What Constitutes a major

[wsiegel]

What is minor to you may be considered major to them. I had a lady once who refused to buy a home if the lock on the bathroom door was not repaired. To her it was a MAJOR repair, as she didnt want anyonw walking in while she was on the throne. Cost of repair: $75.00. Thought of seeing her on the throne: Priceless.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by Gloria Simpson

Do you have a cost limit? For instance the cost of replacing a leaking roof would be significantly more than a window that is broken.

Not really but a drawer glide isn't going to get it.

[rcramer]

I use the following catagories:

Requries repair or replacement
Saftey Issues
Maintenance Issues
Monitor
Not inspected and why

I just report it and let the client deciede if it is a major item, because everyone has a different view between major and minor even amoung husban and wife. Its not the purpose of a home inspection to make that determination.

[Charley L. Bottger]

The words minor or major never enter a real estate contract in this state. There is a dollar amount set in the contract between buyer and seller if the dollar amount for repairs exceed the contract amount the buyers have the right to walk away from the contract and have their earnest money returned.

Or they can return to the negotiation table and re-negotiate the contract or except the home with repairs being performed up to the agreed dollar amount; their choice.
Major or minor is not determined by me. I just list the repairs not performing its intended function. The buyer has to make that decision.

The most popular dollar amount stated in a real estate contract in this area is $500.00 Out of 2000 inspections I probally have had 4 inspections that did not exceed that amount.

[John McKenna]

Those minor things that they never deal with can turn into a major repair
very quickly. I tell my clients they all need attention, some now and some ASAP.

I told one lady that the electric panel had wrong size wires and the Realtor told
her it was no big deal. The house almost burn down the next week.

It's those little leaks that reveal so much damage a few months later... etc...

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jpope

I don't differentiate between major and minor repairs- it's all relative. . .

What Jeff said. If it is broken I will reccomend repair. Electrical outlet cover comes to mind.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by gbell

I consider any repair over $500 as a major repair.

Here in San Diego, where the cost of living might be a little higher, I consider any repair over $1,000 as a major repair.

[David A. Andersen]

I got in a scuff in court about calling something a "Minor Repair".

My Lawyer told me to get that out of my report.

Is gutter cleaning a minor repair?
Are ceiling water stains a minor repair?
What if they are associated and there is substantial termite damage that you can not see?

If you are going to call something minor/major and those terms are not covered by state law or SOP, you must define them in your report.
You make the definition!

I do not like dollar figures because you can bring in 10 contractors and they will all come up with a different dollar figure. If it happens to be at your cut-off point ($500), how many will be above/below.
That's what the lawyer will do to you in court.

[Blaine Wiley]

Originally Posted by rray

Here in San Diego, where the cost of living might be a little higher, I consider any repair over $1,000 as a major repair.

That was the HomeTeam standard when I was with them.

A major repair is whatever the buyer decides is an obstacle to their completion of the transaction.

I did a 4 million dollar property that almost fell through because 6 of the slate roof tiles were broken.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by bwiley

That was the HomeTeam standard when I was with them.

Hey, Blaine.

Wasn't it $500? It's $500 now, and has been since at least October 2001. I raised it to $1,000 since the cost of living is higher in San Diego. I believe the other California HomeTeam franchises are now using $1,000, but Greg says I was the first to raise it higher than $500.

[Brian E. Kelly]

My House = Major Repair

Your House = Minor Repair

Really quite simple.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

My House = Major Repair

Your House = Minor Repair

Really quite simple.

Mid-afternoon margarita ASNR. ROTFLMAO in a puddle of spilled margarita.

[Eric C. Van De Ven]

With me, there is no major or minor. It is either right or wrong.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by evandeven

With me, there is no major or minor. It is either right or wrong.

I wanted to think that way when I started six year ago, but certain business advisors convinced me that the closet door floor guides that are missing, but cost $1.99 at Home Depot, is far, far different from a roof that is past the end of its useful life and will cost $50,000 to replace.

[Kevin Luce]

Gloria, where are you located in Indiana? I'm located in Lake County, Indiana. I might be able to help you from what is written by GNIAR.