The Weekly interviewed Craig Seals, owner of Gold Country Home Inspections about his business.
How long have you lived in Groveland?
I've lived here full time for almost 7 years, we were weekenders for 10 year before that.
How did you get into the home inspection business?
I didn't start Gold Country Home Inspections, I took the business over from another individual who retired. After retiring and moving up to Groveland full time I was concerned with not being able to keep busy. So after meeting this individual he offered me the opportunity to take over. Since I've been in the construction industry for my whole 33-year career, I thought this would be a good fit. I became certified through Internachi (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) and continued on his business.
When it comes to home repairs, what do you think new homeowners should prioritize on their fix-it list versus what can usually wait?
Of course the first items people should fix are all the safety items that I may discover. Then if there are some concerns that are even marginal with plumbing or electrical, I definitely recommend they take care of those items first.
What's the craziest thing you've ever encountered during a home inspection?
One of the craziest things I've seen is a live mouse in an electrical panel! l I watched him move around a little bit and I was afraid I was going to see him meet his death but he never did.
Do newer built homes have fewer issues than older properties?
Yes, newer homes almost always have fewer problems. But sometimes they can still have serious issues that have been overlooked, poorly added on, or repaired by a homeowner. Sometimes the items are not built to code as they should have been in original construction.