CLAXTON WALKER & ASSOCIATES
About us
Additional Address: 2603 G. A. R. Highway, Swansea, MA 02777. HOME INSPECTION COMPANY. We have been the premier choice for home inspections and consultation for over 38 years in the Maryland, DC & Virginia area. We offer: pre-purchase & seller inspections,new construction monitoring and final inspection, remodeling inspections, commercial,condominium, special problem solving-forensic inspections. We relate our findings in a written and verbal format that allows you to understand the overall condition of the property or specific problem. Look at our web site for more details: www.ClaxtonWalker.com
Business highlights
Services we offer
AIR QUALITY, COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSPECTIONS, CONDOMINIUM INSPECTIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES & TESTING (MOLD, HOME INSPECTIONS- WE OFFER: RESIDENTIAL PRE-PURCHASE & SELLER INSPECTIONS, NEW CONSTRUCTION MONITORING AND FINAL INSPECTION, RADON TESTING, REMODELING INSPECTIONS & SPECIAL PROBLEM SOLVING/FORENSIC INSPECTIONS. WOOD BORING PEST INSPECTION, WATER, WELL & SEPTIC INSPECTIONS). WE ALSO OFFER CONDOMINIUM RESERVE STUDIES & PROJECT MANAGEMENT & LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES.
Amenities
Emergency Services
Yes
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 77% | ||
| 5% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 9% | ||
| 9% |
In the first few weeks following the inspection (once I had already bought the apartment) several issues came up revealing a lousy inspection. We are talking about a one bedroom apartment, so I expected it to be an easy, straightforward inspection. Indeed, the inspector made it seem like it was and he spent about 30-40 minutes doing it. However, I later realized the following issues:
1. Electrical capacity. The inspector opened the circuit panel and said that, surprisingly for a an apartment built in 1960, it had very good electrical capacity (I'm almost quoting him). He said the apartment was receiving 100 amps, which was very good for an apartment that age and given that its electricity requirements were not high (small size, central heating and cooling). As it turned out, when I bought the apartment I had various contractors come take a look at the apartment (I did several renovations) and they all said the following: the apartment does not receive 100 amps; there's only 70 amps for the whole tier, which includes 4 apartments! So, instead of having 100 amps for the apartment (as my inspector advised me), I'm stuck with sharing 70 amps with three other apartments.
2. A/C units. My apartment has central air and heating. There are four old units in the apartment. Two are thinner and smaller than the other two, which contain a fan blowing air through the pipes carrying the hot/cold water. I wanted to turn into a den/bedroom an area that has one of the smaller units so I was worried that the AC wouldn't work well there without the fan. The inspector said I could always put a fan next to it, to blow the cool air into the room. Well, it turns out those thinner units are for heating only. They don't carry cold water (to function as AC) because they don't have a mechanism to dispose of the condensed water. Once again, I was misinformed by my home inspector.
3. Floors. I asked about the floors because I wanted to replace them with more modern hardwood. The home inspector said he could not be sure but and quot;most likelyand quot; there was a layer of concrete in between floors, over which the subflooring would be laid out. This turned out to be wrong and all the contractors who came to view my apartment were able to tell it was all wood as soon as the banged their feet on the floor. This case reveals the inspector is not knowledgeable enough.
4. DC electric codes. After the inspection and before buying the apartment, I contacted the inspector with a question for the renovations. The question was whether DC codes would allow a splicing of the electric wires feeding into the apartment so that I could move the wall with the circuit panel. His response: I don't know what the DC codes will allow.
In sum, there were two (important) cases where the inspector provided erroneous information about the apartment (in both cases, indicating the apartment had better capacity than it has). They are the electric capacity and the number of AC units. The report I received evidences these errors.
In addition, there were two other cases that revealed a lack of knowledge of the home inspector (the material in between floors and DC electric codes (for the latter, I have the email exchange as evidence)).
Unfortunately, I no longer recall the price of the inspection so I'm unable to comment on that portion. But whatever the cost, it was well worth it. I highly recommend Alan Miller.
inspection did not detect numerous deficiencies in the structure.
1.Inspector missed the fact that two walls of wallpaper were over two full walls of mirror which eventually had to be removed and the drywall had to be replaced in process of removing the wallpaper.
2.Master bath tile was described as not clean. It was mold that required a complete renovation
after it became clear that the sub-flooring was spongy. The shower stall pans were leaking in two bathrooms.
3.Dining room window trim was rotted.
4.Foyer tile was cracked for about 4 feet under an area rug
5.Radiant heat was not operating properly - thermostats were never checked
6.Air conditioning was deficient and does not cool top floor adequately
7.Ceiling stain was noted as dry and that repair likely was done, during first serious storm the ceiling leaked at that location.
8.Large Picture Window sash broken
9.Wood floors discolored under area rugs
10. Doors were caulked improperly causing all 25 6 panel doors to require re-caulking and painting when weather changed
These are the most distressing and costly deficiencies that could have been anticipated. They are the major issues that were not appropriately documented by the inspector causing us numerous months of construction work at an extremely high cost. The inspection was practically worthless to us. If these issues were known in advance, the sale might have not proceeded.
There were both excellent and I would recommend them to anyone
purchasing a home. They are thorough, take the time to explain
everything they see to us in terms we can understand.Their reports had
lots of photos and were very thorough. I don't think I have had someone
explain everything in such detail with a home inspection. They take
their time, and do not rush through. I recommend this company highly to
all realtors, and potential homeowners.
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7.6 LAUNDRY EQUIPMENTCLOTHES WASHER The machine ran through the cycle normally. There is no safe pan under the washer.Normally when a washer is located on a finished floor there is a safe pan under it with adrain in case something leaks. You should have one added.DRYER TYPE: Electric. It ran normally and was heating in the mode in which it was tested.Clean the dryer vent duct regularly (yearly). Dryer vents must be kept clean. Even asmall amount of build up can affect the function of the dryer.
In actuality the dryer was not vented at all, and we nearly caused damage to the house in running it. It is now going to cost us a significant amount of money to have a dryer vent installed; had this been properly documented in the inspection report, we would have taken it up with the home's previous owner to resolve before settlement.
When I reached out to Claxton Walker by email to discuss (that was their previous form of communication to me), they did not respond. I have requested refund of the inspection fee.
"Your member believes we left facts out of a home inspection report regarding a non functioning dryer vent. She was in fact looking in the wrong place in the report. The fact that no air was coming out of the dryer vent was reported under the vent section of the report. The inspector tested it when he saw the birds nests and lint in the vents outside. A picture is included in the report. The dryer works fine, as reported in the dryer section. Its the vent that does not function. Your member failed to understand this distinction and failed to have the seller fix it. We are not part of that negotiating process but would have been glad to help her through it had she availed us of our free follow up service. Your member was informed several days in advance of the inspection that the dryer and dryer vent were not even included in this particular type of inspection. Nevertheless, out of concern for the client, the inspector commented on them gratuitously. Your member has failed to tell you that. Your member bought a house in very bad condition. The opening paragraph prefaces 30 pages of defects with the comment "Amateur workmanship, done by an unqualified non-professional, economy grade materials, and noticeable wear and tear, evident in all rooms." She bought the house anyway minimizing the inspectors observations. Based on the number of deficiencies found in the report, and her contention that she could have negotiated with the seller, your member has already benefited by several thousand dollars of reduced expense based on our report. We are the best there is at what we do. We are dedicated to our clients and have demonstrated that consistently for 37 years. Certain people just cant be satisfied.Joseph Claxton Walker-President"
Bill was very professional. Arrived on time and spent about 4 hours doing a very thorough inspection (main house + rental basement). He was happy to explain what he was checking, explain what the usual problems he found, and give advice on what needed to be done to my property. Very kind and focused on doing a good job. Seems like he has many many years of experience doing this job. I guess he meets a lot of homeowners that ask him questions, so he is used to explain things to non-professionals.
After leaving the property, Bill prepared the report the same afternoon and I had it in my inbox by the evening. He also kindly and promptly answered to 4 follow-up questions I had via email.
Its the first time I do a home inspection but I must say I am very satisfied. They were only slightly more expensive than another quote, but I think they were worth the money. Should I need another home inspection, I would use them again. I am also recommending them to my friends.
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