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Originally Posted by speede5
You guys all realize the seller has rights here too. It's their house and a home inspector can't just tear through it willy nilly. Obviously in the interest of a fair sale they should grant full access but they don't have to.
If you were buying a car and took it to a mechanic he can't bust open the engine, lift the carpet, etc without opening himself up to a lawsuit if something gets damaged.
It's kind of a conundrum for inspectors, some are obviously willing to take a chance and dig really deep, others don't take chances. I have had 2 inspections done by different companies and neither removed anything that was fixed, including outlet covers.
Also if an inspector is not an electrician or gas fitter, they really aren't that qualified to inspect furnaces water heaters and panels. They may know how unofficially but they might miss something. Maybe they are training better but back when this all started they would get those parts done by tradesman.
They also have to be careful about devaluing a house or 'talking you out of it' They should present the deficencies in a rather un biased way. This is broken and will cost x to fix. This needs to be done immediately/in 5 years/optional. This can be done by homeowner/tradesman/contractor. Stuff like that. A good home inspector can explain this stuff to a buyer pragmatically.
I have helped a couple friends buy houses and even did an inspection on one (with lots of caveats) for a friend recently and it was really dicey in some areas, at least in my head it was. Most sellers are totally cooperative but if you get one that's picky you have to have your bases covered.
It would be nice if a realtor chimed in here because they have seen all of this and know where people can get themselves in trouble.
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No one is saying the inspector can do whatever they want, but anything that is accessible is fair game. I haven't had an inspector pull off wall plates but they have both removed the panel cover and looked there. They have also inspected the furnace and plumbing, as well as all appliances.
I'm not sure what "rights" you think are being violated by what people have said in here.
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A typical Home-Alyze inspection takes two-three hours to complete.
It is designed to produce a report that includes an assessment of the home's foundation, exterior, heating system, ventilation, plumbing, electrical system, interior, insulation and roof. We also inspect fireplaces, hot tubs, air conditioning and other components that are found in some homes.
Every aspect of your home is inspected thoroughly. Take, for instance, the "electrical system". The main electric panel is one of the first items that a Home-Alyze inspector will look at. Visually accessible wiring and a representative number of outlets connected to the system are examined. Ground wires, polarity, auxiliary panels, and smoke detectors are inspected as are ground fault interruption devices. We estimate the type and age of wiring in the home and whether or not safety upgrades are appropriate. All fuses or breakers are checked for proper amperage, and we look for loose or frayed wires and if aluminum wiring has been used.
This thoroughness is extended to every part of the home as your inspector methodically moves from the furnace and ventilation system, foundation and wood structure, plumbing, insulation and exterior right up to the attic and the roof and any features that may be unique to the home.
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http://www.homealyze.com/home-inspec...s.htm#whatdoes
Edit: Also you are ripping inspectors saying they are not qualified to look at panels or furnaces and things like that, but yet you willingly went and inspected a house for a friend. I actually think the seller would be within their rights to refuse you from "inspecting" the property, you aren't a licenced inspector.
http://storage.ubertor.com/calgarysu...ment/81274.pdf