Home Inspections in Cambridge, MA

My name is Wayne Czybora. I started Bonafide Home Inspections back in 1994 with the goal of providing a superior home inspection so homebuyers can feel good about moving into their new home. Prior to that, I was an exterminator for 7 years and have retained my pest license ever since. This experience comes in handy when looking for signs of insect damage, as insects can cause significant damage to a house. It is highly unlikely that you will find another home inspector with that much experience in pest control (if any at all) along with that much experience in home inspections. Now, I'm not just talking about having a pest license. I'm talking about having the actual experience as an exterminator. Anyone can get a pest license.

If you want to find some of the best home inspectors in MA, you really need to do some research. There's nothing worse than moving into a house and then realizing that you need to sink $5,000 into it right away, all because of an incompetent home inspector.

The easiest way is to do an internet search for - home inspectors near me - or - home inspector near me -. Once you find one, then go to the State's Board of Home Inspectors' website and make sure the inspector's license is still valid. Then check the inspector's reviews at sites like Google, Angi, Yelp, etc. And don't just go for the cheapest home inspector. In this business, oftentimes you generally get what you pay for. Whatever you're spending for that house, it's a lot of money and searching for a home inspector with a “bargain hunter's” mentality is definitely not the right approach. Hope to hear from you soon.

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Services That We Offer:

 

Attic Inspection

Ensuring structural integrity of the roof. Making sure the attic is properly vented. Checking for signs of water penetration. Inspecting chimney (if present) and making sure there is an adequate amount of insulation.

Walls, Floors, Ceilings, Doors & Windows Inspection

The State regulations only require that we operate one door and window per room. I go well beyond that.

Kitchen Inspection

State regulations do not require us to inspect appliances. I inspect and operate dishwashers, ranges, microwaves and trash compactors.

Bathroom Inspection

Inspect and operate all toilets, sinks, tubs and showers, checking for leaks and proper functionality. Also inspect any exhaust fans.

Basement Inspection

Ensuring structural integrity, looking for signs of water penetration and also inspecting bulkheads.

Heating System Inspection

Inspect and operate all boilers, furnaces and air handlers. Making sure each room has a heat source. Inspection of oil tanks is not mandated by the State but they are certainly included in my home inspection.

Exterior Drainage & Grading Inspection

This is an important part of a home inspection, as water is a home’s “worst enemy”. I am also inspecting the gutters and downspouts to ensure they are taking the water far enough away from the structure.

House Exterior & Structural Inspection

I’m checking the walls/siding, fascias, rake boards, soffits and windows. I’m also checking the structural integrity of the building.

Porch, Deck and Balcony Inspection

Inspecting for structural integrity and safety. Inspecting underneath, as well (if possible).

Roof, Flashing, & Chimney Inspection

Checking the condition of the roofing material (ie: shingles, etc.). Also inspecting vent pipes, exhaust vents and skylights.

Cooling System Inspection (weather-permitting)

Inspect and operate all cooling systems (ie: condensors, compressors, evaporator coils, heat pumps, etc.).

Plumbing System Inspection

Inspect and operate all plumbing fixtures. Looking for leaks in supply and drainage pipes everywhere . Ensuring there are no clogged pipes (backups). Water heaters are inspected, as well.

Electrical System Inspection

Extremely important part of a home inspection from a cost standpoint, as well as safety. Inspecting all electrical panels. Ensuring proper grounding of electrical system. Inspecting all visible wiring throughout the building for loose and/or exposed wires. The State regulations only require us to check one outlet per room. I go way beyond that.

Termite Inspection

I am actually looking for any kind of insect damage (ie: termite, carpenter ant, etc.) My 7 years (previous) experience as an exterminator along with my 18 years experience as a home inspector simply cannot be matched. If you or someone you know has more experience than me in each of these two fields (and can prove it) then I will gladly remove this claim.

Water Analysis (add’l fee)

This test is highly recommended for any house with well water. I can test for up to 26 items in
the water (ie: bacteria, lead, iron, etc.).

Radon Testing (add’l fee)

If there is a finished basement or if you plan on finishing it, then this test is highly recommended. There are also other situations that would constitute performing a radon test.

Any Questions?
Call Today (339) 933-3467

 

 

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Introduction to Cambridge, Massachusetts

The city of Cambridge is part of the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts. The city is best known for being the home of two world-class universities, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), located within just two miles of each other. Cambridge is bordered by the city of Boston, located on the other side of the Charles River just 3 miles to the southeast. Other surrounding communities include Somerville (to the north), Watertown (to the west), and Arlington (to the northwest).

Settled in 1630 by a band of Puritans from England, Cambridge was originally called “Newtowne”. The founding of Harvard College in 1636 prompted the choice of a new name, one more appropriate for a college town in New England. The name “Cambridge” was chosen due to the familiarity of many of the settlers with Cambridge University in England. The year 1636 also marked the incorporation of the town, which became a city in 1846 when the original town (Old Cambridge) merged with two villages (Cambridgeport and East Cambridge) which had formed to the east along the roads leading to bridges linking the area to Boston. The city’s major industrial focus in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries centered on factories (largely furniture and glass) but since that time the emphasis has shifted to technology-based enterprises, including electronics, software, and biotechnology research. Cambridge today is very much a college-influenced community combining a strong mix of cultural and social diversity, intellectual vitality and technological innovation.

Cambridge Area Attractions

The charming neighborhoods (“Squares”) of Cambridge are rich in options for shopping, dining, and sightseeing, offering plenty of theatres, museums, and historic sites. Central Square, the seat of city government, contains a variety of international restaurants and music clubs. Kendall Square, home to MIT, is the focal point of the Massachusetts high tech and biotechnology industries. Harvard Square, surrounding the historic brick walls of the nation’s oldest university, offers a plethora of cafes, bookstores, boutiques, and entertainment choices. Likewise, Porter and Inman Squares offer a diverse selection of dining options, and many artistic and cultural attractions as well.

Among the many attractions in Cambridge is the Museum of Science, featuring more than 400 interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and a state-of-the-art IMAX Theatre. Harvard’s Busch-Reisinger Museum is the nation’s only museum devoted specifically to the arts of Central and Northern Europe. The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, also at Harvard, is one of the world’s oldest museums devoted to anthropology. The Longfellow House, a National Historic Site built in 1759, was the home of the celebrated poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and also served as George Washington’s headquarters in 1775 and 1776.

Cambridge is home to a number of annual street fairs and festivals. The Cambridge Carnival in Massachusetts, held in August, is a Caribbean-style carnival featuring costumes, music, street-parades, dancing, and food, which represent the diverse cultures of the Caribbean islands. The Cambridge River Festival, held in June, features music, art, food, and a variety of hands-on art-making activities for kids. October’s Head of the Charles Regatta is a 2-day regatta where sailing fans can watch racers from all over the world compete along the Charles River. Each September on the weekend after Labor Day Cambridge celebrates the Italian Festival of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Considered one of New England’s premier cultural festivals, this large celebration consists of parades, ethnic food, candlelight processions, amusement rides, games, and live entertainment.

A Complete Home Inspection