Sidewalk to front door

[James R. Szczesny]

Ok this House is a new house that I have inspected. The walkway to the front door has a 24" ledge leading upto the door. Would anyone recommend handrails or raise the grade of ground for the walkway. I did. Builder doesn't want to do anyting about because it appearantly within city code. Owner wants more than my opinion. Your opinions??

[Mark Nahrgang]

Tell the buyer that the "city code" is the bare minimum that the builder can legally get away with. You think it is a trip/fall hazard, and you have stated it as such. Remind the buyer that he is the builders customer and that he doesn't need to purchase the home if he is uncomfortable with the building practices (code or otherwise). It's not your job to fight with, argue with, or force the builder to do anything. You have observed a possible hazard and have pointed that out. It is up to the buyer to now negotiate with the builder (or not.)

[James R. Szczesny]

Would you have made the same remark about the path Mark? or would it have been better for me to agree with code? Doesn't this pathway have dangerous written all over it?

[Mark Nahrgang]

Originally Posted by jszczesny

Would you have made the same remark about the path Mark? or would it have been better for me to agree with code?

I'm not agreeing with or disagreeing with your call. I'm saying that code means nothing to me in regards to if I call something out or not. If I think something is unsafe, I call it unsafe. If it's not that big a deal, I would make a suggestion to the client that they might want to improve it, but not necessarily call it a defect. You are obviously in a gray area here, so just like an umpire in a ball game, make your call, sell it, and move on.

[James R. Szczesny]

Thanks for the comment.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

There is no defect to call out. You might be able to recommend a railing as an upgrade and give your reasons, but you would be hard pressed to state it is a defect.

[Ian A. Niquette]

Yes, if it within local code, it is not a defect. But you can recommend an upgrade for safety reasons, like a child or elderly person falling 24" and twisting an ankle or worse.

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Tell the client that 'contractors build to code, good contractors look out for the best interests and safety of their clients'.

Jeff

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by sstanczyk

There is no defect to call out. You might be able to recommend a railing as an upgrade and give your reasons, but you would be hard pressed to state it is a defect.

I agree.

Ben Gromicko might call it a defect but I would not.

[David P. Valley]

Looks good to me. With most codes, a railing is required if the top of this surface is 30 inches or more above grade, and in some jurisdictions the height is even lower.

Like others have stated, a railing can be recommended for child safety.

[David A. Andersen]

I think I'd be more concerned with water entering the CS vents.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

No defect visible to me. Put some landscaping there and it'll be fine.

[James R. Szczesny]

Well thanks everyone,
I never did call it a DEFECT but did recommend a safety upgrade. It was just the buyer called me back for further explanasion to help her out in getting the handrail installed. I thought I would see what everone has to say. This builder (SOUNDBUILT) is basically stripping down the house to bare minimum and selling them having the buyers buy any extra's like screens on the windows and a yard (grass)or railings or a lot of other things. Their charging $800 for a garage door opener installed.

[Thomas Bloore]

Originally Posted by dandersen

I think I'd be more concerned with water entering the CS vents.

Ditto on the CS vents.

I think they should be concerned more with the safety instead of passing their code.

[Terry B. Clayton]

There are able to charge $800.00 for an opener only if someone is willing to pay that