BUILDING KNOWLEDGE LLC

Looks great! Know what they're doing...very professional. Thanks!

I love Building Knowledge and working with Jack Semones. I hired Building Knowledge to inspect a home prior to purchase. I ended up deciding not to buy the home, but I am thrilled with how thorough and well documented Jack's inspections are. Building Knowledge engaged separate contractors to provide Radon testing and check for bugs (termite inspection in Georgia is an absolute necessity). They chose their subcontractors well and I am completely satisfied with their results, but Jack's inspection is where they really shined. Jack takes several hours to carefully examine the house from top to bottom, including going into basements, attics, inside cabinets, checking electrical equipment, wiring, appliances, furnace, air conditioning, plumbing, and all fixtures. The only thing they cannot inspect is the roof (their insurance does not permit them to climb onto a roof). For that, I highly recommend a separate roof inspection, as roofs can be the source of many expensive problems. In any case, back to Building Knowledge. Jack carefully documents everything and provides an extremely detailed 40-ish page written report with pictures and written notes on every item. Jack is incredibly knowledgeable and carefully answered all of my questions, always providing suggestions explaining what solutions are available for problems found and what the consequences may look like if the problem is left unaddressed. Though I did not buy the first house Jack inspected for me, I was so happy with his work that I hired him again, and again! In all Jack inspected 3 homes for me before I found one within my budget that didn't have any deal breaking problems. I am thrilled with how thorough and careful his documentation is, and I fully intend to hire him again if I buy another home in the future. Note that the price listed on this review includes 3 inspections: general home inspection 48 hour radon testing pest inspection (including Georgia wood boring organisms letter, AKA the termite letter)

It went perfectly all three times. They left nothing out of their inspections. The reports were detailed with pictures showing each problem found. They also include helpful pictures, like showing the locations of the water and gas turn offs. The items they found could never have been found by a home buyer. I passed on two homes and am buying the third. I consider it money well spent and much money saved.

Duane arrived on time, was professional, and he helpfully explained the mold inspection process. I felt the inspection was thorough and that by the time he left I understood how it worked.

My real estate agent recommended Adam with Building Knowledge to complete the inspection on the condo I was purchasing. I was a first time home buyer and it's a small place so Adam took the time to walk me through everything he found and answered all of my questions. He explains things in way that easy to understand for people who don't do this every day. Overall, he was very thorough and exceeded my expectations. I will probably use them again in the future.

I would heartily recommend Building Knowledge without reservation to anyone in need of a home inspection, and have, in fact, requested their services for a subsequent home inspection. 

Booked my appointment online with Building Knowledge. Roland was very nice and professional. He arrived within the time frame and finished quickly. I am buying a small condo so he finished quickly. He inspected everything within the condo and even came out on the weekend. He a walked me through everything he was looking at and even gave me some good tips as a first time homeowner.

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He found a pipe that was put into concrete, out of place. It was the electrical ground. He said they could put a box to cover it with access through the garage, but said the best thing to do and what he would write up, is to break up the concrete it was in and bend the thing back into the wall when the wall was put in. 

The builder agreed with the inspector in almost everything, and, when he didn't, the inspector had already warned me that it wasn't necessary, nor a code issue, so it wasn't serious at all if he didn't. 

The inspector told me that I had a good, quality builder, that it was obvious that he'd built quite a few condos like mine becuase it seemed that he had plugged up many of the possible errors that builders often make. When he left, he was still pointing out the marks of a quality builder to me. I wasn't frustrated or unhappy that he hadn't found as much. Instead, I felt very relieved that the inspector found it a sturdy, well built home. I am going to be living in it for years, so I felt very happy to have made the decision to build with that builder. I know curb appeal, but can say nothing about the 'bones' of the structure, but, now, I have the inspector's assurance. Coming toward closing where all you do is throw money at people, that is going to give me great peace of mind.

Adam is amazing! He was extremely meticulous checking the house and let me follow him around during the inspection. He told me all sorts of important things to know about my house that helped me to understand what I was getting myself into. I would highly recommend him for a home inspection.

thorough. professional. rather expensive i thought. would use them again.

Adam was great. From scheduling the inspection, walking the property, answering questions, and being responsive from start to finish, it was the best experience I could have hoped for. I would definitely recommend his services.

Very detailed report with recommendations and courtesy information. Extremely helpful in helping me understand the issues faced with buying an older home and considerations for repair, cost and safety. Very professional and knowledgeable.

The inspection went well and we received a written report with graphics very soon after completion. We had a meeting subsequent to the report to address the issues with our home builder present.

Having been a builder, Realtor, and worked with many home inspectors over my long career I can tell you Duane Longenecker is a good one. He's thorough and takes his time to make sure he doesn't miss anything. Would I use him again? I did; about a month after using him the first time. My wife and I just arrived in Atlanta from Orlando, FL and we opted out of a contract on an older home that had too many issues for us at this time in our life. We contacted Duane again when we contracted to buy a newer one. We'll be closing in a couple weeks.

I am beyond thankful to have been connected with Building Knowledge for my home inspection, which was performed by Roland.  His deep knowledge, attention to minute details and passion are evident.  I can't imagine having gotten through my due diligence period without his aid.  He provided an extremely thorough report, expert tips on repair/remediation and helpful suggestions.  He was available to answer any and all questions/concerns that came up afterwards.  It is rare to get to work with someone who is so passionate and caring about their job.  I am beyond appreciative for all the time, energy and assistance received.

I cannot recommend Building Knowledge's services enough.  If you are in need of a home inspection, don't give it a second thought. Hire them immediately!

My first clue that this inspection was nothing but a perfucntory step to a completion of the real estate transaction was the overly friendly greeting and banter between the inspector and my real estate agent when we met.  Of course, I was referred to Building Knowledge by the real estate agent, and apparently they are chummy.  If you want to see if your hot and cold water work, or if your toilets rock or if your dimmer switch works, then this is the company for you.  If you want a more thorough inspection I'd use someone else.  Of course, when the washer didn't work upon the first use after I moved in....I was met with "is it plugged in?"....."is the circuit breaker switch on?"... and even "did you ask the owner if it worked?"....you know, because as a woman surely I wouldn't check that. Then, when I stated the inspector didn't run a full cycle I was basically called a liar.  Then, after the repair person came out and found a completely clogged drain with GRAVEL, I got.....(1.) we have to talk to the repair person ourself (cause you know..."woman".... I am guessing about that,  they denied they have issues with woman being able to tell if a problem was more then if an appliance was plugged in)....  ( 2.) we aren't even responsible to checking that anyway (even got a cut and paste of the "guidelines!) and then "but we did anyway"...and THEN.... (3.) YES...well, of course...we knew that since the place was vacant for a year THAT was the problem.  Interesting how IF the inspector ran a full cycle 8 weeks before purchase the drain wasn't clogged, but the reason it was clogged was because the house had been vacant for year.  Then....if I were a betting person I'd bet someone "tattled" to the real estate agent about my "complaining".  Someone call the whambulance!!!!  Oh, and then....guess what??? The "expert" inspection of holding a temperature gauge to the AC works!  Only problem is THAT drain was clogged too.  Pretty evident if you just looked at the line.  I didn't even "complain" to them about that because I probably would have received another cut and paste of the things they aren't really responsible for, but SURELY check anyway.  Interesting that they know all these things could go wrong if a house sits vacant but they don't bother telling you about it.  Really wouldn't have been that big of an issue to have those lines cleaned out, IF SOMEONE TOLD ME.  Am I right?  Also, there was the issue that was buried in the written report and nothing was said verbally ( unlike the all important "the dimmer doesn't work") that took me at least 3 emails to get an explanation for....which when the response did come was  conveniently outside the 10 day due diligence period.  They were however VERY prompt in asking me to rate them and give them a review. Got several emails about that!  I intentionally held off because I was suspect from the beginning.  So, now...here's your review Building Knowledge!  Can't wait to hear their response....which I"m sure will come right after they whine to someone about me again.

UPDATE:  Dear Building Knowledge......Thank you very much for your prompt response.  Thank you for confirming what I suspected was true regarding your closeness to the real estate agent involved.  Do most agents make you aware of the financial circumstances of a listing that you have no involvement with?  Very interesting!!  .And, exactly why does the dollar amount of my house being sold have anything at all to do with a condo I was purchasing?  

As for my other "puzzling" reviews, I hope you can explain that as well.  To date I have submitted 42 reviews on Angie's List with only a few being less then an "A" rating.  

Looking forward to hearing more from you!  I've cut and pasted your response as well so we can make sure it stays up.  I simply gave a review of my experience with your company, but yet  you have to make it like I'm some crazy person.  I'm surprised you didn't use the word "hysterical" to boost your position!   I must say I'm not at all surprised at the personal attack you've made against me.  Do you want to also show my "threat" about posting a review?  I'll wait,....I still have all the emails.  There was no threat.  You have stated a falsehood, like you did with the date of my inspection and the price of the house I sold. You should stick to the truth in a public forum.  It's kinda a legal thing.  Oddly, when contacted about these false statements, Building Knowledge responded several times and then sent  another "cut and paste" of real estate records of my previous home and what seemed to me to be a suggestion of wrongdoing regarding a name change.  I'm a little concerned with the stalking aspect of the owner of this company.   Why would a business be snooping into my records??????
 

You have a great day!

FROM BUILDING KNOWLEDGE:

"Anyone reading our other 150 reviews on Angie's List can likely see right through this one (i.e. our inspections are not "perfunctory" and are extremely thorough). We are completely unsure where the claim of gender discrimination comes from, as we have female inspectors in our firm, and have absolutely no bias. She evidently got offended when we attempted to run through the basics of trouble-shooting her washing machine issue (which she does not accurately report that the problem was a maintenance/cleaning issue). Ditto with the trap on her AC drain. We performed this inspection in May and she did not occupy the property for several months. She also alludes to the fact our inspection was somehow influenced by her Realtor, which is absolutely false, and with whom we had no contact regarding this inspection afterward. We have been in this business for over 30 years and not once have been swayed even the slightest by any of the personalities involved on any of our 100,000 inspections. It's also surprising that she fails to mention that her Realtor was also the listing agent on the $1.5 million home she sold prior to purchasing this condo. This client threatened to post a negative review several times in her correspondence, to which we replied "go ahead." Any consumer these days, whether reading restaurant, neurologist, or landscaper reviews, understands that there will always be a customer whose experience is inconsistent with the vast majority. We maintain that our inspections are always unbiased, thorough, and professional, and that this client is the one with aberrant expectations, and with a need for some reason to slam us on line. It's not hard to find other puzzling reviews by this client on the internet."


NEW UPDATE:  No, Building Review.....153 reviews were not from "members", I believe it says that over half of your reviews are from "non members."  I assume that's in response to your active lobbying for reviews, as I stated I received numerous requests from you when you thought all was well to give you a review.  I'm not sure what you think I "stooped" to in finally giving you a review, unless of course you are referring to the fact I thought your company deserved an "F".  You've misstated the purchase price of my home to which you had no involvement in, the date of inspection, and what I initially wrote to you among other things.  It's obvious that you play loose with facts, and if 153 other (solicited) reviewers have given you an "A" score, then that is fine.  I gave you an F, and would give you an even lower score now after seeing your responses.   It doesn't matter what the cost of repairs were....in fact I stated getting the drains cleaned out would not have been a p

Roland consistently delivered a thorough inspection of the places, which helped us in the past to avoid purchasing a cottage in needs of a lot of repairs that were non visible to the non professional eyes.
For this last inspection of the townhouse, he provided within 72 hours a report that was well organized, easy to read and understand,  with pictures to illustrate the issues he noticed. He also suggests easy fixes or recommend a professional repair. He is also available for any follow up questions. 

Very happy. Did this pre inspection to find out what we need to do before our home went on the market.

He was excellent. He responded quickly to my request and gave me a quote on time. Since this was apart of our closing process, we needed this done in a timely fashion. He honored our obligation. He did an excellent job with the inspection and spent about 1.5 hours after walking through the house with me and showing me what the issues were. His background in construction gives him special insight into drainage issues, structural issues, and possible fixes. He provided above par service while having a very competitive price. I would use him again.

We actually had to have two homes inspected by building knowledge and we feel lucky to have had them. We first had Duane from Building knowledge inspect a home which we had under contract. Duane was able to find many problems with this home that we never would have noticed and also addressed some of our concerns. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the inspection but Duane took the time to speak extensively on the phone with me to walk me through the report. Although we liked this first house, the owner was unwilling to work with us based on the findings of this inspection and we were able to terminate our contract. 
When we found a second home, we again had Duane inspect this home for us. Again Duane did a great job and we felt comfortable knowing what we were buying. Now that we are in this house we are extremely happy we had Duane and Building Knowledge to help us in making this big purchase and would definitely recommend them for anyone needing a home inspection.

Fantastic. Adam was thorough, professional and service-oriented. I was definitely use him again.

Duane, of Building Knowledge, was EXCELLENT! He was extremely thorough. He inspected every inch of the house we are intending to buy. He took pictures of every problem he found and within less than 24 hours had sent a detailed report with explanatory photos and a written synopsis for each item. When buying a home, time is of the essence, and his detailed and expedient report gave us a major advantage. We were able to go to the home owners and present the report. Because of the thorough nature of the report, we had undeniable evidence to present to the home owner that certain repairs must be made. This was an invaluable tool! Our realtors typically work with the same inspectors, and even they admitted that this was the most thorough and detailed report they had ever received. They were quite impressed! It's worth the extra bit of money to work with this company! (Especially Duane)

Roland LeClaire came to my house to perform a home inspection. I was not looking to sell my house. I just needed a professional opinion on the current condition of my house. Roland not only answered all of my questions he told me exactly what i needed to do to fix the problems. He even went so far as to draw me a diagram to show me how to fix one of the problems. Roland also identified several problems that I did not even know that I had. Roland was extremely helpful. He did not have a problem getting in the attic and crawling around in the crawl space. Thanks Roland!! I highly recommend this service that Building Knowledge offers. Its like giving your house a physical and it only cost 275.00!