2 Home Inspectors 1 House

[smeyer]

The red flag, to me, is "a child with medical issues"!!
If the house was recently rehabed, are you going to check for the normal gases new material puts off? Adequate ventelation, (amount of fresh air brought in?) To many potential unknown issues to deal with, especially considering the fragil health of the child. From your account of the customer, this could be a law suite wating to happen.

Is she gets 2 or 3 different inspections, which one will she believe???

You are inspecting a house, checking basic components, not if it is safe for a child with medical issues. It's a house, not a hospital room.

[smeyer]

Originally Posted by kleonard

No-way Josie. Either she is wanting out of the contract, has devious intentions or she is just plain paranoid. I personally would decline.

YUP.

If, as stated, the agents are tired of dealing with her, I see nothing but trouble on the horizon. Take the agents position. run!!

And, is she going to decide which "inspection" she likes best, and then demand a refund from the other?

If you know, suspect a problem going in, it won't get any better! She seems like the type who will find fault, no matter how you try. I tend to try and avoid the stress of dealing with an unreasonable person. It's obvious she does not trust your judgement, not a good starting point for a good business relationship.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by smeyer

YUP.

If, as stated, the agents are tired of dealing with her, I see nothing but trouble on the horizon. Take the agents position. run!!

And, is she going to decide which "inspection" she likes best, and then demand a refund from the other?

If you know, suspect a problem going in, it won't get any better! She seems like the type who will find fault, no matter how you try. I tend to try and avoid the stress of dealing with an unreasonable person. It's obvious she does not trust your judgement, not a good starting point for a good business relationship.

You guys are simply too nervous and too suspicious that everyone is after you to find faults with your inspection.

If your knowledgeable in residential construction and perform a thorough inspection, befriend your client and note all the visible defects, then where's the issue?

[Michael A. Gillingham]

I tend to agree. If you are competent, comfortable and confident in your abilities then their should be no question about whether to do it or not. Now if there is a money issue that might give pause but I would not be scared.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by dvalley

You guys are simply too nervous and too suspicious that everyone is after you to find faults with your inspection.

If your knowledgeable in residential construction and perform a thorough inspection, befriend your client and note all the visible defects, then where's the issue?

I agree with Steven on this one David. Sometimes with certain clients I have trouble with the "Befriending" part.

Mostly for lack of effort on my part.

[lfoster]

What about having one of the environmental specialists come in,,, someone that can take all the samples and test for a 'sick house' syndrome.

[kweiss]

No way in this case.

While I don't have a problem with the idea of being compared in general. I do have a problem with it if the client is completely untrusting of everything/everyone. If all they want to do is question what one inspector says against the other - and seeming to distrust both - it seems to defeat the client trust relationship that is so important in what we do.

I had a client who constantly compared what I was doing to what his "last inspector did" when he bought the house new. After 30 minutes I ended the inspection and walked away. There is a post about it somewhere on here.

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

Originally Posted by kweiss

No way in this case.

While I don't have a problem with the idea of being compared in general. I do have a problem with it if the client is completely untrusting of everything/everyone. If all they want to do is question what one inspector says against the other - and seeming to distrust both - it seems to defeat the client trust relationship that is so important in what we do.

I had a client who constantly compared what I was doing to what his "last inspector did" when he bought the house new.
After 30 minutes I ended the inspection and walked away.
Good for you!

There is a post about it somewhere on here.

I'll bet that..... "His Last Inspector" probably walked off of the job

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

I agree with Steven on this one David. Sometimes with certain clients I have trouble with the "Befriending" part.

Mostly for lack of effort on my part.

I'm just a friendly guy, I guess. Nobody makes me nervous. I'm simply fun to be with and I do attempt to loosen up those who are nervous at the home inspection. Let's not be too serious about the situation.....

[kweiss]

Originally Posted by fcarrio

I'll bet that..... "His Last Inspector" probably walked off of the job

Apparently not according to him the inspector was there for over 6 hours.

Here is the post I made about it - funny stuff.

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f2/life-too-short-36282/

[Patrick J. Cloninger]

I did this about a year ago. I show up to the inspection and to my surprise I see another home inspector's car there. I ask what's going on and I'm told by the buyer's realtor there will be two inspections. The other inspector is finishing up as I am getting there. Personally, I was nervous at first, but then I figured I would do the same inspection as I always would. This accually worked out great, as I came out squeaky clean (read client review HERE) It's the first review on the front page. I have had a couple of people ask about this when calling.

So.....I would say go for it IMO.

[ksauber]

Oh Would I Love to be in your shoes. Do what you know and cover your butt with liability statements. It does have the opportunity to turn bad. Good luck and keep us informed.

[David C. Macy]

I just wanted to let you know how this situation turned out.

Just to refresh everyone on the scenario.

I was hired to do a general, WDI and 2 radon tests.

A separate mold inspection was done and another general inspection was being conducted when I set up my monitors last Friday.

I was to do the general inspection on Monday morning.

Late Sunday I received a call to cancel the WDI and general inspection (No surprise there)

Then early Monday I get a call wanting to do the WDI inspection.

I was called at least 6 times by the prospective buyer in the week leading up to the inspection.


So on Monday I did the radon & pest inspections.

They asked me a few related general inspection questions. The other inspector appeared to do a good job. I did notice an open drain on the tree lawn, and the potential buyer said he missed a crooked toilet. I told her she could have 10 inspections and all of them would be different.

There were some issues with the house and they decided not to purchase.

I have no problems with there decision. I was paid well for my time.

I hope it works out for them!

[Kevin M. Leonard]

Originally Posted by dmacy

There were some issues with the house and they decided not to purchase.

No surprise there.

Thanks for the update Dave. Also, way to take the high road - Good attitude towards what sounded like something that was more of a pain in the backside than what it was probably worth. I have had a few that I really wished they would have just hired somebody else. After the 4th or 5th call with-in a day or two it gets to be a bit of a hassle & the red flags start flying.

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

Originally Posted by kweiss

Apparently not according to him the inspector was there for over 6 hours.
I think that the client was "pulling your leg".

Here is the post I made about it - funny stuff.

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f2/life-too-short-36282/

Kevin,
Good for you! I would have told the client the same thing!