Deck railings/balusters

[homebild]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

You are missing the point homebild. We as HI's call out defects as we see them. What happens in the Real Estate transaction is not our concern. We are concerned with our clients and our clients safety. If we think it is prudent that the residence be updatded with GFCI outlets, we write that in the report. Seems reasonable to me.

RU a Realtor Homebild?

Re-Read post #35 regarding what I do....

But I do not disagree. It is 'reasonable' to point out that no GFCIs exist or that knob and tube wiring exists in a home.

But it becomes 'unreasonable' when one requests 'upgrades' to items, like GFCIs or knob and tube wiring or any other LEGAL installation simply because the buyer/client wants the house but wants the seller to pay for his renovations.

As I have read many of the articles in this forum, it seems to me that according the NACHI (and anyone can correct me if I am wrong), that NACHI inspectors do not inspect for 'safety' but inspect for 'material defect'.

While a material defect may in fact cause a safety issue, items like no GFCIs when none where ever required is NOT a 'material defect'.

Having no guardrails on a deck when none have ever been required is NOT a 'material defect'.

In fact, there is nothing 'defective' here at all....Just a perfectly sound and legal installation.

As a Code Inspector, I too am, concerned with 'safety,' but in my arena 'safety' is WELL defined by the legally adopted codes.

I can 'suggest' using different building techniques, methods, and materials that go well above the code minimums...They just are simply not enforceable.

I can 'recommend' things like Radon piping under a slab, but cannot require it because my state has no Radon Code and does not recognize national 'standards' as anything more than the 'recommendations' the 4 PiCl Federal Government 'guesses' should be a target mitigation level.

But at least in Code Enforcement, there are legally established minimum 'standards'....unlike what I am understanding from many of the comments I have seen here so far regarding home inspection.

And according to some, it appears whatever the Home Inspector says IS the 'standard'.....
-------------------


By the by....I'm not arguing with ANYONE...

Just trying to understand, exchange ideas, and get a better idea what it is you folks do and why...

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by homebild

Nonsense.

Just so you all know, my opinion is the only one that matters around here.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by homebild

Re-Read post #35 regarding what I do....

...

This is the thirty third post in this thread, when the thirty fitth post is made, I might read it.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Homebild -

Pay close attention to our posts. You're right in some cases, wrong in others.

Example: The gas company installed a copper gas line for the owner 15 years ago so he/she could have a gas starter in their fireplace. It taps off the main line right next to the meter outside and goes through the masonry chase to get to the firebox. The meter reader has read the meter (right next to the tap) every month for 15 years - no problem.

The new buyer gets an inspection and the home inspector points out that this is no longer acceptable. You can stay here forever and not be required to change it, BUT the utility company won't turn on utilities to the new buyer until this is corrected or terminated. The NEW BUYER don't wanta pay for this, so it gets negotiated. The seller often pays - to sell the house.

Otherwise now that they have knowledge, its no longer acceptable they're legally bound to disclose it to other potential buyers if the 1st walks away. Other buyers will usually want it fixed OR the price lowered accordingly.

Now once the inspector pointed out to the buyer (his client) that the Copper Gas line installation is no longer allowed and recommends replacement, the Realtor or Seller often jump in asking the magic question - Is this required by code OR Is it up to the code it was built to? Thats usually asked to try and get the buyer to NOT renegotiate the change or pay for it themselves.

The City would not MAKE the seller change the gas line.
The seller is not obligated to change it for the buyer.
The buyer does not have to buy the house.

Like it or not - That is how the RE Transaction often works.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Just inspected a 86 year old house for a couple with 3 kids under 6 years old. The house they want to buy is a 2-story house with a door at the 2nd floor that opens out onto the flat roof of the 1st floor sunroom below.

There is no guardrail on this observation deck. Any half-way intelligent home inspector would tell his/her client there is the potential for a significant safety issue here AND recommend installing a guardrail OR removing the door OR nailing the door shut so it can't be used OR ..............

Unless you're a total idiot or a scum-bag selling yourself to the Agent for future business, a competent inspector will make some sort of recommendation for improvement, upgrade or repair.

Now who does it, was it up to code when built, or added onto later in life, OR if nobody does anything with it - is none of our concern. Thats open to the negotiation between the parties in the transaction.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by dbowers

Just inspected a 86 year old house for a couple with 3 kids under 6 years old. The house they want to buy is a 2-story house with a door at the 2nd floor that opens out onto the flat roof of the 1st floor sunroom below.

There is no guardrail on this observation deck. Any half-way intelligent home inspector would tell his/her client there is the potential for a significant safety issue here AND recommend installing a guardrail OR removing the door OR nailing the door shut so it can't be used OR ..............

Unless you're a total idiot or a scum-bag selling yourself to the Agent for future business, a competent inspector will make some sort of recommendation for improvement, upgrade or repair.

Now who does it, was it up to code when built, or added onto later in life, OR if nobody does anything with it - is none of our concern. Thats open to the negotiation between the parties in the transaction.

Exactly miss writing these will for sure get you in court some day.
Write Hard talk soft miss nothing .
CYA all the time .
Roy Cooke

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

This is the thirty third post in this thread, when the thirty fitth post is made, I might read it.

Wow homebild you must be clairvoyant, the 35th post was excellent.
Thanx Dan B.
</IMG></IMG>