Iron Buck Inspections

Radiant floor heat is one of those upgrades homeowners love for its comfort and efficiency. Warm floors on a cold morning can make a home feel more inviting, and radiant systems often provide more even heating than traditional forced air.

But like any system, there are pros and cons.

Radiant heat can be energy efficient, quiet, and reduce dust circulation throughout the home. On the downside, repairs can be difficult if problems develop beneath finished flooring, and uneven heating may go unnoticed without proper inspection tools.

Utah officially began requiring home inspector licensing on May 1 after the original January 1 rollout was delayed.

So what does that actually mean for buyers, agents, and inspectors?

Honestly, not much should change for inspectors who were already operating professionally.

Most reputable inspectors were already:• Certified• Carrying insurance• Following a professional standard of practice• Investing in continuing education• Running legitimate businesses

The biggest impact will likely be on inspectors who were cutting corners or operating without proper coverage or qualifications.

For consumers, licensing can help create a more consistent baseline across the industry. That’s a positive thing.

At the same time, regulation always opens the door for future regulation. Right now, the law mainly formalizes standards many professionals were already following. But over time, there’s always the possibility of additional rules affecting what inspectors can or cannot inspect, reporting requirements, licensing costs, continuing education, and more.

As it currently stands, though, this shouldn’t dramatically change the experience for clients working with established inspectors.

The good inspectors were already doing things the right way long before the law required it.

Most people ask me, “Do you find a lot of crazy stuff at work?”

Honestly… yeah.

But after a while, things that would shock most people start to feel normal when you see them every day. Electrical hazards, major moisture damage, failed sewer lines, structural issues, unsafe repairs… for me, it can just feel like another day at the office.

Maybe it’s experience. Maybe I just have a mellow personality. Probably both.

What feels “crazy” to someone else usually feels like information to me. That’s why having the right inspector matters. You don’t want someone who panics. You want someone who stays calm, sees clearly, and helps you understand what actually matters.

And the truth is, most issues can be repaired, improved, or planned for. There’s usually no need to lose your mind over a home inspection.

Because the goal isn’t drama. It’s clarity

Check this out. Brand new home… with a sewer line issue.

About 50 feet out, we found what appears to be a gasket or material protruding into the pipe. Everything looked great up to that point, then a restriction that can catch debris and cause problems over time.

Luckily, this was found now instead of years down the road when the homeowner is dealing with a backup or trying to sell.

This will likely require a spot repair with excavation, which can cost thousands. Fortunately, this one should fall on the builder.

A lot of buyers skip inspections on new builds.
And even when they don’t, they skip things like a sewer scope.

This setup might look fine at first… but here’s the issue 👇

The kitchen exhaust and dryer are tied into the same vent.

Grease from cooking + lint from the dryer… they don’t mix, and each system is designed to have its own dedicated vent.

This was a first for me…

Walked a brand new home today. Everything looked clean, finished, ready to go.

Then I got into the attic.

No insulation. At all.

City final inspection? Already signed off.

So here’s the real question…
How long would it take a homeowner to figure that out after moving in?

A few weeks of high energy bills?
A couple months of uneven temperatures?
Or do they just live with it, not knowing what’s wrong… until the 1-year warranty is almost up?

This is exactly why inspections matter. Not because builders are bad. Not because city inspectors don’t care.

But because things get missed.

And when they do, your client is the one who pays for it later.

The best part?
This one’s an easy fix. It gets handled now. Before move-in. Before it becomes their problem.

You COULD wait a year and hopefully find this stuff…

Missing shingles.
Damaged siding.
Loose hose bib.
Loose tub faucet.
Cosmetic issues throughout.

If you do, it CAN be fixed under warranty…

But now you’re living with it.

Scheduling repairs.
Dealing with the hassle.

Or… find it before closing.

Get it fixed upfront.
Move in with confidence.

A lot of people think new builds don’t need inspections…

But actually… that’s when they matter most

Sometimes the biggest risks are the smallest details.

This was a brand new home. The furnace worked perfectly when tested. Heat came on. No obvious issues.

But when I removed the electrical panel cover, I found something concerning.

The furnace wire was just resting against the breaker.

Not secured.
Not tightened down.
Just touching.

So the furnace happened to work that day… but the connection could easily stop working or start arcing.

This is why inspections matter, even on new builds.

The things I crawl through everyday…