With spring now in full swing, your "To Do" list might be getting a little long and you may be wondering if every maintenance item is necessary - is there anything you can skip?
Telemarketers may be intent on selling it, but do you really have to worry about your air ducts? We reached out to our Homeowners Association partner, AtlasCare, to research the reality of air duct maintenance and how to ensure they receive the care they need.
In a typical six-room home, up to 40 pounds of dust are created annually. When not properly maintained, the air ducts in your home can harbor all kinds of allergens, including cobwebs, dust, mold, fungus, and chemical pollutants.
Air ducts are the lungs of your home. Their purpose is to circulate fresh, clean air for you to breathe. There are all kinds of circumstances and contributors adding to or creating dirty air ducts. These can include:
- Animals in your home that shed hair, fur and dander.
- Construction in your neighborhood. Dirt and dust travel - if your windows are open you are inviting them inside.
- Indoor renovations.
- Excess moisture in the air which can lead to mold build up in some duct systems.
Dirty air ducts can also affect your energy bills. They cause your furnace and air conditioners to work overtime. This can result in increased maintenance and reduced performance for both of these systems. The strain dirty ducts put on these systems can also contribute to overly high hydro and gas bills.
We encourage cleaning your air ducts upon moving into a home, or if you have just completed a major renovation or remodeling project. Homes with family members who have allergies or asthma may be particularly sensitive to air quality issues, and duct cleaning on a more regular basis may be appropriate. Homes with smokers or pets that shed hair and dander may need more frequent duct work as well.
This simple maintenance will help ensure the longevity of these systems and the health and cleanliness of your home. if you are not sure of what to look for in a service provider, consider the following:
- Is the company able to show proof of NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) membership and certification?
- Is the contractor willing to conduct a thorough inspection of the heating and cooling system prior to performing any work?
- Does the contractor agree to disclose any problems discovered during the inspection - NADCA's Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration Standard requires this.
- Is the heating or cooling system fully operational before cleaning?
- Will/did the contractor clean the supply duct work?
- Will/did the contractor clean the return air duct work?
At Carson Dunlop we believe that a great Home Inspection is just the beginning, which is why we created the Carson Dunlop Homeowners Association. This not-for-profit program provides our clients and real estate partners with fast, easy and cost-effective access to group discounts, benefits, and warranties to help protect their investment. To learn more about the Carson Dunlop Homeowners Association, please click here.
Association partner AtlasCare provides Carson Dunlop clients and real estate agents with exclusive discounts on new installations, heating and cooling services and duct cleaning. AtlasCare is currently offering Homeowners Association members $80 off precision duct cleaning, with Benefect disinfectant and fungicide at no additional charge (a $49.95 value). To learn more please click here or call 1-800-268-7070.
As the Home Inspection industry continues to develop, with more and more individuals entering this great profession, many inspectors are investigating different avenues for revenue and company growth. Are you looking to take your Home Inspection business to the next level? If your answer is "yes", we have two words for you: Commercial Inspection.
The benefits to your business can be substantial.
- Commercial Inspections build on your pre-existing Home Inspection skill set – you already have the knowledge and tools to get started in this field.
- Commercial Inspections can generate up to 80% more revenue than Home Inspections in an equivalent amount of time.
- A company providing Home and Commercial Inspections garners more respect than a company providing only Home Inspections – you look more impressive to prospective clients interested in both types of properties.
“We make 40% more per day on Commercial inspections than Home Inspections. And it’s nice not to have to deal with the emotions of a homebuyer.” – Phil Thornberry, Indianapolis IN
CDW Engineering is pleased to offer a three-day Commercial Building Inspection course in Toronto, Ontario from June 13th – 15th, 2013. The course consists of three action-packed days covering all you need to get your Commercial Inspection division up and running.
The instructors are professional engineers with over 25 years of Commercial Building Inspection experience. The course covers how to get into the Commercial Inspection business, best practices, and technical inspection issues with a special emphasis on “the TEAM approach” to Commercial Inspections. Students will learn where and when a consultant is required, and how to find and work with consultants.
CDW Engineering will provide their comprehensive commercial inspection textbook. Students will also receive a wealth of information including sample inspection reports, consultants’ reports, and information on quoting inspections, report writing, costing and relevant business issues.
CDW Engineering’s Commercial Building Inspection course is based on the protocol for performing a Property Condition Assessment to the ASTM Standard E2018-08 and has been approved for 24 ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) Membership Renewal Credits, 24 NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors) Continuing Education Credits, 24 CAHPI BC (Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors, British Columbia branch) Membership Renewal Credits, and 22 CREIA (California Real Estate Inspection Association) Continuing Education Credits.
The class size for this course is limited to 25 participants. Early bird pricing for this course is available until May 17th, 2013 – take advantage of this exclusive offer today. To learn more or register for this course, please click here or call 1-866-964-3246.
Spring is a great time for performing maintenance tasks and taking care of other home improvements you may need or want. While home renovation projects are exciting, they can also be overwhelming - it's important to ensure that you are in good hands.
We have developed eight key steps to getting repairs successfully completed around your home.
- Know what you want done.
If you are repairing a roof with a leaking valley flashing, for example, decide whether you want the valley flashing replaced, or just patched to last a few years until the whole roof needs reshingling.
If you know what you want done, you can compare apples to apples when reviewing quotations. Otherwise it will be very hard to compare various quotes if every contractor has a different repair strategy.
- Find at least three experienced, reputable contractors who are capable of the work you need completed.
While personal referrals from people you trust are a great starting point, take them with a grain of salt. Former customers of contractors are not usually in a position to comment on the quality of the installation of a furnace, for example. Also, be sure the type of work you are planning to have done is similar (in size and scope) to the work done for the person providing the referral. Many contractors who are geared to do major renovations are not well-suited to do minor repairs, and vice versa.
- Obtain three written estimates.
Our experience has shown that contractors' quotes can vary as much as 300% on any given job. This is sometimes due to different perceptions of what needs to be done. Be prepared to do your research and stick to your guns - many contractors will tell you that the job is much bigger, much harder, or must be done their way (for a variety of reasons). As Home Inspectors, we are often faced with contractor opinions that differ drastically from the recommendations in our reports. In many of these cases, the contractor is proposing unnecessary work.
- Get three references from each contractor.
Better than three references is a list of the recent clients that the contractor has worked for. That way you get to choose who you would like to select as a reference. Follow up with these references, bearing in mind the requirements we advised you on, in regards to your personal references. While you are at it, ensure that the contractor has appropriate licenses and insurance.
- Choose the contractor.
Don't base your choice on price alone; look carefully at what has been included in the estimates. Strongly consider choosing the contractor with the best reputation, provided that the price for the job is fair. Avoid paying cash - the benefit of a cash deal is typically far greater for the contractor than it is for the homeowner.
- Have both parties sign a contract.
The contract should include a complete description of the work. It should also include details such as whose responsibility it is to obtain permits. (If there is any doubt regarding the necessity of a permit, contact your local building department).
The contract should have a start date and a completion date. (On larger contracts, sometimes a penalty clause is included for each day the job extends beyond the completion date).
The contract must also contain a payment schedule. The schedule should not demand very much money up front and the payment should be based on the stages of completion as opposed to pre-determined dates.
Remember to hold back 10% of each payment for 45 days after the completion of the job to determine whether any liens have been placed on the property (as a result of the contractor not paying his sub-contractors).
Also, don't expect much in the way of a guarantee if you are asking a contractor to undertake band-aid repairs. Many contractors will not simply patch a damaged valley flashing, for example, even if they are 95% sure that the repair will work. This is because there is still a 5% chance that they will get complaints to fix a subsequent leak. In fairness, the leakage is not their fault. They just do not want the hassles. Consequently, many contractors will suggest repairs which are overkill (replacing the entire side of the roof, for example) to reduce the potential for complaints. A significantly lower price can be obtained if you explain to the contractor that you expect them to do their best, but you aren't going to make them responsible for the future of the entire roof based on a $300 repair.
- Expect delays.
Any type of home repair seems to take longer than was first predicted.
- Have a contingency fund.
Many home repairs end up unearthing something else that requires repairing. While this is very common, ask lots of questions if you contractor is proposing additional work.
At Carson Dunlop we recognize that a great Home Inspection is just one part of the homeownership process - which is why we promise to stand by our clients for as long as they own their home. We have developed tools and resources to help in every stage of the homeownership journey, like the Carson Dunlop Homeowners Association, our not-for-profit benefits program which gives clients access to exclusive discounts and savings with partners like Canadian Tire and Perkopolis. To learn more about the Association, please click here.
Interested in doing more research before taking on your home renovation projects? Check out our articles on Home Systems' Life Cycles and Home Improvement Costs. In addition, with our Home Reference Book, learning about your home has never been easier. To find out more about the value of this text, please click here.
With the spring real estate market in full swing, many potential home buyers are in pursuit of the perfect house. Unfortunately, our experience over the past 35 years and more than 120,000 inspections has shown us that no home is perfect, even if it is brand new.
A lot of the homes we inspect do not have major issues, but it is important to understand that no home is perfect. Since absolute perfection is not an option, when you are potentially purchasing a home what should you expect in terms of regular maintenance and repair costs? The 1% rule.
When you consider the life cycle of every component of a house, a reasonable estimate of the annual cost of normal maintenance is 1% of the value of the house. One year you may replace the furnace; a few years down the road you may re-surface the roof. Throw in the odd unexpected repair in between and you should average about 1% per year. This number is fairly accurate for most homes, regardless of their size and expense.
Carson Dunlop has developed a helpful list of the average life expectancies of the major systems in the home. All components and systems eventually wear out. Fortunately, they don’t all wear out at the same time. Different components have different life cycles. Houses tend to settle into what you might call a “normal maintenance pattern”.
Life Cycles of Common Components of the Home*
|
Roof
|
|
| Conventional asphalt shingles |
12-15 years |
| Premium quality asphalt shingles |
25-30 years |
| Slate |
40-200 years |
| Tar & gravel roof (built up roof) |
15-20 years |
| Modified bitumen roof membrane |
15-20 years |
| Roll roofing |
5-10 years |
|
Exterior
|
|
| Gutters & downspouts |
20-30 years |
| Aluminum siding |
50+ years |
| Wood siding |
Maintenance dependent |
| Stucco |
Maintenance dependent |
| Exterior paint |
4-6 years |
| Wood deck |
10-20 years |
| Asphalt driveway |
10-20 years |
| Driveway sealer |
1-3 years |
| Concrete driveway |
30-40 years |
| Garage door opener |
8-12 years |
|
Structure
|
|
| Termite treatment |
10-20 years |
|
Heating
|
|
| Furnace |
18-25 years |
| Cast iron boiler |
35-50 years |
| Steel boiler |
20-30 years |
| Copper tube boiler |
10-20 years |
| Humidifier |
5-10 years |
| Electronic air filter |
10-20 years |
|
Cooling
|
|
| Air conditioning compressor |
10-15 years |
|
Plumbing
|
|
| Toilet |
30-40 years |
| Sink |
12-20 years |
| Faucet |
10-15 years |
| Whirlpool bath |
15-25 years |
| Shower pan |
Unpredictable |
| Submersible pump for well |
10-15 years |
| Suction or jet pump |
10-15 years |
| Water softener |
5-15 years |
| Sump pump |
2-7 years |
| Water heater |
8-12 years |
| Tile bathtub enclosure |
10-50 years |
|
Interior
|
|
| Paint |
5-10 years |
| Windows |
Maintenance dependent |
Interested in learning more about normal maintenance items and the costs associated with replacing or repairing them? Check out our blog on Home Improvement Costs. Carson Dunlop’s Home Reference Book also includes a wealth of information on these subjects as well as other areas related to homeownership, click here to learn more about the value of this text.
*Please keep in mind that there will be exceptions in every category.
The Home Inspection profession is filled with opportunities for Veterans looking to enter a new industry after serving their country. According to Entrepreneur.com, “The International Franchise Association (IFA) estimates that one out of every seven franchises in the U.S. – more than 66,000 businesses in total – is owned and operated by a Veteran. But there are many more Veterans who would love to own their own business, and the biggest obstacle to that dream is money.”* The magazine even showcases Home Inspection as one of the top 10 franchise options for Veterans.
Over 76.4% of Home Inspection businesses are individually operated, and the industry continues to grow.** With a large number of its practitioners ready to retire, the opportunities for those looking to enter the Home Inspection profession are vast. Carson Dunlop is pleased to present our highly-rated Home Inspection training program to Veterans with $1,000 in savings to help make a career transition easier.
“We are thrilled to be able to give back to these brave and honorable individuals,” commented Brian Bell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Carson Dunlop. “We are proud of our many graduates who are flourishing in this great profession and recognize the huge potential for success in interested Veterans.”
A key differentiator for any Home Inspector is your education and desire to succeed. Graduating from a respected and well-known education provider makes all the difference in today’s market. Carson Dunlop has created the most comprehensive Home Inspection training program available. It is not a one or two week introductory course. No one can learn a complex consulting practice in a couple of weeks. The Carson Dunlop Home Inspection training program is a complete career training program to help you achieve success in the Home Inspection industry. The program was developed with education design consultants and distance education specialists from Memorial University. Every rewarding career starts with a great education – start yours today.
To learn more about the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection training program and preferred Veteran pricing, please download our Education Catalogue or schedule an Education Consultation.
*SOURCE: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/223845#
**SOURCE: American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 2011 Home Inspectors Survey.
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Although it may be hard to imagine, warmer weather is coming - and soon. As the temperature rises, the benefits of having a pool seem to increase as well. Coincidence? We think not.
Pools can add a great deal to your home life. They provide many inviting opportunities: late night dips, diving competitions, luxurious lounging potential, and a great way to beat the heat. However, many fear the costs and headaches associated with owning a pool. This raises the question: "What should you consider when you're buying or owning a home with a pool?"
We reached out to pool expert and Specialty Services partner, Lenni Walton, President of Premier Pool Group for some helpful information on pool inspections and maintenance.
Enjoy our interview with Lenni below to learn more about pools and how to inspect and maintain them.
Carson Dunlop (CD): How is a pool inspection performed?
Lenni Walton (LW): "We start with a quick visual assessment of the surroundings, including gates, fences and possible hazards. We check to make sure locks comply with local rules and are functioning properly. We then take inventory of the pool equipment and accessories, model and serial numbers recording the item's age. We also look for leaks, previous repairs, and any hazards that need to be addressed."
CD: What common issues do you encounter?
LW: "We typically see issues related to the age and condition of the pool equipment. Too many chemicals in the water will shorten the life of the pool and its equipment. We see all kinds of leaks as well - did you know the most common shape for a leak in a pool liner is a crescent? Finger and toe nails can be ruthless.
We also come across safety issues such as trip hazards posed by cracked and raised concrete, wall vacuums that do not have covers on them, and main drain cover plates that have loose screws or damaged surfaces."
CD: What common mistakes do homeowners make?
LW: "Homeowners will sometimes take on repairs themselves, or try to cut costs by opening and closing the pool on their own, without the training or tools to complete the job safely and securely. Minor repairs done improperly can cause major floods, electrical problems, or gas issues. If you're purchasing a home with a pool, talk to the sellers to ensure they have been working with a professional."
CD: What can homeowners do to keep their pool operating smoothly?
LW: "Have a professional check your pool at least once a month. Most pool companies perform weekly maintenance which includes testing the water and cleaning the pool. They can also help with chemical delivery and opening and closing. When it comes to pool care it is wise to work with a professional."
At Carson Dunlop we believe that knowledge is the best tool when it comes to protecting one of the biggest investments of your life - your home. Our Specialty Services program provides our clients and real estate partners with fast, easy and cost-effective access to qualified specialists, like Premier Pool Group, all with a single call. To learn more about the Carson Dunlop Specialty Services program, please click here, or call 800.268.7070 to schedule a pool inspection.
It's official: spring has sprung. We will let you enjoy the sun for a moment, but we know that warm weather brings many things, one of them being housework. Trying to be proactive for spring cleaners and spring market hopefuls, Carson Dunlop has compiled a list of maintenance items, both annual and monthly, to help keep your property secure and your family comfortable - whether you're sprucing your home up for the season or purchasing a new one.
The list below is the top ten maintenance items we encourage homeowners to consider as they begin their spring cleaning. It is by no means all-inclusive, but it should help you get started on the right foot this season.
Top Ten Spring Maintenance Items
- Clean the gutters - it's important to ensure they remain unobstructed to help keep water flowing where it should. Click here to see our article on gutter maintenance tactics.
- Check for damaged roofing and flashing materials - we encourage you to perform this task twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall when it's easier to gain an unobstructed view of your roof. Click here to see our article on protecting your roof.
- Cut back trees and shrubs from the house walls, roof and air conditioning systems as needed.
- Clean the tracks on horizontal sliding windows annually, and ensure the drain holes are clear.
- On a monthly basis, test ground fault circuit interrupters, arc fault circuit interrupters, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors using the test button. Click here to learn more about ground fault circuit interrupters. Click here to learn about carbon monoxide detectors.
- Service your furnace or boiler yearly - why not check it off your list as you complete the rest of your spring maintenance?
- Check your furnace filters, humidifiers and electronic air cleaners monthly. Click here to read about how furnace filter maintenance is economic and responsible.
- Check your bathtub and shower caulking monthly and improve promptly as needed.
- Turn on outdoor water faucets in the spring - and remember to turn them off in the fall.
- Check your attic for evidence of leaks and condensation and make sure vents are not obstructed - try to complete this task every season, but failing that, ensure you check twice a year.
Interested in more home maintenance advice? Carson Dunlop's Home Reference Book has a wealth of information for homeowners, outlining how the systems in a home work, and what it means when they fail to work. Offered in two convenient formats, soft cover and eBook, the Home Reference Book is a great guide to homeownership. To learn more or purchase the book, please click here or call 800.268.7070.
Unexpected breakdowns are a fact of life. The single largest problem faced by homeowners is the high cost of repair or replacement of mechanical systems and appliances. These breakdowns are not only inconvenient; they can pose significant financial challenges, which is why Carson Dunlop launched the Horizon Home Warranty in 2012.
The Horizon Home Warranty is meant to complement our Home Inspection services, providing homeowners with an extra layer of confidence in safeguarding their investment. This unique warranty system offers three tiers of protection to choose from: the Essentials Plan, the Plus Plan, and the Premium Plan.
Carson Dunlop is pleased to announce new reduced pricing for our Essentials and Plus Plans. Starting at $199, coverage is now more cost-effective than ever before. This new pricing allows homeowners greater flexibility in selecting an affordable plan that's right for them.
For more information on the Horizon Home Warranty or to enroll your home, please click here or call one of our Warranty Specialists at 800.268.7070.
Basement apartment, granny flat, accessory unit; no matter what it’s called, there are many different reasons for having a second suite. Whether it’s for extra income, providing a place for a family member, or increasing the value of the house, a second suite can be beneficial. However, while these additional units come with benefits, they also bring specific guidelines and formalities homeowners have to comply with. As bylaws continue to be enacted and redesigned, depending on the municipality, it can be difficult for homeowners to ensure that their suite is legal and safe. To help combat confusion and shed some light on tricky situations, Carson Dunlop has created some material to help educate homeowners and real estate professionals on issues related to basement apartments.
How to Quickly Identify an Illegal Suite
We recognize that when it comes to real estate transactions, obtaining the documentation necessary to determine whether or not a basement apartment is considered legal is not always possible due to time constraints. Below is a short list of items that are good indications that a secondary suite is not legal.
- The basement apartment has drop ceiling tiles:
>> The only exception to this would be if the entire building is sprinklered.
- There is no self-closing door between the two units:
>> This is a fire containment issue and should not be taken lightly.
- The windows in the basement suite are non-existent or too small, and the unit does not have its own exit door:
>> Look for windows with at least a 4 SF opening that are casement types.
- The ceiling height is under 6’5:
>> This is a minimum for houses that are over five years old.
For a more in-depth look at basement apartment issues and regulations, check out Basement Apartments: Untangling the Web, featured in the Carson Dunlop Resource Center. This article addresses:
- Provincial legislation
- Municipal legislation
- The evaluation process for both existing and new suites
- Specific unit requirements
- Ontario Fire Code compliance
- Electrical inspections
At Carson Dunlop we believe that knowledge is the best line of defense when it comes to protecting your home.
Booking a Home Inspection has never been faster or easier with Carson Dunlop's new AgentBook App. Since 1978, Carson Dunlop has been committed to setting the standard in the Home Inspection industry by finding new and innovative ways to better serve our clients and real estate partners. AgentBook is revolutionizing the Home Inspection booking process as it allows real estate professionals to schedule inspection appointments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on their smartphone or tablet.
AgentBook is a free App for Apple and Android devices that lets real estate agents book inspections in as little as two clicks. With AgentBook, just select the date and time you need, then submit. Carson Dunlop will take care of the rest, following up with you by phone to get the details.
AgentBook will completely redefine the way Home Inspections are scheduled thanks to the Carson Dunlop Horizon Report Writing software. Real estate agents no longer need to be prisoners to conventional 9 to 5 business hours - now you can be sure that you have secured a Home Inspection for your client whenever you close the deal.
AgentBook Features
 |
Book inspections in as little as two clicks |
 |
Inspections can be scheduled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
 |
Save time |
 |
Available for Apple and Android devices |
 |
Free download for real estate agents |
"AgentBook has made booking Home Inspections faster and easier for me than ever before. The ability to book an inspection through my smartphone while closing a real estate deal saves everyone time in the process." - Bob Pridham, Broker, iPro Realty Ltd. Brokerage.
Revolutionize the way you schedule Carson Dunlop Home Inspections today by downloading the AgentBook App. To get started, send us a quick email at inspection@carsondunlop.com to receive your unique PIN number. You will be prompted to enter your PIN upon downloading the App to your device and opening it.
Download the App, enter your PIN, and start booking - it's just that easy. Time is precious and that's why we're saving yours.
