home inspectors

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JohnJ0906 said:
I would rather see something like an inspection service, who sends an electrician, plumber, and a few other pro, instead of just 1 guy who can't possibly be knowledgeable in all areas.
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There ya go! I did an inspection for a family member yesterday. He inherited a house from his mother, and when he went to get a HO insurance policy, he received a letter stated everything had to be inspected by LICENSED CONTRACTORS from each trade. I have to send a letter to the insurance co. w/ my findings and list my lic#. I was happy to see that.


My dad owns a RE co. and I get to do some of the repair work stemming from these HI reports. I've gotten some real gems. I got one that listed two receptacles in the entire house that weren't grounded. I checked all the receps; one room on the house was added on and had the ground. All of the other receps were 3-prong connected to old 2-wire, and he only found TWO that weren't grounded.

One said there was a junction box at the top of the attic stairs missing a 4" cover. I walked up the attic stairs and immediately found the box. However, once I put my ENTIRE BODY in the attic I found no less than 6 boxes missing covers, and SEVERAL open splices.

Another said the AHU in the attic didn't have any sort of condensation drain. He was half-right. There was no AHU in the attic. It was in a closet in the house and in fact had the drain. I still don't know what he was looking at up there.

I could go on. . . .
 
roger said:
Might your anger over HI's be because you are one of these sellers? :D :D :D

That was a joke (notice the :D's) so don't go postal on on us. ;)

Roger
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Certainly sounds like this is the case. The anger is awesome.
 
roger said:
Might your anger over HI's be because you are one of these sellers? :D :D :D

That was a joke (notice the :D's) so don't go postal on on us. ;)

Roger
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LMAO I am not even angry..Let see how this goes..here you take weekend class and you are now an Home Inspector..you make 350 to 500 dollars to walk around the house and render opinions on someone else's house..

Now you must remember everyone here knows everyone in one way or another population is 15,000..

So HI walks around and decides that the things are okay or there are a bunch of violations..

So yes I have a beef if you don't then check how long it took to get your licenses and tell me you want an unqualified person inspecting electrical..naybe for some cash we can have them inspect our instaltions..wait they are and are unqualified..

I hate it when I get call from elderly couple all freaked out from this guy and then I look at the stuff and then I have to call and amend his report and why..They have no right to do this..

I have spent all my working life doing what I do..So now some wanna be comes into our profession and takes dollars out of our pockets and they never even had to go to 2 yrs of school spend five years in the trade or even become licensed..It is against the law to accept cash for electrical of any sort in this state without a license..but these guys can and get away with it..

Now the HI is the main man in inspections..his word is the gospel..You guys can say good things but all I can see is the negative side of this..by us empowering them and giving them the power they will eventually be telling us what to do..oh wait they already do..You can contract any licensed professional in the area and get a legitimate appraisal of your systems for the same total price as they are charging..

Why are they taking our business..I can do an inspection for the price of a service call..why are we not contracting with realtor's to do our part of the job and promoting out industry..Instead we give our cash to someone else and enforce the fact that you don't need special qualifications to do inspections anyone can do it..

Remember it is our only chance to make a difference..
 
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Here in MN they are not licensed..I hope to prevent them from even being licensed or certified..the State has licensed inspectors in every area..The State requires licenses to do inspections..So if it is that important you have to have the house inspected..Please use a Licensed professional not some unlicensed hack..
 
Am I totally missing the pont here? I thought that as electrical contractors and business owners, we would welcome an opportunity to increase our revenue? Since NC has started licensing HI's, my workload has actually increased. I do not see HI's as taking business from me, they are pointing out areas to the HO that may need correcting, and that is when the electrician is called. Are all of the items on the HI report justified-no. But as the ec, I explain to the customer that the item is not unsafe, is working properly, and does not need to be corrected. If the customer still feels that the item should be addressed, then I will satisfy the paying customer. Case in point- HI writes in his report the the duplex outlets are not oriented in the same direction throughout the house (some have ground up, some have ground down). The buyer wants them re-oriented in the same direction (ground down) and is willing to pay for this service. After explaining to the potential buyer that this is not a violation, safety or fire hazard, and is purely an appearance issue, the buyer still wants them re-oriented. I fulfilled my moral obligition in advising the customer that the service is unnecessary. The customer still wants the service performed, pays me well to do it, and everybody is happy.
 
I think home inspectors, over all, do an outstanding job and perform a great service. The guys I feel sorry for are the combo inspectors, whose jurisdictions want them to look at every trade's work - they have big shoes to fill. The few home inspector contracts that I have seen basically say that they could miss anything and they aren't liable (don't know how well that holds up in court). I have "inspected" houses for friends and familty - that's it. I do not want the liability (ever) of certifying the work of the electrical system in a house (presumably where multiple parties have done who knows what to the electricl system), but if you want that liability - go for it ! (I can only imagine what kind of lawsuits would unfold from that endeavor)
 
acwservices said:
Am I totally missing the pont here? I thought that as electrical contractors and business owners, we would welcome an opportunity to increase our revenue? Since NC has started licensing HI's, my workload has actually increased. I do not see HI's as taking business from me, they are pointing out areas to the HO that may need correcting, and that is when the electrician is called. Are all of the items on the HI report justified-no. But as the ec, I explain to the customer that the item is not unsafe, is working properly, and does not need to be corrected. If the customer still feels that the item should be addressed, then I will satisfy the paying customer. Case in point- HI writes in his report the the duplex outlets are not oriented in the same direction throughout the house (some have ground up, some have ground down). The buyer wants them re-oriented in the same direction (ground down) and is willing to pay for this service. After explaining to the potential buyer that this is not a violation, safety or fire hazard, and is purely an appearance issue, the buyer still wants them re-oriented. I fulfilled my moral obligition in advising the customer that the service is unnecessary. The customer still wants the service performed, pays me well to do it, and everybody is happy.
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I agree with increasing revenue, but I also don't like doing things that are not necessary. Somehow people think that what ever the HI reports is "law" and no one can tell them any difference.

Like someone said earlier, they are not buying a brand new house that meets the latest electrical, plumbing, building codes. They are buying something that passed the code inspections when it was originally built.
 
They can bring in revenue for EC..But they are certifying the fitness of the house and when they fail and new homeowner find defect they are not responsible..You still have to sue the previous owner..

Roger you are somewhat correct when they wanted to bring in HI it would of cost me five hundred for the inspection..I ask how he was qualified..I stood there in shock..Then I told Realtor if he wanted a report from a hack he was paying for it not me..I am not even in favor of a 6 to 7 percent selling fee..but that is different issue..

I have seen the reports that just rip peoples homes apart..they have lived there for 20 years and raised their kids there..no one sick or hurt and house in good condition and you would of thought it was a dump by report..

My big thing is they have missed the this was a Meth lab and people end up with a nightmare..That is why you employee them is to not get stuck with a Meth house or a flipped house that was full of cat sh-t, cockroaches, and basically full of mold that was just painted over..Instead they pick apart the obvious and miss the important things..

Here they get cash have no responsibility and are not licensed..
 
Thank you for the link sir..not the citizens the legislature does not find it an issue and pushes it to the DOL (Department of Labor)..But as your research shows anything goes..

I dont like it but eventually will have to live with it..
 
cschmid said:
interesting blank it off and not have enough required outlets or remove the heater or sell the house as is..If you dont like it then you fix it..I will not compensate you for the removal or repair..I have already figured it in the house price..you buy house as is where is and I dont warrenty sh-t..it is not a used car from a dealer..it was built in the fifties so you are buying a 1950's house like it is or move on..
So you buy a rental house, rent it for few years..do nothing to it except paint..Now you need some one to tell you to make all this new to sell it..forget it stay out of my house..potential buyer you are buying as is, like it buy or move on..it is a 1950's house it is probabully going to need work..the key is are you smart enough to know the cost of remodel so can you make a profit or not..really not my problem I will just leave renters in it as it makes me profit..So go ahead hire someone to tell you the problems it is your money but I do not care what they say..Dont make it my problem I have not violated nothing..so what if the baseboard is below the outlet, it has been like that for years now and no one has gotten hurt, now it is a problem..If you dont like it then when you own the house you remodel it I am not.

hmm wonder does that even make a good devils advocate arguement..nope but it is the sediment of the population especially if you are elderly and looking to take your cash and move on..So again tell me what an HI does..except give out advice good or bad and try and scare people..So if HI does not like your house he writes up bunch of BS and uses fear factor..now you either have to remodel or give your house away bunch of BS how a single person can have that power and you give it to them..Why????
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I know the day will come when I will be too busted up to continue in the trade, and have looked into, and taken courses to become an HI. Why? Because I feel it is a valuable service to the unknowing. I live in Maryland, and the licensing for this service is going to be, if it isn't already, a requirement. Along with that will be liability and accountability. Check out NAHI/ASHI if you want to see what is required of a true HI. This is as it should be, otherwise it is just like a lawn service, anybody can do it. An HI cannot tell you to make changes. Period. What a qualified HI does is look for the things the unknowing doesn't see. How many people have ever gone into a crawl space on a home they were going to buy? If they peeked into it, would they know that huge crack in the main beam was bad? Most don't even know there is one there. How about the cracked or missing shingles on the roof? The furnace filter is so dirty, you know it hasn't been changer regularly. Might want a licensed HVAC company to check the system out .The old "educated consumer" is what it is all about. Now the buyer knows and can either move on to another choice, or negotiate the price and/or repairs if they still want the house. Most people are spending every bit of savings they have to get into their dream and won't have the $$$ to replace the roof or HVAC system, etc....If this doesn't help, try Prozac
 
Ok, I just saw where the little green smiley dude was. Me and my big dumb fingers were trying to get him next to the Prozac, as it was intended to be said in a kidding manner. My apologies!
But also, an HI cannot perform any of the work, nor recommend any contractors.
 
brian john said:
Any idea what an HI gets in our area John? (Washington Baltimore).
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Last I knew it was about $1 for each $1,000 of the selling price. For my $320,000 house it was $320 in year 2000.

Mark
 
prh1700 said:
I know the day will come when I will be too busted up to continue in the trade, and have looked into, and taken courses to become an HI. Why? Because I feel it is a valuable service to the unknowing. I live in Maryland, and the licensing for this service is going to be, if it isn't already, a requirement. Along with that will be liability and accountability. Check out NAHI/ASHI if you want to see what is required of a true HI. This is as it should be, otherwise it is just like a lawn service, anybody can do it. An HI cannot tell you to make changes. Period. What a qualified HI does is look for the things the unknowing doesn't see. How many people have ever gone into a crawl space on a home they were going to buy? If they peeked into it, would they know that huge crack in the main beam was bad? Most don't even know there is one there. How about the cracked or missing shingles on the roof? The furnace filter is so dirty, you know it hasn't been changer regularly. Might want a licensed HVAC company to check the system out .The old "educated consumer" is what it is all about. Now the buyer knows and can either move on to another choice, or negotiate the price and/or repairs if they still want the house. Most people are spending every bit of savings they have to get into their dream and won't have the $$$ to replace the roof or HVAC system, etc....If this doesn't help, try Prozac
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LMAO...........You see HI's are licensed in you neck of the woods..But here it is like lawn care service..and they get 3 to 5 hundred to do inspection..Anyone can take week end course and be one..the only thing HI does is steal money from Seller by make statements that are either accurate or inaccurate..either way it is cost seller cash..you buy as is why give your money away to someone who is only in it for the easy cash..When I get told to do what I do, I will not be crawling around in your crawl spaces for my money..

Our economy is dumping our Realtors are ripping us off 6% of 300,000 is ....18 grand to sell a house...now you got others wanting a piece of the selling profit..even if the Realtor lowers there price to 3% it is still 9 grand..pretty good return on your time and gas to drive over and show your house couple of times..Now you enlist HI's who is trying to find stuff wrong with your house that is why you are employeed..if you want a professional opinion hire a professional..

like for a HVAC service call you can have the truth of how good your system is or is not...Not OOOh the filter is dirty that an indication that the home owner did not take care of his furance..Give me a break..Oh you should have AFCI breakers in your bed rooms but yet it has a passed inspection sticker on it from when the work was performed..I am going to change the breakers and I am not going to give you 2 grand off the price..Can I sue the HI for causing me the loss of the sale because of his advice..No..Give me a break it is about time we see the light..I am tired of people thinking I need to give them a free ride..

If the main beam under the house in the crawl space was cracked and was located after the purchase previous homeowner is going to pay via a law suite..So why do we need a HI..If HI misses beam crack, he still gets his 500 cash and previous owner still gets sued..HI home free with 500 cash...What am I missing..

Do you pay a mechanic to check your cars out before you buy them..does used car agent give you a hunk of cash off the price sometimes, sometimes not. but the mechanical inspection is not on file where all the consumer can see it and drive the price down..

But the HI inspections does just that to the real-estate value of your home..Even when he gives advice that is wrong and depreciating..but was done to code when install 40 yrs earlier..So what am I missing..HI's are fee loaders on my cash and if I don't like them or they me..they can directly affect the sale of my house by a intentional bad inspection and they are responsible for nothing...So what am I missing...
 
My point is You as a home owner can hire professionals in the areas you want inspected and get professional inspections and do it as cheap as a HI..

So why do we not promote that area of business and take the cash ourselves..We will inspect the electrical in your house for the price of the service call..

The HI might bring you business..Hi's are not professional Electricians and they receive cash for electrical work..They are breaking the law because to receive cash for any type of electrical work you must be licensed, bonded and insured..They are taking your business and you are allowing it..We inspect but do not offer a price for any items needing fixed..That way it is an honest inspection not one looking for extra business..Help our industry promote license electrical professionals to do a professional inspection of your property..
 
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home inspectors

this is a racket, you pay these inspectors alot of money, they find things that they say should be done or replaced, and that's as far as it goes. when you go back to the the owner, they just laugh at you. one person would not even change a burnt out light bulb.
 
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