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Warren Engineering

Designer Interior Lighting Plan, Exterior Surfaces - Powerwashing, Exterior Surfaces - Sandblasting,

About us

Warren Engineering has been specializing in building and home inspections for over 35 years. We have performed over 70,000 home and commercial inspections: far exceeding any other area inspection firm. We are the mostly highly regarded home inspection consulting firm in the Rochester NY area. Most inspectors are licensed by NYS to perform Home Inspections. So are we. But, we are also licensed professional engineers. We also have a registered Architect on staff . As P.E.s we are recognized by NYS to attest to the structural integrity of a building. Home Inspectors are not permitted to provide such an analysis. Our evaluations are also accepted by FHA and HUD. Why hire just a Home Inspector, when you can hire an Engineer or Architect to inspect your house? Our reports are detailed narrative reports that specifically describe our findings in an easily understandable manner. Digital photography is also utilized to enhance and personalize the report. Other home inspection firms will provide a more general and “boiler plate” check sheet format, usually provided by a franchise organization. Don't be fooled by excessive fluff and inflammatory language in a report. Instead, trust common sense and factual information. We work for you, and only you! Although we enjoy a great reputation with the real estate community in the Rochester area, we understand it is the home buyer that we must serve. Warren Engineering does not have any financial bond with real estate companies, including payment of advertising fees in exchange for referrals. We will never compromise the service we provide to you! We look forward to serving you! Additional DBAs - Larry H. Warren PE, Warren Larry H PE PC.

Business highlights

49 years of experience

Services we offer

Residential and commercial inspections, basement water, chimneys, electrical systems, fireplaces, foundation, garage & grounds., heating and air conditioning units, including structural framing, insulation, interior and exterior painting, plumbing, roof, ventilation

Amenities

Free Estimates

Yes

Reviews
4.645 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
78%
4
11%
3
4%
2
2%
1
4%
Showing 1-25 of 45 reviews
Jon P.
Nov 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$369
Inspection was for a new build 1 year checkout. The inspector didn't find any major issues (which is what we want right!?), but he did find some minor issues we could have the builder resolve. Stuff like a vent that had disconnected in the ceiling cavity so they were things we would want resolved. He had feedback for care of some other items that we should be managing now to keep working well for the future so I feel the cost was worth it for not only those things he caught, but also the peace of mind that we don't have major issues missed. Inspector was punctual. Delivered a paper summary report from his walk through upon leaving and sent a digital more verbose copy through email over the weekend so we had everything pretty quick. In hindsight I would have brought them along for our early build inspections as I'm sure they would have caught some items we had to have fixed during our first year that could have been avoided. No one was perfect, but the issues seemed to be present enough in his mind that he saw what happened and had recommendations to improve beyond what the builder did for more lasting repair.

George G.
Apr 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$380
Doug inspected the house our daughter was interested in purchasing. He was thorough and did a good job explaining his findings to her and her fiancé. We were very pleased with the way he answered their questions as first time home buyers.

David E.
Jun 2017
2.0
$450
I thought quite well, until significant structural issues with the home were found after closing that were overlooked by the inspection. Had I been informed I wouldn't have bought the house. Now I'm stuck with 100k in repairs. Not excusable for licensed engineers.
Response from Warren Engineering
"This was a second inspection for this client, performed [Member Information Removed] time ago for an older residence with multiple structures on the property. They did not purchase the first house that we inspected for them due to the fact that we were able to identify many potential issues. We apparently saved this client from a ill-fated purchase. The client appeared comfortable with the older nature of the second property and limitations of the inspection. While the client was, as indicated, initially satisfied, it appears that potential issues have been discovered, possibly during renovations, although this is difficult to confirm due to lack of specific information. We always warn our clients that they may find previsouly unforseen repair requirements once they own a property, and this is especially true for old houses. We informed the client that we could not access the very shallow crawl spaces. We also identified sag, settlement, foundation repair, etc. Our inspections exceed the standards of our industry. Since we were not contacted about this concern, we have no way of determining whether the information that he has been given (from contractors?) is accurate. We also provided valuable information regarding the barns, even thiough the client did not reuqest a detailed evaluation of these buildings, and he was not charged for this addition service. We provide thorough and high-quality inspection services for our clients. While we strive for client satisfaction, we also explain to our clients that [Member Information Removed] defects cannot be known or discovered during a limited and non-destructive inspection."

Anh N.
Nov 2016
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$917
The service was excellent and I have nothing other than "great" in referring to the company, the engineer, and the whole process.

Heather O.
May 2016
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$340
We had an excellent inspection from Michael Zamiarski. He walked us through the house, providing essential information about maintenance, danger and potential problems. He spent about 3 hours there, and we received a report a few hours later.  I'd highly recommend this service.

Warren K.
Oct 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$505
unknown

Richmond Y.
Jul 2015
4.0
$345
unknown
Response from Warren Engineering
"Many thanks for the positive comments. I/we are especially pleased that our integrity was not called into question. Integrity & ethics are of utmost importance to us! As a general comment (not directed specifically to this consumer, but instead to all home buyers), I must respond to the statement to "NEVER USE YOUR REALTOR'S SUGGESTED HOME INSPECTOR". This would imply that an inspector would somehow compromise their work for the sake of a relationship with a real estate professional. I can assure you that we at Warren Engineering have never, and will never, conduct an inspection in a way that takes into account the realtors interests. We pledge to work strictly in the best interest of our clients. This is the reason why we have been so successful over our 38 years in business. We provide the best service to those that hire us. Also, as Licensed NYS Professional Engineers, we can provide a greater service (we are recognized by NYS to attest to the structural integrity of a building/house) but we are also held to an even higher standard regarding professional ethics. It is true that many realtors recommend us, but that's because they recognize the quality of our work. We are very proud to say that real estate professionals routinely hire us when they are purchasing houses for themselves, or for family members! Some realtors do not recommend us because they feel that we are too "picky", but we're certainly VERY comfortable with that.! We also receive referrals from attorneys, mortgage lenders, etc. Of course, many referrals come from past clients, which speaks volumes. Also, we pride ourselves in maintaining an even keeled professional demeanor. Adding excitement to the real estate process does not serve anyone well. It is not our desire to put on a show. To the contrary, some home inspectors will strive to dazzle their clients with meaningless data and gadgets. Such an approach has never been our style. We stick to the facts & findings, and the information that is truly important."

Karen B.
Jun 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
unknown

Kathleen P.
Jun 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$280
unknown

Douglas R.
Jun 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$300
Examined all aspects of the home from roof to basement. Wrote a comprehensive report on functionality of appliances, windows, furnace, a/c. The report included structural aspects of the house, garage, basement

Emily G.
May 2015
3.0
$400
Was nice and answered my questions, but after we moved in, we found some things that we felt should have been discovered or noted. I would want someone more thorough next time. He looked at a lot very quickly and we've had better in previous real estate transactions.
Response from Warren Engineering
"It is difficult to respond to this review since there are no specifics detailed in the review. We have not been contacted by the client regarding any concerns that they may have. Our superior reputation in this profession was earned through decades of high quality customer service. We will always help guide our clients with any questions that might arise once they own their home, assuming that they are brought to our attention. Our report details water stains on framing, basement seepage, the age and condition of the HVAC equipment, corroded drains, electrical safety recommendations, ceiling stains, damaged doors, insulation, ventilation, mold remediation, roof condition, siding condition, safety concerns for the garage door opener, etc. We would welcome specific information from our client."

Robert M.
May 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$300
Extremely thorough home inspection. Written report was timely, accurate and comprehensive. Inspector was very friendly and professional. Explained everything he was doing and looking for. Did not nit pick. Pointed out  a few things that looked troublesome, but explained what we were seeing and assured that it was not an issue.  Set up a radon test unit that was retrieved a couple days later, by appointment.  Unfortunately found slightly high radon levels in basement.  Had to find a contractor to mitigate the issue, which was done prior to sale.

Judith L.
Apr 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$450
unknown

Fred L.
Mar 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$495
unknown

Ron W.
Mar 2015
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$300
Overall, the inspection went well.  Tom walked us through the house, took time to share his observations and suggestions regarding the interior and exterior, mechanical items (furnace, hot water heater, HVAC, etc.), electrical and plumbing and found no significant issues.  During the inspection (which was performed mid-Summer) of the basement he noticed there was no pump in the drainage sump and that it contained fiberglass insulation.  Other than that, the only other minor issue was a small spot of white mildew on a 2x4 adjacent to the sump hole.  As we walked out of the laundry room (where the drainage sump is located), I remember him saying "This is the driest basement I've seen in Henrietta"  With that in mind and no serious concerns present in the final inspection report we received from Warren Engineering, we moved forward with buying the house.  Shortly after moving in, my wife and I noticed an uptick in sneezing (we don't have seasonal allergies) which I associated with summer pollen. We also noticed the crawlspace/storage area which is accessible from my home office seemed to be more damp and musty than expected.  We left the doors open in an effort to "dry out" the storage area but it didn't improve, even with the central air running 24/7.  Since our home is a California Split Level, most of the basement is finished living space (connected to my home office) which made this important enough to investigate.  We contacted Ever Dry Waterproofing for a free inspection which identified drainage issues, step down cracks in the foundation, a large crack in the basement floor and very high moisture levels in the concrete slab which was contributing to high moisture levels in the house.  We decided to have them perform their Multi Step pressure relief system which has alleviated all moisture issues in our home.  I'm not sure if this is a common issue and I realize there is limited time during a "Standard Inspection" to check basement areas, but  it would have been helpful to be aware that substantial repairs would be required to alleviate the poor drainage and high moisture levels in our home.

PAMELA C.
Mar 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
unknown

David H.
Sep 2014
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$480
unknown

David J.
Jul 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$330
Our working relationship with the provider could have started better. After our real estate agent contacted the provider on our behalf, they contacted us via email. Without the simplest courtesy or acknowledgement that, of the universe of home inspectors from which we could have chosen, we picked them, this email launched into instructions. It was unsigned and to this day, we don't know who sent it. I consider courtesy, especially from an employee to an employer, to be a part of professionalism and, frankly, I almost did not accept their service as a result, hence the grade of 'C', but this refers to the initial engagement only.
After consulting with our attorney, we discovered that he highly recommended this inspection service, so, since our attorney's opinion trumps a few negative Angie's list ratings, we contracted with them to inspect a house we were going to purchase for ourselves.
Things could not have gone better. The inspecting engineer they sent was punctual and, after actually greeting us, proceeded with the inspection of the property. Kevin did a very thorough job, evaluating every part of the property to the extent he was able without disassembling major parts of it. He was happy to have us follow him around and ask him several questions. We were very satisfied with the 2 1/2 hours he spent in his inspection. He met with us immediately afterwards and discussed his preliminary findings. We could not have been more pleased with his professionalism, thoroughness, and accessibility for questions, even beyond the scope of his immediate inspection. In addition to being a professional engineer, he was also an architect and this added value to our inspection, which we felt was very reasonably priced. The issue of professional engineer vs. certified home inspector was something we were initially concerned with, but, after the fact, we realized it is really the skill and thoroughness of the properly qualified individual which makes the most difference.
We received a very thorough 14 page report within 24 hours of the completion of inspection. It contained valuable safety information which we were able to pass on to the sellers to act on prior to closing. It was full of insights and knowledge about our future house and suggestions as to what to watch out for in engaging contractors for upgrades or repairs to the various systems of the house.
We would use them again and would recommend them to others; just don't expect any niceties. I guess if they had social graces, they'd be attorneys or real estate agents.
Highly recommended.

Nicholas D.
Jun 2014
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$500
unknown

Jonathan H.
Nov 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$270
We hired Warren Engineering as a referral of a co-worker and they were very professional. This is our home purchase and Douglas answered all of our questions. He was on time and even took additional time with me to explain not only the inspection, but how to deal with contractors in the future. He knew we were both going to be new home owners and wanted to make sure that we weren’t take advantage of with regards to future upgrades to the home. I would recommend Warren Engineering not only because of our experience but also because of the references we received regarding their company and business conduct.

Shelagh J.
Aug 2013
3.0
$700
This company was suggested by my realtor.  He did arrived on time and the inspection seemed to go well.  He did take a significant amount of time (4 hours).  He allowed us to tag along for much of the inspection and did point out some things to us.
 
However, upon getting possession of the house we found a number of significant issues which we feel he should have found.
The first issue was a major leak in the master bathroom.  Frankly, the brand new ceiling paint but water marks on the ceiling molding in the hall (which my mother noticed when she can on moving day to help kid wrangle!) should have twigged that there were water issues!  It turns out that the tub drain had a leak and water seeps behind the tiles of the tub.  A plumber (Penfield Plumbing, rated here) looked at it and running/tapping his finger nails over the tiles said that you could hear that the tiles were loose. Penfield Plumbing found the leak and fixed it, but only after the front vestibule ceiling had major damage (which took us a bit to notice as we used the back door and the water leaked behind the wall paper for a while until it gave out). 
The second issue was the condition of the masonry.  The engineer found (or rather the chimney specialist he brought to the inspection) pointed out that there was a serious issue with one of the chimneys.  This fact was used as a bargaining point to reduce the cost of the house. So we were pleased that this problem was brought to our attention.  We had a mason (Johnathon Kreider) fix the chimney. At the time he fixed it, he pointed out problems with the angle irons above windows at the back of the house.   Wish that we'd fixed it then, but we had to spend 5000.00 on the chimney fix and thought it could wait. 
The first winter in the house, we started to have a leak in our ceiling. We replaced the flat roof.  However, it turns out that that was not the problem.  In fact, it turns out that the masonry in the back-- those angle irons that Johnathon Kreider pointed out the summer we bought the house - are in bad shape.   Water is coming in through the back brickwork and above those windows where the angle irons are.   It is certainly the case that the problem has accelerated.   I emphasize that there wasn't an leak when the house was  inspected. However, the mason we used to repair something that the house inspector did point out, noted the angle iron problem.  Considering the amount of trouble that it is not causing us, I would have hoped (since it was visible at the time and difficult and costly to repair) that it would have been pointed out to us.    
We are finding out that fixing this problem is going to cost big bucks.  Mr. Kreider has suggested that we need a structural engineer to assess the wall as it is bowed out and will complicate the repair.  We will not be using Warren Engineering to look at this. 
One issue which was pointed out to us by the engineer was the fact that our electric service was slightly under what would be expected for a house of this size.  We had expected to upgrade this. Funny thing is that we haven't had any problems with the electric! So we haven't. 
There were other small things - such as a bathroom faucet which makes major clacking / groaning sounds, a back brick pathway which is buckled (we soon discovered because it is covered in 1/2 of water every time it rains), a toilet with a *super* slow and weak flush (also fixed by Penfield Plumbing!). 
It was really disheartening to move into our new house - which we thought we had 'done our homework' and knew what we were getting into.  Now, of course, I know that you never really know 'what you are getting into' when buying a new house -- you are at the mercy of the previous owner fully and honestly disclosing -- but I felt that the house inspection should and could have given us a better idea of what to expect to fix in the short and medium term.


William B.
Aug 2013
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$425
This being my first home purchase I can only go off of what it seemed to me.  I thought the engineer was professional.  He had all the tools needed to do his job.  This included latter to inspect roof.  The report we received afterwards seemed throughout and helpful.  He spent approximately 3 hours in the home looking around.  Turned on all appliances, made both heat and air conditioner turn on.  Checked the whirlpool bathtub.  Checked the gas fireplace and chimney.  He looked the chimney over and he thought that it wasn't bad but that we should get an inspector to take a look just to make sure.  He gave approximate cost of what it would take to fix to chimney in his experience.  We did get a chimney inspection and he was pretty much dead on for cost and what the chimney inspector said.  Made recommendations and took a lot of pictures for his report.  Our Engineer was Thomas Wurzer.  The radon test did find Radon so that was helpful as well.  The total cost covers the Radon and Home Inspection. 



Mark U.
Aug 2013
1.0
$225
Our new roof started leaking two months after it was inspected.
Response from Warren Engineering
"I provided [member name removed] with an eight (8) page report on 10/26/2009 including detailed attic ventilation calculations and recommendations for improvements. This report stated, “Existing flashing around the chimney was re-used. New flashing was not installed around the chimney, and it was not possible, based on our examination from the ground, to determine if the dimensions of the existing flashing are adequate underneath the shingles.” I carry two ladders in my car at all times of 12.5 and 14.5 foot lengths and I access several roofs every day when performing property inspections. I do not get on every steep, two-story roof for safety reasons. I clearly stated this limitation to [member name removed]. Our standard agreement form for inspections clearly states, “The roof and chimney(s) are examined from the ground, and may be examined by accessing the roof surface when conditions allow (e.g. weather, roof height, roof slope, roof texture) utilizing a 12 foot ladder or access from upper floor windows.” Since [member name removed] continued to have roof leakage problems, I revisited his home on 4/9/2010. Since it was now readily apparent that the roofing and flashing around the chimney were leaking, we recommended additional removal and replacement of materials as well as other improvements. A complimentary five (5) page report regarding our revisit was delivered to [member name removed], which he planned on using to reinforce his arguments with the roofing contractor.” Now, almost four (4) years after originally looking at [member name removed]’s roof and attic, he is posting an aggressive complaint on Angie’s List. This is the first I have heard of his lack of satisfaction with our services. This is the first I have heard of problems with the venting of his bathroom fans. The manufacturer “recommends” insulated ductwork. 99% of all homes successfully utilize standard flexible ductwork for this application. A lack of insulation on the attic side of the fan, the direction which the fan outlet exits the roof, the pitch of the ductwork, and other factors can also cause the problems [member name removed] is reportedly experiencing with the fans. We are a long-standing, reputable company and I have personally performed over 9,000 property inspections for satisfied clients. We will gladly return the fee for our inspection services to any client that is not fully satisfied with our services. All we ask for is honest, timely communication. [member name removed] has never voiced a lack of satisfaction with our services directly to us. He led me to believe that our extensive reports and services (provided for $225) along with our excellent reputation were assisting him greatly in his dispute with the contractor that performed work at his house. -Tom Wurzer"

Lisa R.
Jul 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$310
Detailed Inspection

Michael T.
Jul 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$415
Prior to contracting with Warren Engineering I talked to several local Home Inspection companies to get a feel for their quality, as well as checking reviews here and in other places.  In particular I was concerned to find a home inspector with some experience evaluating the condition of masonry stucco exteriors on a house, since that seemed to be an expertise that was somewhat unusual.  When I called Warren Engineering the people in the office listened to my concerns, and were not afraid to admit the limits of their expertise.  Compared to several other offices I'd spoken with where the office personal were prepared to offer blanket assurances without any understanding of my concerns I found this to be both reassuring and very professional.  In particular, it was made explicitly clear to me that the engineer would not be able to make a thorough determination out of his own expertise, but would rather tell me that a further inspection by a proper expert might be required.  
I am far happier to be have people working for me recognizing and acknowledging the limits of their knowledge or expertise than to try to claim omniscience.
I contracted with the office for a home inspection, and when I had to reschedule because the sellers couldn't accommodate the original inspection time, the office was friendly and profession when rescheduling.  Similarly, when a typo showed up in the paperwork that I was sent the office corrected it quickly, while remaining completely professional all through.
On the day of the inspection the inspector was punctual, and had a pleasant demeanor.  He began the inspection immediately, and was eager to walk me through the property with him as he did his inspection.  He made sure to point out to me anything he felt I needed to know, as well as mentioning it both on the preliminary report I received at the time of service, and again with the full formal report I got that evening.  Again, he made sure I understood the limits of what he was evaluating, and what he could and could not assure me about.  By the time he was done with his inspection, not only did I have a list of items I could legitimately asked the sellers to correct prior to closing, but I had a list of projects to work on over the upcoming years once I move into the property - with a general idea of the priority for each of those items.  
I feel that I got excellent value for my time and money and feel even more confident that I will be getting a good value with the house that I am buying as a result of the services provided to me by Warren Engineering and Tom Wurtzer, the engineer who did my inspection.
Showing 1-25 of 45

Licensing

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FAQ

Warren Engineering is currently rated 4.6 overall out of 5.

Yes, Warren Engineering offers free project estimates.

No, Warren Engineering does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.

No, Warren Engineering does not offer a senior discount.

No, Warren Engineering does not offer emergency services.

No, Warren Engineering does not offer warranties.