This is a good post by Troy that can't be emphasized enough----and the comments to follow the post also add a lot to the conversation.
Recently I was watching an episode of Holmes on Homes that I had recorded. This particular episode was about issues that were missed by a home inspector so it kind of caught my attention. I do enjoy this show even though I don't think it is appropriate to label others as incompetents while building yourself up which seems to happen quite often on the show.
What really caught my eye was that the show focused on all the work that had to be done to the home even though a home inspection was performed. Now there were some serious issues in the home that the Holmes crew corrected which of course is great.
The majority of the show consisted of all the issues that were found after cutting and ripping into the walls. Without being able to review the inspector's report to see if any of the issues were mentioned or not it seems a little presumptuous to deem him an incompetent. A home inspection is a non-invasive assessment of the major structural and mechanical systems of a home. If one were to take a hammer to the walls of most homes I am sure that you would be able to see a lot more going on than what is evident from a strictly visual inspection.
Now I will continue to enjoy the show, but remember what it is I am hired to do when I conduct a home inspection. It would be easier, but these items just aren't in my tool bag.
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Troy Pappas
Safe House Property Inspections
757-418-0944
Site: Virginia Beach Home Inspector
Email: troy@safehousepropertyinspections.com
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I've been hearing about a camera that can detect issues behind walls. Mainly looking for mold and moisture problems. It's scary what they can find. I heard the cost is $16,000 for the camera. I'm not sure this is a good thing.
John these cameras don't find mold or anything else behind walls----they find surface temperature differences which can mean hidden moisture and/or over heating issues---among other things.
This was a good post, which I am glad you re-blogged Charlie.
John, I have had my camera (top of the line) for 6 years. It didn't cost $16K when I bought it, and is half the price now then it was then. You need to do some investigation, not only about what IR cameras cost but about what their capabilities are! My camera is the sharpest and truest arrow in my quiver.
I have a friend who saw this show and was telling what a dope the inspector was. I did not know the details.
Steve - I saw it and the inspector missed a lot of stuff. But still, it is really easy to see things when walls and a concrete slab are removed. Holmes is right though - if what you can see is a disaster, what about what you cannot see? Probably a disaster too.
I think we home inspectors (generally) have become very good at assessing what we see and predicting the effects on what we can't see. As an example, a lot of rust in the bottom of an older furnace = probable cracked heat exchanger. But, we have created higher expectations from our clients and it is not always easy to meet them. It is important that we define the scope of the inspection within our capabilities and communicate that to the client. IMHO
Jay, you are welcome
Steve, these shows all tend to be a bit "sensational" in the way they make good points :)
Jay, any idea if this show is on Hulu or anything?
Calvin, good advice
Love the show. But folks have to remember this is entertainment designed to attract sponsorship dollars. While it deals with real issues, the show has some elements that are far from reality.
Of course Holmes is the hero when he comes in and rips out wall and ceiling covering to expose problems in the home. Breaks out a jack hammer to bust up the basement floor and reveal sewer drain issues. Drives in the excavator and exposes the foundations' exterior defects.
Now if their first contractor even wanted to do half of what Holmes does with his seemingly unlimited budget, the home owners would say NO. "We can't afford that" ...but we are talking about a show where there is no mention of who is paying what. The fact that they have taken this part of the process out and the show appears to absorb all the costs is not reality.
Your contractor will give you a bid for $______to perform __________. And when nasty things are exposed?
There is alot of embellishment done, for the purposes of making an interesting show, not just for the purpose of making it right, as claimed. It is what it is, .....great entertainment.
Harold, it sounds like I am going to have to watch this some time :)
Thanks for the reblog Charles. I'm like Harold in that I wonder how the shows budget would compare to an average contractor's bid on the same project. I would imagine that very few would be willing to pay for the services provided by the show.