Deal Killer

[David C. Macy]

Pictures mean 1000 words they say.

The electrician that rooked the seller with the sub should be lifted by his joules.

This entire system from the mast to the outlets needed to be upgraded.

I never had seen so many safety issues. There where reverse polarity and open grounds all over. Even the furnace electrical was a mess.

Dave

The rest of the house was a mess. Needed a roof/furnace/water tank/Main DWV stack/garage foundation was broken.

That is a flourescent fixture in the one photo.

I hope this guy walks.

[Dale Duffy]

Man oh man....

Look her over...she ain't for sale....one more payment and she's all mine..... .

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

Fixer upper eh?

[Jae Williams]

Talk about minutia--David, you're such a nit-picker....

...course, I guess we all picked a few nits in our time.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Hmm.....Nothing but Electrician Haters......lol....What makes you think an Electrician did that

Lets not start pissing on electricians....otherwise it may be CLEAR why they do not like HI's for the most part....GESSHHH

[ROBERT W. NEWLAND, JR.]

As a "newbie" I have to ask.... when inspecting a house like this, with a multitude of problems, do you ever get to the point where you state in your report that due to the numerous (electrical) problems the entire electrical system should be evaluated by a qualified electrical contractor? It seems if you tried to identify every single one of the problems you may miss something in the "rat's nest". Maybe a few comments about the overall condition supported by numerous photos?

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

With all the problems you have identified on this house I would tend to think this was the work of one dillusional homeowner that may have thought he was qualified to do his own wiring and repairs. Just the narrow view of the furnace shows a lack of any regard for maintenance or upkeep. A lot of jury rigged electrical wiring not typically found on an electrician done job. I recently did a house with similar examples of extreme stupidity. As I was pointing out some of the more obvious nightmares to the prospective buyer the owner chimed in proudly that he had done all the wiring in the addition himself. The deal dropped like a pregnant pole vaulter when I finished the report. This owner thought he could do anything whereas unfornately he could do nothing right and was living in a time bomb with several small children. I think I took over 80 pictures on that one.

And Robert, my answer is yes. After seeing dozens of unsafe and illegal discrepancies I defer the whole thing to a State licensed electrical contractor for a full system eval but I do list all the major problems and give myself a disclaimer that there are more items not detailed out in the report. Others may and will probably disagree as that is the nature of the BB. Do what's right for your client and yourself. Don't concern yourself if the deal falls through. Your customer will thank you. Realtor may not but if they are worth a flip they too will thank you.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by rnewland

As a "newbie" I have to ask.... when inspecting a house like this, with a multitude of problems, do you ever get to the point where you state in your report that due to the numerous (electrical) problems the entire electrical system should be evaluated by a qualified electrical contractor?

Yes.

In fact, I'll do that for the whole house, and my contract states that I'm looking at the general condition, not explicit conditions, so don't plan on using the report as a repair list (everyone does anyway, though).

Excessive deferred maintenance present throughout property. Click here for helpful information concerning these conditions.

And here's the "click here" reference:

Excessive Deferred Maintenance

Excessive deferred maintenance, both inside and outside, often present difficult and dangerous work conditions. While we strive to prepare an accurate report of the condition of the property at the time of the inspection, it is virtually impossible to compile an exhaustive, complete, or definitive list of defects and areas of concern in these circumstances due to the time-limited nature and generalizations inherent with a home inspection, as well as areas of the property not being visible, not being accessible, or being considered dangerous and unsafe.

The information contained in this report` should not be construed as an exhaustive, complete, or definitive list of defects and areas of concern. Simply moving into this structure and renovation of any part of this structure may expose additional defects which were not noted because they were not visible at the time of the inspection. In other words (in plain English), we’re just not going to find absolutely everything under these conditions.

Recommend using caution while on property.

Recommend careful observation during final walk through and before close of escrow.

Recommend adjusting renovation budgets for unexpected or unforeseen circumstances.

Recommend creating a list of appropriate personnel (plumber, electrician, etc.) for use in an emergency situation; this should be done before move-in.

[ROBERT W. NEWLAND, JR.]

Thanks RR and Doug!

[Greg Veal]

Robert
I agree with your approach. I often refer to Lic. Specialist in there field, if similar conditions are found. My customers understand in my contract that I am commenting on General conditions with specific references, as needed. I am not always a favorite with the Sellers/ R.E. Agts., but I'm working for my client (Typically the Buyer) and I have a fiduciary and moral obligation to report to them.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by gveal

I'm working for my client (Typically the Buyer) and I have a fiduciary and moral obligation to report to them.

Since you're in Georgia, I suspect that you don't have a fiduciary obligation to anyone as a home inspector. Nor do you want that type of responsibility. It brings on an extra set of responsibilities and liability that a generalist home inspector really does not want.

Check with your attorney and your E&O insurance provider before you go representing yourself as having a fiduciary duty to anyone.

[dgriffith]

Originally Posted by rnewland

As a "newbie" I have to ask.... when inspecting a house like this, with a multitude of problems, do you ever get to the point where you state in your report that due to the numerous (electrical) problems the entire electrical system should be evaluated by a qualified electrical contractor? It seems if you tried to identify every single one of the problems you may miss something in the "rat's nest". Maybe a few comments about the overall condition supported by numerous photos?

I ran into a mess like Dave's last month. The electric was a complete disaster so instead of continuing to look at everything about it I reported that because of the many safety issues I recommend the entire electrical system be examined by a licensed electrician.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Ahhh...I love when fellow HI's keep us Electricians Busy...

[Jae Williams]

RR "In fact, I'll do that for the whole house, and my contract states that I'm looking at the general condition, not explicit conditions, so don't plan on using the report as a repair list (everyone does anyway, though)."

I have a similar statement in my Agreement--my attorney just loved it,
especially when I explained what it meant. Now he's advising similar
lines in other inspection agreements.
And I got it from RR--so how about that there??