule Online!

Construction still in progress!

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!

Press Release - Homewerx Home Inspections is Expanding

For Immediate Release:  Mesa, AZ 09-30-05 – Homewerx Home Inspections hires 2 additional Inspectors to service the growing demand for home inspections in the Phoenix Metro Area.

Homewerx Home Inspections, a full service home inspection company serving the Phoenix-Metro area, has opened a new office in North Mesa in addition to hiring 2 new full-time Home Inspectors and support staff.

Homewerx Home Inspections currently conducts Pre-Purchase & Pre-Sale Inspections, Warranty Inspections, Construction Inspections, Special Inspections and Expert Witness services.  Shannon Hubbard, President and Founder said, "With the new office and additional staff, we will soon be adding other new services including Termite Inspections, Commercial Inspections, and environmental testing such as Mold, Radon, Lead-based paint and Water testing.  Our new office is centrally located to most cities in the Phoenix area. And with our new LAN and WAN, we can communicate faster and more efficiently with both our Clients and Inspectors.”

B. Scott Hubbard, Managing Inspector and Co-Founder added, “With the addition of Inspectors Scott Biegen and Greg Reller, we are now able to perform inspections and deliver reports in a much shorter time frame than ever before without compromising the quality and professionalism that our Clients have come to expect.  Finding quality Inspectors was a huge challenge that took a considerable amount of time.  But I know our Clients will appreciate the effort we put into finding the right Inspectors.  Now we are able to provide high quality home inspections with just a few days notice.” 

Since Arizona began licensing home inspectors in January 2003, it has become increasingly difficult for buyers and real estate agents to schedule a home inspection appointment within the standard 10-day inspection period.  This is because many of the good inspectors are booked up 7-10 days in advance.  By adding Inspectors, Homewerx intends to continue providing the highest quality home inspection, but without the wait.

For more details, contact:

Scott Hubbard Certified Home Inspector, ASHI Member Homewerx Home Inspections Office: (480) 503-2611 Toll Free: 1-888-THE-WERX Email me

Welcome to our new blog...

Hello and welcome to the new Homewerx Home Inspection blog!  Feel free to look around...there's a great deal of information here.  Each week, you will find up-to-date articles, pictures, videos and other items related to your home.  In addition to interesting articles that every homeowner will want to read, we will also post photos of different conditions you might want to watch for in your house!

While you're here be sure to:

• Read up-to-date articles about home inspection and other home-related subjects
• Make a comment and join a discussion
• Search Arizona MLS
• Use our mortgage calculators
• Find links to community information
• Take our poll and view the results
• Check today's mortgage rates
• Ask the Home Inspector
• Find homebuyer and seller information
• Set-up an automatic reminder for your new home 1-year warranty inspection
• Search our archives
• Check the current weather in Mesa, AZ
• Meet our Blog Contributors
• Learn everything you ever wanted to know about home inspections!
• Find out what a blog is!
• Schedule an inspection!
• Much more!

If you're looking for something that's not covered on our blog, just Ask the Home Inspector!  Or you may call our office at (480) 503-2611.  Be sure to check back regularly  to see what's new.  And remember...an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!