permits: Duct, Duct, Loose
- 06/03/10 01:03 AM
When is heating and air conditioning an afterthought? When it is installed by someone who is NOT a professional. And without permits! Flipper! There was so much wrong with this HVAC register it was funny! First, they totally forgot it until the end of the process. By then they had installed so much other stuff to block access to this room, that they had one small opening available for a duct - right along the exterior wall! The space was so small, the only thing they could use was a dryer vent tube. And they chose the white plastic one! It … (14 comments)
permits: I'm Sorry, Sir, But Clearance Is Required
- 04/19/10 10:49 PM
I inspected a property with a "newly renovated basement apartment." It was a very nice-looking place. Usually though, with remodels, you see signs that things were not thought out quite clearly. Take the example here. This is the furnace closet. It was tucked away in the only place they allowed for it. They didn't think it through in two ways. First, because of the depth of the closet, the heat pump is situated the only way they could. Which would be fine, except that 1. Only about half of the filter can be removed from its slot and 2. There … (17 comments)
permits: "Nonsense"
- 11/27/09 10:58 PM
On a home inspection last week the house had a newly finished basement. It was supposedly finished by a Class A contractor, who is also an investor. The common term would be flipper. The Realtor told me this particular investor has flipped many houses in the area. Let's call him "Flipper." Flipper is not using a Realtor - he's selling it himself! Among other things in the basement, there were many "clues" that the electrical alone was not professional, not to code and done without a permit. Alright, they weren't clues, they were obviously unprofessional installations! For example: ~~ The entire … (18 comments)
permits: A Compass, A Map, And You Can Find Anything
- 11/07/09 09:58 PM
The house was warm, so I knew there was a furnace. The water was hot, so I knew there was a water heater. I just couldn't find them! The layout of the (lovely) basement made it hard to get my house geography. The six "bedrooms" were placed in a weird array. The former laundry room was no more, in favor I guess of rent from another "bedroom" and the local laundromat. But I was undaunted in my search. I knew where they should be, I just couldn't see how to get to them! Finally, behind a "bedroom" bureau, I saw … (11 comments)
This is what greeted me in the front window of my inspection yesterday. I knew I was in for a treat! The inspection was indeed a treat, but writing the report was not! I knew from this particular Realtor's name that there was fun to be had in this inspection. Reputation you know. But an inspector has to be careful - there are lots of things that are hidden and not easily detectable. The report had 165 items in the summary of concerns. That might not be the record, but it is up there. Here is a tour of … (16 comments)
permits: Juliet Will Be Calling Romeo Any Day Now
- 06/25/09 12:55 PM
A picture says a thousand words. Look carefully! I will have to supplement this picture with a conversation I had just the other day. I arrived at my inspection and discovered a crew "remodeling" the house. It was purchased by an investor who is fixing it up to flip it. The work was well underway. I looked briefly at the balcony and went right inside. I was met by "the crew." My conversation went something like this: Me (in italics): What's going on with the balcony outside? The Crew: It was an old balcony that leaked into the living room. … (6 comments)
permits: Will I After Tea And Cakes And Ices, Have The Strength To Force This Moment To Its Crisis?
- 01/31/09 09:25 AM
Last inspection for January - it's the 31st. I knew the house would have problems when there was no key in the lock box. The seller (investor, who bought and "remodeled" a foreclosure) was called and sent his wife with the key. We waited 45 minutes. Well, the only thing odd about the house was something I have not seen before. I should share. All four outlets in a bedroom tested fine. I use the Inspector II Live Load Branch Circuit Analyzer by Tasco, Inc. It simulates an 80% load on a circuit (15 or 20 amps) and tests for 6 … (16 comments)
permits: Dual Agency... And "I" Blew the Deal
- 01/18/09 11:51 PM
I did an inspection. I do them now and again. This one involved a dual agent - she "represented" both sides of the deal, buyer and seller. She did not tell me that prior to the inspection. It would not have made a difference anyway, but she should have been upfront. The house was a flip. It was seriously remodeled. The term "severely remodeled" could also apply. There was much done to this house, and VERY unprofessionally. During the inspection, I used the word "unprofessional" a lot. There were electrical things done that were "unprofessional." Plumbing "unprofessional." Drywall "unprofessional." Siding "unprofessional." … (93 comments)
When is heating and air conditioning an afterthought?
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