Why Hire Me
Who is Culbertson, Inc.?
Eric Culbertson, President/CEO/Chief Inspector of Culbertson, Inc. has over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, and all related trades. Culbertson, Inc. will always provide you with efficient, competent, cost effective services. Everyone at Culbertson, Inc. is constantly searching for improvements to better serve you, the customer. Each employee will always strive to go beyond the standards, and when necessary, take extra steps to ensure that we provide our customers with the most current knowledge available in the inspection and roofing industries.
Buying a home may be the biggest investment you'll ever make. Although the process is very exciting, it can quickly become overwhelming. We are dedicated to excellence in providing you with the highest quality in professional, personalized service for one of the largest investments of your life. While the home you have selected may appear to be just what your looking for, how can you be sure there aren't potentially serious unkown defects which can make your investment in your future a very costly one. Our inspection is designed to determine whether all of the essential components of a house/facility are oresent and doing their job, as evidenced by a visual inspection. This will help in determining the true cost of buying a home. The true cost of the home is the purchase price, plus the cost for upgrading substandard, deteriorated, or malfunctioning components. At Culbertson, Inc., our highest obligation is to the home itself, which is evident through an unbiased report.
Having your new home professionally inspected by Culbertson, Inc. as early as possible in the buying process can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars on items which you may be able to have the seller or builder correct. Culbertson, Inc. is dedicated to providing you with valuable information about your new home. We thoroughly inspect all major components of the property to expose unknown defects and advise you about future maintenance about your home, once the purchase is complete. We will give you the information that is required to give you peace of mind and the ability to make an informed decision.
The purchase of an inspection or a new roof system are the most important investments the property owner can make. Before you spend your hard earned money, take the necessary time to learn how every individual should evaluate the contractor who may be working on your home or building. Contractors are not all alike; insist on working only with a licensed, insured, and bonded professional with comprehensive knowledge of all industry standards.
Culbertson, Inc. works carefully to provide the most accurate take off on every project we inspect, estimate, and bid. Always remember to keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many fly by night contractors/inspection services seem attractive with their below-cost bids or contracts, but often are uninsured and perform substandard work. Price is only one of the many criteria for selecting a roofing contractor or building inspector. Professionalism and quality workmanship should also weigh heavily in your final decision.
Pre-qualifying a Roofing Contractor/Inspector
So how can you distinguish a qualified contractor from an unqualified one? There are no foolproof methods, but there are some important things you can do to help make the best possible decision for your needs or situation.
Culbertson Inc., recommends you pre-qualify your contractors and inspectors. It may require some extra work, but past experience shows it goes a long way toward making sure you get the kind of results you expect—a quality roof system or inspection at a fair price.
You can pre-qualify contractors on a project-to-project or annual basis if you regularly work with the same group of contractors. Your criteria may vary according to the job requirements, but all professional contractors should willingly provide you with the following pertinent information:
• A permanent place of business – Confirm that your contractor is well-established with a permanent address, telephone number, tax identification number, and their business. A professional firm will have these items readily available upon request.
• Knowledge of systems – The introduction of new systems, techniques, and materials has sparked a tremendous change in the construction industry in recent years. A professional contractor/inspector should be familiar with the different types of systems available to help you make the best decision possiblenfor your home or building and available budget. Be sure that you are comfortable with the system your contractor suggests. Never hesitate for further consultations. Verify the scope of the inspections. Ask about how detailed the inspection will be and how long the actual on-site inspection will take.
• Affiliated with an industry organization – Ask the contractor if he/she is a member of a local, state, regional, or national association. Involvement in a professional organization tends to keep a contractor better informed about the latest developments and issues related to the industry. These affiliations also provide continuing education and require contractors to meet necessary standards.
• Committed to education – Choose a company that is committed to the safety and education of its workers. Ask the contractor what types of safety training he/she provides for his/her workers and what industry programs they have attended. The best roofing contractor/chief inspector is only as good as the workers who actually install/inspect any of the systems or components. Always insist on having a licensed, experienced roofing crew or inspector.
• Insured and committed to safety – Don’t hesitate to ask the contractor for proof of insurance. In fact, insist on keeping a copy of an insurance certificate that verifies worker’s compensation and general liability coverage. Make sure the coverage is in effect through the duration of your job. If a contractor is not properly insured, you, the owner, may be liable for accidents that occur on the property. Many building owners and homeowners have been dragged into litigation involving uninsured contractors.
• Licensed and bonded – Many states (Illinois is one of them) require roofing contractors and home inspectors to be licensed; some states (Illinois) have specific licensing requirements. Some contactors are able to obtain bonding from surety companies, while others are not. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will have this information available for viewing Check to see if a prospective roofing contractor/home inspector is properly licensed and/or bonded.
• Financial stability – A professional contractor will be able to supply you with current financial information. This should include references from a financial institution or auditing firm.
• Application expertise – Have your contractor list the manufacturers with which his/her firm has licensed or approved applicator agreements. Some materials require special application expertise to achieve a quality roof system.
• Provisions for on-site supervision – Have the contractor explain his/her project supervision and quality control procedures. Request the name of the person who will be in charge, how many workers will be required, and the estimated time of completion.
• A professional Maintenance program – Professional roofing contractors will offer periodic maintenance inspections though out the year. These inspections will help ensure your project complies with the standards specified in the warranty. A maintenance program usually consists of a detailed visual examination of the roof system, flashing, insulation and related components to identify any potential trouble areas.