Matthew’s 4 PM home inspection in Wilkesboro

Black Cat Inspector Matthew Weeks on his 4 PM home inspection in Wilkesboro for agent Kim Sumner’s client. 

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Josh’s noon new construction inspection

Black Cat Inspector Josh Hedges on his noon new construction inspection for agent Rebecca Mallard’s client in King. 

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Storm Damaged Homes - Condition of Home Inspections

 

Below Our Cost at 50% off Our Standard Fee

Helene Storm Damaged Home Inspection

To State Standards

As Pam and I experienced the wrath of Helene, and the aftermath, as I visited homes by request, others without request, and drove by untold damaged homes I began to consider what can a 74 year old, diabetic, survivor of two back surgeries, recent issues from cataract surgery, horrendous balance issues, subject to falling, do to help before I injured myself in my likely foolish efforts. Might can’t do the physical needs but I can use my experienced mind, our company, Black Cat Inspections Services, LLC, and its staff, to help. 

On Friday one of our inspectors, Josh Hedges, completed our first inspection of a storm damaged home in Banner Elk. From the front entry you wouldn’t imagine the damage which existed. 

Why may this be needed? We are experts at analyzing the condition of homes and do these the same as we would for any buyer considering purchasing one of these homes in this condition. We are there to document in words and photos every issue, not just the storm damage. Owners tend to not see the forest for the trees. We concentrate on the details. This will likely assist dealing with your insurance company, possibly FEMA and negotiating with contractors for repairs. I am also available, following this inspection, for consultation and advice, without charge, from my 50 years in construction and inspections in NC. 

Don’t have the wherewithal to pay, not a problem be honest and say so in our booking notes and we will find a way to make it happen anyway. 

Start by clicking here

Please share this far and wide so the word gets out. 

Josh on our first storm damage inspection in Banner Elk

 Photos From Before the Storm 

Black Cat Inspector Josh Hedges on our first, of which may be many, 50% discounted storm damage condition of home inspections in the High Country, this one in Banner Elk. Learn about that by clicking here. 

Let us be your eyes

www.blackcatinspectionservices.com

Josh on his 4 PM home inspection in Yanceyville

Black Cat Inspector Josh Hedges on his 4 PM home inspection in Yanceyville. 

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www.blackcatinspectionservices.com

 

Matthew on his 3 PM home inspection in Winston-Salem

 

Black Cat Inspector Matthew Weeks on his 3 PM Winston-Salem home inspection for Raleigh agent Adrienne Casanova's client. 

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Storm damaged homes - "Do I need a Structural Engineer?" and “Who do I need?”

Response to two questions I have observed, in multiple locations, about storm damaged homes. "Do I need a Structural Engineer?" and “Who do I need?” This is for NC only!!!

 

In most cases it isn't likely that you need a Structural Engineer and to bring them in first may be a waste of time and resources. What you need first, ideally, is a licensed NC Home Inspector and/or a licensed NC Building Contractor. I am biased as I am a licensed NC Home Inspector (available for this) and was a Licensed Building Contractor. Here is the clincher. If you have minor damage a qualified unlicensed person can do, as of October 1^st 2024, up to $40,000 of work without a license in NC. If you can find and verify a “qualified person”, and there are many, you may save money not using a license NC Building Contractor. Let’s be straight forward and honest, truth is that the Licensed Building Contractor will likely use those unlicensed trade folk to do their work as they will not likely be doing it themselves and will be “marking it up” when they invoice you. Sorry Engineer’s and Building Contractors, to make you angry, but simply stating the obvious. I personally use qualified unlicensed trades people without issue and would for this. These “licensed guys” will have their hands full doing the work above $40,000 which requires their license so they will get over it quick. Prior to this event I was told many of these guys, in these areas, are backup with two years of work. 

 

A structural engineer should be brought is under the direction of a Home Inspector, Contractor or qualified trades person as may be needed. Replacement work and repairs are REQUIRED to meet current NC codes. Here is a shocker for you. If the repair work exceeds 50% of the overall value of the home (unless something has changed, I am not aware of) everything in the home must be brought up to NC code standards.  

 

Irrelevant of who does the work, including yourself, if it involves structural repairs (including decks), electrical, plumbing or heating and air condition a permit and inspections are required and the electrical, plumbing and HVAC is required to be completed by a contractor holding those appropriate license. 

 

Hope this is helpful information for you. If you have questions about this or other issues email me Chris Hilton at chris@chrisdhilton.com Looking for me? Simply Google Chris D Hilton. 

 

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