What is ASHI?
Are Sherman Home Inspections, Inc. inspectors members of ASHI?
Are Sherman Home Inspections, Inc.'s inspectors Massachusetts licensed home inspectors?
May I be present during the inspection?
Do Sherman Home Inspections, Inc. inspectors participate in continuing education programs to keep their expertise up to date?
Does this company offer to do any home repairs, improvements, insect treatments or radon mitigation?
How long do inspection take?
How many years have you been in business?
Why bother spending money on a home inspection?
What types of properties do you inspect?
What is Radon? How can it harm you?
Am I required to have my home tested for Radon before I buy?
What
is ASHI?
The American Society of Home Inspectors, formed in
1976, is a nationwide, non-profit, professional society. ASHI has developed
formal inspection standards and guidelines which define the minimum scope
of a home inspection. ASHI inspectors must meet rigorous, professional
and educational requirements which include: passing an eight-hour written
exam, maintaining continuing educational requirements to retain membership,
and they must subscribe to a set of principles contained in the Society's
Code of Ethics. These specifically prohibit inspectors from conflict
of interest activities, such as using the home inspection as a vehicle to
obtain related work on the house.
Are
Sherman Home Inspections, Inc. inspectors members of ASHI?
As a consumer, it is very
important to remember that it is the individual inspector, not the
company, who is a member of ASHI. Head inspector Guy Occhino has been
an ASHI National and ASHI New England Chapter member since 1985. Howard Shumway is an ASHI candidate, planning
to take the ASHI exams soon. They both attend educational seminars and workshops
on home inspection and related industries topics on a regular basis.
Are
Sherman Home Inspections, Inc.'s inspectors Massachusetts licensed home
inspectors?
Guy Occhino is licensed under MA guidelines
for Home Inspectors (157). Howard Shumway meets all criteria except the duration
of time performing inspections. He is currently performing inspections as
an apprentice under Guy Occhino, as allowed by law, until he takes the state
exam.
May
I be present during the inspection?
Client
attendance and participation in the home inspection process is encouraged
and welcomed! Being present at the
time of the inspection allows our inspectors to teach as they point out
items or areas of interest or concern, and to answer any questions you,
the client, might have. You also receive the report on site at the conclusion
of the inspection.
Do
Sherman Home Inspections, Inc. inspectors participate in continuing education
programs to keep their expertise up to date?
Our inspectors participate in
numerous home inspection seminars and continuing education courses through
the New England Chapter of ASHI. They have also taken home inspection industry
related courses offered through evening courses at local high schools and
other locations, and through the Home Heating Institute.
Does
this company offer to do any home repairs, improvements, insect treatments
or radon mitigation?
No, since this would ethically be a conflict
of interest and in direct violation of the ASHI Code of Ethics.
How
long will the inspections take?
A normal home inspection with
our inspectors generally takes between 3 to 4 hours to complete,
depending upon the size, age, and condition of the house, and questions
that our clients might have.
How
many years have you been in business?
Sherman Home Inspections, Inc. has been in business
since 1982.
Why
bother spending money on a home inspections?
To
become a well informed consumer.
To receive an unbiased audit of the present condition of the property's
component systems (structural, heating, plumbing, and electrical).
To be advised of current and possible future concerns.
To prioritize projects and repairs that may be required.
To be advised on how to maintain your future investment.
What
types of property do you inspect?
We perform inspections on residential
single and multi-family homes, condominiums, mobile homes and commercial
properties.
What
is radon? How can it harm you?
Radon is a naturally occurring odorless, colorless,
radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the rocks and
soil. Normally, it comes up through the soil and dissipates in the outside
air, but when it is found around and under the home, it finds its way through
the foundation by various means and gets trapped in the home. Radon is the
second leading cause of lung cancer. Studies conducted in Massachusetts
indicate that one out of every four homes in MA has a higher than EPA recommended
limit of 3.9 pCi/L. In most cases, high levels can be successfully mitigated.
(mitigation costs can range from $850.00-2,500.00). At Sherman Home Inspections,
Inc., we test for Radon using EPA protocol by employing either the canister
method (RTCA) or the tamper proof continuous radon monitor method (Radalink
CRM Telemonitor).
Am
I required to have my home tested for Radon before I buy?
NO! It is your decision whether you would like to have your present or future
home tested for Radon gas. Because the EPA and the Attorney General recommend
that everyone have their home tested, we suggest that you, as the
buyer, take advantage of this opportunity and protect your family by having
the home tested before you buy, thereby putting the cost of
mitigation on the home seller. If you'd like to learn more or have
questions about this very interesting subject, Barbara would be very pleased
to talk with you! Just call our office at 508.947.7595. Protect your Investment.
Become an informed consumer!
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