Updated almost 9 years ago on . Most recent reply
Home inspection Horror stories
We recently had a home inspection where the inspector was a hack (not suprising). I used to have a boss that said inspectors are failed contractors, and I've found that to be often correct. Not to say there aren't some really good ones, I know a few, but they are the minority.
This property was especially bad. Here are just a few of the items he screwed up.
1. He said our BRAND NEW furnace was 'nearing the end of it's useful life, approx 15-20 years, and needs replaced' and took pictures of it. In the picture was the card of the contractor who replaced it.
2. Said the roof was 3-layers (not allowed by code in our area) when it was only two. Prompting the buyers to ask for a re-roof of the roof we had just done.
3. Suggested the buyers replace ALL the insulation in the attic because he found a spot of mice droppings. (One spot). Who doesn't have mice droppings somewhere in their attic? He called it a rat infestation. I'm not exaggerating the condition of the attic, I've been in construction a long time. There were no 'rats'.
4. Suggested the entire basement showed signs of water issues because of some rust at the bottom of a steel column. Suggested the buyers have the entire basement waterproofed. (It was a finished basement, no signs of water anywhere else, just the old steel column)
Anyone else have an inspector horror story?
Most Popular Reply
#1 Real Estate Horror Stories Contributor
- Severna Park, MD
About 12 years ago , prior to home inspectors being licensed in Md , I had a customer who had a home inspection from hell . Must have been 50 things the " inspector" called for repair or replacement . I met the owner , buyer , seller , inspector , and both agents at the house . I am there to counter the inspector . First stop was the cracked heat exchanger on the furnace , I get the home inspector to show me the crack ......................... he said you can tell by the operation . I have ti inform him , ITS A HEAT PUMP , there is no heat exchanger . Next was the electrical panel , Inspector calls there is no ground . Right there in plain view is a bare copper wire clamped to a ground rod driven thru the floor . He says thats not code , I tell him show me the code ............... I get my book and YES its code . So in order to save time , I ask the " inspector for a copy of his license , He tells me he is certified . I ask by what part of the State government or county . He says neither , I took a course and was certified by the national inspector assoc , or something like that . I look at all the parties involved , I pull out my State issued home improvement licence . Well I am Licensed , and since this inspector cant tell the difference between a heat pump and a gas furnace , should we waste another 2 hours ? We did and out of a 3 page list we found 1 thing that needed attention , the sump pump didnt work .