Pre-sale inspection

[Jim Baird]

I know that so-called pre-sale inspections are common in some places, but I have never done one in 27 yrs inspecting.  I counsel callers not to waste their money there.

This caller insisted on my pre-sale visit to a two year old home, even after he had taken his spec builder to court to repair sorry work.  No more warranty, but still insisted on my visit.

Is he setting any kind of a trap?

My report is full of disclaimers, and I have never faced complaints except from one or two.

Down here in the GA woods,

Jim

 

[Mike Lamb]

I do, maybe, one a year or less for sellers who legitimately want to know the condition of their property before they put it up for sale. I do advise my client that if I find problems it should be disclosed when they sell or they should fix it. So sometimes ignorance is bliss. If something gives you the feeling it's a trap I'd stay away. Otherwise, take the job and treat it like you are working for a buyer.

[Les]

Sorry I have been off the grid for a couple of weeks and just saw this.  I have no problem with pre-sale inspections.  I was in the business for nearly four decades and owned a multi-inspector company.  My company did one.  I don't think you can do both and I am a believer that our profession was founded/based on the buyer inspection model. The guy that bought my company started doing them and immediately found out they are not the same product.  I would not start if I were you.

[Jim Baird]

Thanks for the replies.  

I called this guy and talked him into my hourly rate deal, where I inspect items of concern and bill by the hour.  He explained that he knew almost nothing about building and was willing to pay me for a buyer type, but he agreed with me and turned out to be a good client.  I took him with me and showed him everything my eye noticed about the house.  (as you might expect the workmanship was poor and he was a good listener).

The little neighborhood was only two years old and most of the buildings sucked.  I think his intuition was leading him to unload this dump.  I think he is wise to get the eff out of it while it is still "new".  

The worst feature was one of those entry doors on a two story facade that faces full southern exposure with zero weather protection.  The laminate clad wood door was drooping in its frame and dragged heavily on the threshold.  The main interior carpet clad stair had all 7 1/2 inch risers except that 9 incher at the bottom.  The front main level facade was blessed with a sorry application of ASMV, no weep screed etc. 

My little letter pleased him, even as I advised him, (as we are not bound here by state licensing rules) to let a potential buyer's inspector to worry about what he finds.

Edited February 12 by Jim Baird