Shingle to Slab Home Inspection
Expect the best
Buying a home is likely the biggest investment you will make in your life
Your One-Stop Inspection Company
I use a thermal camera on EVERY inspection, to “see what others can’t”
Licensed in Louisiana and Mississippi
Same-Day Inspection Reports
What we inspect and why
A home inspection is an examination of the home's structure, components and systems. Since buying a home is likely the biggest investment you will ever make, the home inspection is one of the most important elements in the homebuying process. The inspection can reveal defects that may or may not be obvious to you as a prospective buyer. Such defects can range from simple replacements or repairs to severe damage or safety and health concerns.
Interior, exterior, walls, windows, and doors
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
Foundation, including the crawlspace
Fireplace and chimney
Roof, roof structure and attic (including ventilation and insulation)
Electrical
Plumbing
INSPECT - DOCUMENT - INFORM - EDUCATE - SUPPORT
Shingle To Slab’s core tenets of every inspection
Inspect and Document - Utilizing experience gained through decades of work in construction and an eye for detail, Kevin does not just look for things that are obviously wrong. He ensures that the structure is “built right (the right materials and the right methods). On a typical inspection, Kevin begins with a thorough review of the exterior. From the top of the home to the bottom (the shingles to the slab), the inspection covers the roof covering, the quality of the roof installation, and materials used. This naturally flows into an evaluation of the transitions between the roof and the exterior walls, the fascia, soffit, and appropriate flashing, the wall cladding, and the openings in the walls (doors, windows, plumbing and electrical connections). A home is a system of systems, and must be inspected with an eye towards water management from top to bottom, protection from moisture and pests, structural integrity, and longevity of materials. While outside, the condenser portion of the HVAC system is observed for proper operation, noting the age of the system and its likely remaining service life. The entrance of power to the structure is evaluated for safety, integrity of materials, and for safe operation. With an understanding of the layout of the roof, the inspection continues inside the home, normally beginning in the attic to further evaluate the roof structure from the underside, validating the integrity of attic penetrations to be leak-free, and for proper insulation between the attic space and the living space below. The longevity of the roof also relies on proper attic ventilation, which is evaluated through the use of visual observation as well as the use of calibrated equipment. Many of our southern homes have the evaporator coil portion and heating portion of the HVAC system in the attic. This requires proper support, condensate drainage, combustion gas discharge (if gas fired), and proper air distribution throughout the home by way of ducts. Once in the living area, the remainder of the home’s systems are further evaluated, which allows for a complete understanding and evaluation of the condition of the entire home, including operation of doors, windows, electrical wiring, plumbing, fixtures, water heater, kitchen appliances, and the condition of the walls, ceilings and floors. Of course all homes are different, and many have specialized designs and equipment that is also inspected. Kevin documents his progression of the inspection and the comments and recommendations developed during the inspection within our live inspection software. Kevin takes a LOT of photos, all uploaded, along with any applicable references immediately. Kevin writes his reports in a way that is comprehensive and actionable by trades workers, yet clearly understandable by anyone without a construction background, in plain english. Our software allows for client access from anywhere, and never expires.
Inform and Educate - We are committed to providing an easy-to-understand inspection report to our clients, using language easily transferrable to other professionals for action. Critical to this stage is ensuring the client is comfortable with and understands all aspects of the inspection report. This often is a dialogue where the inspector can provide detailed explanations of the systems, the findings and recommendations, and allow the client to ask questions regarding the report or other items throughout the home. Kevin does not leave the job until the client is satisfied they they understand the report. And FINALLY….
Support - An often missed key component of the inspection is follow-on support AFTER the inspection. We remain available to answer any questions regarding the inspection report to our clients in perpetuity.
Meet your Inspector
KEVIN MIDDLETON
My wife and have lived in Slidell, LA for our entire lives (minus time away for military commitments), and care deeply about our community. I am a graduate of Pope John Paul II High School and Southeastern Louisiana University. I am a 27+ year veteran, retired from the Louisiana National Guard, where I served as an Engineering Officer. I have one child at Louisiana State University, and one at University of Southern Mississippi. I enjoy just about any outdoor activity (golf, skiing, camping, biking), spending time with friends and family, and am a lifelong learner. You may see me around town, enjoying all the activities St Tammany Parish has to offer, or I may be at home, enjoying my own peace and quiet. I enjoy traveling to new places and enjoying the world we live in.
I have a passion for helping people. Before Hurricane Katrina, I worked in the construction trades for several years. Following that storm my part-time job in the National Guard turned into active duty, where I utilized my education and experience in the construction field to help rebuild facilities lost to storms. My work turned into a quality control role, responsible for inspecting multi-million dollar projects, providing corrective actions at several inspection periods through the construction process. My experience in the military has given me a great deal of experience in construction and with people. Upon my retirement in 2023, I wanted to find an area that I could utilize my experience and provide a service to people. And here I am, ready to “Dig In” to whatever home you need inspected, and give you everything I can determine from inspecting that home.
I also enjoy being able to utilize my skills to educate my clients on how their home or building works, how to maintain it, and how to improve its safety and efficiency.
My promise to you:
From the moment you schedule an inspection with me, you are my client, and I am your advocate throughout the process. Every person/family is different, with different concerns and needs. I seek to understand my client, and look to expand from my already detailed inspection to meet any unique needs or concerns my clients may have.
My investigation regarding the property begins before I arrive at the home for the inspection appointment. There is a great deal that can be learned by understanding the area the home is located within, what weather events have occurred over the life of the structure, and the history of the jurisdiction’s enforcement of building codes. Every location is different.
My commitment to my clients is to ensure they have a thorough knowledge of the condition of the property. It is my job to give you the information you need to make an informed decision regarding the property.
But, my commitment does not stop once the inspection is complete and we have left the premises. I regularly get “out-of-the-blue” phone calls from previous clients who have random questions about their home. Whether it’s about a contractor’s work, or advice on improvements, I welcome these questions, and truly enjoy helping people.
As a proud participant in the InterNACHI “We'll Buy Your Home” Guarantee Program, I stand committed to providing peace of mind to homebuyers and sellers. This program offers an added layer of confidence, ensuring that if issues arise post-inspection, I am prepared to facilitate a solution that prioritizes your satisfaction. By participating in this program, I reaffirm my dedication to thorough inspections and client-centric service, making the home buying or selling experience smoother and more reliable for everyone involved. Click on the logo for more information.
