What is the House Coach Approach?
How it works
1
Consultation
Tessa is committed to helping you resolve your house woes in the most cost-effective, efficient and safe way possible. Reach out for a free 30 minute initial consultation.
2
Evaluation
A customized evaluation is done to determine the most efficient, cost-effective way forward. This data gathering stage happens either in-person, remotely or a combination of both.
3
Resolution
A personalized resolution is determined based on your needs, evaluation, resources, and end goal. This may be as simple as answering one question, to managing more complex projects.
Humans have doctors and so should houses.
Similar to how medical professionals specialize in specific areas of the body, housing industry professionals require specialized knowledge in specific areas of the home. Just like a primary care physician coordinates care and develops comprehensive treatment plans, the housing industry needs professionals who can take a holistic approach to resolving performance issues or planning home improvement projects.
For instance…
A general contractor installs new siding and windows, an HVAC contractor installs a new high efficiency furnace and an insulation company air seals and insulates the attic. Who ensures that mechanical ventilation is recommended to prevent moisture or air quality problems? Who verifies that the natural draft water heater doesn’t backdraft harmful carbon monoxide into the home after the installation of a new high efficiency furnace?
This is where a House Coach comes in. By having a comprehensive understanding of how different dynamic systems and components interact, a House Coach ensures that all aspects are considered and that changes or upgrades to one system do not negatively impact another. Tessa is committed to helping you address your house woes in the most cost-effective, efficient and safe way possible.
Understanding the
House Coach Approach
Tessa is a building scientist and certified home inspector who takes a holistic approach to evaluating buildings. She helps clients identify areas for improvement and resolve house related questions and concerns in a cost-effective, efficient and safe way. She always prioritizes the health, safety & comfort of the occupants and the durability & efficiency of a building.
How her approach can benefit you:
Health: By identifying potential sources of indoor air pollution, such as mold, radon or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Tessa can help clients address these issues and improve indoor air quality (IAQ). This can have a significant impact on the health of the occupants, especially those with respiratory or allergy-related conditions.
Safety: Tessa can also help identify potential safety hazards, such as carbon monoxide leaks, electrical wiring issues or harmful asbestos materials that can pose a risk to the occupants of a building. By addressing these issues, homeowners can ensure that their home is a safe and secure place to live.
Comfort: A building that is poorly insulated or has lots of air leaks can be uncomfortable to live in, especially during extreme temperatures. Rooms that are hot in the summer or cold in the winter greatly impact comfort. Tessa can help identify areas where insulation or air sealing improvements can be made and indoor temperatures can be better moderated, to improve the overall comfort of a home.
Durability: A building that is not well-maintained can deteriorate over time and may require costly repairs or renovations. By identifying areas of a home that require attention, Tessa can help homeowners prioritize maintenance and repair tasks to ensure the longevity of their home.
Efficiency: Improving energy efficiency can help homeowners save money on utility bills and reduce their carbon footprint. Tessa can help identify areas where energy improvements can be made, such as upgrading to more efficient appliances or sealing air leaks, to improve the overall efficiency of a home.
Houses are complex
and composed of various systems with interconnected, dynamic parts. A holistic understanding of how or why these systems succeed or fail is necessary for a home to perform the way it should - i.e., be comfortable, safe and healthy for the occupants and have no issues with performance, inefficiencies, rot or decay. Building science is risk assessment and the foundation for the House Coach approach. It’s all about making improvements that will not create unintended consequences.
The building industry makes
MISTAKES.
Photo: StructureTech Home Inspections
It happens more often than you think. Want to learn more? Check out these additional resources:
PODCAST: Patrick Huelman, Tessa’s professorBlog: The Remodeling Conundrum: When the Order Matters, Patrick H. HuelmanBlog: Buying a stucco home? Heads up. Reuben Saltzman.Blog: New High Efficiency Furnace, New Moisture Problems. Reuben Saltzman.
"Tessa is a rock star. She is very knowledgeable and pays close attention to the details. She is a very trustworthy person. I have been in the trades for 20+ years and she showed me some new things. Tessa saved me thousands of dollars because of her thoroughness. Thank you Tessa Murry!"
— Trent C.
