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The home inspector did a great inspection and you were happy. But as time passed, you began to notice things in the house that the inspection report didn’t mention. So you call your inspector and after telling them what is going on, ask “why didn’t you see that?”
In our blog post, “What Did You Expect,” we talked about the importance of managing expectations. But sometimes despite the best efforts of all concerned, issues are discovered after the inspection that may make it seem as if the home inspector didn’t do a good job. Here are some things to consider when those “why didn’t you see that?” issues come up: Hidden or intermittent problems. You have to live in a house to really know the condition, and some issues become apparent only with the passage of time. The home inspector cannot reasonably be expected to discover hidden or intermittent problems during the limited time frame of a home inspection. As an example, wall or flooring issues may only be discovered after furniture, carpets or stored items are moved. Plumbing leaks may become noticeable only after extended use of plumbing fixtures. No evidence or clue. Even if an issue existed at the time of inspection, there may not have been a visible clue or evidence to alert the inspector to the condition. If there were no visible clues or evidence of an issue at time of inspection, the home inspector can’t foresee what might develop with that unseen issue in the future. Conditions at time of inspection. A home inspection is a “snapshot in time” of the condition of a home at the time of inspection. Contractors, repairmen, and others may come in weeks or months after the inspection, find an issue, and say, “I can’t believe your home inspector didn’t see this.” It’s often difficult for clients to recall in detail the circumstances that existed at time of inspection, such as rooms filled with furniture and personal belongings. It’s impossible for contractors and others coming in after the fact to know what the circumstances were when the inspection took place - they weren’t there. Generalist vs. specialist. Home inspectors are generalists, not specialists. We provide the “what” (describe the problem, defect or issue) and defer to an expert or a specialist to provide the “why” (cause or origin of an issue). An example would be where we observe a crack in a brick wall. We describe the crack (size, length, width, etc.) and general condition of the wall and adjoining structural components, then recommend evaluation by a qualified licensed structural engineer for cause and suggested remedial action. Non-invasive. A home inspection is “visual and non-invasive” according to Standards of Practice. Some of the issues that might be discovered after you take possession of the home, such as hidden wood damage behind a wall, would not be discovered unless the home inspector performed an invasive inspection (i.e., cut a hole into the wall to see what was behind the sheetrock). Once you take possession of the home, you are free to make modifications as you see fit. When we inspect the home, it still belongs to the seller and we are liable for any damage we cause. Conclusion: When issues are discovered post-inspection, the inspector and client should be willing to listen to each other and discuss the issues calmly and reasonably. The objective for the home inspector is to try to do the right thing for everyone involved. Call us – We'd love to answer your home inspection questions!
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Unrealistic or unmanaged client expectations can cause problems for both the client and the home inspector. Here are some handy tips to help reduce the aggravation level for everyone:
What a home inspection is – A limited, visual, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home as it was on the date of inspection. Let’s break this down:
What a home inspection is not:
Here's how we help clients manage their expectations. (1) Before the inspection, we talk to our clients to gain a clear understanding of what their expectations are. (2) Next, we discuss and explain what will actually happen during the home inspection. We use patience, diplomacy, and good communication skills to help clients understand that some of their expectations may not be met for one reason or another (outside the scope of the inspection, etc.) We encourage questions and make every effort to ensure the client fully understands what will and what will not be done as part of the inspection. Conversations are documented for the protection of all parties. (3) We ask the client if they have any questions or concerns about the inspection agreement and address any issues that may come up. (4) Our website has a link to the Standards of Practice that we work under so clients can view those standards for themselves. (5) After the inspection is over, we give the client a verbal summary of our findings and encourage them to contact us with any post-inspection questions or concerns. Conclusion: By helping our clients set and manage realistic expectations, we give them a better home inspection experience and make life easier for the client, their realtor, and for us. A win-win for everyone! Call us – We’d be happy to help you have a great home inspection experience! |
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