Harmony Home Inspection of MA

05/31/2024

After 25 years as a home inspector, I've decided to retire and close the business! However I'm not sure how to close down a page 🙂

08/01/2022

Listen folks...get a home inspection before you buy that darn house!!! I know it is still somewhat advantageous to waive the home inspection contingency in order to win a bid BUT the other week I did a home inspection and found an unknown buried oil tank on the property. If this thing had leaked oil into surrounding soils it could end up being a huge amount of money to clean up contaminated soils and remove the tank. Luckily the inspection was a prepurchase inspection and not an "after purchase" inspection.
I know my sister in NJ paid 18K to clean up her buried oil tank and contaminated soils. And that was 10 years ago. . Another person I talked to years ago inherited a house from his parents and also inherited a 200K clean up cost. There are not many buried oil tanks out there, but it demonstrates would could happen. Things are beginning to change market wise and home inspections are not as much being "held hostage" as they have been in the past year. And the more people insist on an inspection, the faster this extremely risky move will be a thing of the past.

03/21/2022

Lately I've been doing more home maintenance inspections for both new and also veteran homeowners. These inspections are so very useful and can potentially save you thousands of dollars. New homeowners are a bit over the barrel these days, because so many have waived the home inspection contingency just to buy a home. Its an unfortunate situation. Many new homeowners then go ahead with an inspection after the fact, which helps them find out what the heck they bought, and this also helps them prioritize what repairs they need to do first. The other day I discovered evidence of termite activity in a newly purchased house. The owners had been in the house for three months when they decided to call me. Based on what I saw, my opinion was that there was a long established aggressive termite colony that could rear its ugly head at anytime. I therefore advised my Clients to get a termite treatment asap to prevent a very unpleasant swarm from happening. A month or two ago, my chiropractor hired me because he was told he needed a new roof (besides the skylight upgrade he originally wanted). The quote was 80 thousand dollars!!! Talk about up selling! He was told that there was frost on the nail penetrations in his attic and that was given as the reason for needing a new roof. He was a bit suspicious and so he hired me to come out and inspect the roof among other things of concern. His roof was actually in great condition and easily had another 10 years of life in it!! . Frost on the nailheads is actually a sign of inadequate ventilation or a source of moisture in the attic. So I helped him to avoid a very very expensive and unnecessary upgrade. I thought what he needed was additional ventilation. A few weeks later, he was told by an energy conservation specialist that his attic plywood was wet and once again was told he needed a new roof, and so I was called back in. Again, it was just a condensation problem. On my second visit I think I nailed it! My chiropractor plays piano and has a humidifier running all the time for the piano. He has various openings in the ceiling from recessed lights and basically the moisture from the humidifier was getting up in the attic and condensing. I also surmised that the air sealing work that was proposed for energy conservation would also take care of the attic condensation problem. He didn't need a new roof but what he needed (and got) was a good home maintenance inspection with appropriate follow up, to keep him from going off the rails and spending unnecessary money. At that point he had gotten a few other roofers in, and had gotten some "more reasonable" quotes. Only 40 thousand dollars!!! Do yourself a huge favor and have a home maintenance inspection performed before you go ahead and unwisely spend all that money on the wrong things! I apply the same standards as when I do pre-purchase inspections and give you a comprehensive report complete with photos, and you will feel so much more enpowered to make wise choices about your home maintenance. Call or text me at 774 249 0352 or email me at [email protected].

04/06/2021

I don't check facebook that often so it is best to call me at 774 249 0352 or email me: [email protected]

04/06/2021

Stanley on the left is the Father-in-Law of Matt who had the family with him when he bought his house. Matt (center) is Stan's youngest son and will likely assume "residency" in this home (he is studying to be a doctor:))) and Mike, the Buyer's agent, all looking up as I explain about ice dams

04/10/2020

We are still inspecting during this challenging time of Covid19. Both my Client, Colin, and I are wearing PPE and respecting the 6 foot social distancing guidelines:). I am trying out a variety of face masks. This one is a bacalava type mask that works better for bearded men. The inspections take a little longer trying to maintain a hygienic protocol. BTW, I am not that short...that's an anomoly of the photo, but I am indeed putting on weight like so many of us. After seeing this photo, I put myself on a diet:))) That's my truck in the background!

03/14/2020

https://medium.com//coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca

Politicians and Business Leaders: What Should You Do and When?

01/22/2020

National awareness about PFAS (polyflorinated aklyl substances has finally hit the bigtime with a major motion picture released late last year and an article by Reueters just today https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-drinking-water-widely-contaminated-050229550.html , suggested that more than 110 million amercians are drinking tap water contaminated with these substances. My advice...get a water filer or drink botlled water...bottled water has other problems associated with plastic recycling, or the lack of, so I personally have opted for a water filter. Aquasana brand is one that claims a 95% removal rate for PFAS and has been approved by the MA-DEP, and it also apparently takes lead out. Unfortunately mine just died today but I believe it is still under warranty. Yes... I just called and Aquasana is replacing it.

The contamination of U.S. drinking water with man-made "forever chemicals" is far worse than previously estimated with some of the highest levels found in Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans, said a report on Wednesday by an environmental watchdog group. The chemicals, resistant to breakin...

10/29/2019

Older fireplaces may have wood under the hearth or under what is known as the hearth extension. Both are considered fire hazards and should be removed. The wood under the hearth extension is relatively easy to take out. Removal of wood under the hearth itself tends to be a big job and warrants a cost estimate for the work. I always recommend you gather cost estimates from more than one contractor, as costs can vary widely.

10/03/2019

It's gutter cleaning time again! Mosquito born illnesses, such as EEE and West Nile Virus are a major health concern and are on the rise in Massachusetts. Both can be fatal. As a homeowner, it is then very important to regularly clean and maintain your gutters. A clogged gutter or improperly draining gutter can hold water and become a breeding ground for mosquitos. In this day and age, such a condition becomes a health hazard. Any other standing water, such as that in old paint cans, tires, flower pots, wheel barrows, and other yard denizens pose a similar hazard. But gutters, because they are up high, are often overlooked.
Hire a gutter professional or qualified professional handyman to clean and repitch your gutters as necessary. Some people that are comfortable on a ladder will do the cleaning themselves and save themselves some money. But either way, let's be health conscious and get those gutters draining properly!

09/06/2019

Paul, Annie, and Juan, after inspecting a newly constructed home in Worcester. New construction always has one or two problems...sometimes major...and rarely is perfection attained!...so if you are looking at a newly constructed home...do yourself a favor and have the home inspected by a professional home inspector.

09/06/2019

I did an inspection in Gloucester for repeat Client Jim, who was trying to decide what to do with his late father's place. This is the view from the third floor balcony. Wow! Absolutely spectacular! Doing a Seller's inspection is very useful in cases such as this, because it can identify major areas where repair is needed. We are not allowed to do cost estimates by MA State law, however these pre-market inspections can at least point you in the right direction. Then you can get cost estimates from contractors for major repair items, which can be helpful in negotiations, and maybe help you identify... so you can fix ...any scary things before you put the house on the market.