House Talk with Dylan Chalk

SimpleWater is an award-winning science and health services company founded at the University of California in Berkeley with the mission of improving your drinking water and long term health.

Tap Score is a service for easy home water testing and reporting, created by SimpleWater.

Sample Report

TapScore Media Coverage

Entire TapScore Team

John Pujol - Chief Executive Officer

John is a water expert experienced in contaminant research, testing and treatment. He has developed several new water treatment technologies for arsenic, fluoride and heavy metal remediation as well as advised on UV LED technology for pathogen and pharmaceutical inactivation. John has a Masters in Engineering from UC Berkeley and Bachelors in Economics from Boston University.

Julio Rodriguez - Chief Technology Officer

Julio is responsible for Tap Score software engineering, product design, data analysis, and online marketing efforts. He has a background in software product development and information technology, with a 15 year history of successful enterprise and startup projects. Julio is a graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Jessica Goddard - Chief Science Officer

Jess' oversees SimpleWater research and data science with the ultimate goal of increasing access to water testing and environmental health knowledge in the U.S. She has an interdisciplinary background with 8 years of research on water issues at the intersection of policy, environmental health, and engineering. Jess received her PhD from the Energy & Resources Group at the University of California Berkeley, as a Berkeley Dissertation Year Fellow and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. During her PhD, Jess developed measures for household water affordability and sustainability in California and Mexico. Jess received Masters degrees from Berkeley in Energy and Resources and in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Water Quality track).

Kate Wisialowski - Chief Operations Officer

Kate manages Tap Score fulfillment and logistics as well as social media and blogging activities. She is responsible for scaling Tap Score fulfillment operations to accommodate our rapidly growing customer base. She has a BA from the University of California in Berkeley.

Jorgen Stovne - Artistic Design

Jorgen is responsible for graphic design and artistic direction for all SimpleWater products including Tap Score and ArsenicVolt.

Christina Chavez - Financial Advisor

Christina is an MBA candidate at the Haas School of Business in UC Berkeley. She has extensive experience with large technology businesses with strengths in strategy, financial planning and analysis, sales operations, corporate finance, audit and business process improvement. Pioneered key metrics and reports to analyze Microsoft's cloud computing business.

Jackie Brosamer - Data and Technology Advisor

Jackie advises SimpleWater on complex technology problems and data analysis challenges. She holds a PhD in Physics from the University of California in Berkeley and has previously worked with the ATLAS experiment at CERN. She currently works as a Data Scientist at Square Capital.

Dr. Susan Amrose - Science Advisor

Dr. Susan Amrose oversees the technical development of the ArsenicVolt at SimpleWater. She has worked on scientific, social, and economic aspects of electrochemical (EC) water treatment since 2006. As an inventor of ECAR technology she has published research on both applied fundamental science relating to EC methods for arsenic removal. As a result of her water research, she received the Daniel Cubbiciotti Award from the Electrochemical Society. Dr. Amrose received her PhD in Physics from the University of California Berkeley in 2008.

Edna Nyangau - Laboratory Liaison

Edna coordinates with laboratory partners to ensure smooth collaboration and enforce testing standards. Edna has a background in laboratory operations and quality control.

Henry McCann - Water System Specialist

Henry conducts public policy research on community drinking water systems at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. His research focuses on identifying solutions for the technical, managerial, and financial challenges of providing safe drinking water in rural and small drinking water systems. He was the lead author of the Los Angeles County Community Water System Atlas and Policy Guide (2015), a system-level characterization of threats to water supply reliability and vulnerable populations served by community drinking water systems in Los Angeles County. He brings to SimpleWater an expert understanding of drinking water supply networks, water system operations, and safe drinking water regulations.

Dr. Ashok Gadgil - Advisor

Co-Inventor of ECAR, Lawrence Berkeley Lab Division Director, Professor, National Inventors Hall of Fame. Read More

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WATER DAMAGE - Key Takeaways

In an effort to make more money, it's not uncommon for sellers to attempt to take care of existing defects prior to posting their properties for sale. And if those sellers are on a budget—which they often are—poor do-it-yourself repairs may occur.

While, as a home inspector, it is not your job to diagnose repairs' proficiency, it is important for you to draw attention to repairs. Your clients need to know that just because the seller repaired a defect does not guarantee they repaired it well. Including clauses that identify repairs and your clients' duty to monitor those repairs, as the home inspector in this example did, is a good way to deter and combat claims.

In addition, it's common for third parties, like the construction contractor in this example, to cast doubt or blame on home inspectors. Therefore, it's important for home inspectors to be particularly cautious and vigilant.

One way to prevent future contractors' condemnation is to work with them from the beginning. Since receiving this claim, our inspector home inspector has a contractor verify all repairs at the time of the inspection. While such a practice goes beyond the SOP and does require extra work, our inspector feels more at ease being able to report on repair work more thoroughly.

Lastly, in this particular example, whether or not the water damage existed on inspection day is still largely up for debate. Be sure to emphasize that you can only diagnose the property's systems and components on the day of the inspection and cannot predict what may occur in the future. In so doing, you protect your business from defects that reveal themselves after weather, use, or time alter conditions.

To learn more about water damage claims, read our stand-alone article on the subject here.

Read the full report (on all 5 Categories) here.

Hi I'm Gary Smith - welcome back -

My next guest is Paul Zak. What a treat it was to speak with Paul. He manages the largest office support services company in the home inspection profession.

America's Call Center or ACC is more than a "call center". It's a 60+ employee and growing "Home Inspector Partner".

Whether you are a one may shop or a growing multi-inspector company their approach and commitment to your business success is something they take very seriously.

So - - enjoy my conversation with Paul Zak.

https://americascallcenter.com/

Our vendor spotlight features James Truscott - over the years James worked as a building inspector in the Dallas Metro -

Often his job included testing smoke detectors - sometimes he'd ask a tenant to borrow a broom or mop or walking cane - anything that would help get to the unit in out of reach spots. I'm sure you've been there - - if not a stick - you're carrying a ladder or a stool. In some cases the housing unit was vacant - so...no broom or mop or cane.

To fulfill the need - he invented his own - but it's not just a pole - it's collapsable and - - - there are a few other features - we'll let him tell you in his own words...enjoy our conversation with inventor of the Smoke Detector Pole - James Truscott.

SmokeDetectorPole.com 

GET IT HERE: 

VALUE PROPOSITION 1) What sets you apart? Why should I hire you? Keep reading and listen/watch - - because you want to give the client a "Unique" value proposition.  

2) Who is your target audience? If you can't answer this question you can't answer Question #1. 

3) What are your client's pain points? How well do you know your client? You should be able to very quickly identify with your client's challenges.

4) How will your inspection service remedy the issues? Once you have a good understanding of how your services remedy your target audience's pain points, you can begin to present your opinion in a way that is meaningful and delivers value.

This episode is also available on our YouTube Channel. We have a HOW TO video that dives a bit deeper into the tools we used to create the video reviews and offer a few tips and tricks. Our Channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/user/todayshomeinspector 

Video Part I: https://youtu.be/WMhjN8vsBKU 

...and Part II: https://youtu.be/gcJmaJG_T2k 

We mentioned HomeBinder in this episode: https://homebinder.com

Need an inspector? GO HERE and find them on a interactive easy to read MAP: https://todayshomeinspector.com 

Innovation

Competition leads to innovation. If you're the only inspector in your area it'll be difficult to improve. And if you're working in a crowded market, you won't succeed by doing what everyone else does. Healthy competition encourages change.

Customer Service

Home inspectors offer similar products - they compete for customers. Improved customer service leads to loyal followers and the best marketing in the marketplace - word of mouth.

Complacency

Competition shakes off complacency. If your inspection company is consistently trying to innovate and better itself, you'll be encouraged to push yourself - leave complacency to a rock.

Understanding Your Market

Competition forces you to focus on your core audience. Inspectors target local markets and your competition will encourage you to better understand that setting.

Education

Watching your competitors do well can teach you things about your business. Their practices will provide you with valuable insight into the state of the market, and help show you what works – and - more importantly - if pay attention - what doesn't.

My one minute shot of advice and opinion - I called it my "ad-inion"!

Thanks for listening - subscribed yet? Please be my guest - it highly appreciated and hope you visit often!

Here are some sample questions a home inspector should be prepared to answer:

• How much do you charge?
• What exactly do you look for?
• How long will the inspection last?

When most buyers think about questions to ask a home inspector, it's usually about things before they hire them.

Real Estate professional Bill Gassett  wrote an article titled "Questions to Ask The Home Inspector After The Inspection is Completed".

Today on Open Mic - Charles and I will answer Bill's 5 questions, we'll discuss a few of our favorite threads posted on our Open Group and we'll hope to share information to help you grow your home inspection business.

Today's Podcast is sponsored by The Drone University -  Whether you're new to drones or a seasoned pilot, they can help you fly safe, fly right & make your business soar! Visit them at www.TheDroneU.com.

We mentioned Inspection World in our show. Here's a link to the event: https://www.inspectionworld.com/

Find Charles Buell in Seattle Washington:  www.buellinspections.com

Find Gary Smith in Central Mississippi: www.garynsmith.net

JOIN The Professional Home Inspector GROUP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProfessionalHomeInspectors/

Please follow our YouTube Channel and never miss our helpful videos and free unbranded content: https://www.youtube.com/user/todayshomeinspector

Hi I'm Gary Smith - you know the internet has made the world smaller. No doubt about it.

The websites you use every day may originate here in the US - or - from any country in the WORLD!

We're in the house today with just such a company. Actually two companies - - both companies originate from Australia but are offered online here in North America.  

As you may recall a few weeks ago we spoke with Pat Butler and the things he's doing with Homeworthy. Well - we're back with Homeworthy  - - today we'll speak with Homeworthy founder Bob Sternberg.

He and Pat talk about another product called DOME - - - -  and they have some exciting new news to share as we talk about the home inspection profession.

This is Part 2 of a two part session - enjoy my conversation with Bob Sternberg and Pat Butler. GET DOME AND HOMEWORTHY HERE FREE

My conversation with Mike Young. Mike is a national 203(k) Renovation Loan Expert. The FHA insured loan helps homeowners purchase and remodel a home and finance the purchase and rehab with a single loan. Mike's team of consultants, home inspectors and contractors are ready to help you take "blah" - to WONDERFUL! Learn from Mike as we discuss changes to the program and learn how home inspectors can get support and consultant training. Join Mike's Team and Contact Information my203kconsultant.com/ Mike's Radio Show: Love My Renovation Project my203kconsultant.com/radio-show I'm Gary Smith and we've worked with the 203(k)program for 20 years. Call me or drop by my website for support in central MS: www.garynsmith.net Catch Today's Home Inspector is online: www.todayshomeinspector.com