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Because they aren't considered skilled enough to comment on those things.
Similar to agents who are not skilled enough to comment on legal matters but many times do?
Out here they don't get trained on sprinkler systems, septics, etc. They have no training on lift stations. They aren't considered competent to comment on those things as a professional so they don't.
Sounds like home inspectors in Oregon have a great gig as you can pretty much say that about anythng they inspect. Unless they are competent through prior heavy training AND licensing then why are they commenting on anything?
So yes...if a home inspector comments on something outside of their area of expertise and gets a complaint, they risk losing their license.
So what is their "area of expertise" if they are considered "generalists" and not specialists? Then what can a home inspector comment on?
I'm not sure why you'd want someone to comment on something they have no knowledge about, but if you value a worthless opinion, that is okay too.
If you read my post, which you even quoted I asked:
"You are in Oregon and the Oregon laws apparently also do not stop a home inspector from inspecting anything else on the property as well. The home inspector laws only control how the inspector inspects the house. They don't stop an inspector from inspecting anything else as long as they don't violate another license."
So what stops a home inspector from saying "Duh, I don't know what it is but it is there. Why don't you have an expert identify it?"
And inspectors don't inspect non-residential items... I don't know why anyone would expect them to.
How about because the inspector is paid to inspect a home and property to tell the buyer if anything is wrong? If a home inspector can't identify something they should say that. Under your logic if a pile of dead bodies were sitting in the middle of a yard then the home inspector can just go right on by without so much as a word. Why not after all according to you they have nothing to do with the home right?
In blue italic above.
Because they aren't considered skilled enough to comment on those things.
Similar to agents who are not skilled enough to comment on legal matters but many times do?
Yes. Exactly like that. Agents risk their licenses if they start offering advice outside their licensing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbiggs
Out here they don't get trained on sprinkler systems, septics, etc. They have no training on lift stations. They aren't considered competent to comment on those things as a professional so they don't.
Sounds like home inspectors in Oregon have a great gig as you can pretty much say that about anythng they inspect. Unless they are competent through prior heavy training AND licensing then why are they commenting on anything?
No they get trained on the systems and structures of homes and have a mentorship period so they are competent to comment on them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbiggs
So yes...if a home inspector comments on something outside of their area of expertise and gets a complaint, they risk losing their license.
So what is their "area of expertise" if they are considered "generalists" and not specialists? Then what can a home inspector comment on?
Yes they are considered generalists and not specialists. A local home inspector says this to his clients "I am a generalist. I know a little about a lot of things, but am not an expert in them. My job is to see if we need to bring an expert in."
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbiggs
I'm not sure why you'd want someone to comment on something they have no knowledge about, but if you value a worthless opinion, that is okay too.
If you read my post, which you even quoted I asked:
"You are in Oregon and the Oregon laws apparently also do not stop a home inspector from inspecting anything else on the property as well. The home inspector laws only control how the inspector inspects the house. They don't stop an inspector from inspecting anything else as long as they don't violate another license."
So what stops a home inspector from saying "Duh, I don't know what it is but it is there. Why don't you have an expert identify it?"
They can say that, but they don't inspect the property, just the structure. So if you want someone to say "Duh, there is a sprinkler system have someone inspect it" or "duh, the house is on a septic get it inspected" they do. BUT buyer agents should have recommended those inspections and the buyer is aware before any inspection what the home inspector does.
In this situation the lift station is the bushes. It isn't open and obvious like the dead bodies would be, but yes...I am sure if there were a pile of dead bodies the buyer agent and the home inspector would both comment on it.
If you really think that you can have someone be an expert in all areas of a home and get an inspection for $400, that's insanity. Any home buyer is welcome to bring in actual specialists to inspect a home. Most choose the more generalist home inspection due to cost. I see nothing wrong with giving home buyers options about how they want to spend their money.
There seems to be a hostile prejudice against Home Inspectors here by some.....and I will not attempt to sway ignorance.
I will say that the standards of practice is what a potential buyer can expect from a good Home Inspector. It covers what they could and should expect. They are guidelines.
Some Inspectors have additional training. They can also inspect things like boat docks, pools, etc. Some are trained in radon testing, wood destroying organisms, etc.
Then there are local expectations. In some localities the Home Inspectors test residential sprinkler systems. I test them, but let the potential buyers know that by nature they are prone to needing regular upkeep and repair. Some systems when first installed were not designed as well as they could have been, thus may not water as effectually as they could. Many potential buyers are not familiar with them, and appreciate being shown how they work.
There also needs to be an understanding that some things simply cannot be inspected because they are behind finished material, etc. I'm sure the seller would not take too kindly to the Inspector ripping a hole in a ceiling to check a beam span, etc. We use instruments like thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, electrical testers, etc, that the average homeowner or builder would not have.
What the Inspector does is check all systems to see if they are working properly, and getting back to the original topic we also check for the grading around the home, outbuildings, etc. We do not look at title searches, blueprints, surveys, etc. I check fencing, gates, etc, and dependent on how big the property is, check as much around the living area as I can.
I do not check boundaries, lot lines, etc. If there is no fence around the property, and if the boundries of the property is heavy with trees, brush, etc, I might not notice a liftpump. If I did notice it, I would make the buyer aware of it, but that would usually be the extent. If it were obscured, not near any fencing, etc, I could see where it may not be seen or mentioned by the home Inspector.
I sincerely hope all works out well with this situation.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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While a home inspector would likely mention dead bodies after seeing them, it's not something to be included in the report, and neither is the lift station. The purpose of the inspection is the home, not the utility right-of-way.
This is something that the buyer should have noticed on the plot map that's included in the sale paperwork that was signed.
Obviously an interesting topic to all who've commented.
What I have found out:
1. There was no survey done as this was a cash deal.
2. There is no lift station mentioned in the title work.
3. There is no disclosure of the lift station in the contract.
All I really wanted to know is does Florida law require disclosure of a lift station in a private home sale.
I wouldn't go after the seller. I'd go after the title insurance company. If that lift station is on the property, they have to have an easement. They can't just come stomp around on the land.
1. Fail to survey is false economy, cash sale or not.
2. How does the owner know that the lift station is on the property without a survey?
It seems to me as uninformed as I am about things that not disclosing the lift station in the title search would be a mighty big issue, just as the sellers did not making disclosure in the listing. Does the title company need a survey to find out about a utility easement such as a lift station on private property?
It seems to me as uninformed as I am about things that not disclosing the lift station in the title search would be a mighty big issue, just as the sellers did not making disclosure in the listing. Does the title company need a survey to find out about a utility easement such as a lift station on private property?
I don't believe that failing to disclose a lift station is unusual at all. The lift station is an apparatus within the easement, and the easement will typically be shown since it is a recorded instrument. If you have questions about Florida law, you should probably contact a Florida lawyer instead of getting legal advice here.
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we also check for the grading around the home, outbuildings, etc. We do not look at title searches, blueprints, surveys, etc. I check fencing, gates, etc, and dependent on how big the property is, check as much around the living area as I can.
