Telephone consultations

In the past the Federal Trade Commission has estimated that one out of every two car repairs was unnecessary or performed improperly. For home improvement work we would guess that two out of three repairs are unnecessary or performed improperly. The worst of these are basement waterproofing jobs and replacement of chimney liners.

We have performed over 15,000 inspections of houses and another 2500 commercial inspections. Over 95% of basements in the mid-Atlantic area do not need to be retrofitted with drain tile and sump pump systems that do not work when there is a power failure. Our advice on creating and maintaining proper exterior drainage has led to our being interviewed many times on National Public Radio station WAMU as well as being featured in an article in the Washington Post. Of all of our clients over a forty year period, no one has ever suggested that our advice on drainage was incorrect or untimely.

We have known many homeowners who have been frightened or compelled to reline the chimneys of their fireplaces. We consider these “repairs,” which normally cost more than $10,000, a complete scam. Keep in mind that the fees paid to have your chimney swept are usually so modest that they cannot cover the contractor’s cost of insurance or transport to your house. The fees are kept low to allow a contractor to get his foot in your door. It is regrettable that a few years ago the Howard County Council mandated that all landlords must have the chimneys of the rental property inspected. This has perhaps resulted in millions of dollars in unnecessary “repairs.”

If you need impartial professional advice on any household problem, from poor distribution of heating or air-conditioning, to remodeling your kitchen, or interviewing contractors, our telephone rates are quite modest.