Keeping Your Family Safe
226 Pages of Home Safety Information
Provided FREE by Black Cat Inspection Services, LLC
Celebrating 50 Years in Construction and Inspections in North Carolina
Our number one task keeping you and your family safe
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Josh Inspecting Two 123 Year Old Retail Buildings in Greensboro
Black Cat Inspector, Josh Hedges, is inspecting two connected 123 year old (built in 1901) commercial retail buildings in downtown Greensboro today for agent Ian Malinow's clients. Local Greensboro residents will be pleased with the intent for these buildings, which I am not at liberty to disclose. We will leave that to others. WOW, I have been impressed with what I have learned about Ian, and you will be as well, by clicking on his name above. Interestingly, we were contacted about these inspections only yesterday and started the ball rolling with approval but without access worked out. Access was only verified this morning and Josh was there working at 10 AM. It is the way we roll and we can roll that way for you and your clients at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Price Shopping for a Home Inspector?
Imagine that there is a home inspector who will gift you additional services which, if you had to pay for them, would cost you more than you will pay for your home inspection.
To prove the point we will provide you a gift right now of a 226 page book on how to protect your family, be safe in your home, by simply clicking on this link.
You will find lots of cheap home inspectors by clicking here and we wish you the best, Good Luck! After your experience, if you still need us we will be here for you the second time around. We do lots of second time arounds.
Few available inspectors equal our inspectors. Ask that cheap inspector if he/or she does. Our founder has been in construction and inspections, in North Carolina, for over 50 years. We challenge you to find any other home inspector with their resume posted on their website. Good luck with that, then ask why not. Click here for our founders resume. All of our active home inspectors are required to be members, in good standing, of the International Association of Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and hold their Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) designation and be members of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
Another of our inspectors holds the much coveted ASHI Gold Certified Inspector designation and another is an exam away from the same.
If we screw up, fail to perform as promised, relative to the Standards of Practice, and you are unhappy with the home, NO PROBLEM, we will buy it from you at what you paid for it, list it with your buyers agent, at full commission, and sell it again. 
Like all NC home inspectors, abiding by the law, we are licensed, follow the NC Standards of Practice, and carry $250,0000 in liability insurance.
That is typically where the similarity ends. To start with each of our home inspectors carry four times the requirement with $1,000,000 in liability insurance as required for our past and current contract work with the federal government. Yes, your government trusts us for their inspections.
All Home Inspectors are Not Created Equal
Our inspectors follow a much higher standard than the very minimum NC Standards of Practice followed by most inspectors. We conduct every home inspection as if the buyers were our children or our parents, and our grandchildren will live in this home. We don’t function based on what they say we must tell you. We tell you what you desire and need to know.
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Our founder holds the two highest designations in the industry, worldwide, Certified Master Inspector and ASHI Gold Certified Inspector.
Three of our inspectors, with more shortly, are Certified Mold Inspectors
One of our inspectors is a Certified Radon Test Provider
Don’t think we did a good job?
We provide a 200% money back guarantee. We will return what you paid and pay another inspector of your choosing an equal fee to conduct a second inspection
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Supplied With Every Inspection at No Additional Cost
Typical valued at more than what you pay.
CLICK ON EACH FOR A VIDEO
(or additional information)
18 Month Home Warranty For The Price of 12 Months
Still Want The CHEAP GUY?
IF NOT BOOK YOUR HOME INSPECTION HERE
www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Our call our office at 336-816-5978
Monday, February 26, 2024
Josh on His 8 AM FSBO Investor Inspection (fourth for this California investor)
Black Cat Inspector, Josh Hedges, 8 AM FSBO investor inspection for our repeat client, who lives in California, working with local agent Angelia Mauldin. This is our forth inspection for this couple who may never see these homes (no clue). Three of our inspectors have worked with them. They work with a local management company we have performed many inspectors for, over the years. We did our first for this client in 2015 then one in 2017, 2019 and now 2024. That will soon be a decade of serving them. We must be doing something satisfactory for them. With lots of other options, they keep coming back to us. We do around 100 inspections a year, for various investors from across the country and the world, including California, Florida, New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Europe, and China that I can think of.
Black Cat Inspector, Gearld Rutledge, is conducting an alternate practice/training inspection as Josh does the real one.
Find out why investors keep returning to us for there residential and commercial inspections over decades at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Sunday, February 25, 2024
OMG
Example of the condition of an electric baseboard heater in an occupied rental home where these are the only source of heat. Photo by Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons.
Floor Joist Supported by Water Line
Not to worry when a floor joist comes loose from improper bearing the water line below will carry it. RIGHT!!! Photo by Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons.
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Josh’s 11 AM Investor Inspection Pinnacle
Black Cat Inspector Josh Hedges FSBO investor 11 AM home inspection in Pinnacle booked mid afternoon yesterday. Yes, typically we can respond quickly and turn out reports quickly. If you are an investor, or agent working with an investor, we are here for your home inspections at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Is this acceptable?
New construction engineered floor joists damaged during construction and repair ignored. This is an engineered product and repairs must be designed by a structural engineer, joist completely replaced or a new one installed beside of it. Photo by Black Cat Inspector Josh Hedges. Obviously no need to inspect new construction. Ever wonder why builders and their agents prefer we not show up and some ban us from their properties. If you don’t agree with that book your construction progress, finial, and/or one year warranty inspection at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Ops - Someone wasn’t supervising
We have a technical term to describe things like this in new construction “Piss Poor Planning” photos by Black Cat Inspector Josh Hedges. Oh, Oh, gaps are always appropriate in “solid” blocking, joist should bear on top of a sill plate crossing a foundation vent and this blocking doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of this vent - RIGHT? Gotta love today’s new home builders. Concerned about your newly constructed home and its builder? Let one of our inspectors check it out at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Doug on his 8 AM New Construction Inspection
Our Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons on his 8 AM new construction inspection for agent Holly Sparks client in Bermuda Run. Inspector Gerald Rutledge is there as well conducting his own practice/training inspection. Emily Cabrera will be there to set a radon monitor. Our folk, including The Old Man, are up and rolling early on a Saturday morning. We provide extensive training, supervision, managment, and report review, for all of our inspectors. We train how to BE a home inspector, how to DO home inspections, and review every report to assure accuracy, far beyond the technical issues addressed in their classroom training. Everything we do is a team effort. We have you covered seven days a week at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Friday, February 23, 2024
Josh and Emily on their 4 PM New Construction Inspection in Summerfield
Black Cat Inspectors Josh Hedges and Emily Cabrera are conducting an inspection on a newly constructed home for agent Zach Faske’s client in Summerfield. As Josh is conducting the inspection Emily is setting a radon test, and conducting a mold inspection including air and swab samples. Need a newly constructed home inspected including mold inspection mold testing and radon testing? Who you going to call? www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Doug and Gerald on their 9 AM Apartment Building Inspection
Our Black Cat inspectors Doug Simmons and Gerald Rutledge are inspecting a six unit apartment building this morning in Winston-Salem for Charlotte agent, Peter Rieke’s, client. If they are pleased with this one two larger buildings may be forthcoming. Yes, we do multifamily housing throughout North Carolina and, depending on the size, in all US States and territories. Is there a size limit? Absolutely not. Request a quote on yours at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Josh on His 8 AM Commercial Inspection in Pilot Mountain
Black Cat Inspector, Josh Hedges, on his 10,000 SF 8 AM commercial restaurant building inspection for agent Bryant Brantley's client in Pilot Mountain. Click Here for additional information. Request quotes for your commercial building inspections at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Strange and Unusual
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| Photo by Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons |
How many of us with aging parents, in older home, or involved with real estate transactions are confronted with washers and dryers in basements and need to move them upstairs for easier safer access or have dryers moved to strange places such as bedroom, bathrooms and closets?
Imagine this, a 20-year-old home receives major renovations including awesome enlarged kitchen by moving the laundry washer and dryer to the basement garage and not venting it outside. 26 years and over 7,000 homes, that is a first.
"Improper venting of a dryer typically result in moisture being deposited in various areas of the room. Moist air serves as a breeding ground for mold-and-mildew when it condensates on different surfaces. You want to exhaust the dryer outside rather than indoors to properly vent your dryer." Not to mention that it is a code violation.
Our Firefighter Concerned About YOUR safety
Our Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons, who made this photo, is also a full time Winston-Salem Firefighter. It is fascinating his insight on some issues. He is the guy who may have to turn this gas valve of in the event of a fire. His comment: "Inadequate Clearance At Main Valve. There is inadequate clearance at the main gas shut off valve. The gas shut off valve should have enough clearance that gas service to the residence can be shut off in a timely manner in the event of an emergency. Having the gas service shut of valve partially buried can all allow dirt and debris to enter the valve rendering it ineffective."
Adequate Ridge Beam?
Ridge beams should be a size larger that the rafters bearing on it or the full depth of the rafter cut. Do you see that here? Photo by Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons
Obviously cutting a large hole through a main floor support girder isn't an issue.
OMG - Obviously cutting a large hole thorough a main floor support girder isn't an issue. The house will not collapse if that girder fails. What were they thinking? Photo by Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons.
The Elusive Old Man
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| Photo credit to Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons |
As the Black Cat, up to now eight inspectors, and more coming, are taking over field operations across North Carolina, The Old Man has become more and more elusive. Never fear that he, his gray hair, beard, ponytail, and signature hat, does appear now and then. He even entered a crawlspace this week training. He hasn't become an illusion yet. He does leave Spanish to Emily and French to Matthew. A chance of an appearance multiples with old, historic, difficult and commercial inspections. For a chance of a sighting book your next inspection, with any of our inspectors, at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
What A Client Thinks
A random comment on a Facebook post today about how long our founder has been around from a client worked with in 2016. Age plus years as a home inspector equals 99.
"The most through, knowledgeable and professional inspector I've every had the pleasure of working with when I purchased a home in Winston-Salem years ago (2016). I just wished you were available in Atlanta, GA."
If You Are Curious If Main Floor Support Girders Are Important Ask A Plumber
If you are curious if main floor support girders are important, no problem, ask a plumber. Obviously they are irrelevant. Photo by our Black Cat Inspector Josh Hedges.
Ops, Does This Appear Appropriate To You?
Photo by our own Black Cat Inspector Emily Cabrera. How do you explain that in Spanish Emily?
Emily has received my picky Realtor brides seal of approval. Need an inspection in English, Spanish, or both? Emily is your girl! Book her for your home inspection at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Coming Soon - Our website and inspections in French
Doug's 8 AM Home Inspection in Kernersville
Black Cat Inspector, Doug Simmons, 8 AM home inspection with agent, Ty Keating's, client. Curious about us? Ask Ty! Interestingly we have inspected a home for two of the four buyers previously. Book Doug for your next home inspection at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
A "Little" Foundation Movement
A "little" foundation movement. Photos by our Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons.
How to fix a failing foundation support pier
How to fix a failing foundation support pier. NOT - Photo by our Black Cat Inspector Doug Simmons.
Monday, February 19, 2024
Black Cat Inspector Emily Cabrera on Her 2 PM Home Inspection
Black Cat Inspector, Emily Cabrera, on her 2 PM home inspection with agent, Pam Hilton's, client. Doesn't that name sound familiar? Know that if I place one of our home inspectors on an inspection with one of my wife's clients that they are top notch and beyond appropriate for that home. GrandPam was very impressed with Emily, and you will be as well, even in Spanish, if needed. Book your next home inspection with Emily at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com
Black Cat Inspector Josh Hedges Noon Inspection Greensboro
Black Cat Inspector, Josh Hedges, on his noon home inspection in Greensboro. Book Josh for your next home inspection at www.blackcatinspectionservices.com Josh is likely to show up on your commercial inspections as well.
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