Top 10 Recommendations

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Hi everybody.

In order to cut a deal with ACE Hardware, Home Depot or Lowe's to provide $25 gift cards to every InterNACHI Inspector, they want some general understanding of the following:

What are your top 10 items that are most frequently recommended to repair, correct or replace?

For me, my top 10 items that I most frequently recommended to repair, correct or replace were:

1. Plumbing problems (toilet, faucet, drain, drips)
2. HVAC (service and cleaning recommendation)
3. GFCI (broken, missing or miswired)
4. Electrical (bad or improper wiring)
5. Gutters (cleaning or repair needed)
6. Window (damaged, cracked or inoperable)
7. Exterior siding problems (paint, caulking, rot, trim)
8. Roof (flashing, damaged covering)
9. Insulation (missing, inadequate, improperly installed)
10. Handrail (loose, missing, not safe)

What are your top 10?

[Bob Elliott]

Totally different from what mine would be.

Most common write up is a toss up between lack of kitchen exhaust method or openings in a tub/shower area

Most common $$$ issue would be exterior wall cover step cracks,missing mortar,lack of flashing,etc.

You almost need this in two sections for serious issues observed and common minor issues that can cause a future serious issue.

No doubt location will be a big factor in the answers.

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Lack of smoke and CO detectors in their proper places is probably my #1.


Jeff

[Christopher Currins]

What ever the defect may be I recommend repair/replacement to be done by a qualified professional, not by my client.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by belliott

Totally different from what mine would be.

Most common write up is a toss up between lack of kitchen exhaust method or openings in a tub/shower area

Most common $$$ issue would be exterior wall cover step cracks,missing mortar,lack of flashing,etc.

You almost need this in two sections for serious issues observed and common minor issues that can cause a future serious issue.

No doubt location will be a big factor in the answers.

Or divide into... DIY and non-DIY.

Also, "Chicago" Urban is going to be a heck of a lot different than "Minnesota" Rural, or "Los Angeles" Suburban.

[Gary Farnsworth]

1. Terracing, grading, gutters, downspouts, vegetation.

2. Roof.

3. Electrical.

[Charley L. Bottger]

You guys having a hard time counting to ten

1. Plumbing faucets/drain line leaks
2. Dishwasher drain line no high loop installed
3. Electrical GFCI's not tripping
4. Electrical double tapped breakers
5. Loose electrical connections main/and or sub panels excessive temp
6. A/C exterior condensers blocked with lint
7. Dryer vents improperly terminated and or joints having screws installed
8. Missing insulation on A/C supply air ducts in a non-conditioned space
9. Missing and or lack of insulation within the attic
10. A/C A-coil blocked with lint due to lack of return air filter changeout

[Daniel W. Levia, CMI]

Caulking
downspouts
vegetation
flashing
plumbing
electrical
HVAC
roof
insulation
exhaust fans

[Gary Farnsworth]

Out of the three I listed, there are hundreds of items within. I figured three would be enough. You can also check the bottom of this page on my web site. This list has not changed in 8 years.

http://www.metrospeckc.com/Home_Inspections.php

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by cbottger

You guys having a hard time counting to ten

1. Plumbing faucets/drain line leaks
2. Dishwasher drain line no high loop installed
3. Electrical GFCI's not tripping
4. Electrical double tapped breakers
5. Loose electrical connections main/and or sub panels excessive temp
6. A/C exterior condensers blocked with lint
7. Dryer vents improperly terminated and or joints having screws installed
8. Missing insulation on A/C supply air ducts in a non-conditioned space
9. Missing and or lack of insulation within the attic
10. A/C A-coil blocked with lint due to lack of return air filter changeout

You must have some HVAC experience.

[John Scaparo]

Here are two that most certain to be on maintance list, downspout extensions and furance air filters.

[Charley L. Bottger]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

You must have some HVAC experience.

Not much but that listed is just common sense stuff

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Are there any recommendations that always appear in your inspection report? As a default.

For example, Get the HVAC system serviced and further evaluated.

[Gary Farnsworth]

Blower filters, garage door/opener maintenance, exterior caulking/paint, door knob adjustments/lubrication, gutter cleaning, faucet/water line monitoring.

[Charley L. Bottger]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Are there any recommendations that always appear in your inspection report? As a default.

For example, Get the HVAC system serviced and further evaluated.

I have only one that appears in every report and it pertains to the topography of the landscape surrounding the foundation. I try not to insult client intelligence If the client is a mechanical engineer or a single mom determines what default goes into the report