Access Hole

[jclark1]

We have tons of raised foundations around here, I wouldn't have gone in either one of those pictured. You should be able to crawl a bit down there. If the whole crawlspace is a drag yourself along on your belly height, no way.

[mcraig]

Guys I am not fond of going in these small crawl spaces but there is a reason I do. On the first home with one of these ( 4 years ago it was a 1922 Craftsman) I finished up my inspection and was prepairing to write up my report. The home buyer walked up to me and asked me what I saw in the crawl space. I turned to him and said in my all knowing attitude that the vent openings were to small and there was no access hatch in this home. At this point his Trophy wife (Big blond with high heals and Minny skirt) Looked at both of us and said that I must be blind she found it in the front bedroom closet. At this point the home buyer says to me that he paid for a complete inspection and it was not complete until I got in there and inspected it. So I got in that little opening and finished the inspection. Now I never tell a home buyer that I couldn't find an access hatch, Some times I find them but I can't go in them because some one tiled over them and I can't open them without damaging the floor. Now to finish the story the reason he had a trophy wife is that he is a well known local Lawyer. I never make statements to any home buyer now about anything I can't find I find it and then explain to them if I can't go in there.

[W. Michael Chris]

I agree with Mario, Michael, Craig and Jae - cameras can work wonders.

[mcraig]

Originally Posted by wchris1

I agree with Mario, Michael, Craig and Jae - cameras can work wonders.

Cameras are great and I take lots of photo's of everything.
I am curiouse about how a newer HI like you would handle the above story?

[rbunzel]

Michael,

You just tell it like it is. You weren't able to locate the hatch for the crawl space. I usually locate it in my intial 360 walk around of the home. I like to air them out prior to going in. Also let's the critters know I am coming in. In my pre-inspection client briefing I tell the clients to let me know if they see something and point it out to me. In most cases I see it and can explain it but sometimes (like this morning) The client had seen a 220V wire hanging out of the wall behind the garden gate. I am glad he pointed it out because when I opened the gate I concealed it from myself.

//Rick

[jschulte]

I wouldn't even have to think about not entering that crawlspace. I would not fit, my chest is wider than 16" and I'm not a contortionist.

I would look in as far as I could. I would take several pictures and look at them when I got back to the computer, and I would be sure to point out that if I can't fit, they may be prying up floor if any maintenance in the crawlspace is needed in the future.

But it is a good idea to look inside for another entry. I did an inspection at a house that was required to have a crawlspace in order for the financing they were after. I could not find an entry anywhere. I had to call the agent, who had to call the owner. The entry was under the washer and dryer. When I called for them to get a termite inspection, the owners conveniently did not make the entry obvious when the termite inspector showed up. They just said they could not find an entry, but I hope the buyers sent them back.