LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF! I've been a Bay Area resident since 1962. I grew up in San Diego, where I began my inspection career with a summer job checking new apartments in a large development to make sure contractors had completed their work properly. In many cases, they hadn't. I found bathtubs installed without support, electrical outlets missing, doors installed backwards, and lots of other defects. My attention to detail saved the owners countless headaches. Ever since, I've enjoyed a tremendous sense of satisfaction in helping clients understand how homes are put together and how defects affect their safety and comfort.

• ASHI MEMBERSHIP:I am past President of the Golden Gate Chapter of ASHI™, the American Society of Home Inspectors. I have been a certified member since 1995. ASHI is the leading national trade group for home inspectors. Members must pass a rigorous exam, follow national standards for inspections, and keep up with new developments by attending courses and seminars. I have performed more than 1,000 inspections of homes and other buildings. My member number is 101195.
   

• CONTRACTING EXPERIENCE: I am a licensed California general contractor with extensive experience in remodeling, upgrading older homes, structural repairs, and investigation of construction defects. I have seen first hand what can go wrong when builders cut corners, and what it can take to fix major defects. My license number is 546124.

• COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE: Poor communication can be expensive.  I have participated in several projects--each costing tens of thousands of dollars--involving repair of defects that were mentioned in another inspector's report, but described in a way that only a contractor would understand. Buyers were stuck with expensive surprises simply because they could not translate the ambiguous jargon.

Unlike most inspectors, I have experience in technical writing, public speaking, and radio. My background includes a Communications degree from the University of California, and I received an Award of Excellence from the Society for Technical Communication. 

Other inspection companies often use vague or confusing language in reports because they think it sounds “official,” or simply because it comes with their software package. In my reports, I stick to plain English and I keep technical terms to a minimum. My goal is to help you understand the implications of any hazards or defects. During inspections, I take time to answer your questions, listen to your concerns, and make sure you understand the inspection results.