Certified Metro Detroit Home Inspection
Evergreen Home Inspections
888-320-6510 (toll-free) 313-320-6514 (cell)
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SE Michigan's Best Home Inspection and Commercial Property Inspection Value
Certified home inspector, commercial building inspection, apartment building inspection, and industrial building inspection services for the Detroit, Ann Arbor, Pontiac, Monroe, Brighton, and Mt Clemens areas
NACHI certified home inspector -- Insured -- Experienced old house renovator
Computer-printed photo report can be produced on site.
Exceptional photo quality for home inspections.
Flexible scheduling – same day possible, available 7 days/week
If you’re not satisfied with the quality of your inspection you pay nothing
Customized, not generic software-generated, comments on findings
Very low cost options (such as "run through" inspections, verbal reports
with emailed photos, etc.) available for investors, pre-offer inspections, etc.
Frank Bartlo
NACHI Certified Inspector ID# 04081281
Michigan Builder’s License # 2101157200
Certified home inspector, commercial building inspection, apartment building inspection, and industrial building inspection services for the Detroit, Ann Arbor, Pontiac, Monroe, Brighton, and Mt Clemens areas
| Evergreen Home Inspections 313-320-6514 (cell) 888-320-6510 (toll-free) (minutes may be charged anyway when calling toll-free # from cell phones) call and compare! |
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Very thorough home inspector, easy to understand reports, very reasonable rates (click link for PDF sample inspection report: normal (broadband) low-resolution (dial-up) note:may need to hit "BACK" button to return to page after viewing sample report, depending upon your browser |
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NACHI certified home inspector -- Insured -- Experienced old house renovator
Computer-printed photo report can be produced on site.
Exceptional photo quality for home inspections.
Flexible scheduling – same day possible, available 7 days/week
If you’re not satisfied with the quality of your inspection you pay nothing
Customized, not generic software-generated, comments on findings
Very low cost options (such as "run through" inspections, verbal reports
with emailed photos, etc.) available for investors, pre-offer inspections, etc.
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NACHI Certified Inspector ID# 04081281
Michigan Builder’s License # 2101157200
Best Metro Detroit Home Inspection, Apartment Building, Industrial Property, and Commercial Property Inspection Value
Evergreen Home Inspections specializes in residential home, condo, commercial, industrial, and multi-family apartment building inspection services in Detroit and SE Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, and the Monroe and Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti areas. My commitment as a home inspector is to provide an accurate, extremely thorough inspection with a very easy to understand report at a very reasonable rate. Budget inspections in which only items pertinent to a buyer's contingency are reported are available at a lower cost. For more detailed rates click the link to the following page: Home Inspection Services and Fees.
Many of my clients who have bought homes before have told me they were amazed at the difference between my inspection and the prior inspections that were done for them. This has usually been followed by a discussion about all the problems they've been dealing with in their house their prior inspector who was "in and out in about an hour" failed to mention.
If you are not satisfied with the quality of your home inspection, you do not have to pay for it. This has yet to happen. In most cases your inspection will pay for itself many times over.
I enjoy doing property inspections. Every building is an adventure in itself, especially the older homes. This enthusiasm translates into a good inspection.
Flexible scheduling 7 days/week -- same day scheduling possible
Available on short notice, including evening and weekend appointments, with same day appointments possible, subject to scheduling conflicts and/or daylight considerations. Available weekends. Call 313-320-6514 (cell phone) or 888-320-6510 (toll-free) any time to schedule your inspection.
Many of my clients who have bought homes before have told me they were amazed at the difference between my inspection and the prior inspections that were done for them. This has usually been followed by a discussion about all the problems they've been dealing with in their house their prior inspector who was "in and out in about an hour" failed to mention.
If you are not satisfied with the quality of your home inspection, you do not have to pay for it. This has yet to happen. In most cases your inspection will pay for itself many times over.
I enjoy doing property inspections. Every building is an adventure in itself, especially the older homes. This enthusiasm translates into a good inspection.
Flexible scheduling 7 days/week -- same day scheduling possible
Available on short notice, including evening and weekend appointments, with same day appointments possible, subject to scheduling conflicts and/or daylight considerations. Available weekends. Call 313-320-6514 (cell phone) or 888-320-6510 (toll-free) any time to schedule your inspection.
Qualifications: NACHI Certified Home Inspector, Insured, Licensed Builder, and Experienced Renovator
Michigan has no licensing of home inspectors, so it is important that you check out the credentials of any home inspector you wish to hire. While credentials certainly don't guarantee the quality of someone's work, they're a good place to start. Here are some of my qualifications:
1) Certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI, ID# 04081281). NACHI "front ends" its strict membership requirements, which can be found here: NACHI certified home inspector requirements. This link includes the NACHI home inspector exam that NACHI members must pass, which you can take yourself at no cost. NACHI inspectors must observe the strict standards of practice and code of ethics and keep their skills up to date with ongoing training. Michigan has no licensing for home inspectors at the time this is published (April 5, 2007), so it is important to make sure your inspector is qualified. NACHI provides extensive support, including a message board on which any member can get expert input on the most unusual and puzzling inspection findings. So when you hire a NACHI inspector, you're hiring a team of hundreds of experts! NACHI: "Inspected once, inspected right."
NACHI vs. ASHI vs. NAHI? There are several home inspectors' certification organizations, and their members often get into squabbles that I think are downright silly. Back when my home inspection business got started I chose NACHI, and I've remained loyal to NACHI because they’ve been very good to me, and good for my clients as well.
To see what my clients have to say about my home inspection work (including one of my first few clients), see the following link: Detroit home inspection raves.
There is virtually no difference between the standards of practice for ASHI, NACHI, and NAHI, but none of them are up to my standards of practice: they only require an inspector to test "a representative number" of electrical outlets, probe "a representative number" of structural components where deterioration is suspected, etc. Testing a "representative number" of electrical outlets, structurally questionable areas, etc. just will not do for my building inspections: I check out everything that is accessible and safe to inspect. Everything. My home inspections don't just meet NACHI, ASHI, NAHI, or anybody else’s standards of practice; they go well above and beyond these standards!
For example, occasionally electrical outlets are found in the course of a property inspection that look perfectly OK, but are dangerously improperly wired, sometimes with a "hot" ground wire, or other problems that can cause an electric shock, damage electrical equipment, and/or even burn a house down! Chances are most of these would not even have been found had only a "representative number" of outlets been tested.
2) Licensed builder (Michigan builder's license # 2101157200). Trained at Middleton Real Estate Training, and passed the Michigan licensing exam to get the license.
3) Home renovation experience since 1989, full-time from 1997 to 2004, including maintenance of numerous residential rental properties. This experience has taught me about older systems and construction practices, and has given me a great deal of practical knowledge of what is expected in the normal aging of buildings and systems, as opposed to which conditions really need attention. Most Detroit, Pontiac and Ann Arbor area homes were built before 1970, and many still have older systems. I've also learned many low-cost property repair and maintenance techniques, which I'll pass on to you.
4) Insured. Though I don't ever expect to have to use it, Evergreen Home Inspections is insured for all typical liabilities a home inspector may face. I will answer any questions you might have about the policy and/or provide a certificate or copy thereof upon request. Futhermore, no client or agent shall be liable for any incidental loss or injury I may incur during a home inspection.
Honest, Balanced, and Very Thorough Inspections
I inspect all features of the house that are accessible and safe to inspect for safety, structural soundness, and functionality. Click the following link to the Scope of the home inspection page for more detailed information. I have a reputation as an extremely thorough inspector. My aim is also to put our findings in perspective: to give important matters their due consideration, but also not to overstate conditions that are unlikely to affect your enjoyment of your future home. I will report every visible defect, point out positive attributes of the house, and will always emphasize the distinction between major safety issues and matters of little consequence, costly necessary repairs and easy, inexpensive fixes, and will give you a straight and honest call as to what to expect and prepare for in the future.
A vast majority of the serious safety issues that are found in most inspections, such as incorrectly rated circuit breakers or fuses, are very easy and inexpensive to correct. My objective is to tell it like it is, not to make mountains out of molehills. I've been a buyer, seller, and agent, so I know how important it is for an inspection to be accurate and balanced.
Regarding on-site reporting
While I can and often produce full pre-purchase inspection reports on site, I usually go over all the significant findings in detail at the end of an inspection (and often during the inspection -- I like to point things out directly when possible), provide a written report of the major findings that affect a buyer's inspection contingency on site, and complete the remainder of the report after the inspection. This is because I do not cut corners. Make no mistake, for a typical house that it 40 years or more old, it usually takes quite a bit of time to prepare a report that is 35-45 pages long with photos, some of which have graphic content (arrows, etc.) and/or require a bit of editing for brightness, contrast, etc. due to the conditions under which they were taken (typically far from a photo studio). Inspectors who provide full reports on site almost always use software that generates generic, "one size fits all" comments on the findings, which are often too technical for most people to understand, not specific enough to be of any use for do-it-yourself remodelers, and often don't even apply to the situation at hand.
For example, such software very often recommends immediate replacement of old mechanical systems, such as gravity ("octopus") furnaces and electrical fuse boxes that may be very safe and in excellent condition. I report them as such, and state any potential problems that may arise, life expectancy issues, and reasons one might want to update them (lower heat costs for modern furnaces, etc.). In fact, gravity furnaces -- however inefficient they may be -- have a very simple design, and could outlast a new furnace, though the higher heat bills may cost several times the cost of a new furnace installation during that period. Also, few people are aware that properly rated fuses provide more reliable circuit protection than circuit breakers. Circuit breakers are used in modern household electrical installations because of convenience.
My inspection of a 1500 square foot house in typical condition is likely to take about 3 hours or more, depending upon what is found. It does not make sense to cut corners on evaluation of the biggest investment you are likely to make, upon which your life and health may depend. The full report sometimes takes even longer to prepare. I provide a great deal of value for your money. You and any interested parties are encouraged to accompany me during the inspection, and record the inspection in any way you wish, subject to the current owner and/or their agent's approval. I will answer any questions you have and explain what needs to be done to keep your home in good condition.
Serving all of SE Michigan and metro Detroit home inspection and commercial property inspection needs.
Evergreen Home Inspections provides home inspection and commercial property inspection services for all of southeast Michigan, encompassing all of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, and much of Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, and Lapeer counties. Cities and municipalities served include, but are by no means limited to: Allen Park, Almont, Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Belleville, Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Brighton, Brownstown, Canton, Chelsea, Clawson, Clinton Township, Commerce, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Disco, Dixboro, Dundee, Eastpointe, Ecorse, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Flat Rock, Franklin, Garden City, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Harrison Township, Hazel Park, Hell, Highland Park, Huntington Woods, Inkster, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Luna Pier, Macomb Township, Madison Heights, Melvindale, Milford, Monroe, Mt. Clemens, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Plymouth, Pontiac, Redford, Richmond, River Rouge, Riverview, Rochester Hills, Romulus, Roseville, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Saline, Scio Township, Shelby Township, South Lyon, Southfield, Southgate, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Sumpter Township, Taylor, Temperance, Trenton, Troy, Union Lake, Utica, Walled Lake, Warren, Waterford, Wayne, West Bloomfield, Westland, White Lake, Wixom, Woodhaven. Wyandotte, and Ypsilanti.
NACHI vs. ASHI vs. NAHI? There are several home inspectors' certification organizations, and their members often get into squabbles that I think are downright silly. Back when my home inspection business got started I chose NACHI, and I've remained loyal to NACHI because they’ve been very good to me, and good for my clients as well.
To see what my clients have to say about my home inspection work (including one of my first few clients), see the following link: Detroit home inspection raves.
There is virtually no difference between the standards of practice for ASHI, NACHI, and NAHI, but none of them are up to my standards of practice: they only require an inspector to test "a representative number" of electrical outlets, probe "a representative number" of structural components where deterioration is suspected, etc. Testing a "representative number" of electrical outlets, structurally questionable areas, etc. just will not do for my building inspections: I check out everything that is accessible and safe to inspect. Everything. My home inspections don't just meet NACHI, ASHI, NAHI, or anybody else’s standards of practice; they go well above and beyond these standards!
For example, occasionally electrical outlets are found in the course of a property inspection that look perfectly OK, but are dangerously improperly wired, sometimes with a "hot" ground wire, or other problems that can cause an electric shock, damage electrical equipment, and/or even burn a house down! Chances are most of these would not even have been found had only a "representative number" of outlets been tested.
2) Licensed builder (Michigan builder's license # 2101157200). Trained at Middleton Real Estate Training, and passed the Michigan licensing exam to get the license.
3) Home renovation experience since 1989, full-time from 1997 to 2004, including maintenance of numerous residential rental properties. This experience has taught me about older systems and construction practices, and has given me a great deal of practical knowledge of what is expected in the normal aging of buildings and systems, as opposed to which conditions really need attention. Most Detroit, Pontiac and Ann Arbor area homes were built before 1970, and many still have older systems. I've also learned many low-cost property repair and maintenance techniques, which I'll pass on to you.
4) Insured. Though I don't ever expect to have to use it, Evergreen Home Inspections is insured for all typical liabilities a home inspector may face. I will answer any questions you might have about the policy and/or provide a certificate or copy thereof upon request. Futhermore, no client or agent shall be liable for any incidental loss or injury I may incur during a home inspection.
Honest, Balanced, and Very Thorough Inspections
I inspect all features of the house that are accessible and safe to inspect for safety, structural soundness, and functionality. Click the following link to the Scope of the home inspection page for more detailed information. I have a reputation as an extremely thorough inspector. My aim is also to put our findings in perspective: to give important matters their due consideration, but also not to overstate conditions that are unlikely to affect your enjoyment of your future home. I will report every visible defect, point out positive attributes of the house, and will always emphasize the distinction between major safety issues and matters of little consequence, costly necessary repairs and easy, inexpensive fixes, and will give you a straight and honest call as to what to expect and prepare for in the future.
A vast majority of the serious safety issues that are found in most inspections, such as incorrectly rated circuit breakers or fuses, are very easy and inexpensive to correct. My objective is to tell it like it is, not to make mountains out of molehills. I've been a buyer, seller, and agent, so I know how important it is for an inspection to be accurate and balanced.
Regarding on-site reporting
While I can and often produce full pre-purchase inspection reports on site, I usually go over all the significant findings in detail at the end of an inspection (and often during the inspection -- I like to point things out directly when possible), provide a written report of the major findings that affect a buyer's inspection contingency on site, and complete the remainder of the report after the inspection. This is because I do not cut corners. Make no mistake, for a typical house that it 40 years or more old, it usually takes quite a bit of time to prepare a report that is 35-45 pages long with photos, some of which have graphic content (arrows, etc.) and/or require a bit of editing for brightness, contrast, etc. due to the conditions under which they were taken (typically far from a photo studio). Inspectors who provide full reports on site almost always use software that generates generic, "one size fits all" comments on the findings, which are often too technical for most people to understand, not specific enough to be of any use for do-it-yourself remodelers, and often don't even apply to the situation at hand.
For example, such software very often recommends immediate replacement of old mechanical systems, such as gravity ("octopus") furnaces and electrical fuse boxes that may be very safe and in excellent condition. I report them as such, and state any potential problems that may arise, life expectancy issues, and reasons one might want to update them (lower heat costs for modern furnaces, etc.). In fact, gravity furnaces -- however inefficient they may be -- have a very simple design, and could outlast a new furnace, though the higher heat bills may cost several times the cost of a new furnace installation during that period. Also, few people are aware that properly rated fuses provide more reliable circuit protection than circuit breakers. Circuit breakers are used in modern household electrical installations because of convenience.
My inspection of a 1500 square foot house in typical condition is likely to take about 3 hours or more, depending upon what is found. It does not make sense to cut corners on evaluation of the biggest investment you are likely to make, upon which your life and health may depend. The full report sometimes takes even longer to prepare. I provide a great deal of value for your money. You and any interested parties are encouraged to accompany me during the inspection, and record the inspection in any way you wish, subject to the current owner and/or their agent's approval. I will answer any questions you have and explain what needs to be done to keep your home in good condition.
Serving all of SE Michigan and metro Detroit home inspection and commercial property inspection needs.
Evergreen Home Inspections provides home inspection and commercial property inspection services for all of southeast Michigan, encompassing all of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, and much of Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, and Lapeer counties. Cities and municipalities served include, but are by no means limited to: Allen Park, Almont, Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Belleville, Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Brighton, Brownstown, Canton, Chelsea, Clawson, Clinton Township, Commerce, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Disco, Dixboro, Dundee, Eastpointe, Ecorse, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Flat Rock, Franklin, Garden City, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Harrison Township, Hazel Park, Hell, Highland Park, Huntington Woods, Inkster, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Luna Pier, Macomb Township, Madison Heights, Melvindale, Milford, Monroe, Mt. Clemens, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Plymouth, Pontiac, Redford, Richmond, River Rouge, Riverview, Rochester Hills, Romulus, Roseville, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Saline, Scio Township, Shelby Township, South Lyon, Southfield, Southgate, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Sumpter Township, Taylor, Temperance, Trenton, Troy, Union Lake, Utica, Walled Lake, Warren, Waterford, Wayne, West Bloomfield, Westland, White Lake, Wixom, Woodhaven. Wyandotte, and Ypsilanti.
Frank Bartlo
Evergreen Home Inspections
Call (313) 320-6514 (cell phone)
or (888) 320-6510 (toll-free)
9am-10pm Eastern Time
Fax: 313-336-0026
Email: b387@sbcglobal.net
Evergreen Home Inspections
Call (313) 320-6514 (cell phone)
or (888) 320-6510 (toll-free)
9am-10pm Eastern Time
Fax: 313-336-0026
Email: b387@sbcglobal.net
