That !@#$%^;* Home Inspector should have told us about this!
Interestingly, the buyer's agent called about a week later stating that it was raining again and the basement was not leaking. No one had done anything to address the issue but the seller (this transaction had not closed) was convinced because it was raining and the basement wasn't leaking this time that it would not leak ever again. Dream On!
What should you consider when things go wrong There may come a time after your home inspection that you discover something wrong with the house, and you may be upset or disappointed with your home inspection. Before becoming overly upset with me please pay close attention to this article.
Intermittent
Or Concealed Problems Some
problems can only be discovered by living in a house. They cannot be discovered
during the few hours of a home inspection. For example, some shower stalls leak
when people are in the shower, but do not leak when you simply turn on the tap.
Some roofs and basements only leak when specific conditions exist. Some
problems will only be discovered when carpets are lifted, furniture is moved
or finishes are removed.
No
Clues
These
problems may have existed at the time of the inspection but there were no clues
as to their existence. My inspections are based on the past performance of the
house. If there are no clues of a past problem, it is unfair to assume I should foresee a future problem.
I Will Always Miss Some Minor Things
Some may say that I am inconsistent because my reports identify
some minor problems but not others. The minor problems that are identified were
discovered while looking for more significant problems. We note them simply as
a courtesy. The intent of the inspection is not to find the $200 problems; it
is to find the $2,000 problems. These are the things that affect people's decisions
to purchase.
Contractors'
Advice
The main
source of dissatisfaction with home inspectors comes from comments made by
contractors. Contractors opinions often differ from mine. Don't be surprised
when three roofers all say the roof needs replacement when I said that, with
some minor repairs, the roof will last a few more years. Contractors are in the business of replacing roofs. I am in the business of documenting the facts.
Last
Man In Theory
While my advice may represent the most prudent thing to do, many contractors are
reluctant to undertake these repairs. This is because of the "Last Man In
Theory". The contractor fears that if he is the last person to work on the
roof, he will get blamed if the roof leaks, regardless of whether the roof leak
is his fault or not. Consequently, he will not want to do a minor repair with high
liability when he could re-roof the entire house for more money and reduce the
likelihood of a callback. This is understandable.
Most
Recent Advice Is Best
There
is more to the "Last Man In Theory". It suggests that it is human
nature for homeowners to believe the last bit of "expert" advice they
receive, even if it is contrary to previous advice. As a home inspector, I
unfortunately find myself in the position of "First Man In" and
consequently it is my advice that is often disbelieved.
Why
Didn't The Home Inspector See It
Contractors
may say "I can't believe you had this house inspected, and they didn't
find this problem". There are several reasons for these apparent
oversights:
1.
Conditions During Inspection
It is difficult for homeowners to remember the
circumstances in the house, at the time of the inspection. Homeowners seldom
remember that it was snowing, there was storage everywhere in the basement or
that the furnace could not be turned on because the air conditioning was
operating, etc. It's impossible for contractors to know what the
circumstances were when the inspection was performed.
2.
The Wisdom Of Hindsight
When the problem manifests itself, it is very easy to have 20/20
hindsight. Anybody can say that the basement is wet when there is 2 inches of
water on the floor. Predicting the problem is a different story.
3.
A Long Look
If I spent 1/2 an hour under the kitchen sink or 45 minutes disassembling the
furnace, I would find more problems too. Unfortunately, the inspection would take
several days and would cost considerably more.
4.
We're Generalists
I am a generalists; I am not a specialists. The heating contractor may indeed have
more heating expertise than I do.
5.
An Invasive Look
Problems
often become apparent when carpets or plaster are removed, when fixtures or
cabinets are pulled out, and so on. A home inspection is a visual examination. I don't perform any invasive or destructive tests.
Not
Insurance
In
conclusion, a home inspection is designed to better your odds. It is not
designed to eliminate all risk. For that reason, a home inspection should not
be considered an insurance policy. The premium that an insurance company would
have to charge for a policy with no deductible, no limit and an indefinite
policy period would be considerably more than the fee we charge. It would also
not include the value added by the inspection.
With all of this stated, what should you do if there is an issue with one of my home inspections?
What do I do NOW?
- Read your home inspection report and our contract along with all internet links throughly. You will find a sample contract and the internet information on my blog at this link: http://todayshomeinspection.blogspot.com/p/inspection-information.html
- If you think you have a legitimate claim and purchased a one year home warranty (this may have been provided by the seller or purchased from you Realtor) contact the warranty company.
- If it is within 90 days of your inspection or 22 days following your closing whichever is longest check out the 90 day warrant I included free with your home inspection. You will find information at this link: http://todayshomeinspection.blogspot.com/search/label/90%20Day%20Warranty
