will5443

I know a few electricians who should read that article.

Find the one that will give you the most education and support

Just remember - a referral from a realtor is only as good as your last report (in thier eyes). One deal gone sour (in a realtors eyes) due to a report, and they move on to someone different (usually cheaper). That being said, I think most new inspectors probably need to solicit realtors to get started. You have to get your business somewhere. Try to go to their weekly / monthly meetings and speak for 10 minutes. I have an inspector friend who brings hot coffee and donuts to his offices every now and then. Works every time for him. Do your job, and do it well, and you will start to receive referrals from both your clients and the sellers whose homes you inspect. Soon you will not need to solicit realtors.

That pipe should be UL listed. If it is not, it needs to be changed. There should be a sticker on the pipe, unless the pipe has been cut. Have them verify the listing. If they cant, change the pipe.

Sad story for our profession. I hope those people take action.

Glen, I can agree with what you said, but think of this. My handyman goes in and fixes 'minor electirical issues'. You go behind him for a re-inspection and clear those repairs. Little Johnny comes along and gets shocked by the outlet, or a fire occurs. You are the last person that looked at that outlet. Your client sues. In court the attorney asks you "are you inspected the outlet. Are you a licensed electrician. Didn't you know that all repairs need to be completed by a licensed contractor." You just bought yourself a claim. The problem herer is that the client is our client, not our friend. And they will turn on you at any time if they think they can get money out of you. The law is the law (whether right or wrong) and if it is going to protect me from being sued, then I will use it. "What right does government have to specify whom I contract minor work with?" That right comes up when the government feels that the consumer has been harmed (usually when someone in the government has had a bad experience). That is why home inspectors in Florids can no longer inspect septic tanks. Someone in the government had a home inspection. Six months later her drain field went bad. Bingo - now we have a law (not that I want to inspect septic tanks anyway)[:-thumbd]

Very early in my career I was mentored by another home inspector. He wound up writing out a check for $350.00 per month for three years because he could no inspect a crawl space. It was too small to enter. It was noted on the report that the access hole was too small to enter. The judge ruled that he should have informed his client that the area should have been inspected and that the client or seller should have created an access for this inspection (dont want to go into details about who should create the access and / or who should pay for it). On every crawl space that I cannot enter I write this on my report: The access to the crawl area was too small to enter / blocked / not visibe. We recommend a structural engineer create an access and inspect the entire crawl space area. Access to this area is improtant, as this is the area where structural and plumbing deficencies may be found. Seek estimates. In this case, just telling someone an area could not be accessed without recommending that the area be inspected cost this inspector almost $20000.00. Doesnt seem fair, but it happened. Why - because the client had a lot of money and good lawyers.

I work closely with serveral agencies in the Miami area for first time home buyers. I speak at their classes about the inspection process, what to expect, etc. Most of these programs require that the homes be insepected. There are too many hazards out there - requiring a home inspection is a necessity - I dont care if the city does their own or it goes to the private sector. Obviously I like the private sector, because this is how I make my living [:-graduat

In the state of Florida there is a law that requires a seller to have all work done by a licensed contractor (but who follows laws). I try my darnest not to do re-inspections. You all know the saying - he who touched it last owns it. If I have to do a re-inspetcion, I request all receipts and only comment on whether the repair was done or not and by what contractor. I put in my report that I do not warrant or guarantee thier work. If there are no receipts I tell my client the work was done by an unlicensed contractor (and I usually forward a copy of state law with my findings). If the client accepts the repairs, it is client beware.

I dont think we should have to answer that questiion. We were not hired to tell them to buy or not buy the house, but to give them our opinion on the components of the home. That being said: Ive been asked that question many times. My answer is always the same. I tell my client that he will be living in the home, not me, and he has to decide if he can live with the issues and monetary cost of repairs and upgrades he wants to do. Every house has value (even the ones that need to be knocked down and rebuilt). The client put in the contract on the home, and it is up to them to decide whether they want to spend the money to fix things and bring it up to their expectations. One thing I will always ask my clients is this - would you have paid $10,000 more for the home? Makes them stop and think about some of the repairs without having to really answer that question.

We had that problem here in Florida for a while. It really did not hurt us too bad. What did happen was that most of the buyers still had their inspections, but they did not read them. There were bidding wars and everyone just wanted to close. Now with the downturn in the market, these same buyers are call with every little thing they find in the house and want to know why we didnt report it. Most of the time the deficiency is listed in the report. They didnt read the report. In most cased, they dont even have a copy of their report.

He is now working for an engineering firm in the middle of the state. The good news (for me anyway) is that he is still available when needed.

Actually, there is no height requirement for the box here. Now, dont go pickin on Jerry - I have known him for five years and have a lot of respect for him. He can be a little harsh sometimes, but he is the most generous person I know and is always wiling to help. BTW, he moved to the middle of the state.

Unless I am looking at the picture wrong, that roof does look that old, maybe 8-14 years. Don't they get inspections in your part of the country. The mast does not come close to meeting code.

Not walking the roof is a dis-service to your client. I walk every roof unless considered dangererous.

Who's eye level???

Buy him a digital camera and have hime take a picture of all face plates. Works great.

Captain, I know that neighorhood. Howerver its really not diferent from any other neighborhood down here. Am currently dealing with a 5000 square foot home in Weston that is leaking like a sieve after the dry in. Too many damaged roofs down here and not enough qualified workers. Most of em come from out of state. I'm seeing roofs that pass the final inspection that would either make you laugh or turn your stomach.

And the pad must be a minimum of 3 inches above grade. In Dade and Broward County they are now raising them to 6 inches.

See no problem with it as long as it is accessible, especially to emergency crews