THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 27, 1994 TAG: 9407260117
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Scott E. Davis is in the business of making sure dream houses aren't nightmares hiding under a fresh coat of paint.
Davis owns and operates one of Smithfield's newest businesses, Southeast Home Inspections. Two months ago, he launched the business, which specializes in residential, construction and sewage tank inspections, two months ago.
A home inspection is an extensive visual examination of a house to assess the property's condition and disclose any major defects to its buyers and sellers, said Davis.
The inspector identifies any problems and advises whether specialists, such as plumbers or electricians, should be contacted by individual homeowners to conduct repairs. Inspectors do not recommend specific companies to call for repairs, Davis added.
In a typical inspection, Davis will check out a building's roof, exterior, foundation, basement, structure, air conditioning and insulation. Once he completes the inspection, Davis will let owners know the building's hidden problems or conditions that could develop into future problems.
Home inspections are not required for buildings being sold. But a growing number of home buyers, sellers and Realtors are choosing to have their property checked out by a home inspector before finalizing any sales.
``Buying a home is a big investment,'' Davis said. ``Getting it inspected just reassures buyers they are getting what they pay for.''
Before opening Southeast Home Inspections, Davis spent 13 years at Newport News Shipbuilding. His last four years there were in the company's quality inspections department, where he was a nuclear inspector.
Before opening his business, Davis supplemented his work experience with related classes and obtained 60 hours of hands-on professional training from Barrett Irby, a Richmond inspector who has written books on the subject.
Davis charges a base price of $110, plus $1 per every $1,000 of the building's selling price. His rates for partial and septic tank inspections vary, depending on the specific conditions set in the contract. MEMO: For more information, call Southeast Home Inspections at 357-7994.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by ALLISON T. WILLIAMS
Scott E. Davis owns and operates one of Smithfield's newest
businesses, Southeast Home Inspections.
by CNB