Whenever someone tells me that the municipal code inspectors have signed-off on a house, that does not mean that I let my defenses down when it comes to looking for problems. I think the code inspectors must have some good days and some bad days. One thing I know for sure is that they are likely to miss many things both large and small.

For example, I was at a newer home recently. The steps at the home, at four different locations, one being inside the others outside, do not conform to the basic safety guidelines. Steps varied from one another, in rise, by more than 3/8" and some steps were 9" high or higher. A step should be no higher than 7 3/4".

Now, don't get me wrong. We need code inspectors. Things would literally be falling apart all over without them. And we home inspectors miss things too. I think the fact is that the more eyes you have looking at a building -- municipal or state inspectors, home inspectors -- the better chance you have of getting more things right or as they should be.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith