ARTICLES

Gerald “Jerry” Simmons - ACI (Retired srping of 2023)

Jerry started in the home inspection business in late 1985 opening Gerald Simmons & Associates on March 1, 1986. Pryor to becoming a home inspector Jerry was president and owner of Kingston Builders, Inc and prior to that, in 1974 Jerry became a real estate broker.

Jerry was a professional member of the:  American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. - Member #012049 (Since 1991)

Certifications:

CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Inspector Structural, HVAC, Plumbing, & Electric - Registration No. 1499
Housing Rehabilitation Inspector - Registration No. 1085
Standard Code Building Inspector - Registration No. 5104

Other achievements:

Co-founder: Georgia Association of Home Inspectors  1989
Vice-President: Georgia Association of Home Inspectors (GAHI)  1989 -1991
President: Georgia Association of Home Inspectors (GAHI) 1992

President: ASHI Georgia, Inc. 2012
Treasurer:  ASHI Georgia, Inc. 2007, 2015, 2016,  2017, 2018, 2019 abd 2020

Co-Chairman: SE Home Inspector Conference 2007-2019

ASHI Council of Representatives 2016 - 2017

Radon Measurement Proficiency Organization ID No. 2190700
Radon Measurement Proficiency Individual ID No. 140550
Professional Pest Control Technology training 10/27/89

Continuing Education - 20 + hours per year for over 25 years.

Services offered:

Pre-purchase:  This inspection is based on a set of standards published by a professional association and State Statue. The inspectors job is to identify and document conditions observed and provide a written report describing the observed conditions. Report lengths vary in size from 20 pages to as many as 35 or 40 pages. Longer reports generally mean there are more pictures included. Inspection fees range from $395 to $850 and beyond, again based on the size and type property to be inspected. Single family homes include condominiums, townhouses and detached buildings. Out buildings can increase the cost of an inspection especially if an out building or buildings contain liviable space.

Seller or Listing inspection: Similar to a pre-purchase inspection with additional recommendations to help a Seller provide full disclosurer. It is better to disclose than loose a potential sale.

New Construction Inspection: Like the pre-purchase inspection above. There is generally no due diligence period and many builders place restrictions on the home inspector that are not required by law, however some restrictions like requireing an inspector to be a member of one professional association when there are other nationally recognized professional associations and requiring an inspector to carry expensive types of insurance that do not cover the buulder or purchaser, all of the requirements, according to the builders are for the protection of the buyer when in fact the purpose is to prevent more experienced inspectrors.

Identifying mold issues. Molds are directly related to water. If water issues are present, first and before cleaning molds, have all water issues repaired, all wet areas cleaned and then conduct mold testing or sampling.

1-year Builder Warranty Inspection. Documenting conditions that you the homeower want addressed and corrected by the builder.

Radon Gas Testing - Houses are tighter now than before the energy codes meaning air inside a house is rarely replaced with fresh air. Radon is an inert gas that attaches to dust particles at which time the gas changes to what can be a health hazard.

If you are purchasing in an Historical district, check to see if the property is listed: National Register and Historical Places

Before you make a decision to hire Jerry review the terms and conditions in the Employment/Inspection Agreement and review the detailed sample report. Yes, digital photos are included in every report especially when words do not accurately describe a condition or location.

"Wow, Jerry
What a detailed and informative report! Thank you so much for such a professional job.
This will help me with my decision regarding a counteroffer and purchasing the home.
I'll let you know how thing turn out.
Thank again, Charlene"

  Types of Properties inspected:

  • Single family Detached

  • Townhouses

  • Condominiums

  • Duplexes

  • Investment property

  • Foreclosures

  • Short Sales

A  full range of inspection services accompanied by easy to read and understand  inspection reports that provide details and explanations and point out the good, as well as conditions that may need be addressed or corrected. We do accept major credit cards, we also accept checks and cash. Want to know the cost of an inspection, get a quick response with no obligation, ask for a Price Quote.