By MARTHA ENTWISTLE

Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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Even though he's an experienced builder, Austin Taylor wanted a professional inspection done on the house he and his wife, Mary, are buying in Portland's Deering neighborhood.

Before he started his current job at Bath Iron Works, Taylor spent five years building houses. With his construction know-how, couldn't he inspect the house himself and save the $300 expense of a home inspection? Perhaps, but Taylor wanted to avoid what he calls the "gotta-have-it syndrome."

"I think it happens to a lot of people. You find a house that seems perfect for you and you gotta have it. Once you get in that mind set, it's easy to lose your objectivity and not see flaws in the house," he says.

Taylor got the names of three home inspectors from his real-estate agent. After studying their brochures and making phone calls, he settled on Tom Caron, of Northeast Inspection Services, in Cape Elizabeth. He liked Caron's background, which includes 30 years' experience in construction as a general contractor, development site manager and engineering draftsman.

"Compared to the cost of the house, the cost of the inspection is minimal, and it helps you feel so much more comfortable and confident with your choice," Taylor says.

Taylor also notes he has no expertise in local building codes, plumbing or electrical systems. A standard inspection includes an examination of these and other household systems. In addition, an inspector typically offers optional testing for health and safety hazards.

"I had taken a close look at the house, but I was concerned about any hidden hazards that might exist and what it would entail to fix any problems. The house was built in 1959, and because of the vintage, I wanted to have a professional inspector take a look," Taylor says.

Taylor had a list of questions for Caron. He wanted him to check out a drainage repair in the cellar to ensure that the repair was done in accordance with local codes. He was also concerned about the wiring, which wasn't updated. "Tom gave me the information I needed about the drainage repair. He also assured me that the wiring was safe. He suspected that our insurance company would require us to have circuit breakers installed, and he was exactly right about that," he says.

Caron says guidance — pointing out what needs to be fixed, what problems may arise, and whether it's a do-it-yourself fix or a professionals-only job — is a big part of the service he provides home buyers.

Nothing major came up during the inspection of Taylor's new home. If an inspection does reveal a problem, however, an inspector's report can be used as a basis for negotiating a price reduction with the seller, Taylor points out.

A basic inspection takes about two hours and is attended by the buyers and real-estate agent. During the inspection, Caron leads the group on a systematic walk-through of the property, moving around the outside of the building, to the inside, through the cellar and attic. Along the way, he makes observations and answers questions. He manually checks doors, windows and electrical outlets to make sure they operate correctly. To test for other problems, he uses special tools, such as a moisture detector to test for humidity in wood, and an infrared thermometer to check circuit breaker panels.

After the inspection, Caron provides a 12- to 17-page written report covering the structural components, exterior, roof, electrical system, heating, insulation, plumbing, interior, and appliances. The report includes information on maintenance and environmental hazards, as well as an overview of the property.

What problems does he see most often during an inspection? Caron says water is public enemy No. 1 for houses. It's common to see localized rot on the outside of a house, usually caused by roof runoff.

Many inspectors offer additional testing services. Caron and others highly recommend that buyers test for water quality, septic analysis and radon.

"All of these tests are really important because it can be extremely expensive to fix problems. A failed septic system can cost $4,000 to $6,000 to repair. If there's radon in the water, that's a $5,000 fix," says Brian Linscott, a real-estate agent with Linscott Real Estate in South Portland.

Linscott and Caron have both seen several instances where septic testing has alerted a buyer to a failed septic system. A couple years ago, Caron did a septic test on a house in a local community and couldn't find a leach field. He finally discovered there was no leach field. Raw sewage was being pumped from the house into a tidal marsh 50 feet away. The seller of the house had no idea that there was no septic system. And, the potential buyer was pleased to learn about this major problem before he signed a deal.

What about mold? Much has been written about the dangers of household mold recently. Is this something a buyer should worry about?

"People worry a lot about mold, but the fact is that not all mold is toxic," Caron says. And, toxic mold is relatively rare, he says. To further complicate this touchy subject, there is no protocol for mold testing. Because of this, the state has mandated that testing for mold should be avoided whenever possible. For these reasons, not all inspectors will test for mold.

If requested, Caron will conduct preliminary testing. As with other parts of the inspection, he sees his role as advisory. If necessary, he can help the buyer take the next step, help them get more information about further testing and removal services.

Twenty-five states have licensure requirements for home inspectors, but Maine is not one of them. If you're looking for a home inspector, Linscott says a trusted real-estate agent can usually provide a buyer with the names of several inspectors. Caron suggests that buyers also look to a professional organization called the Maine Coalition of Home Inspection Professionals (MeCHIPS). The active members of this organization are highly qualified inspectors, he says.

Martha Entwistle is a free-lance writer who lives in Cape Elizabeth.

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