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Sorry I missed this post until now - hope I can still offer some useful advice!! Pro-Lab is a cheap testing source, but I have many concerns about the quality of their work.  Their affiliation with ASHI is simply as a paid member/sponsor, it does not connote any quality of work. Any lab can confirm asbestos if you provide a small sample, ...

Your 16-17 year old water heater is well beyond the typical life span here in the Philly area. Gas water heaters here typically last about 12 years (plus or minus 2).  I have seen very very few 15+ year old water heaters still in operation, but not many. I think what has been established on this thread is that the cost of replacement depends ...

Good question, but it really depends on the age and current condition of the home.  A home that has been neglected for decdes will need much more attention than one that has been well maintained. Generally speaking, a good kit of tools to keep on hand should probably include:  caulking gun, at least one tube of exterior caulk, one ...

As a home and buliding inspector, I agree with that advice (not surprizingly!) I would caution you to make CERTAIN that the inspector you hire is either ICC code certified or has a knowledge of existing building code and is not afraid to discuss codes.  You will find that many inspectors run scared from mentioning codes (fear of liaibilty) ...

Here's a little checklist that I have been working to modify but am a bit to busy to compile into an easy to use and coherent format...it's a good start though!For heating systems:Most heating system maintenance should be done twice a year, once before the heating season and once before the cooling season. general furnace inspection: look ...

Typical cost here in the Philly area for a 40 gallon gas water heater installation is between $600-800.  Don't forget that they also take away the old one in many cases and that can also be a hassle (and possibly an additional expense) if you had to handle it yourself.

harry:As a potential buyer, I would expect to be able to accomplish a home inspection before making an offer the idea being that I want as much information possible before I can figure how much money I'm willing to offer.  However, that doesn't seem to be the way it is done.  (Same thing with condo rules and ...

Thanks for the compliment, Jeff!  Sounds like you haev an excellent inspector there - a great help to your clients, I am sure.  I, too, begin and end most inspections by telling clients that we are there to find potnetial concerns (and I will) and that no house is perfect, so do not be alarmed or concerned that items are ...

Sorry to hear of your continuing problems. My advice (and most inspectors will flame me for saying this) is to proceed with legal action.  If the inspector is insured, more than likely his insurance company will settle the claim (even if only for his deductible amount - most likely at $2500).  If this does not cover the costs, and ...

Intersting.... I have seen on the reports where it mentions that more weight is given to reports where work was performed, so that does not surprize me much, but I would expect it to impact the overall scores more significantly than it seems to in this case. Fear not, one thing I have learned about Angie's List clients is that they read ALL ...