NEW! DEKALB COUNTY WATER ORDINANCE
Effective June 1, 2008, certain homes purchased in unincorporated Dekalb County must have a Certificate of Compliance with regard to low-flow water fixtures. The new rules apply only to homes built prior to January 1, 1993. Dekalb County will not turn on the water for the new owner of these properties without the Certificate. Parkman Home Inspections has the necessary equipment to perform the required fixture flow rate tests as part of your home inspection. In addition, we have been authorized by Dekalb County to issue the Certificate of Compliance when all fixtures pass the tests. Dekalb is also issuing rebates for new toilets. Call us today for more information and see Dekalb County Watershed Management (click here) for official rules. 


RADON TESTING

From the United States Environmental Protection Agency:

"Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually.  EPA has launched a new series of television, radio and print public service announcements encouraging people to test and fix their homes for radon. This is a good time to focus on testing and on fixing homes with a radon level of 4 pCi/L or more.  Heed the Surgeon General's warning. Take action now to reduce your family's risk of lung cancer from radon!"

At Parkman Home Inspections, we are pleased to announce the selection of Radalink, Inc. as our partner in radon testing. Radalink's new Bluetooth-enabled "AirCAT" electronic Continuous Radon Monitor surpasses the competition in quality, technical excellence, and radon gas sensitivity. To learn more about radon, please visit the US EPA at www.epa.gov/radon.  To learn more about the AirCAT, click here.

RED Zone 1 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) (red zones) Highest Potential  ORANGE Zone 2 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (orange zones) Moderate Potential  YELLOW Zone 3 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L (yellow zones) Low Potential

OUR FEES

Click Here to Pay Online!

We base our home inspection fees on a few easy questions:

1)     Home Type

2)     Home Contract or Listing Price

3)     Year Built, Crawlspace

See Tables A + B below for pricing on Existing Home (New & Resale) Inspections.

See Table C below for pricing on Foundation and Framing Inspections.

See Miscellaneous Table below for Radon Test Pricing.

 EXISTING HOME (NEW & RESALE)

(General Pre-Purchase Inspection)

Performed in accordance with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice & Code of Ethics

TABLE A: HOME PRICE			TABLE B: ADD-ON
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE & TOWNHOME PURCHASE PRICE	BASE FEE		YEAR BUILT	ADD-ON
$0 to $149,999	$275		1994 to present	Add $0
$150,000 to $174,999	$285		1979 to 1993	Add $25
$175,000 to $199,999	$295		1959 to 1978	Add $50
$200,000 to $224,999	$305		1939 to 1958	Add $75
$225,000 to $249,999	$315		1938 and prior	Add $100
$250,000 to $299,999	$330		OTHER (See Notes Below)	ADD-ON
$300,000 to $399,999	$345 to $360		Outside Service Area	Add $25 and up
$400,000 to $499,999	$380 to $400		*Foreclosed, Short Sale, etc.	Add $25
$500,000 to $599,999	$420 to $440		Crawlspace	Add $25
$600,000 to $799,999	$465 to $540
$800,000 to $999,999	$570 to $660		NEW & RESALE HOME
$1,000,000 to $1,599,999	$720 to $900		TOTAL FEE =
$1,600,000 and $1,999,999	$960 and $1,020		TABLE A + TABLE B
$2,000,000 and up	Call for pricing
OTHER HOMES
Condo, Loft, Duplex, Manf. Home	$250 and up

Existing Homes Notes:
1. Prices are subject to change without notice;
2. Home Price is defined as the agreed-to Contract Price of the home, or Listing Price if a seller's inspection;
3. Total Fee for inspection of existing homes is Table A plus Table B above.
4. Inspections outside our regular service area (click here) may have a nominal trip charge added to help defray the cost of increased fuel usage and transit time.
*5. Homes in or near foreclosure, distressed, HUD-owned, bank-owned, abandoned, abused, unoccupied, with "deferred maintenance," or otherwise untended for an extended period of time may have a commensurate charge added to help defray the cost of increased inspection and reporting time.

Call us today to schedule your appointment!

FOUNDATION AND FRAMING (Phased Inspections)

TABLE C: FOUNDATION AND FRAMING
INSPECTION SERVICE	FEE	DESCRIPTION
Foundation	$250 and up	Inspection of the footings, walls, slab, drainage system and waterproofing (where visible). Report will include Bldg Code (IRC) references. Performed with a view toward compliance with current Georgia Residential Building Codes (IRC w/GA Amendments).
Framing & Rough-ins	$335 and up	Inspection of the framing and all rough mechanical, electrical, and plumbing prior to insulation and drywall installation. Roof shingles, flashing, and exterior wall coverings (siding, brick) are installed.  No utilities turned on at this point. Report will include Bldg Code (IRC) references, where applicable.  Performed with a view toward compliance with current Georgia Residential Building Codes (IRC w/GA Amendments).
Final	See Table A+B Above* *Discount available if we did your new home's Framing & Rough-ins inspection.	Inspection shortly before your own "Walk-Thru" with your builder. Purpose is to detect interior and exterior workmanship defects, if any, prior to your closing on the property. Drywall and insulation are installed. As many utilities as possible are turned on. House must be 90% to 100% complete. This is the same inspection that existing houses get (interior, exterior, plumbing fixtures, HVAC, etc. See section above). Performed using the top-rated ASHI Standards of Practice for existing houses. Georgia Residential Building Codes ("chapter & verse") cited in the report.
11th-Month Warranty Inspection	See Table A+B Above* *Discount available if we did your new home's Final inspection.	Inspection of the house for identification of issues prior to expiration of the one-year builder's warranty. You may present our report to your builder to document and highlight the needed corrections. Performed using the top-rated ASHI Standards for existing houses. Georgia Residential Building Codes ("chapter & verse") cited in the report.

Foundation and Framing Notes:
1. Prices are subject to change without notice;
2. Depending on the stage of construction, separate services (framing only) can be quoted.
3. Inspections outside our regular service area (click here) may have a nominal trip charge added to help defray the cost of increased fuel usage and transit time.

Call us today to schedule your appointment!

MISCELLANEOUS

OTHER INSPECTIONS	FEE	DESCRIPTION
Re-inspections (within 90 days)	Call for pricing	We will come back out upon request to inspect repairs, inspect items previously inaccessible or powered off, etc.
Targeted Component or System Inspection	$190 and up	We can target an inspection to just a single item or sub-system when desired (Masonite siding, Polybutylene piping, HVAC, basement remodeling, etc.)
Engineering Services (with Georgia P.E. Seal Affixed)	$270 and up	Because we are also an Engineering Company licensed by the State, we can provide an Engineering Evaluation & Report, complete with the Georgia Seal.
Radon Testing (State-of-the-Art Electronic Continuous Radon Monitor (pulsed ionization chamber))	$175 with home inspection, $225 without	We use the latest in electronic Continuous Radon Monitors, the AirCAT by Radalink. This sensitive scientific instrument measures radon gas concentrations in the interior of the home. Samples are taken every hour for 48-60 hours. A computer-generated report is sent to the client from the lab indicating the average radon concentration in pCi/l.
NEW! Dekalb County Water Ordinance	Call for pricing	We measure the flow rate of fixtures and issue the Certificate of Compliance required by Dekalb County to have the water turned on for the new owner.

Call us today to schedule your appointment! 

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A MESSAGE ABOUT OUR COMPANY, THE COMPETITION, AND WHAT SETS US APART

Be a Smart Shopper

Being located near Atlanta, Georgia, we are aware there are other Home Inspection companies around town, and that you have a choice of whom you hire. But we also want our clients to know that, because Home Inspection is an unregulated industry in Georgia, anyone can claim the title of Home Inspector.

We offer the following information to help you make a fully informed and wise buying decision.

Our Credentials

At Parkman Home Inspections, we want our clients to have the BEST. That's why we have spent years getting the training, education, and credentials to surpass the competition!

Because our owner and founder is a Professional Engineer (P.E.), we are Board Certified and Registered with the State of Georgia. This means our license to practice in Georgia is based upon the approval of a nine-member Engineering Board (appointed by the Governor), peer reviews, multiple daylong examinations, and years worth of experience requirements -- much like what doctors and lawyers go through before being allowed to serve the public in private practice.

Because we have all four of the International Code Council's (ICC) Residential Code Certifications (formerly known as CABO), you are assured of the highest level of up-to-date technical expertise and know how. These four Certifications alone require Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits every three years, not to mention the CEU credits required every two years for the P.E. license.

Our Professional Associations

As do most people, home inspectors align themselves with other like-minded individuals. Those that work hard to foster professionalism and quality in their business and local community get involved in well-known, well-established, professional organizations. Such inspectors join professional societies, regularly attend local chapter meetings, and participate in monthly conferences. They are eager to share ideas, improvements, and best practices with other fellow inspectors.

The oldest and largest professional society for home inspectors is the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). We are proud of our participation and involvement with the local ASHI Georgia Chapter (www.ashigeorgia.com). We are members of the Georgia Association of Home Inspectors (GAHI), the only Home Inspector Association to require its members to be fully Code-Certified by the International Code Council (www.gahi.com). Finally, we promote the activities of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce (www.gwinnettchamber.org). Please look us up in the online directory of these fine, top tier organizations.

Our Tools and Equipment

The tools and equipment we use are the BEST in the business!

We gather inspection data using multiple digital cameras (72x zoom telephoto, low light, and wide angle models) for the most accurate, premium quality photos possible -- even in complete darkness!

Our mobile computer hardware and software is unsurpassed in the industry. Our fully equipped truck carries the latest Acer Tablet PC and an ultra-fast Hewlett-Packard color inkjet printer.  We produce ONLY full color, digital photographic reports (typically 25 to 40 pages in length) presented in a custom three-ring binder. The easy to read report is computer generated on-site for accuracy. We don't make you wait days to receive the report. You have it before we leave the job site.

Our Reports are Web and Internet Enabled

Every report we write is presented to the client on-site then uploaded the same day to our password-protected vault on the Internet. From there it may be viewed and reprinted from any Internet enabled computer in the world. No old-fashioned paper and carbon copy checklists. No illegible handwriting. No multipage faxes or overnight letters.  No large PDF files to download. No large e-mail attachments to fill up in-boxes.  With our state-of-the-art system, you or anyone you designate is just a few "clicks" away from viewing and printing the entire report!

Our Property Age Add-On Fee

We keep our pricing structure simple. Our fees are based on three easy questions. But we are sometimes asked...

Question: Why do you have an add-on fee for the property age? Answer: When you inspect a home from top to bottom as thoroughly as we do, older homes take longer -- it's that simple. For example, the heating and cooling units may be in a crawlspace, requiring more inspection equipment. In addition, the materials and components used in an older home may require special attention. Will the other inspector recognize composite wallboard siding (Masonite) or polybutylene piping and bring it to your attention? More equipment, more photos, more time means a slightly higher fee...still less than the competition in most cases.

Our Inspection Agreement

Georgia Law (O.C.G.A. 8-3-331) requires home inspectors must provide their clients with a written document prior to the inspection outlining the "scope of the inspection," among other things. Some inspectors skip this step entirely, leaving clients wondering just what they're getting. At Parkman Home Inspections, all of our clients receive an Inspection Agreement before we start the inspection. A copy is posted on our web site for easy access and review. Don't be left confused about what you will be getting for your money.

So How Does the Competition Compare, So Far?

Can other inspectors you're considering honestly make the above claims for superior quality, service, and value?

Also beware the following pitfalls when shopping for a home inspector.

The Quickie Approach

Unscrupulous inspectors may perform as many as four or five inspections per day for what seems to be an amazingly low price. It's called the "Quickie Approach." Trouble is, it eventually results in oversights, errors, and horror stories at your next dinner party about how bad the inspection was and what items were missed. It gives all inspectors a bad reputation. Then the quickie inspector goes out of business due to all the bad press and callbacks. Reputable inspectors know better. It is impossible to do a thorough inspection on an entire home in just a few minutes. 

Most likely, our competition will not spend the three to five hours on-site necessary to perform a thorough inspection. You want an inspection that is 100% compliant with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice & Code of Ethics. Beware inspectors following the "Quickie Approach," an abbreviated or unrecognized Standard of Practice, or none at all.

Gimmicks & Promotions

Some inspectors will resort to "Buy Now Specials," throw in an inexpensive tool, or use "Free Inspection" gimmicks to get you to use their services.  We don't play games. Our credentials, technically advanced equipment, custom report, and a long list of satisfied clients are our promotional materials. We charge a fair price for the BEST inspection in the business -- Guaranteed. Don't buy based on a promo item. The cheap tool will provide little comfort when a major problem surfaces that the quickie inspector missed.

An Impostor in Your Home

In business, anyone can claim to be anything. Unfortunately, the Home Inspection industry is no different. Do your homework. Verify the competition's credentials before you buy. Click on the logos on our web site home page for links to check out the competition's P.E. license, ASHI membership, and/or ICC Building Code certifications, if any.  Check out their supposed professional association memberships. You'll need their full name and address, if they'll give it to you.  Beware of the no-name, unregistered, unlicensed, and non-certified inspectors.  Copies of all our credential certificates, license numbers, educational degrees, and a sample report are clearly posted on our web site for your review. Don't allow an impostor in your home.

The Big Franchise Chains

At Parkman Home Inspections, we have lived in, and owned homes in, the north Georgia area for decades. We know the area. We know both the old & new materials and the construction methods used here. We are locally owned and operated, unlike some of the big impersonal national franchise chains that take your order from a helpdesk in some far away place, only to send out "who-knows-whom" to inspect your home. Why rely on a distant company with rotating inspectors and revolving ownership? Know whom you are trusting with your largest investment -- your home!

Why Use Anyone Else?

We will NOT be beaten in service, quality, or value.  Give us a call today, and let us prove it to you! You won't be disappointed!

"A Parkman Inspection is your BEST Protection!"

TM, SM, & © 2005-2008 Parkman Home Inspections, LLC