I am often asked things I cannot answer at a home inspection, and sometimes look to the seller for a receipt or other proof of work performed on a house that I am inspecting for a prospective buyer.
Major, expensive things like a roof, oil tank abandonment, a new cesspool, a new paving stone stoop, etc.
I receive a no answer a lot of the time. This means there is no receipt and this major expence was likely not performed by a professional.
In the case of a roof, it would be nice to have the receipt for the buyer so they know when it was installed, and in case of warranty issues. But alas, the seller has no document of the roof job.
In the case of oil tank abandnment, I have been told by sellers the tank was abandoned years ago, and was done properly. But when I ask the seller for proof, there is none. No proof that the oil tank underground was abandoned? Really? And I should believe you?
I always insist on proof from the sellers' contractor, as many sellers do not have the proof as it was done by 'cousin Louie'.
These simple pieces of paper would make home sales go more smoothly, but everyone seems to cut corners on the big ticket items, and I typically want my seller to be informed. No better proof than a work order and receipt detailing the scope of the work exists in my eyes.
Oh well. Next house!
-Ray
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