Tuesday Q&A: Home inspector has seen spectacular, and even some shocking, things

Karen McGee, 54, examines every creaky hinge in the houses she inspects for clients. Western Nevada Inspection Service is her second career, after working as a teacher for 13 years at Gardnerville and Jacks Valley elementary schools and 17 years at Carson Valley Middle School as a math teacher. She still misses the kids, but McGee enjoys the looser schedule and a flexible daily routine. It's freedom every worker bee craves, especially after being at the mercy of the school bell for 30 years, she said.

Why did you decide to become a house inspector?

I enjoy looking at floor plans and interior design. I wanted to help people know what's wrong and what's right with their homes. It's also a career that's allowed me to have my own business without a lot of overhead expenses. And I don't need any employees.

Who hires you? How much do you charge on average?

I am usually hired through a Realtor to represent a home buyer. I'm also hired by homeowners getting ready to put their home on the market, or getting ready to do an addition or remodeling. The inspection cost for an average home under 2,000 square feet is $325.

What training does it require?

You must work with a master inspector or take accredited classes and do supervised inspections that are critiqued. A state test must be passed. An inspector must be licensed by the state and be insured for errors, omissions and liabilities. The cost of the insurance is about $3,500.

What's the most spectacular thing you've ever seen in someone's home?

I saw an interior waterfall that cascaded down a beautiful rock face from the ceiling to a pond in the living room.

What is the most shocking thing you've ever seen?

A bathtub draining into the crawl space was a shocking thing to see. Apparently, the plumbers forgot to hook up the drain in the new construction, and the family had been living in the house for nine months. Needless to say, things were very wet.

What are the most common problems you find?

There are many: Inadequate ventilation in the attic and crawl space, deteriorating roofing materials, trees and shrubs rubbing on the roof and siding, flower beds next to the foundation, dirty furnace filters and AC units improperly installed.

Has business been good for you because of the recent housing boom?

Yes, the recent real estate boom has definitely helped me get started because Realtors were willing to give me a try because they were getting backed up with sales and needed inspections. Business has also been good for me because of my membership in Business Networking International. In BNI, I have 30 other professional business people referring me to home owners and buyers they know.

If you could build any kind of house you wanted, what would it be and why?

I would love to build a log home in a mountain area some day. It wouldn't have to be exceptionally large, just have the necessary amenities.

Log homes have such a warm feeling and a closeness to nature that I feel many of us have lost sight of. Your home should be a place you feel most welcome.

A log home with an open, roaring fireplace on a winter's day deep in the forest is my dream.