One of Middle Tennessee's Most Respected
Home Inspection Services
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Energy Efficiency Repairs Given today’s slumping real estate market and the fact that more people are staying in their homes and renovating or upgrading, new studies show you will reap better financial returns by investing in energy efficiency upgrades or by determining opportunities in your home for heat and air loss, which in turn cost you money. We will be glad to assist you in determining areas in your home which cause energy loss. Please contact me today for an evaluation of your home or the home you are considering for purchase. |
Isn't it better to find the problems in
a home
before you buy it?
What is a home inspection?
H.F. Brown Inspection Services will provide a thorough inspection of a
home. Henry personally performs the inspection, and he prepares the
report on the condition of all accessible areas and systems of the home.
This includes:
Foundation
Floor Structure
Roof
Gutters
Chimney
Kitchen
Electrical
Electrical Fixtures
Switches
Receptacles
Doors
Windows
Garage
Heating
Sidewalks |
Attic
Cooling
Crawl Space
Insulation
Interior
Grounds
Plumbing
Plumbing Fixtures
Water Heater
Bathrooms
Basement
Exterior Walls
Porches
Decks
Driveway |
Downspouts
Skylights
Railings
Garage Doors
Garage Door Openers
Safety Sensors
Electric Meter Box
GFCIs
Circuit Breakers
Fireplace Damper
Blower Door Testing (optional)
Pressure Pan Testing (optional) ...
and much more! |
After the inspection, we will generate a "matrix report," which is the most popular inspection report in North America. The report is generated on-site, and it is easy to follow and understand.
Digital photos will be provided for any problems found in the crawl space and attic -- any hard-to-reach place that is not easily accessible for viewing.
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Energy Efficiency Repairs Given today’s slumping real estate market and the fact that more people are staying in their homes and renovating or upgrading, new studies show you will reap better financial returns by investing in energy efficiency upgrades. By doing so, you will recoup even more. What is your return on investment by upgrading with energy efficiency in mind? Energy efficient upgrades and products can be expensive, but you can count on seeing some of that money back, if the products you buy save you cash on power use and water consumption. In fact, in order to qualify for the Energy Star label, the product must prove that purchasers will recover their extra investment through increased energy efficiency. Many Energy Star appliances run more quietly, finish their cycles more quickly and require less maintenance than conventional products. Appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, are frequently easier on your dishes and clothes because they cycle more quickly. Installing new Energy Star-qualified products can significantly reduce your energy use and cut your electric bill. Depending on the age of your current appliances, the energy savings can be anywhere from 10 to 75 percent. This saving comes with no compromise on quality or performance. Something as simple as installing Energy Star rated bulbs in five of your highest-use light fixtures can save as much as $60 a year in electricity costs. If you are concerned about the environment, installing Energy Star products can contribute towards reducing your carbon footprint. According to the EPA, your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car, with 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions generated from energy used in homes. Going with Energy Star appliances and home improvements can be a way to address that problem. Make every day Earth Day! The U.S. Department of Energy’s tips to save money and protect the environment. www.energysavers.gov (Your Home) Becoming energy efficient/conscious is more important than ever before. The cost of heating and cooling a home should be considered when purchasing a home. Henry can provide a blower door test and pressure pan test to assist you in determining the energy efficiency of the home before you make that purchase. The cost of a blower door test and pressure pan test is $100 if included with a home inspection. |
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Blower Door Test / Pressure Pan Test The blower door test will determine the air tightness of the home. Some of the reasons for establishing the proper building tightness are:  Reducing
energy consumption due to air leakage. Avoiding
moisture condensation problems. Avoiding
uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air leaking in from outdoors.
Making sure
that the home’s air quality is not too contaminated by indoor air
pollution. The pressure pan test will determine if there is duct leakage. For additional information about blower door testing select the following link: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits For additional information about pressure pan testing select the following link: http://www.energyconservatory.com/download/presspanuser.pdf |
Why should I have a home inspected?
The main reason, of course, for a home inspection is to identify problems and potential problems in a home and to recommend corrective action. This is to protect your family's investment and possibly your family's health.
There are actually advantages to having a home
inspection
if you
are buying a home,
if you
are selling a home,
if you
are renting a home,
if you
are divorcing,
or if you
are a real-estate agent.
Please click here for additional information.
Why should I choose H.F. Brown Inspection Services?
All inspections are performed to meet or exceed the Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics. In addition, Henry Brown is a licensed contractor in the State of Tennessee and has been building quality homes for over 20 years. Over the years, Henry has supervised and inspected the construction of his employees, contractors, and subcontractors. With his years of experience as a builder, Henry is able to identify structural problems which require attention.
"In my role as a home inspector, I do not make repairs. (To do so would be unethical.) However, I will report what is wrong and offer suggestions on the best way to handle the problem. You can depend on H.F. Brown Inspection Service's inspection to be thorough, honest and sincere. I do not benefit financially from the sale or repair of any home."
Can you test for Radon gas?
Yes, I can.
Radon is an invisible, colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that seeps into many homes in this area. Radon can accumulate in homes, and radon is noted to cause over 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States.
H.F Brown Inspection Services can test your home for the presence of radon gas. If I detect radon, I will give you tips on how to keep the gas from entering your home.
A radon test is a simple add-on to a home inspection, or a radon test may be scheduled by itself.
Can you test for mold?
Yes, I can.
Molds are microscopic fungi that sometimes grow in homes. Mold is particularly prevalent in wet areas such as bathrooms. It is possible (and fairly common) for mold to grow into drywall and into the wood studs of a home, which can cause major damage. (The mold literally eats the drywall and the wood.)
In addition to damaging your home, the presence of mold can have a serious impact on your family's health. Mold can cause allergies; and mold can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
A mold test is a simple add-on to a home inspection, or a mold test may be scheduled by itself.
Can I walk around with the inspector?
Of course. My clients are welcome to accompany me during the inspection. You are encouraged to ask questions, and you'll learn a lot along the way!
I'm already paying for an appraisal. Isn't that the same thing as a home inspection?
Definitely not! An appraisal looks at general things, for example, a three-bedroom, two-bath, 2,000 square foot home on 1 acre in such-and-such neighborhood. Similar homes have recently sold for $200,000, so your home will probably be worth about the same thing. That's basically what an appraisal does.
The appraiser, however, is not trained to do a detailed inspection of the home. He/she will probably not be looking for things like roof leaks, garage door sensors not working, wiring and plumbing problems, water intrusion in crawlspace and basement, and hundreds of other things. These are the kind of things that a qualified, experienced, well-trained, home inspector does.
How do I set up a home inspection?
It's easy! Simply contact us and we'll set up a convenient time for the full inspection and a review of the results.
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Thinking of Buying a Foreclosure? A lot of people are considering buying foreclosed homes in an effort to find a bargain. However, it is extremely important that you have a professional home inspector look over the home before you buy it. Why? First, if the homeowner were strapped for cash (which he obviously was), he may have skipped needed maintenance. Second, under Tennessee law, the seller has to provide a disclosure statement listing major problems with the house (for example, a leak in the roof). However, the people who used to live in the house are no longer there. Chances are the bank (or whomever is handling the sale of the house) has no idea what's wrong with the house. Most foreclosures are sold as is. For your peace of mind, and to avoid unforeseen expenses, having a professional home inspection is a smart idea. |