Answers (14)
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:26328
Two other questions you can ask the potential home inspector...
1) Do you mind if I visit the property with you when you do the inspection so that I can see the conditions for myself?
2) How well do you crawl attic spaces and crawl spaces under houses? Will you look in all the corners, especially for foundation conditions and signs of rodent entry, and previous water leaks? Will you note the R-value of all insulation observed?
1) Do you mind if I visit the property with you when you do the inspection so that I can see the conditions for myself?
2) How well do you crawl attic spaces and crawl spaces under houses? Will you look in all the corners, especially for foundation conditions and signs of rodent entry, and previous water leaks? Will you note the R-value of all insulation observed?
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26916
No I don't, but many people do. My main complaint with home inspectors is that their reports look good, but their knowledge base can be very shallow. Just because a home has a problem, that doesn't mean that you cross it off the list, it just means you need more information. Unfortunately, if you home inspector "gets it wrong" and misses a key defect, he/she has no liability in many cases and you as the buyer have no recourse the way most reports/contracts are written. I wish people were more careful in selecting a home inspector and also wish that they understood the limitations of the training that most inspectors have. I think a getting a home inspection is must have when you buy, but you need to know what they will and won't do for you as a buyer.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:26328
So, what is this thing with the "crossed arms"? Are you stuborn or something?
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:26328
Does anyone expect that marriage counciling will get them a "perfect" spouse?
Of course not; but you do it anyway to avoid the major problems that could have blind-sided you.
Just because a problem is located doesn't mean you give up or start seeking another; it just means you know where the concentrate your efforts and what compensations may need to be made.
The sample reports are helpful in selecting an inspector as at least one would see the standard checklist of items the inspector is looking at, and how much detail noted problems are described.
As for seeing through walls; they can see more than one might expect if they own an infrarred camera; but that is not part of any normal inspection report.
There is more "hidden" in new construction than most older construction.
As for "termites" and other insects; that is a separate report by licensed specialist; and they typically miss many things expecting to do additional work in the future. They could "see" a lot more than they do if they would be more diligent; but it is not typical to be looking for problems when none are readily vissible. Most home inspectors exclude that work as it is redundant, takes extra time, and they don't want the liablity. Their time is better spent on code, safety, and maintenance issues. But make sure they give a thorough report on the foundation condition, and an overview of the roof, plumbing, heating and electrical systems.
I fell out of escrow once due to the seller trying to hide roofing conditions, and once with an illegal heating system installation.
Of course not; but you do it anyway to avoid the major problems that could have blind-sided you.
Just because a problem is located doesn't mean you give up or start seeking another; it just means you know where the concentrate your efforts and what compensations may need to be made.
The sample reports are helpful in selecting an inspector as at least one would see the standard checklist of items the inspector is looking at, and how much detail noted problems are described.
As for seeing through walls; they can see more than one might expect if they own an infrarred camera; but that is not part of any normal inspection report.
There is more "hidden" in new construction than most older construction.
As for "termites" and other insects; that is a separate report by licensed specialist; and they typically miss many things expecting to do additional work in the future. They could "see" a lot more than they do if they would be more diligent; but it is not typical to be looking for problems when none are readily vissible. Most home inspectors exclude that work as it is redundant, takes extra time, and they don't want the liablity. Their time is better spent on code, safety, and maintenance issues. But make sure they give a thorough report on the foundation condition, and an overview of the roof, plumbing, heating and electrical systems.
I fell out of escrow once due to the seller trying to hide roofing conditions, and once with an illegal heating system installation.
- Joe Nernberg, "Home Inspection Pro"
- Contributions:97
A diligent interview of the home inspector is paramount. Most people call me and ask for price first. Better questions:
I know California does not license home inspectors, so what are your qualifications?
Do you seek continuing education and certification through www.creia.org or www.ashi.org?
May I see a sample report?
Do you have any construction experience?
Are you insured (errors and ommission, general liability).
When you get (and verify) satisfactory answers, you will have eliminated 65% of the inspectors nationwide. This our dirty little secret. Don't tell anybody. :)
I know California does not license home inspectors, so what are your qualifications?
Do you seek continuing education and certification through www.creia.org or www.ashi.org?
May I see a sample report?
Do you have any construction experience?
Are you insured (errors and ommission, general liability).
When you get (and verify) satisfactory answers, you will have eliminated 65% of the inspectors nationwide. This our dirty little secret. Don't tell anybody. :)
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:40758
Trump Junior:
If you have low hope of finding a good inspector, therefore chose not to do the due diligence, you are almost guaranteed to get a poor inspector.
If you don't try, you will be guaranteed to fail (in many aspects of life)
If you have low hope of finding a good inspector, therefore chose not to do the due diligence, you are almost guaranteed to get a poor inspector.
If you don't try, you will be guaranteed to fail (in many aspects of life)
- Trump Junior
- Contributions:83
Bette: In answer. I didn't ask for references. I didn't get any reports from them after the inspection or sample reports before. My feeling is that where I Iive, NYC, very few have pride of doing a job right although many claim to, it is just a quick in and out and that's it. So I don't really have high expectations. Around here, $400 will get you someone to come to your house plus about 45 minutes of their time and that is it, whether it is a plumber, home inspector or whatever. I guess I could have been more diligent in choosing an inspector, but like I said I have very low hope of finding a good one so what's the point.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:40758
No . absolutely not. First, there is not such thing as a perfect home or a home that won't need continuing maintence. Second, inspectors have limitations - they can't see through walls, they can't get into certain areas and they each have their own biases.
- jrea3000
- Contributions:106
No. Inspectors can't see through walls for instance. They are limited to what they can actually observe. Their reports usually exclude many things.
I'm intrigued why an agent would ask the question, though. Is there an interesting story behind this?
- Pat & Steve Pribisko, "TeamPribisko"
- Contributions:5
Dinah:
There is no perfect home, not even a custom built home.
A home inspection provided by a highly qualified home inspector is necessary to protect your buyers. The inspector's job is to look for&to identify hidden defects. We highly suggest that our buyers provide for inspection contingencies (home, pest,&radon) in the Purchase Agreements we prepare. (The region we cover is Northeast OH.)
Pat Pribisko
- Bette Defarm
- Contributions:4697
After having 2 home inspections my feeling is that both inspectors only gave a cursory visual inspection to whatever was visible and is was unlikely that they would have noticed any serious problems.
Did their references give any indication that they were incompetent? Did they misrepresent their sample reports? I consider an independent inspector as important as the attorney when purchasing a house.
Did their references give any indication that they were incompetent? Did they misrepresent their sample reports? I consider an independent inspector as important as the attorney when purchasing a house.
- Trump Junior
- Contributions:83
After having 2 home inspections my feeling is that both inspectors only gave a cursory visual inspection to whatever was visible and is was unlikely that they would have noticed any serious problems. Aren't they supposed to poke around a little and use some test equipment or something? One of the inspectors seemed to be more interested in selling termite protection.
- Bette Defarm
- Contributions:4697
Who expects a perfect ANYTHING? I'm starting to think you've been reading too much Cosmo...
- Angelique01
- Contributions:2031
I would expect not that the property is in perfect condition, but that the home inspection would point out any problems or potential problems that currently exist or that are likely to occur in short order.
Do you feel a home inspection guarentees you a perfect home?
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