Bounced checks are expensive! - 08/31/09 05:17 PM
I have had a rash of bad checks from my clients lately. My bank charges $15 for returned checks, and I have to chase down clients to get paid.
These people are buying a house? And they can't even pay the home inspector?
I am pro active when it comes to getting paid, and I have no problem knocking on the door of the buyer at 7am to ask for payment. Last week I drove to Brooklyn (1.5 hours) and I woke up the client as it was quite early, but thats what it takes sometimes.
The aggravation, the time, the gas all … (2 comments)

Does the home inspector hand out the business cards of all his buddies in the various trades? - 08/23/09 11:31 AM
I get asked quite often by home buyers for referrals for contractors such as electricians, roofers, plumbers, etc. I do not give references out, even though I have friends in the trades. I would rather the buyer find their own contractors.
The level of trust the buyers have placed in me is enormous, and to risk having a friend possibly cause a problem if something goes wrong is more than I am willing to do. I have heard stories from real estate agents of inspectors handing out cards for his friends who own contracting companies, but I feel this is a conflict … (1 comments)

Bringing your brother the retired plumber to the home inspection is bad news. - 08/21/09 03:05 PM
I was 'tested' today on my knowledge of plumbing. It seems the buyers brother had to be at the home inspection. This is counter-productive for all parties involved. I am not a plumber, nor do I wish to be one. I have plumbed entire bathrooms, and kitchens, and installed complete waste ejector systems (involving plumbing, electrical, and concrete work), as I have worked in the construction fields.
To bring in an expert to contest and hinder the home inspector wastes valuable time, and I resented being quizzed, although from the lack of retort, I must have passed the brothers' test.
In the … (3 comments)

Sloppy wiring is no big deal! - 08/18/09 08:53 PM
Or so you thought. Some people who attend home inspections seem to think nothing of little items mentioned by a home inspector because the repair is so easy to do.
For example: loose wiring at the circuit breakers. This is an easy fix - all you need is a screwdriver and a little muscle. So it is so easy that I should not mention it? Loose wiring connections are a very common cause of electrical fires.
Todays inspection was quite frustrating for me because the homeowner was breathing down my neck discounting almost everything I said, and dismissing it as 'such a small … (2 comments)

Don't powerwash your roof! - 08/04/09 02:27 PM
I saw a truck yesterday with advertizing stating 'Powerwashing of Roofs' and couldn't stop laughing. These guys are incredible. Many people get stains and fungi on roofs, and yes it is unsightly, but a good roofing contractor will never powerwash a roof.
Roofing shingles have a granular surface that slowly washes off with the rain, as it should. But to accelerate this process is asking your roof to expire early.
Some things were not meant to be powerwashed, and your roof, no matter how much fungi it has growing on it, is one of them. Use a putty knife to remove the heavy … (2 comments)

Out of the loop for a while. - 08/03/09 03:03 PM
I have not blogged in ages (months). Home inspection is very busy here on Long Island. I enjoyed blogging in the past, but have had very little time to myself.
I just came from Jamaica, Queens to do a follow up inspection on a building where I could not access the roof. This building was renovated, but done poorly. Plumbing leaks were present in the basement, some of the new electrical had issues, and signs of rats, mice and cockroaches the size of matchbox cars were visible in the basement.
I hope all the rainers who commented in the past on my … (3 comments)

 

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