Capital District Home Inspectors

Very positive experience.

While Chris and Allen are very nice people, we were overall disappointed with their service. They were punctual and thorough on the day of inspection, however, it took over a week to get our complete inspection report from them. We were put in a position where we had to bump back our inspection objection deadline, frustrate our sellers (not to mention ourselves), and prolong the buying process for everyone due to their lack of urgency. The report they provided was clear, and was accompanied by excellent pictures, though they did leave out some details that they discussed with us at the inspection. Again, really great people, but not who I would choose if looking for a timely inspection report.

unknown

Arrived on time as scheduled. Conducted a through inspection with suggestions as well as recommendations.

I called and scheduled our home inspection with Allen, and then received a call from his assistant, Chris, to provide additional information. It was a smooth hand-off from Allen to the assistant, and I was impressed by how they clearly had this process down pat.
On the day of the inspection, Allen and his assistant, Chris, had arrived before me and my real estate agent, and had already begun working to inspect the exterior of the home, taking photos as they went. As I introduced myself, there was a bizarre interaction between Allen and the assistant, Chris, as he chastised her for something about the way she greeted me. Throughout the inspection, Allen carefully explained things to me in a way I could understand them, which I very much appreciated. He also, however, quizzed Chris from time to time, which was awkward because it didn't seem he was doing it as an opportunity to mentor her, but rather seemingly trying to trip her up and embarrass her. He frequently reminded her to get photos of things, or check outlets, but his manner was demanding and rude.
A few days later, I received a thorough report, full of great pictures and clear comments about all aspects of the home. It was really excellent.
Allen and Chris had placed radon canisters as well, but unfortunately, Chris contacted me later to explain that the canisters had been damaged in the mail and needed to be done again. They graciously ate the cost, and Chris made arrangements with the sellers to drop off and pick up the canisters again. I appreciated Chris' professionalism and responsibility as she followed through, taking care of remedying the situation without any inconvenience to me.
Overall, it was really one of the most bizarre things I've ever experienced. Allen was thorough in his inspection and report, and professional and polite in his interactions with me, but his bickering with Chris through the entire inspection was just absurd. It made me wonder if they were siblings who have been fighting like this for decades. Though the final outcome of the inspection was everything I could have asked, I would never hire this company again, simply because I found the experience to be so unpleasant.

Hired Allen to do my home inspection even though he charges more than most.
He missed key items such as the leaking fuel oil tank in the basement, could not fully explain the extent of the dampness problem in the basement (just reported "60% humidity via detector", this is not a lot of help to a Southerner), missed that the graywater was run to a ditch outside (in his defense he thought it went to a "dry well", although he was referring to the old well in the basement and did not actually know what a dry well was), needed my help to assess the electrical.
Most unprofessional man I have ever met. Myself, the buyer's agent, and a friend were embarrassed by how poorly he treated his assistant. His reports look like they will be professional, but were so inaccurate (recommending CFL lighting when there was LED lighting installed, Recommending security lights when higher end security lights were already installed, etc.) that I was laughed at by the seller when the issues that were found were brought up. The first thing you see on his website is a picture of man using an inspection camera and I doubt he even owns one, he used a stick and his assistant's personal camera and berated her for 20 minutes in front of me for not knowing how to set the time on her shutter. His website also shows pictures of a man inspecting the inside of an HVAC system, which he doesn't do. (this is stated more or less in the pre-inspection agreement)
In short, I've learned more in 2 weeks being in a house than this guy knows from his entire "professional career." Don't waste your money on this bozo.

Very thorough, report was very detailed.  The base price just covers the home inspection, water tests and radon tests were extra.  A little more expensive than other home inspectors, but you pay for what you get. The report was very timely and very detailed - over 30 pages.

Allen and Chris spent 3+ hours at the home detailing everything from good to bad on the home we are trying to purchase.  We walked around the interior and exterior of the home inspecting every last inch.

Allen came out quickly after my house suffered water damage due to an ice dam.  He went through my house and looked for air leaks and deficiencies in the insulation.  We came up with a plan to improve the insulation and seal off the air leaks.  He advised me on how to do some of the work myself to save money.  He will do the other work for me at a very reasonable cost.  He was very honest and did not try to sell me on work that was not cost effective.  We have used this company for home inspections before and have found Allen to be extremely reliable, honest and knowledgeable.  That is why we called him to look at our home when we had this problem.  I only wish we had an energy audit done sooner.

Great

Went great
One area tested negative for mold and an area in kitchen tested positive
Both areas were treated and I am very satisfied

I went great!  Allen and his assistant got there before the appointed time.  Got started right away.  collected the Radon test, examined the whole place inside and out, every corner and nook.  Took pictures and pointing out things along the way and gave recommendations. They tested every thing from the air to electrical, gas, air flow and draft, HVAC, and how to make the house more efficient.  They found some structural issues and some mold in the attic.  Showed me pictures of issues.  Allen is also an expert in mold remediation and in energy audit.  Their findings gave me a negotiating advantage to lower the price of the house.  I am paying $5000.00 less for the house.

Allen and his assistant did an incredible job. Very knowledgeable, courteous, professional.  Their inspection was the best part of the whole process of buying a house.  I highly recommend them to anyone.

They were professional and arrived on time.
They went over my house and took about 3 Hrs.  Checking pipes, gutters, Attic and Basement, insulation.
I would give them 5 STARS  and refer them to my friends.

They arrived on time.  Spent approximately 3 hrs. going over my entire house checking pipes, furnaces, checking the attic and basement.  They followed up with a professional report  showing pictures and any inadequacies they had found. 
I would certainly use them again and would recommend them my friend. 
I would give them 5 STARS.

IT WAS GREAT!  Let me just say that I found Allen through a friend of a friend.  I had a few inspections done in the past for other properties and they were nothing like the great experience I had with Allen.  He was honest and went above and beyond what I've expected. 

 Allen arrived early and he was very professional.  He started right away taking me along with him and his assistant.  He took his time going through every part of the property from roof to the basement, every room, inside and outside of the property looking for things that need to be addressed.  He took pictures, pointed out everything to me.  I felt like I was getting an education on home inspection.  He looked for mold, pest, water damage, air draft, electrical and structural issues, tested for air and radon, Insulation etc... He gave me a 15 page complete comprehensive report for my record for each property.  He also gave me estimates on what needed fix. 

I later found out that Allen had over 40 years of experience in home construction and inspection. He also is a certified home energy auditor.  He will definitely have repeat business from me.  I've also recommended Allen to my friends and family.   My brother had already hired him to do some work. I'd recommend Allen to anyone.

locations work performed; [Member Addresses]

unknown

Very well.  Allen, the inspector, was extremely thorough.  He pointed out all the issues and explained all the options to care for the issues.  He also pointed out the positive things out about the house, which allowed us to make an informed decision.  We highly recommend this company others.  We've purchased homes in the past and Allen was, by far, the best inspector we've ever used.

Very well. He is a busy man, but kept us in the loop. His "B" in responsiveness was due to his workload.