[wirenut1110]

This is a post I found on a home inspectors forum. Kinda didn't sit too well with me and my reply reflected that. Thought I'd throw it out there for y'alls opinions.


No disrespect, rkhi, but my customers pay me to check out the electrical system. That's why I'm in the house.

And I'm eminently more qualified than the 20-year master electrician Erby described in his post.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Where was this? NACHI?

 

[wirenut1110]

inspectorsjournal.com

 

[Speedy Petey]

Oh man! I HAD to join you. :thumbsup:

 

[cmec]

All thease foneys know is what they read out of their study manual, kinda like some of the BUILDING inspectors Ive encountered in pennsylvania.

 

[wirenut1110]

Oh man! I HAD to join you. :thumbsup:

No doubt, I joined just so I could respond to that.

 

[BryanMD]

I haven't read that forum thread, and I've seen some wacked inspector reports, BUT in my own personal experience of them MOST do understand the limit of their responsibility and personal competence (which varies a LOT!); and do actually conduct themselves appropriately within that limit.

The house we just sold had one of the better ones. He spent over two hours and covered all the bases, explained the few issues he found (I knew of them all), and did it all in a clear and un-alarming way to the buyer.

 

[wirenut1110]

All thease foneys know is what they read out of their study manual, kinda like some of the BUILDING inspectors Ive encountered in pennsylvania.

With exceptions, of course, I've always said/heard: Inspectors are those who couldn't make it in the trade. Again, I stress there are exceptions.:boxing:

 

[randomkiller]

With exceptions, of course, I've always said/heard: Inspectors are those who couldn't make it in the trade. Again, I stress there are exceptions.:boxing:

Problem is the exceptions are few and far between.

 

[Mach]

My cousin just got a home inspection. It failed. They need heat in a bedroom and some paint done outside. I went up to DONATE my time to run this cable for heat then I noticed the FP panel with a split main breaker, rusted lugs, you know the basic fire trap. I told them to change the panel out and I would put the baseboard heat in. I wish I got pictures of that panel. Hey the porch got some paint on it.

Ken

 

[Speedy Petey]

My cousin just got a home inspection. It failed.

There is NO such thing as a "failed" home inspection.

H-Is have NO authority whatsoever! Although, most folks think they are the equivalent of an "expert on everything" and take their word as gospel.

 

[Mach]

There is NO such thing as a "failed" home inspection.

H-Is have NO authority whatsoever! Although, most folks think they are the equivalent of an "expert on everything" and take their word as gospel.

Well it needed to pass so the lender could lend them money for the house. I think it was a VA loan. I would expect more of these inspections to reflect the sale of a house.

Ken

 

[Trimix-leccy]

OK,Stupid Brit here!!

What is a Home Inspector
When do you need them?
How much 'say' do they have?
What qualifications?
What if you do not do as they say?:blink:

Thanks

 

[Speedy Petey]

Well it needed to pass so the lender could lend them money for the house. I think it was a VA loan. I would expect more of these inspections to reflect the sale of a house.

Then this was NOT a typical home inspector. A H-I only gives his opinion, NOTHING more.

 

[Mach]

OK,Stupid Brit here!!

What is a Home Inspector
When do you need them?
How much 'say' do they have?
What qualifications?
What if you do not do as they say?:blink:

Thanks

Usually when you buy a house you need an inspector to go in and check things out (Unless you pay cash). Usually they spend 5 hours at the house (Depending on the company). At the end they give you a report a few pages thick on whats going on with the house. Most lenders and insurance providers will go with what the inspector says. Inspector says house is good lender gives you money to buy, and insurance provided gives you insurance that you also need to buy the house. Inspector says house needs repairs, you will not get insurance or lender will not lend you money. In return you MUST get the repairs needed done in a timely fashion or you won't get a house. These guys are a jack of all trades master of none (Sometimes) That guy should have told the HO about that panel needing replaced. I am not sure how the conventional loans work I am sure they will follow suit like VA, and Hud loans soon.

They have classes at the local community college. I don't think inspectors are government employees just independent companies.

Hope this helps some. I am sure others will chime in.

Ken

 

[480sparky]

OK,Stupid Brit here!!

What is a Home Inspector
When do you need them?
How much 'say' do they have?
What qualifications?
What if you do not do as they say?:blink:

Thanks

A home is the biggest investment most people make, so they hire a Home Inspector to give a home a once-over with a set of neutral eyes. They do not tie their fee to the sale of the property, they are simply paid a fee for their service. They look a structure over, and make note of any deficiencies and problems they may see (settling foundation, leaky plumbing, termites, etc.)

No one requires them. It's just a precaution many buyers prefer to pay for.

They have no legal authority. But the buyers can use the information they provide to either break the deal (no sale) or negotiate a lower price.

In most places, no qualifications are required. No tests, no license, no insurance, etc.

No one is required to 'do as they say.' If, for instance, the HI says a home you want to buy needs a new roof, the seller is not obliged to fix the roof, nor is the seller required to either stop the sale or negotiate.

The whole process is similar to buying a used car, and taking it to your own mechanic for a look-see before you plunk down your dollars (euros, in your case).

HIs are not government-endorsed or associated with building inspections. They are just another business, like grocery stores and day care centers. They provide as service and get paid for it.

As Mach stated, some lenders will require a HI report. They don't want to invest (read, loan you the money) in a building that's substandard. But that's the lenders' decision, not a legally-required one.

 

[Trimix-leccy]

Thanks
Understand now:thumbsup:

UK has 2 versions

Home Buyers report...worth squit. Just means mortgage company will get their money back if it all goes horribly wrong, and you have to live in a tent.

Structural survey...covers everything. Got one done on our house prior to purchase 28 years ago. Never had to do ANYTHING to the house which was not listed in the report.!! Did not get an Electrical Inspection done though, thought I'd take a gamble on that one:laughing:

 

[brian john]

If a HO wants a serious inspection they should hire a plumber, electrician, structural guy at about $600.00-$1,200.00 each. As a cheap house is at a minimum $200.000.00 for less than 2% one would get a real inspection.

What do HI's charge?

 

[Mach]

What do HI's charge?

My most recent one was $450 The guy was there about 5 hours.

It seems most people don't want electrical work done until they see smoke. 100 degrees outside and the AC gets knocked out they want it fixed yesterday Thats me anyway

Ken

 

[wirenut1110]

I think around here like $3-350 maybe a little more nowadays. Only thing is we don't have "inspector" in our titles so, the general public thinks that it's a step above. Such as do they have people without medical degrees telling doctors what they need to do or not do? What happened to a "jury" of our peers.