Building Science Services by Harkness

This Home Inspection Service Gives You The Facts You Need To Be Sure You Are Making The Right Move! In addition to fast response, and a personal walk-through, with us; we put a comprehensive report in your hand, by email or regular mail within 2 to 3 days.*1, residential written reports are guaranteed, in writing, to be accurate, all on-site inspections include free unlimited technical support (by phone) for as long as you own. And, our service is completely independent. *1=The written report is delivered by email or regular mail. (No worries: we have a unique email delivery system that works in ALL email systems.)

---

Table of Contents -- of this page -- Have You Compared? Great Coverage Everything Important is Checked Free Info-Sheets Free Cost Guide Do we Climb On Roofs? Free Technical Support Forever Are we Available? Report Delivery Good Prices Our Work is Guaranteed This is an Independent Home Inspection Company Click here to find out more

---

Iincomparable Service

A written free Guarantee worth thousands of dollars if there is a goof, is almost non-existent in the home inspection business. This, in combination with a voluminous but simple to use report. A free HouseCraft Info-Sheet booklet, and, the author, Rodney Harkness, is available and accessible; and in fact, can be your inspector. A Repair and Remodeling Cost Guide that has no comparison that we have found except in difficult to use technical trades periodicals. On-going free Technical Support as long as you own the building is also a part of what we do. An inspection company that always works hard for the buyer to find every possible important defect is almost an oxymoron, except for this company that has a 20+ year reputation for being thorough and independent. Now compare us with other home inspection services. If you find a better one, let us know so we can once again re-engineer ourselves. Rodney Harkness and his associates are independent home inspectors; Rodney does not solicit work directly from real estate sales personel. We only work for the buyer (or building owner)! Read On A detailed report is a feature, but the direct benefit is the information it transfers to our client in a clear, decisive format. The coverage of the report makes it useful education even if you do not buy the building. The multi-page written report may provide a depth of information useful for years in planning repairs and maintenance. Extra written articles provide explanations of conditions and features in building construction and maintenance, and extends the usefulness of the report information in a way that empowers the buyer permanently: see the Home Advisor area for examples. The Cost Guide helps the home buyer/building owner to freedom from ignorance regarding construction and repair costs. The only thing worse than not knowing what you should pay, is paying too much. A free written guarantee on the quality of work, that takes preemptive responsibility for mistakes is an exception in the home inspection business. But believe it --we have had it for many years.

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

The Coverage

The report is an objective statement on the condition of the structure, the surfaces and the electrical & mechanical systems of the building, and the foundation/basement condition (basement problems are our speciality). It provides added protection against major defects and is a good tool for gaining a clearer picture of the physical state of your investment. The report is a professional, detailed presentation of the facts. Great care is taken to keep the report informative, instructive, educational, and unbiased. A typical inspection report has many "detail" pages, dedicated to individual systems and components.

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

Hundreds of Items are Examined

Much of the value of our inspection system is its coverage and consideration of interrelationships. The inspection includes the condition of: drainage; all visible structural components; all exterior finishes, including roof, chimney, window, doors, siding; the foundation (interior and exterior); furnace, electrical and plumbing mechanisms; interior finishes and fireplaces. Each area of the inspection is dedicated to an individual system or component of concern. For example, click on heating, to view a typical field note page. Many of the individual report pages reference our "Info-Sheets" for more information on certain areas and the best understanding of your purchase.

Site work, Drainage of     Yard     Retaining walls     Walks and steps Building Exterior     Roofing*     Ventilation     Gutters     Downspouts     Sealants     Siding     Windows     Doors     Awnings     Decks     Porches     Electrical     Mechanical* Structural     Foundation     Crawl-Space     Basement     Framing     Attic     Insulation     Ventilation     Stairs Life Support Systems     Electrical     Mechanical         Heating*         Ventilation         Air Condition*     Plumbing         Water Service         Sanitary Sewer         Natural Gas Fireplaces Interior Finishes     Ceilings     Floors     Windows     Fixtures         Electrical Outlets         Switches     Plumbing Faucets         Tubs & Sinks         Toilets     * Occasional exceptions exist

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

Info-Sheets are Included, Free!

Information sheets are provided, in a booklet. Each sheet is two pages of condensed information on a single topic, most of these information sheets include diagrams or drawings. Subjects range from "Asbestos" to "Basement Dampness"; from "Energy efficiency" to "Waterproofing,Dampproofing And Vapor Barriers" coviering most concerns. An essential educational element of every report, these valuable copyrighted articles, provide inside information, and are only available through us.

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

Cost Guide Included, Free!

An exclusive resource, unique in the inspection business, this reference has saved many of our clients thousands of dollars and time consuming research while eliminating the anguish of not knowing. You should never be without this cost guide when getting prices for work. Cost of repair: An element of good inspection reporting, is uniquely available through us. There is no other known comparable document.

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

Technical Support, Free

After the inspection is completed, the report delivered and the fee paid, our service continues. Our client or agent may call at any time (indefinitely) for additional information, clarification, or further explanation. This Technical Support is done free as long as there is no on-site re-visitation. This special guidance continues as long as you own, the building you purchase.

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

Do we Climb On Roofs?

Climbing Roofs --Sometimes. We avoid climbing on sloped roofs. However, if it looks safe and possible and we won't damage the roof, we do it. Flat roofing must always be mounted and walked. There are many pitfalls to climbing sloped roofs. If this is your primary judgment criteria --whether the inspector will climb the roof-- please make that clear when ordering the inspection; we will have many more questions to ask. After over twenty years of business and thousands inspections we have found that climbing sloped roofs is not normally needed. Climbing (or not climbing) sloped roofs is a judgement that the inspector must make after he arrives at the inpsection site (Weather conditions, degree of slope, safe access, height, roof condition, roofing type and other issues are all considered.)

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

The Inspection Availability

The reports are done Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. usually commencing at 10:00 A.M. or 1:00 P.M. (No we don't work on Saturday, Sunday or evenings --sorry.) At the appointed time, someone usually meets the inspector at the inspection site to authorize entry, and the inspection begins. All residential inspections meet or exceed the American Society of Home Inspectors Standards of Practice. The inspection is extensive, taking about two and one half to four man-hours to complete (time depends on many factors, including which is chosen of the several inspection reports we offer --some inspections take more time.) During the actual inspection process, clients are requested to allow the inspector to work alone. In order to provide an accurate and immediate report, the inspector desires to give all attention to his work. Accompanying the inspector or asking questions during the inspection itself only serves to interrupt the process and may void the guarantee on single family dwellings. Our client has complete freedom to ask questions of the inspector during the walk through immediately following the inspection --the client is at that time encouraged to ask questions.

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

Report Delivery

After the inspection is completed, the inspector will present the report to the client or client representative, in person if possible (a walk through with the inspector is largely a second inspection with foreknowledge). Verbal presentation can be done immediately following the inspection in the form of an on-site walk-through; or it can be given later in a private teleconference. In either case, the residential reports are produced on site and prepared for 1 to 2 day delivery.*2 In the presentation the inspector will be open and sensitive to the client's needs, availing the client of his knowledge. The presentation is clear, factual, and precise; it is not flavored by personal taste or preference; it is never emotional or attitudinal. No decision is ever made for the client. The material in the report is treated as confidential. The report is done for the exclusive use of our client and is not intended for third party dissemination (for example resale to, or reuse by another party). We work for you, just the way it should be. *2Commercial Reports are delivered normally within 3-4 days --large sites may take longer.

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

Good Prices

Considering all you get, our prices are a good deal. Nobody has to get a home inspection (no, it is not required). If you want to save some money up front, don't get one. If you want a home inspection but feel that just about any inspection will do since any home/building inspector is going to know more than you do, price shopping will reveal that you can save up to a hundred dollars, or more, from one inspection company to another. If, after shopping around you find you can get an inspection a good bit cheaper than ours, look at the difference in price compared to the difference that we offer. There is a difference (remember an inspection is the only thing truly done by, with, and for you). We are doing our best here to help you make a comparison. Give us a call. Now go here for specific information on prices.

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

.

Free Guarantee *

A free guarantee of the quality of the inspection work is rare in the inspection industry, a written free guarantee of the inspectors performance backed up with an attached monetary value is more rare, a FREE written guarantee of performance backed by a monetary value, is unique!  Limitations and Disclaimers There are, necessarily, constraints, here they are: Harkness Inspection Report Service guarantees in writing that within the limits of the stated coverage, the inspection report will be accurate (this applies to most single family dwellings). The primary purpose of this inspection is to disclose most major defects of the building proper. It does not cover every feature and cannot be expected to reveal all possible defects. The report does not reveal minor or hidden cracks in a furnace heat exchanger, or many other small defects. The typical value of our guarantee is 10 times the inspection fee, less a $300.00 deductible, for most whole house inspections on a single family dwelling. Repair, removal, or replacement of an allegedly defective component prior to notice to, and reinspection by, Harkness Inspection Service or its agents absolves them of all responsibility for that item. There are no warrantee attached to or included in this report, expressed or implied, that are not specifically enumerated. Call for Details. Arrangements to have utilities on at time of the inspection is the responsibility of the client. Harkness Inspection Service charges for return trips, regardless of reason! The inspector never discusses purchase price or relative value of the building. The report is the property of Harkness, Inspection Service (aka Adams, Soloman & Harkness). and is for the exclusive use of the original client and is not authorized for third party use, utilization or dissemination (this means that the report may not be copied by anyone but the original client, nor may it be resold, nor may it be legally redistributed by a sales agent or building owner). Payment is expected at time of inspection. There are no warrantees attached to or included in this report, expressed or implied, that are not specifically enumerated. * On most whole house Single Family dwellings. All others excluded.

[ TOP ] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

---

For a Professional Private Consultation Call Today: 1-412-241-1980

---

Come back!

Or, if you wish to go back to where you were, click your back button.

brochure: 980802;20030714;20070810,070827,070922;080219,080511