Most of the time I really enjoy my job. I don't mind getting dirty. Close conditions don't bother me.....much. Even the yucky stuff doesn't rank all that high on the gab-o-meter. 

However, yesterday's crawlspace was right up there. First of all I was under there for about 45 minutes. Thats' longer than normal. This house only has about a 800 square foot footprint. 

Second of all, it was pretty wet and muddy.

Third, there were at least two different types of fresh "droppings".

Fourth, the fungus/mold growth was just everywhere. On the framing, on the ground, on the ducts.

Lastly, there was very little room to get around, and the ducts on the ground meant I had to backtrack instead of making a loop.

I really expected what I found. I drive by this house at least once a week, sometimes more. For years I have made mental notes about the extensive wood siding damage and what it must be doing to this house. Then last year, it was getting fixed up. Fast forward to yesterday.

New exterior siding, and fresh paint. Inside it was great. New kitchen and bathrooms, light fixtures, and just about everything inside looked great. And for the most part, it was pretty darn good - INSIDE and OUT.

However, when I went under, it was all over (as far as I was concerned). 

I kind of doubt my client will buy this house, unless the flipper, sorry, seller will either fix the stuff, or knock a bunch off the price. But, there will probably be someone that will go in, fall in love with all the cool stuff, forgo the inspection and buy it.

Here are some photos..

.

 
Post is included in group: Tennessee Home and Building Inspectors
Post is included in group: Property Inspection Discussion
Post is included in group: Home Inspectors across the country
Post is included in group: ASHI

18 Comments on Sometimes I just hate my job

FEB
07
1 Featured Post

Dear Jack,

Very good lesson in, "you can't judge a book by its cover!"

Thanks for sharing,

Barbara

1:29pm • #1
1 Featured Post

Attics and crawl spaces ----- the killers of too many deals.   Hope it works out for you.

1:32pm • #2

Ewww.   We see it all too often these days~

1:46pm • #3
222,851 Points 4 Featured Posts

Lipstick on a pig?  At least you had some blog fodder out of the inspection!

2:06pm • #4
451,016 Points Outside Blog

I know you home inspectors should get hazard pay... I have seen some go into some gnarly places to do an inspection.. yuck

2:22pm • #5
376,526 Points 23 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jack it would appear that they spent all their "improvements" budget in the wrong place:)

2:31pm • #6

Hey Jack, have you been inspecting up here again.  I have enough competition for inspecting that junk.

2:33pm • #7

Yikes. Just another case of not starting at the base of most problems, trying to patch it up and be done with it.

3:09pm • #8

Jack G.

Come on down, I will show you some really good stuff.

4:51pm • #9

Hey Jack F. Might take you up on that someday.  It's good to see how others get along with this crap.

5:11pm • #10

Jack,

I definately do not envy your job.  I've seen the types of things you guys have to crawl through and I'm just glad there is someone like you around to do it.

7:39pm • #11
1 Featured Post

That looks just like a  condo that I had inspected today.  All the problems you wrote about and then some.  My buyer was most concerned about mold.  During lots of conversation, I ask him if he could smell mold.  His reply was negative.  I couldn't either.  There was'nt a musty or stale smell.  But guess what?? Lots of mold in areas we couldn't see.  Behind refrigerators, above dropped ceilings, in the electrical panel, bathroom walls.  My buyer was so disappointed.

9:56pm • #12
FEB
08

Was your client along with you in the crawl space?

Glad to hear about another high quality inspection, despite the conditions.  The photos came out really well.  640x480 and each one of them less than 50kb.  Are these direct from the camera?

 

12:10am • #13

No my client did not crawl with me. The access was under a low deck, and since there was still snow on the ground, I got wet even before I got under the house. And the crawlspace was very low too. 

Yes, the photos are directly from the camera. I shoot on low resolution mostly from habit. My inspection software can change a high resolution image to a more manageable size for the report, but I haven't switched the camera. 

6:44am • #14

Clear photos of issues where the client does not accompany you are a tremendous benefit.   In areas where the client does not accompany you.   Do you preview the photos during the inspection or save it for afterwards in the report?

The focus and the lighting are very well balanced for a dark crawl space.   Do you shine a light on the area you photograph or just use the flash?  

Nice job, and thanks for sharing your techniques.

12:25pm • #15

Jim, thanks for the kind words.

I just use the flash. When I shine my flashlight on the area (sometimes I just have to) it seems to cast a yellow glow. I show my clients the photos on the computer screen so they can get a real idea of what's up where they didn't go.

I will store the interesting ones on my home computer, but pretty much do not store every photo I take. I mean, just how many photos of a water shut off valve do I need to keep?

I have noticed that my camera's focus must be getting worn, because some photos are blurry even when I know I have held still and the lighting is good. It's an old Canon, so it is getting time to replace it.

2:23pm • #16
FEB
20

Unfortunately 90% of the homes in the Poconos have crawlspaces so I feel your pain.

12:57am • #17
FEB
25

In the Northwest, crawlspaces are the norm. Basements and slabs are rare.  Your pictures are, unfortunately, all too familiar.  Lately, I have had a number of clients crawl with me.  I love it!  It gives them the chance to see the work I'm doing for them, and to get a firsthand look at some of the issues.

4:07pm • #18

Leave a response…



(optional)
What does the graphic say?
 
Rainmaker_large

Jack Feldmann

Knoxville, TN

More about me…

Clayton Inspection Service, Inc.

Address: Knoxville, TN

Office Phone: (865) 693-7109

Email Me



Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find TN real estate agents and Knoxville real estate on ActiveRain.