More on leaking windows

I thought you would be interested in my experience with leaking aluminum windows installed in exterior wood framed walls
in Florida.

In February, 2000, the Miami Herald ran an article showing me with a fin type aluminum window, which should be installed outside the wood sheathing over 30 lb. felt. The masonry made aluminum window set back with the middle of the stud wall with a reveal of stucco will leak into the wood frame.  

Bernard Jacovitz
ASHI Member
Professional Residential Inspection Service, Inc.
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Educate instead of legislate

I read in a recent ASHI Chapter newsletter that someone is floating the idea of mandatory home inspections. My response, bad idea! The concept of mandatory home inspections sounds like, looks like, and probably is a self-serving attempt to increase business. If this is the case, then someone is doing something wrong. If an inspector provides a worthwhile benefit/service and has satisfied clients, shouldn’t the inspector have a steady stream of client referrals? Do we need to force people to use our services?

This country is (was) about choices, we don’t need legislation to take away those choices (whether someone thinks the choices are bad or good.) We are free to educate potential homebuyers about the benefits of home inspections and potential homebuyers are free to decide whether or not home inspections are worth the money. If legislators agree on mandatory home inspections, won’t they try to put limits on inspection fees, just like they do in states where auto insurance and auto inspections are mandatory? If states do agree on mandatory home inspections, don’t you think they will want to control how inspections are performed, what kind of equipment must be used, how the reports are written up and what kind of report form must be used?

I like the idea of people calling me and using my services because they heard I do a great job (from previous clients, not real estate agents) and provide a benefit to help them in the home buying process. People have a free choice to use or not use my service. My self-esteem would be somewhat lowered if people called me because “they had to.” Would we want a mandatory requirement that everyone had to use a real estate agent to sell a home? Let’s not erode our freedom of choice. Let the marketplace determine what services people use or don’t use.

Dennis Robitaille
ASHI Member
Able Home Inspection, Inc.
Saugus, MA

Best in Baltimore

Just wanted to let you know that I was voted Baltimore’s
Best Home Inspector 2001 by Baltimore Magazine.

Russel W. Allen
ASHI Member
AA Home Inspection
Service, Inc.
Eldersburg, MD