Home Inspection and Commercial Building Inspection Service Provider
Serving Lower New York (NY)
General Service Areas
Home Inspector and Commercial Building Inspector services cover a broad area throughout cities, towns and rural locations in the
Hudson Valley, Catskills, Shawangunk Mountains and the Southwestern regions of New York (NY).
Counties served
The following New York (NY) Counties are included in the coverage area - Orange County, Sullivan County, Ulster County, Dutchess County,
Putnam County and Rockland County.
Cities and Towns served
Licensed New York (NY) Home Inspector - Igor Smetaniuk of Top To Bottom Inspections performs, but is not limited to, Residential
Home Inspections and Commercial Building Inspections in the following Cities and Towns of New York State:
In Orange County, NY -
Port Jervis, NY 12771; Greenville, NY 12771; Sparrow Bush, NY 12780; Cuddebackville, NY 12729; Huguenot, NY 12746; Otisville, NY 10963;
Middletown, NY 10940, 10941, 10943; Goshen, NY 10924; Warwick, NY 10990; Greenwood Lake, NY 10925; Monroe, NY 10950;
Washingtonville, NY 10992; Campbell Hall, NY 10916; Maybrook, NY 12543; Montgomery, NY 12549; Walden, NY 12586; Pine Bush, NY 12566;
Wallkill, NY 12589; Newburgh, NY 12550, 12551, 12552, 12555; New Windsor, NY 12553; Vails Gate, NY 12584; West Point, NY 10996, 10997;
Tuxedo Park, NY 10987; Westtown, NY 10998; Pine Island, NY 10969; Johnson, NY 10933; Slate Hill, NY 10973; Unionville, NY 10988;
Florida, NY 10921; Chester, NY 10918; Bullville, NY 10915; Circleville, NY 10919; Blooming Grove, NY 10914; Central Valley, NY 10917;
Salisbury Mills, NY; Cornwall on Hudson, NY 12520; Cornwall, NY 12518; Rock Tavern, NY 12575; Howells, NY 10932;
Highland Mills, NY 10930; Harriman, NY 10926; Sterling Forest, NY 10979; Sugar Loaf, NY 10981; New Hampton, NY 10958; Arden, NY 10910;
Mt Lodge, NY; Mountainville, NY; Oxford, NY; Bellvale, NY; Southfields, NY;
In Sullivan County, NY -
Monticello, NY 12701; Liberty, NY 12754; Ferndale, NY 12734; White Sulphur Springs, NY 12787; Neversink, NY 12765; Barryville, NY 12719;
Eldred, NY 12732; Glen Spey, NY 12737; Westbrookville, NY 12785; Highland Lake, NY 12743; Pond Eddy, NY 12770; Forestburgh, NY 12777;
Bethel, NY 12720; Yulan, NY 12792; Tusten, NY; Narrowsburg, NY 12764; Lake Huntington, NY 12752; Callicoon, NY 12723, 12724;
Callicoon Center, NY 12724 Jeffersonville, NY 12748; Kenoza Lake, 12750; Rock Hill, NY 12775; Glen Wild, NY 12738;
Mountain Dale, NY 12763; Wurtsboro, NY 12790; Burlingham, NY 12722; Summitville, NY 12781; Phillipsport, NY 12769; Mamakating, NY;
Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759; Livingston Manor, NY 12758; Parksville, NY 12768; Roscoe, NY 12776; Cochecton, NY 12726; Long Eddy, NY 12760;
Cochecton Center, NY 12727; Fremont Center, NY 12736; Hankins, NY 12741; North Branch, NY 12766; Obernburg, NY 12767;
Hortonville, NY 12745; Youngsville, NY 12791; Ellenville, NY 12428; Spring Glen, NY 12483;
In Ulster County, NY -
New Paltz, NY 12561; Mohonk Lake, NY; Accord, NY 12404; Stone Ridge, NY 12484; High Falls, NY 12440; Rosendale, NY 12472;
Marbletown, NY; Walker Valley, NY 12588; Hurley, NY 12443; Wawarsing, NY 12489; Gardiner, NY 12525; Modena, NY 12548;
In Dutchess County, NY -
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, 12602, 12603, 12604; Arlington, NY; Fishkill, NY 12524; Fishkill Plains, NY; Van Keurens, NY; New Hamburg, NY;
Red Oaks Mill, NY; Glenham, NY 12527; HydePark, NY 12538; Hughsonville, NY 12537; Billings, NY 12510; Chelsea, NY 12512;
Lagrangeville, NY 12540; Wappingers Falls, NY 12590; Hopewell Junction, NY 12533; Pleasant Valley, NY 12569; Holmes, NY 12531;
Stormville, NY 12582; Poughquag, NY 12570; Beacon, NY 12508;
In Putnam County, NY -
Brewster, NY 10509; Mahopac, NY 10541; Mahopac Falls, NY 10542; Lake Carmel, NY; Carmel, NY 10512; Garrison, NY 10524;
Peekskill, NY 10566; Lake Peekskill, NY 10537; Putnam Valley, NY 10579; Cold Spring, NY 10516; Patterson, NY 12563;
Ludingtonville, NY; Farmers Mills, NY; Kent Cliffs, NY; Nelsonville, NY; Jefferson Valley, NY 10535; Mohegan Lake, NY 10547;
Shrub Oak, NY 10588;
In Rockland County, NY -
Sloatsburg, NY 10974; Suffern, NY 10901; Montebello, NY; Airmont, NY; Spring Valley, NY 10977; Nanuet, NY 10954; Nyack, NY 10960;
West Nyack, NY 10994; Blauvelt, NY 10913; New City, NY 10956; Pomona, NY 10970; Haverstaw, NY 10927; West Haverstraw, NY 10993;
Thiells, NY 10984; Valley Cottage, NY 10989; Tomkins Cove, NY 10986; Tallman, NY 10982; Stony Point, NY 10980; Bear Mountain, NY 10911;
Hillburn, NY 10931; Garnerville, NY 10923; Congers, NY 10920;
Home Inspection -
The Good,
The Bad,
and The Ugly
Home Inspection is one of the most misunderstood and misguided activities in the sale or purchase of a home.
It’s critical to know what to expect and which Home Inspectors are qualified to do the job right.
If you aren’t aware of these things, it could negatively affect the value of your home.
Taking time to read the information on my website will help you gain a comprehensive understanding about
a Home Inspection and the selection process of a professional Home Inspector. Utilize this information as a
foundation for making the right choices!
The Good...
Why is it critical to contract a Home Inspection?
Answer:
Buying a Home is an emotional event. This makes it difficult for Home Buyers to remain completely objective about the property they
desire, which may lead to a poor assessment. Even the most experienced Home Buyer lacks the knowledge of all components and systems
of a building. Real Estate is the largest financial investment in your life; you want to make sure it’s a solid one.
Home Inspections are important and necessary for your own protection and future security. Essentially, they are visual (non-invasive)
examinations of the physical structure and numerous systems in a Home or Building, followed by a comprehensive report.
Expectations during a Home Inspection must be kept in proper perspective by the Buyer. In reality, a Home Inspector does not arrive
with a crystal ball nor do they have X-ray vision to see through walls. Frequently there are various constraints which are beyond the
control of a Home Inspector. Areas of the home or building may be limited in assessment. This could be due to:
- Furnishings
- Dense vegetation
- Height restrictions
- Visual access only
- Unsafe for access
- Turned off utilities
- Seasonal weather anomalies
Home Inspectors do not perform technical evaluations or testing during a Home Inspection and may be a further recommendation. Keep in
mind, a Home Inspection is by no means a Warranty or Insurance policy nor does it refer to construction codes. You should use it as an
informative guide and educational experience.
No building is “perfect”. Environmental variables constantly affect building materials from the first day the structural
assembly begins. Regular maintenance and repair due to normal wear and tear is to be expected. The primary objective is to reveal
conditions that may incur large expenses or safety related concerns. An experienced Home Inspector will document the 'red flags' which
differentiate minor or major repairs that may be needed.
The Standards of Practice created by the various Home Inspection Associations are somewhat similar and great guides as to what a Home
Inspectors shall or shall not be required to perform. However, these are only the “minimum” standards and can be
exceeded. You may find these published documents by searching the various Association websites. New York State is in the process
of final approval of it’s own Standards of Practice for Licensed Home Inspectors.
The Bad...
Choosing a Home Inspection Service or specifically a Home Inspector is a difficult process, especially for first time Home Buyers.
I receive calls from prospective clients on a daily basis and too often the initial question asked is “What is your price to
perform a Home Inspection?”
It’s understandable that cost would be someone’s focus, but with a Home purchase being such a major financial investment,
there are other considerations that are more important. At first, your questions should be as follows:
- Do you conduct business Full Time or Part-Time?
- Are you a Franchise or Multi-Inspector company?
- Who will perform the Home Inspection? Owner or Employee?
- What's your background experience, credentials, years in business and/or membership in related organizations
or associations?
- How long will you spend at the inspection site?
- Do you walk on roof areas?
- Is the Home Inspection report issued on-site?
- Have you had any prior legal encounters?
- What additional services do you provide? Will they all be performed by the Home Inspector or sub-contracted
out?
- Do you actually open a Septic tank or Cesspool prior to or during your assessment or are you performing an
inconclusive blind "Dye Test"?
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KEEP IN MIND, most mistakes are made by booking an inspection on
impulse with the first Home Inspection service you call, instead of
doing careful research. Make it a point to contact 3-4 Home Inspectors
in order to have a good basis for comparison. After diligent questioning,
you should have ample information with a respective range of costs.
At this point, you may begin to arrange your list of respective qualities
and now are close to making an informed choice.
The next section will enhance your knowledge in the numerous
ways one can be skewed into believing they have found the right
individual for professional guidance through their purchase.
This is extremely important for you to know - so please take a
a few more moments to read on and absorb each point made.
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and The Ugly...
Unfortunately, the Home Inspection service occupation is targeted frequently by many individuals who retire from a job, lose their job,
or have the misconception of starting their own business
with $10 for a flashlight and a screwdriver.
Many are Novice or Part-Time Home Inspectors, providing CHEAP or DISCOUNT Home Inspections and compromise quality in the process. Many
do not have any construction related experience, thereby, lacking the means to identify deficiencies or concerns. Most fail to carry
expensive Errors & Omissions insurance which protects you, the Home Buyer.
Then, there are those who entice unknowing Homebuyer’s with low prices but are forced to do inspections in volume in order to be
profitable. I compare these business models to the fast-food chain approach of inspecting real estate. You know you’re hiring one
of these Home Inspectors when their price quotes are much less than the others you’re hearing. What they fail to disclose is that
their inspection will be anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. These services will typically not encourage you to attend the inspection.
You’ll be told “let us take care of everything for you and you’ll get a report with everything you need to know.”
The truth is they don’t want you to see how little time they invested to conduct what they call an inspection. Is this what you
want when you’re about to spend over $100,000.00?
Generally, with a Home Inspection, you'll get what you pay for.
Here are some other things to beware:
- 'Marketing Schemes' or 'Coupon Discounts' as lures to create a smokescreen for inferior service.
- A “free” 'Home Warranty' policy with your Home Inspection. With this tactic, a Home Inspector is
basically telling you that they cannot do a good job.
These Warrantees cost $15 and the Warranty companies are known for finding excuses to deny your claim.
- The touting of meaningless 'Certification' is craftily being used by an overwhelming majority in mere
attempt to create false perceptions. Some Associations even include the word ‘Certified’ in
their name as a marketing lure. They provide an un-proctored entrance exam, which is more of a quiz, through
the internet. Most anyone can pass it and become a member without ever performing a single Home Inspection.
This hurts an unsuspecting Home Buyer, while the so-called ‘Certified’ Association boasts
thousands of members all the way to bank. My Certifications are validated by State or Accredited Training
programs with rigorous requirements and proctored testing.
- Ridiculous titles such as 'Master Inspector'. In all the years I've been inspecting Real Estate, I can truly
say that this occupation is not a skill which an individual can perfect. This smokscreen title was conjured
up by a profiteer through the internet. Each and every property is unique, requiring a custom approach by a
knowledgeable and perceptive individual. Let us be thankful that we don't see signs such as 'Certified
Master Doctor'!
- The useless pitch "I use the technology of an Infrared Camera during my inspections". Most veteran Home
Inspectors can make educated assessments of areas with their invaluable human senses.
Infrared camera technology in the field, labeled as 'Thermography', is highly sophisticated and has its
special place for application. Home Inspections for Real Estate transactions are not the time to do these.
The right conditions must exist for one of these cameras to 'see' a latent deficiency. These conditions are
not guaranteed during your inspection, hence, the numerous exclusions that will be stated somewhere in the
fine print of that inspector's report. Here we go again with 'Certifications' that are easily attainable for
the sake of companies wanting to sell an expensive piece of equipment. Also, the inferior models of camera,
which most all Home Inspectors own due to cost, are too often in the wrong hands of inexperience. This
marketed tool will distract your Home Inspector from doing their job to key in those amazing natural senses
of sight, touch and sound along with focus on cause and effect relationships in Building Science.
- 'Mold Testing' - If you are being offered or scared into this service you should hang up and call the next
number on your list. Veteran Home Inspectors call this the 'MOLD IS GOLD' syndrome which is too often used by
cheaper priced services to pad their fee higher or by inexperienced inspectors who are sold on a one day
'certification' to know everything there is about mold. Think about this seriously - why are you being sold
on Mold Testing if the Home Inspector has not even been to the property to assess if their is a reason to do
so. Your health is not their main concern but merely a matter of substantial profit generated from testing.
If one does not have a minimum 4-year college degree in the Science of Microbiology, then they should not be
testing for mold. A sincere Veteran Home Inspector will keenly detect concerns for mold conditions and
recommend further evaluation by a qualified professional if needed.
- The Septic system 'Dye Test' is one of the oldest and most inconclusive evaluations you could waste your
money on. If you are being offered this service, which will be 95% of all Home Inspection Services, you may
as well fill out a check for the typical $50.00 and wait until a strong wind comes along to hold it up high
and let go. Without the exposing and opening of a Septic tank access lid or Cesspool cover, one cannot
properly test the system. Secondly, this open solids containment area allows a competent inspector to
determine the location of drainfield or overflow to be able to probe areas for excessive saturation beneath
the surface. "Dye" testers only offer the statement "There were no unusual areas of moisture observed in the
yard". Of course, because most problems exist beneath the surface and do not show up with what I call
"The Blind Dye Test". Keep in mind, Septic Systems are an expensive part of the home and should only be
evaluated by a qualified professional. A Home is not a 'Home Sweet Home" if the Septic System is not
functioning properly. See my 'Services' page for proper Septic System testing information.
- Free Homeowner Handbooks or Repair Guides included with your inspection. These are an absolute waste of our
environmental resources. These books are useless in the way of providing generalized explanations about home
repairs and maintenance. With the internet at your finger tips, you can find detailed information about
anything involving your home from true experts while saving paper on useless Handbooks. I can bet you that
all of these books will sit on a shelf until the next millenium or when needed as a starter log in a
fireplace.
Lastly, the failure rate among Home Inspectors in their first year of business is guessed to be about 70%. Of those remaining, 30% will
probably not make their third year. If you retain the services from one of these individuals, you may not have any recourse should
issues arise after their inspection. In addition, you will not have available support for future questions during your homeownership.
In closing...
As a well-established business professional, I deem it important to convey both positive and negative information as it relates to Home
Inspections. Knowing both vantage points is key to hiring competent Home Inspectors.
"And now, for the rest of the story" (Paul Harvey)
Go To About Me for Company information
or
Contact Home
Inspector - Igor Smetaniuk for more info (845)856-4102
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