Nolan Kienitz

Both Listing Agent and Buyer's Agent showed up this AM for today's 4-story townhome inspection.

Everyone hung out for entire inspection along with husband/wife buyers and Mom and Dad. Actually we all had a good time.

This is highly unusual for me as I seldom ever see an agent as access is via Suprakey and we no longer are required to get a CBS code. A large percentage of the time the agent didn't have the right CBS code anyway ... so the associations did away with the requirement a few years ago.

Clay Collings or Paul Roebuck are two names that come to mind in Houston. Both are heavily involved in teaching continuing ed courses as well as promoting inspector association education through TPREIA http://www.tpreia.com/inspectors.html

I have dealt with both and can attest to their character and knowledge.

Jim's offerings are excellent folks and I can also add Mike Cothran. He, along with Clay and Paul are excellent.

If I were still living and inspecting in Houston I would choose me (no pride here), but I've referred many of my former Houston area clients to all three of these folks noted.

All very good.

Typically I get paid at the time of the inspection. If client is out of town or won't be there I get paid in advance.

Sometimes we do paperwork when inspection starts or sometimes at the end.

I figured I could add some spike strips to my supply of tools if I had a client who was balking at paying. []

So far ... after 15 years ... no issues encountered.

Merry Christmas

... forecast to be mid-70s (F) here today

Zinsco products are about as bad as Federal Pacifics.

I recommend replacement everytime I run across one.

... and Why the Same Won't Happen in Your State

This is from The Scientific American

3 Reasons Hawaii Put the Brakes on Solar ...

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Flipside of the state from Mark Cramer, but he might know of someone over there he would recommend ??

Yumm ... blue cheese, roast beef and carmalized onions ... []

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Well, checked with business services Alberta, license # must be shown on clients report not required on website.

Leighton

I'm guessing that "business services" controls the issuing and related rules for your inspector's license?

Same in Texas ... we're required to have our license number visible all the time on all documents, advertising, etc..

I'm curious why you use logos on your photos. Since reports have limited distribution it does not seem that they are likely to be copied.

It has just been a 'legacy' thing that I've been doing for near 15-years. Guess it's time for a change.

[]

I guess I should make my logo a tad smaller as well. This is what I'm currently using.

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Nasty flex drain connections ... I hate 'em.

My grandfather (when he homesteaded in NE Montana in the late 1890s and early 1900s built a sizeable barn. As with many things time took it's toll and it fell down after many years of neglect. I was living in Salt Lake City at the time (during my first marriage) and my wife and I recovered a bunch of the original barn boards, hauled them to SLC and put them on one of our basement walls.

How I wish those 'aged boards' could have been more transportable.

I have no clue as to status of those barn boards today. It is possible the follow on homeowners may not have even had a clue.

Such memories.

Les - great wood to collect.

Kind of cool ...

[utube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6X82g2UZOs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344">

You have double-posted this request.

As I replied there maybe try putting new batteries in the T-stat first. That is the simplest approach ... then go from there.

Maybe change the battery in the T-stat.

What is the practical significance of the little light on GFI's? I was in a kitchen where a couple of these lights were not lit but the other ones were. They still tripped and re-set OK when tested with the buttons.

Evidently no practical significance at all.

Marc

I think they are there with different operational modes just so that Mike Lamb would ask the question: Why? []

Pulled out my generator yesterday, filled it with ten gallons, pulled the cord a dozen times with no results. Then I turned the switch on and it started on the first pull. Senior moments happen at the strangest times.

But the latest reports put it out to sea.

I could not resist ... [^]

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Engineering group from Stevens Institute of Technology has put together one heckuva house.

The Sure House - Stevens Institute of Technology

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I love trains ...

#2 Rail lines pulls me into the image and along the line to who knows where?

#1 for me is a setting sun and extremely settling/relaxing.

#3 doesn't float my boat.

Common sense just doesn't apply it seems. Exhaust fan should be where the majority if the humidity is generated ... as well as the toilet closet.

Most newer construction down here has exhaust fans in both locations.

Guess we're lucky.

Crystals for the frequency noted on the case. They were cut to oscillate/operate only at the specific frequency.

Tunable VFOs were not available back in the day.

There are some ham radio operators who build QRP (low power) rigs that are crystal based and when they post for a QSO (conversation) they say they are "rock bound" ... as they are using a crystal.

So, I wonder ...

Did they get FAA approval for the drone flight and was the drone and operator properly licensed or credentialed or whatever they require for those things?

Fires burning in virtually all the fireplaces, water running in the sink, burners on ... just waiting for the skillets to cook dinner.

Quite amazing ...

What license would that be? As far as I know that "license" is only internet myth.

Ben,

I have no clue ... those are just my 'musings'. I do know that the FAA is reviewing things regarding drones and their use, but don't know any discreet details.

Again ... I was just thinking off the top of my head.