HORRIBLE Inspector. Do you call the company and let them know?

Question

I have a client under contract. I gave him a list of inspectors to choose from, including my preferred-but-expensive inspector, along with recommendations from other agent friends.

He chose someone other than my preferred guy, who turned out to be a total dud. Stood in the kitchen and rattled off a couple things he found at the end of the inspection, whereas my preferred guy will walk you around the house and point things out. We had to remind him twice that we wanted a radon inspection.

Would you reach out to the owner of the company to tell him about the poor representation of his inspector, or would you just never use them again. Because I will never use them again.

Angelika Roerig · Answer

I think Steve's advice is on point. If I were in your shoes, I would at least tell the agent who referred that inspector to you. I'm sure the other agent would want to know whether a vendor they are vouching for is not cutting it. You never know, you might not be the only one they've heard from and the agent may stop vouching for that inspector.

Steve Morris · Answer

Most of these guys are lone wolves aren't they?

If not, sure I'd call his boss.  If nothing else, I'd tell whoever referred him.

Mindy Jensen · Answer

I'm with you, Bruce. I don't need some softball inspector. I can find my clients another house. I want them to know what's going on with the property BEFORE they buy it.

**Update: The agent who recommended this company shared my disappointment with the owner of the company who then called me. We had a very nice talk, I received the inspection report which was WAY more thorough than the walkthrough and even had lots of drawings to illustrate what can be confusing concepts to buyers. Apparently, my inspector is just really shy, but still very thorough in his inspection.

Will Gaston · Answer

@Mindy Jensen It seems like this guy did a pretty awful job but what good would truly come out of reporting him?

I'd rather spend time referring great vendors (like your original inspector) than reporting bad work with people I'm never going to work with again.

Seth Mobley · Answer

I am a home inspector as well, and I can tell you I would definitely rather you come to me with your concerns so that I can make the adjustments needed to make my business successful.  I hate the thought that someone would just keep quiet and never use my services again (or refer me to clients again).  That’s a lot of potential business I could lose over a simple misunderstanding.  Just my two cents ........

Rashida Akhter · Answer

As someone that works in the inspection company, I would greatly value that quick feedback (even if you think it's just one guy/one off chance). I know it'll take that extra time from you but as someone who is always looking to grow this type of feedback (also positive feedbacks) are what makes us really know where/on who to put more efforts in.

We are definitely not a lone wolf or a pushover. My inspectors state the truth and we explain almost ALL findings can be fixed. And of course we love helping agents and investors seal the deal as smoothly as possible. I manage the commercial buildings inspections (multi-unit, warehouses, retail, etc.) Looking forward to helping any way I can!

Chris Schu · Answer

Unfortunately, too many inspectors give less than complete reports

since they don't want to sink the deal which may be passively

encouraged by many agents who focus on commissions.

It's a two-way street but I would be careful accepting sub-standard

inspections since any negligence will (like it or not) have your

name attached to it.

Tierra Carter · Answer

I appreciate all the feedback on this feed, as a newbie its good to see what other's experiences have taught them.

Kurt Brauner · Answer

I always hesitate to make complaints in my market although I do appreciate the feedback, positive or negative, about my agents. I have found that the times that I have made complaints (mostly about lender/title companies) the fall out/drama is not worth the aggravation. I always tend makes sure that my clients are aware of the previous issues I have had with these companies and let them decide.

Bruce Lynn · Answer

Everyone has their own idea of what a good inspector is......I want a bulldog who will find everything and explain everything, but not scare the client.   The main one I like often has 80 page reports and tons of pictures.   Some agents seem to want softball inspectors who don't find anything and write one liners.   What I find interesting is that buyers will go to a review site to find their inspector and 99% of the reviewers will have done 1 inspection with that person.   But they don't trust their agent to recommend a great inspector who perhaps has done 100 inspection for that agent's clients.    Same with lenders.   Then they wonder why things go wrong.

HORRIBLE Inspector. Do you call the company and let them know?

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