Why home inspectors don't give estimates

[John McKenna]

Why home inspectors don't give estimates


Some good points.

[James H. Bushart]

This is very old news, Bubba.

While you have been out trying to save the world from the President of the United States, there have been several hundred posts on about three different threads discussing this matter in tremendous detail.

[Michael Larson]

I see James has taken his attacks public.

[Dale L. Staben]

Originally Posted by mlarson

I see James has taken his attacks public.

I have come back to the boards after not checking for awhile and I still find some comic relief occasionally!!
BTW/ how are things in Wisconsin I'm an old Milwaukee boy.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by dstaben

I have come back to the boards after not checking for awhile and I still find some comic relief occasionally!!
BTW/ how are things in Wisconsin I'm an old Milwaukee boy.

Cold -16 F at the moment.

[Dale L. Staben]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Cold -16 F at the moment.

Just reminded me as to why I live in the Desert

[adavis1]

Wow gets personal around here over posting ?

[John McKenna]

James can't help it. People know how he is.

[ejones2]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

James can't help it. People know how he is.

James doesnt mean any harm

[Russell Spriggs]

Originally Posted by adavis1

Wow gets personal around here over posting ?

You shoulda seen this board in its heyday!!

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rspriggs

You shoulda seen this board in its heyday!!

Russell's right.

This is schoolyard stuff compared to the mobster wars of yesteryear.

[William J. Decker]

I find it very interesting that many of the Realtor comments to this Boston.com post keep saying that GCs and other tradespeople are better than home inspectors for checking out a house.

In Illinois, GCs are, specifically, prohibited from doing home inspections unless they are also licensed HIS. Same for Architects and PEs and SEs. Gotta be a home inspector if there is more than one system inspected.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Not to mention that most of the defects we discover, are directly caused by the so called tradesmen and GC's.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by wdecker

I find it very interesting that many of the Realtor comments to this Boston.com post keep saying that GCs and other tradespeople are better than home inspectors for checking out a house.

In Illinois, GCs are, specifically, prohibited from doing home inspections unless they are also licensed HIS. Same for Architects and PEs and SEs. Gotta be a home inspector if there is more than one system inspected.

For realtors, GCs are better.

"Looks like you got a problem with your ______, but it ain't no big deal. I can have it fixed by tomorrow for about $XXX."

Compare that to: "Wet staining present on basement drywall ceiling. Possible plumbing issue that could not be observed without removing drywall. Recommend that a qualified contractor be hired to repair or replace plumbing, as necessary."

My report leaves it to the client to initially guess as to the possible cost as well as locating his own plumber. I think that, for convenience alone, many realtors love these guys.

I think it will be up to us to alert the public as to the dangers of using contractors to do home inspections. Florida is about to allow all licensed contractors to be "grandfathered" into the home inspection business. Once they are in, they will offer free home inspections as the means to get the inside lead on making the repairs.

This is becoming a real problem in some areas as the construction work continues to be on hold.

[ldapkus]

Originally Posted by jbushart

For realtors, GCs are better.

"Looks like you got a problem with your ______, but it ain't no big deal. I can have it fixed by tomorrow for about $XXX."

Compare that to: "Wet staining present on basement drywall ceiling. Possible plumbing issue that could not be observed without removing drywall. Recommend that a qualified contractor be hired to repair or replace plumbing, as necessary."

My report leaves it to the client to initially guess as to the possible cost as well as locating his own plumber. I think that, for convenience alone, many realtors love these guys.

I think it will be up to us to alert the public as to the dangers of using contractors to do home inspections. Florida is about to allow all licensed contractors to be "grandfathered" into the home inspection business. Once they are in, they will offer free home inspections as the means to get the inside lead on making the repairs.

This is becoming a real problem in some areas as the construction work continues to be on hold.

So Florida will soon have 35,000 home inspectors competing for business. At least the weather is nice.