About Me and Training Information

Wenatchee Chelan County Washington

At NCW Home Inspections, LLC, each home inspection is performed as if it were my own home.  The property inspection includes: structure, site, roofs, electrical, heating systems, air conditioning system, plumbing, insulation and ventilation, exteriors, fireplace and stoves, interiors, and attached garages and carports. Foundation Certification for mobile homes is also provided in partnership with FoundationCertifications.com .

I have a unique set of experiences and qualifications that include: building my own home; owning and remodeling rental property; training and practice in HazMat, Emergency and Medical response. Effective emergency responsiveness requires the ability to make astute observations and assessments for safety and remediation. This perspective ensures that you will get a great home inspection. 

I promise to provide an honest, objective and thorough home inspection and report. From your first contact through the delivery of your report, you will experience the ultimate in professionalism and friendliness.

My Qualifications

Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #647
Washington State Dept. of Agriculture, Structural Pest Inspector #80050

  • Program Coordinator for Bellingham Technical College "Fundamentals of Home Inspection" .    Washington State's first accredited curricula to meet the state standards.

  • Washington State Home Inspector Advisory Board Member (Dept. of Licensing)
  • Involved in the construction trades for over 30 years, including time spent as a union roofer
  • Certified HazMat Technician, Emergency Responder and Medical First Responder with over 20 years of experience.
  • Member in good standing of InterNachi #NACHI10022401


Additional Information  

  • Co-Founded and coached a Special Olympics alpine ski team. Created a no-cost venue for Special Olympic athletes through fund-raising and corporate sponsorship.  
  • Have owned and managed private forest land for 15 years. 
  • 25 year experience in biotechnology and bio-pharmaceutical Industry specializing in material management, procurement, mailroom operations, transportation and disaster planning. 

North Central Washington Home Inspections,LLC on Manta





Continuing Education

Note: In addition to formal training I spend many hours per month researching codes, regulations, standards of practices, construction techniques and manufacturer's installation requirements. I am in constant contact with many trade professionals discussing observations, trade techniques and my general inquiries.  None of this work is required by my licensing but I consider it essential in providing my clients the best knowledge I can acquire. 


2010-

How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections- 4 credit hours

Inspecting HVAC Systems- 12 credit Hours

Wood-Destroying Organism Inspection- 4 credit hours

WSU Structural Pest Field Laboratory Training WDO Rules and Identification and Report Writing 2010- 15 Classroom Hours


2011-

WSPMA (Washington State Pest Management Assoc.) Winter Conference 2011- Ant Identification, Rodent Baiting & Trapping, Rules and regulations, Building Envelopes and waterproofing. 8 classroom hrs

WSU Structural Pest Field Laboratory Training WDO Rules and Identification and Report Writing 2011 -15 Classroom Hours

Structural Issues for Home Inspector- 4 credit hours

Deck Inspections home inspector- 3 credit hours

How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion for home inspector-  8 credit hour

Cement Crack Repair Adhesives- .05 Professional Development Hours (provided by Simpson)

IRC (International Residential Code) R5 review (combo) Inspector Designation review and exam- 16 Classroom hours(this is a precursor course to receiving the ICC R5 certification)

Manufactured Housing Inspection and exam- 8 Classroom hours

Gas Appliance Inspection and Exam- 8 Classroom hours


2012-

Report Writing and Insurance- 2 Classroom hours

Social Media and Web Marketing- 2 Classroom hours

Electrical Update, Knob and Tube Wiring- 2 Classroom hours

Crawlspace, Basement and Drainage Solutions- 2 Classroom hours

Building Sciences, by Dr. Joe Lstiburek- 8 Classroom hours

Home Inspector Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps-  8 Classroom hours

Commercial Inspection Management Certificate class- 16 Classroom hours

Pool Inspections Certificate Class- 6 Classroom hours

Infrared Inspections certificate courses I & II- 4 Classroom hours

Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps- 2 Classroom hours

Certificate: IR35 FLIR E Series Basics - Legacy .45 classroom hours

Thermography Basics- 2 ITC Certification Renewal Credits, 2 RCI Continuing Educational Hours (CEHs) 2.5 Classroom hours


2013-

Level 1 Thermography Certification course ITC- 32 class Hours

ASHIWW Building Science presentation withJoseph Lstiburek, Ph.D, Building Science Corporation  8 class hours

Mr. Jim Simmons, Mr. Electric, Olympia, Current Electrical Issues and Updates on new requirements.  2 Class Hours

Mr. Steve Bodine, Bodine Construction, Lynnwood and Kirkland, Crawlspace, Basement, and Drainage Solutions. 2 Class Hours    

NW HVAC/RAssociation and Training Center, Home Inspector Air Conditioner and Heat Pump, 8 Class Hours

Building Science Toolkit for Home Inspectors,  8 class hours


2014-

ASHI Spring Session GeoTech, Mold in attics and crawlspaces, and Log Home Inspection 8 class hours

2012 IRC Residential Wall Bracing 8 class hours - March 2014

2012 IRC Roof construction assemblies, Deck design and construction 8 Class Hours - March 2014

2012 IBC Field Inspections 8 Class Hours- March 2014

2012 Energy Code Compliance 3 Class Hours- March 2014

2012 Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality 3 Class Hours- March 2014

2012 Energy Code Class Compliance- 6 Class Hours- April 2014

2014 ASHIWW-Fall Seminar- Doug Hansen of Code Check, Kirk Haffner/Curtis Dahl-Solar Systems, Inspection of New Construction- 15 Class Hours- Sept 2014


2015-

2015- Bellingham Technical College- Wood Destroying Organisms-8 classroom hours- Feb 2015

2015- Bellingham Technical College- Fundementals of Electrical- Systems- 16 Classroom Hours- Feb 2015

2015 ASHWI Spring Siminar- Roof Systems, Garage Doors, Crawlspaces, Carpenter Ants, Steep Roof Flashings8 Classroom hours- March 2015

2015 NCW Chapter of ICC- Roof To soils, Structural Building Load Transfer, design and inspection- 7 Class Hours- March 2015

2015 NCW Chapter of ICC-Moisture Instrusion- 7 Class Hours March 2015

2015 NCW Chapter of ICC- Fire Resistive Construction 2012 IRC & IBC- 7 Class Hours March 2015


2015 Inspection Universe- Phase Construction Inspections- 1.45 Class Hours-Oct. 2015

2015 Inspection Universe- Homegauge Software- 1.45 Class Hours-Oct. 2015

2015 Inspection Universe- How to Inspect Stucco and Man Made Stone- 1.45 Class Hours-Oct. 2015

2015 Inspection Universe- 203K Inspections- 1.45 Class Hours-Oct. 2015

2015 Inspection Universe- Advanced Electrical Inspections- 1.45 Class Hours-Oct. 2015

2015 Inspection Universe- Thermal Imaging Course- 1.45 Class Hours-Oct. 2015


2016-2016 NCW Chapter of ICC- Significant Changes to the IBC- 7 Class Hours March 2016

2016 NCW Chapter of ICC- Significant Changes to the IRC- 7 Class Hours March 2016

2016 NCW Chapter of ICC- Updates to the 2015 International Mechanical Code and 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code- 7 Class Hours March 2016


2017

2017 NCW Chapter of ICC- Ten Frequent Inspection Failures- 3.5 Class Hours March 2017

2017 NCW Chapter of ICC- Building Department Disaster Prepardness- 3.5 Class Hours March 2017

2017 NCW Chapter of ICC- 2015 International Residential Code Plan Review- 7 Class Hours March 2017

2017 American Society of Home Inspectors- Spring Seminar, Stucco,Adhered Masonry Veneer, Less  common roof coverings, and wall covering, Legal Issues for Home Inspections  - 7 Class Hours March 2017



2018

2018 NCW Chapter of ICC- 2015 IRC Means of Egress- 3.5 Class Hours March 2018

2018 NCW Chapter of ICC- Alternate Methods and Materials- 3.5 Class Hours March 2018

2018 NCW Chapter of ICC- Accessory Structures- 3.5 Class Hours March 2018

2018 NCW Chapter of ICC- Fire Blocking and Draft Stopping- 3.5 Class Hours March 2018

2018 NCW Chapter of ICC- 2015 IBC Means of Egress- 7 Class Hours March 2018

2018 American Society of Home Inspectors- Spring Seminar, Visual Inspection of Fiber Cement SidingNew House Inspections and Code Updates  - 7 Class Hours March 2018

2018 Building Science Fundamentals- Joe Lstiburek- 16 Education credits- Sept 17/18


2019 NCW Chapter of ICC- 2015 Existing Building Code- 7 Class Hours March 2019

2019 NCW Chapter of ICC- Accessibility- 7 Class Hours March 2019

2019 ASHI Western Washington Spring Seminar -   Basement and crawl space drainage, Tile roof inspections, Deck construction codes & inspections, Inspection fundamentals, safety, & better service - 8 Credit hrs

2019- BCD310 2018 IRC Significant Changes to Deck Provisions- 1.5 hrs Class Credits

2019- Fire Door Systems: A Guide to Code Compliance- 5 Class Hours



2020- Keeping Buildings Dry- 2 Class Hrs

2020- Home Inspections and Structural Pest Inspections: What is the difference? 2 Class Hrs

2020- WDO's and Invasive Insects - 2 Class Hrs

2020- Introduction to Retrofits for Homes & Soft-Story Retrofits 1 Class Hr

2020 - Inspection of New and Existing Deck Construction - 1 Class Hr

2020- Infrared inspections and technology - 2 Class Hrs

2020- History of Electrical Codes and Electrical Inspections - 4 Class Hrs


2020- IRC Chapter 3 Sises and Services - 1.5  Class Hrs



Transcript provided by InterNACHI, the home inspector organization

North Central Washington Home Inspection, LLC is a top home inspector in the Wenatchee, Washington Home Inspections guide on Inspectopia.com .

Contact Me
Interested in selling or buying a home? Contact me to get a professional home inspection.
Don Hester
Call: 509-670-9572

Home Inspections, Leavenworth, Chelan County

Certified by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors - Click here to verify.



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