http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:12:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Is there such a thing?  To a reasonable, well informed person there are no "perfectly constructed" homes.  To the unreasonable, misinformed person, the term causes a big headache in our industry. Let's elaborate on the term "reasonable".  Is it reasonable in a newly constructed home to expect there to be no drywall cracks throughout the walls? ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/perfect-construction/ I'm sure a good 90% or more of us have lost files on our computers due to a hard drive crash or by accident.  I recently found a really cool program/online account that will eliminate the fear of losing files again. Everyone has probably heard of online storage sites.  Well, this ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/sugarsync/ We've all heard about it. You should purchase a warranty or buy new construction because when "the toilet leaks at 2am on Sunday morning, you'll be covered". Well, it most definitely happens.  Actually, the story goes more like "I got up to get a midnight snack and thought I was still ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/the-famous-2am-leaking-toilet/ WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Kidde Model PI2000 Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms Units: About 94,000 Manufacturer: Walter Kidde Portable ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/kidde-recalls-dual-sensor-smoke-alarms-can-fail-to-warn-of-a-fire/ I worked for a third party warranty management company for many years before I started Cascade Builder Services.  Here was their process: 1. Homeowners would mail or fax in their warranty request forms on paper. 2. We would take that paper to the warranty inspection and write notes on it and take ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/paper-paper-and-more-paper/ As some of you may know, the House of Representatives passed the new home warranty bill, HB 1393, a couple months ago.  This bill was aiming to require all builders in Washington State to back their homes with a new home warranty.  It didn't end up being passed through the ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/should-a-builder-warranty-be-required-by-law/ Who hasn't heard someone say that about a builder because "my cousin's friend told me that their home had black mold" or something to that effect? Generally, when someone makes such a statement, it's related to a homeowner that either: 1. Didn't properly maintain their home and let small, easily fixed problems ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/that-builder-is-terrible/ The Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) needs changing.....says Governor Gregoire. Gregoire created the Climate Advisory Team (CAT) in February of 2007 and they went on to create a report in 2008 recommending to "revise the Washington State Energy Code to achieve a 30 percent reduction in new building energy ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/going-green-means-spending-green/ Builders takes great pride in the homes they build and the communities they create. It is their ultimate goal to create long term, lasting value. The homeowner has the exclusive opportunity after possession to understand and provide the appropriate maintenance for the new home. Occasional maintenance will be needed because ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/use-and-maintenance-guidelines-for-homeowners/ You may have never heard of this type business.  As far as I know, there is only one, maybe two, businesses in Washington state that provide the same service.  What service is that you ask?  Third-party warranty management for builders. How many times have you heard someone complain about their builder ... http://www.cascadehomeinspections.net/blog/index.php/who-is-cascade-builder-services/