Liable Home Inspector

[Yuriy Tymoshenko]

I am currently shopping for an investment real estate property.

I have located a short sale, about to be foreclosed property that I like. Its relatively new structure(1995) and it goes for relatively cheap price.
However, it has some damage to the ceiling sheet rock and plumbing was also damaged. Someone broke inside two of the units and clipped off copper pipes and some wiring while knocking down couple ceilings.
Like I said the price is bargain, but I want to have a "no kidding" accessment how much all the repairs are going to cost.

To me it seems that I need a house inspector who will be responsible to give me a ball park estimate of everything that needs to be fixed. I also want him/her to be liable for this estimate. That way if he/she fails to mention something to me, I will able to go after them in order to offset my new repair cost.

Am I asking too much? Any thought on this plan?

Any input is welcome.
Yuriy

[Bill Gulley]

Giving estimates is not the function of home inspectors, while they may give an opinion, that's what it is, an opinion. Have you ever read an agreement with a home inspector, gross negligence that is obvious might be your only fall back with that thinking. They are not responsible for latent defects, issues that are not obvious or hidden. You also need to tell an inspector what you know, they won't be responsible for issues known and not disclosed, IMO. Good luck...