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RELIABLE HOME INSPECTIONS, LLC 

4326 Swan Drive, Valdosta, Georgia 31602

229-561-0777

heresjohnny44@gmail.com   

www.ReliableHomeInspectionsLLC.com

CERTIFIED-LICENSED-EXPERIENCED

John R. Schmidt, CRI - Owner/Operator

NAHI Certification 2006167

Reliable Home Inspections, LLC is a licensed inspection business in the Valdosta, Georgia area.  I am certified by the National Association of Home Inspectors [NAHI] and have the experience of over 1000 residential and commercial inspections in my 4 ½ years of inspection at the time of this update [11-09].  These credentials assure that my clients receive a professional inspection by a well qualified and experienced inspector.  The “CRI” designation [certified real estate inspector] is the highest honor that can be achieved as a member by the National Association of Home Inspectors.  It has to be earned through a rigorous examination administered in Atlanta, GA under NAHI supervision after completing a minimum of 250 inspections in accordance with NAHI “Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.”  I am proud to have achieved that distinction.

My inspection business comes from many sources such as mortgage lenders, builders, attorneys, investors, real estate companies, the internet and yellow pages but most importantly from “word of mouth” from my previous inspection clients.  Because of this diversity of business referral, I am able to pledge my complete loyalty to each of my clients and to them alone.

My inspection service extends beyond the Valdosta area to an approximate 50 mile radius of Valdosta.  I inspect new construction, pre-owned homes, manufactured homes, light commercial properties, condominiums, and apartment buildings.  Conventionally listed real estate, for sale by owner [FSBY], investment property, repossessions and foreclosures are all common in my inspection business.

THE INSPECTION

A home is comprised of a large number of major systems or components as well as minor components that are included in the inspection.  The NAHI standards of practice are used to define the duty, conditions and limitations for each inspection and may be viewed at www.nahi.org.  [Light commercial inspections are defined by the ASTM E-2018-01 guide for property condition assessment].

The following list broadly outlines the major systems and components that are inspected:

• ROOF STRUCTURE, ROOF COVERING
• VENTILATION/INSULATION
• FOUNDATION & UNDERSTRUCTURE
• ELECTRICAL SERVICE, PANELS AND DEVICES
• PLUMBING & HOT WATER HEATER
• HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS
• BATHROOMS
• CHIMNEY & FIREPLACE
• TRIM, FASCIA, SOFFITT, & SIDING
• KITCHEN & APPLIANCES
• WINDOWS & DOORS
• BEDROOMS
• PORCHES, COVERED PATIO’S & DECKS
• GARAGE & GARAGE DOOR (S)
• GUTTERING & FLASHINGS
• SAFETY ISSUES

WORK SHEETS

These major systems and components are expanded and included in the ten professionally prepared work sheets that I use to inspect the home or business.  The work sheets are continuously improved on to best reflect construction in the South Georgia area from the distant past to the current time.  The work sheets are designed to list every system, component or feature in a home so that the inspector has an organized approach to the inspection process and nothing is overlooked.

Color digital pictures are taken for every inspection and are used to illustrate a defect or deficiency that is brought forward in the report.

Clients are always encouraged to be present for the inspection.

CLICK HERE FOR AN EXAMPLE OF THE 10 WORK SHEETS USED FOR EACH INSPECTION

THE INSPECTION SUMMARY OR REPORT

The Inspection Summary or report is completed on computer in narrative form so that each issue is discussed individually rather being given a handful of check sheets for you to interpret.  Most issues are illustrated with a color photo to assure that it is well communicated to all the parties involved.  The work sheets, photos and other data collected are used to develop the unique report for your prospective home.

All of the Inspection Summaries include a “general comments” section that lists the age, size, condition and manufacturer of the major systems such heating and air, plumbing, electrical, structural, roof cover, siding, and insulation/ventilation, etc.  This is done so that you have the most information possible about those systems and components that may incur significant repair/replacement costs going forward even though they are currently functioning normally.

The inspection summary and photos are emailed to you typically the same day of the inspection and the complete hard copy is mailed or hand delivered no later than the next day.  The inspection summary, photos, work sheets, the inspection agreement and several pages of general information about the inspection process is all included in the complete hard copy and should be reviewed in its entirety prior to close of escrow.

CLICK HERE FOR AN INSPECTION SUMMARY EXAMPLE

PRE-INSPECTION AGREEMENT

A pre-inspection agreement is standard protocol for any knowledgeable and reputable inspector.  This agreement provides the client[s] with important information regarding the home inspection so that the client understands what to expect from the inspection.  It also provides him or her with the opportunity to ask questions prior to the inspection itself.

CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE PRE-INSPECTION AGREEMENT

WHY SELECT ME AS YOUR INSPECTOR?

•  I have a 30 year back ground in the maintenance, design and operation of systems and components equal to and much more sophisticated than those found in a home
• I achieved the “certified real estate inspector” designation from the National Association of Home Inspectors in 2006 and have been a member of this nationally respected home inspection organization since 2005 (www.nahi.org).  I am also a member of the Georgia Chapter of the National Association of Home Inspectors (www.nahigeorgia.org).  These organizations require me to complete continuing education each year to maintain my certification and membership.  Their publications also keep me informed on the latest information regarding home construction and related topics
• I achieved “certified” status from the Home Inspection Foundation in 2005 through an online exam
• I have sub contracted one complete home and personally built several large buildings including the plumbing, electrical and roofing components of the structures.  Docks, boat houses, decks, and other smaller structures are to numerous to list   
• My business has “stood the test of time” as a home inspector in the Valdosta area for close to 5 years and I have performed more than 1000 residential and commercial inspections.  My business has continued to grow even in the hard economic times we have faced because of my loyalty to my clients, passion for my work and good reputation.  I have never compromised my ethics by doing repair work behind one of my inspections or making my inspection business a sideline to something else
• My reports are emailed the same day of the inspection with color digital photos.  It is in narrative form rather than a handful of check sheets so that all parties can understand the issues and the information is disseminated as quickly as possible
• I have traveled to many multiple day training seminars to receive advanced home inspection training in cities such as Orlando, FL, Montgomery, AL and Atlanta, GA.  I completed a 100 hour course in Home Inspection offered by Allied Business School in 2005.  I have established a reference library in my office on many subjects regarding home inspection and have the National Association of Home Inspectors as an information resource
• I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Valdosta State University that has helped me to be a better communicator in my reporting and take an analytical approach to my inspections
• I can usually schedule an inspection within 24 hours and deliver the report within that same time frame

HOW MUCH DOES AN INSPECTION COST?

The cost of an inspection can vary depending on several major factors but cost alone should never be the single determining factor in your choice of an inspector.  The other factors that should be considered are:

• Meaningful certification and current membership in a nationally recognized home inspection organization such as NAHI or ASHI.
• Years of experience in the inspection business and number of inspections performed
• Prior back ground experience that provides a foundation for inspection
• No conflicting interests such as “after inspection repair or services”
• Timeliness and method of reporting the inspection results, e.g. check sheets or narrative?  Photos?  Email?

AN IMPORTANT TIP

Many times I receive calls requesting a quote to do an inspection and it is obvious that the inspector will be selected on the basis of who quotes the lowest fee.  While it is not always true that “you get what you pay for,” the $10.00 to $30.00 you may save with the lowest bidder for an inspection won’t seem like much of a savings when you have to spend $5,000 or more in repair/replacement costs because your decision was based on the lowest fee instead of qualifications.  There are reasons why some inspectors have to charge less to get business and none of them would make you confident about the huge investment you are making on the basis of his or her word.

Major factors determining inspection fee:

Typically my inspection fee starts at $150.00 however there are several factors that can affect the amount I charge for an inspection:

• The conditioned square footage or size of the home
• The proximity to the Valdosta area
• The age of the home
• Is it on a slab or does it have a crawl space below the floor
• Is the home occupied or vacant

RELIABLE HOME INSPECTIONS LLC  

JOHN R. SCHMIDT, CRI

NAHI Certification # 2006167

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