Originally Posted By: sfrank This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Ok Gentlemen, I’m ready to order my gadgets for my new biz. Please review and comment on things I missed, things on the list I won’t use, bad things, good things, better things, you get the picture
I would like to take advantage of your trials and tribulations so I can hopefully create some new ones for myself.
Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.
Scott
Gas detector, TIF 8800A
Powder Puffer
Etcon GFCI testor
Delmhorst BD-2100, moisture meter
Pen style hygrometer
Carbon monoxide detective (by UEI)
Comprehensive water gauge (TORO)
Multi tool (mirror, match holder)
Pocket thermometer (by TPI)
RLD-10 Refrigerant leak detector
Smoke alarm tester
Originally Posted By: sfrank This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks Nick I actually do have three flashlights, a C cell maglite, rechargeable 18v Dewalt, and a 500,000 cp spot light. I never thought about slippers though Are they for my coffee break
What about those slip on shoe covers like the cable company wears when they come to your house, are they any good
Has anyone ever bought a spectorscope I always see you pushing them but I really don't know what I would use it for.
Originally Posted By: nlewis This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Scott,
Screwdriver. Actually have a huge assortment of screwdrivers, nutdrivers, squaredrive,etc. You name the fastener and you will have to remove it at some time. Don't forget hammer, prybar, etc. for going in the crawlspaces that no one else has been inside in 20 years. And coveralls for the really fun crawlspaces
Ladders
The slip-on shoe covers work well when a homeowner asks you to take off your shoes.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Scott
I would certainly add to your list a small electric screw driver to use with Neal’s multiple screw driver nut driver kit, it takes a huge amount of time to remove pannel covers with 2" screws when you only have a standard screwdriver. I use a 2.4 volt milwalke but also have a $7:00 (from home depot) ryobi as a back up.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
are my hard hat, tyvec suits, leather gloves, eye protection and face mask. I would recommend that you buy lower grade inspection tools than you are looking at, but buy the best saftey gear and ladders that you can afford.
Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Scott:
If you work in areas like Philadelphia where there are row homes, some roofs are pretty hard to inspect without a scope. Lots of flat roofs, surrounded by steep slate, 3 stories up. You can borrow a spectoscope for free (just pay shipping both ways) from NACHI.
Did you mean that smoke spray for testing alarms or some other kind of tester? I hate that smoke stuff.
They make some nice slip-ons that appear more professional than pink bedroom slippers. Cable repairmen use them. I had a guy that worked for me who liked the pink slippers but that's another story.
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Scott,
Black and Decker makes a good 2.4 volt screwdriver in their versa pack line. The one I have actually tilts to make those tight spaces easier to get into. I think it was only around $30 and comes with a wide assortment of bits, phillips, straight, square and hex.
Originally Posted By: sfrank This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Well Neal, Gerry, Nick and Joe,
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I have all the small stuff like screwdrivers, pry bars, ladders etc. I am more concerned with the specialty items needed for Home Inspectors and whether I have made good choices or not.
Nick, I was referring to the smoke in a can for the smoke detectors, should I not use it ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif) I think I will pass on the pink bedroom slippers, just not my style
Some of the items you guys mentioned that I already have, I would never have thought I would need to do an inspection, thanks for the tips, I'll be sure to throw them in my bag of tricks
Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Scott:
I never liked the can of smoke stuff because most smoke detector manufacturers offer instructions on how to test their products. Most of course go as far as giving us a big red TEST button. I just don't like veering from those instructions and was always worried that it would be announced that the smoke spray causes detectors to malfunction. I remember 2 distributors including Professional Equipment quit carrying the stuff for a while, at about the same time. I hope someone who knows more than me has something to add.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
test the smoke particle sensor, to do that you need smoke now here is the really interesting thing: when you convey a home here in Massachusetts part of the documentation that you have to provided is a “fire certificate” issued by the City or County Fire Marshall, and how do they test the smoke detectors ? They carry a long stick with them so they can push the test buttons without over exerting themselves, so you have to ask yourself… what the heck is the value of that ?
Originally Posted By: wwarner This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Gerry,
Are the "High-tech" gadgets in your tool box the absolute bare minimum you'd recomend a small budgeted new inspector start out with? Or would it be more feasable to work up to all this equipment.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Bill
I think the tools you need to start out with in this business are a matter of choice, I know many veteran inspectors who only carry a couple of screw drivers and a flash light, personally I like to be as well armed as possible for 2 reasons, firstly the better your tools the easier it is to find issues that should be further evaluated by a licensed proffesional (self protection). Secondly I am a bit of a Toolman Tim and like gadgets, also so do customers, having equipment that clients by an large did not even know existed tends to impress them and give them more confidence in the services that you are providing.
BTW, I did not spend big money on my gear most of what you see there was bought at an average 50% off buy carefull buying, EBAY is a wonderfull thing
Originally Posted By: wwarner This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks Gerry,
I agree with you on those points. I too am a tool and gadget freak... ask my wife... I will have to research ebay a little more, I just don't like not being able touch/feel/try before I buy.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Bill, I have never (yet) had a problem with my ebay transactions I’ve bought about 30 items in the last year, however I only buy from vendors with 99% plus positive feed back and very seldom to I buy from private indeviduals with liitle feedback. My latest find tonight is a “kane-may sga91” together with a “uei c100” combustion analyser all in fitted cae in “new condition” just grabbed it with buy it now for $150:00. tht little package is $700:00 retail. Cool toy
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Joe. I am pretty please to have snagged that one I had been looking for something in that line for the last 6 months. I have to admit to spending way too much time looking at E-Bay, also I have some pretty specific searches programed into their search engine which notify me when new items appear, also I did a lot of research into both current and recent products last winter so I could make fast disisions when items came up, the deal I just got was only available for 1 Hour before I bought it, I still cannot belive he had such a silly low buy it now on it. Anyway enough of my secrets here’s the goodies