Tri Value Consultants

Residential Home Inspections

 

What we Do...

We fully inspect residential homes according to the Massachusetts Home Inspection Rules and Regulations.  Michael J. Scaduto has been inspecting homes for more than 40 years, and has developed a customized home inspection report that rivals any in the inspection industry.  Heating, Plumbing, Electrical, Siding, Framing, Attics, Crawlspaces, Foundations, Decks, Porches, Living Areas, Garages, Kitchens, and much more are inspected and reported on.  New construction, Older homes, Antique homes as well as "Flip" Houses all hare their unique typical issues - And our extensive experience with all such homes helps us to provide you with the best inspection information about the homes you have us inspect.
We also provide a variety of other inspection services - Including Litigation Investigatory work, Re-Inspection of buildings, Maintenance Inspections for home/building owners, and much more!

Where we Inspect...

Residential properties (Single family homes and residences in 1-4 unit buildings are considered Residential by the State of Massachusetts) are inspected in the State of MA.  Commercial properties and 4+ unit buildings are inspected in MA and other areas.

 

Typical Prices...

A typical size single family house inspection starts at $450 and condominiums can start at $400 (This can vary widely depending on the season and the size of the home/condo.  Custom Inspections and commercial property inspections vary in price (Call for info).  Apartment "Pre-Lease" Inspections can start as low as $350 - depending on the reporting desired and the amount of detail in the inspection - again - call for more info. 

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Joseph V. Scaduto: A Pioneer in Home Inspection and Appraisal

Joseph V. Scaduto is a widely respected veteran in the home inspection, appraisal, and real estate consulting industries having performed his first home inspection in 1977. With a career spanning over four decades, he helped shape the standards for residential and commercial building inspections, specifically in Massachusetts and the broader New England area. In 1977, Scaduto founded Tri-Value Consultants, establishing a premier organization dedicated to meticulous building assessments, educational resources, and real estate consulting. Further cementing his influence on the industry, he also founded SPREI—the Society of Professional Real Estate Inspectors—an organization dedicated to promoting rigorous technical standards and professionalism among real estate inspectors.

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Home Inspection and Appraisal History

At a time when the home inspection industry was still developing its formal standards, Scaduto emerged as a leading authority. His work at Tri-Value Consultants involved comprehensive inspections covering heating, plumbing, electrical systems, structural framing, and foundations for both residential and commercial properties. Beyond merely identifying defects, Scaduto integrated his deep understanding of property valuation into his practice. His approach went past basic condition reporting, focusing heavily on how structural issues, maintenance history, and building systems directly impact the overall market value of a property. This dual expertise in structural assessment and appraisal made him a highly sought-after professional for buyers, sellers, and real estate investors alike.

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Expert Witness and Litigation Investigation

Leveraging his extensive field experience, Scaduto expanded his services into litigation investigatory work. As an expert witness and forensic inspector, he provided crucial testimony and detailed analytical reports for legal disputes involving property defects, construction failures, and disclosure violations. His deep technical knowledge of historical building practices—from antique properties to new construction—allowed him to objectively identify the root causes of building failures. Courts, attorneys, and property owners relied on his authoritative evaluations to resolve complex real estate litigation, cementing his reputation as a definitive voice in building integrity.

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Educational Contributions and College Programs

Alongside his son and long-time business partner, Michael J. Scaduto, Joseph dedicated a significant portion of his career to educating the next generation of home inspectors and empowering homeowners. Together, they revolutionized formal education in the field by creating the very first college-level programs for home inspectors. This groundbreaking curriculum brought rigorous, formalized training to the profession, starting with Northeastern University in 1986, alongside establishing pioneering programs at New York University (1987), the University of Rhode Island (1987), and the University of New Hampshire (1987).

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Complete Bibliography and Publications

While he authored widely recognized commercial books, his most profound impact on the profession came through the extensive curriculum, seminar manuals, and technical texts he wrote and published through SPREI.

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Commercially Published Books & Major Works:

• What's It Worth: A Home Inspection and Appraisal Manual (1988) – A definitive guide bridging the gap between structural inspection and real estate appraisal.

• Keep Its Worth: Solving the Most Common Building Problems – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto, serving as a practical manual for identifying and repairing prevalent structural issues.

 

SPREI Educational Books, Seminar Manuals, and Technical Guides:

• The Home Inspector's Bible – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto.

• The Electrical Inspection Handbook (1995) – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto.

• How To Limit Real Estate Inspection Litigation (1990) – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto.

• How to Successfully Organize and Operate a Home Inspection Business (1995) – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto.

• How To Successfully Market Your Inspection Business (1997) – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto.

• Report Writing for Home Inspectors (1994) – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto.

• Maintenance Manual (1996) – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto and published by SPREI.

• Clues, Telltale Signs, and Red Flags: A Disclosure Guide for Real Estate Professionals – Published by SPREI.

• Electrical System Inspections – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto and published by SPREI.

• Plumbing System Inspections – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto and published by SPREI.

• Heating System Inspections – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto and published by SPREI.

• Inspecting Domestic Hot Water Systems – Co-authored with Michael J. Scaduto and published by SPREI.

• Technical Tip Sheets – Quick-reference materials for inspectors in the field.

 

Newsletters:

• The SPREI Bulletin – Co-authored with and edited by Michael J. Scaduto and published by SPREI - A comprehensive monthly newsletter distributed to all SPREI members, providing ongoing education on building codes, methodologies, and industry news.

 

Newspaper & Magazine Articles:

To reach homeowners and real estate professionals directly, Joseph and Michael Scaduto authored numerous articles on home repairs, maintenance, and inspection principles. Their expert commentary has been featured in:

• Banker and Tradesman

• Lawyers Weekly

• The Old House Journal

• Home Magazine

• Tab Newspapers

• ASHI Reporter

• Boston Herald

 

Instructional Video Series

Recognizing the need for hands-on, visual training, Joseph and Michael produced a comprehensive series of instructional videotapes detailing exactly how to inspect buildings. This extensive library included the following titles:

• How To Inspect A Home

• Exterior Inspections

• Electrical Inspections

• Plumbing Inspections

• Heating Inspections

• Roof Inspections

• Basement Inspections

• Chimney and Fireplace Inspections

• Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Inspections

• Structural Inspections

• Wood Destroying Insect Inspections

• Moisture In Basements

 

Legislative Impact and Industry Licensing

Joseph Scaduto's lifelong commitment to raising the bar for the home inspection industry culminated in a direct impact on state law. In 2002, when the licensing for home inspectors was first proposed in Massachusetts, Joe served as the vital education liaison for State Senator Cheryl Jacques. His expertise and guidance helped shape the legislative framework of the home inspection licensing bill introduced by Senator Jacques, which successfully passed and became law, forever standardizing the profession he helped build.

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