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As a buyer I wouldn't hire you (no offense intended). We had some of the worst inspectors possible in our latest transaction of selling and buying:
Our original home for sale had a 2 yr. old roof that was rated a "30 yr. roof with a transferable warranty" The work was done by a very professional company. It had new paint inside and out and new carpet (upgraded). New solid oak hardwood floors on the main level. Brand new AC unit which was rated #1 on Consumer Reports (and we never even had the need to turn it on other than to test it and make sure it cooled the house). All new modern lighting and fixtures.
We passed on the first offer because the inspector told the buyer the roof would have to be replaced, the AC unit looked "old", we didn't have GFI outlets in the garage (which didn't have a water source, so why bother? It was up to code). The list went on and on with petty stuff that any home owner can do if they chose to. So dumb.
The guy that DID buy our house laughed at that inspection report. He wanted nothing as he was holding all the warranties and receipts in his hand. He thought everything was just fine.
Then for the house we bought, our inspector overlooked so many things I can't even count. It ended up casting us a fortune right off the bat.
Thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate all the honest and straightforward responses.
I can fully see that this type of inspection does not appeal to many of you. The entire process seems to be riddled with integrity loopholes, unnecessary risks and questions if it is even possible. I would like to answer the questions point for point but there are so many salient concerns and doubts that I would be like trying to scoop water out of a sinking ship with a cappuccino spoon!
It seems that in general it is a question of integrity. If the home inspector lacks it the entire inspection is tainted. If the subcontractors lack it, they will find things that are not there. If the realtor lacks it, they will prefer an easy inspection over one that is comprehensive. There's bad eggs and good eggs in every field! I don't think it's possible to prove that I'm a good egg on an Internet forum but I did want to do a little general perception research. One point that I would like to make is that inspectors need to know how to communicate. If you can't put problems into perspective, everything will be a crisis for the buyers. My inspection is not intended to find and escalate the number of problems. It's just intended to be a little bit more in depth yet sensible in its presentation
Upon request I will also recommend and schedule septic, sewer cam, dock and davit, structural, elevator, mold, water quality and radon. While I will set up the appointment for the buyer, the buyer pays these people directly. I'm just offering my network of trusted sources. If there was some sort of elaborate kickback system going on, it would have to be far and wide spread almost like the illuminati. Just kidding - in all honesty I'm really not interested in anything but providing a good home inspection. But all of your doubts are noted.
It looks like I have my work cut out for me! Well anyway, the system is working now and I will try to build up my business in this format. Down the road if it doesn't work I can always adjust.
From an Inspector's viewpoint my questions would be:
How are you ensuring that whoever you bring on site is performing a thorough evaluation of each area of responsibility? That is with 4+ different trades and groups coming in how are you ensuring they check every item thoroughly under their area of responsibility? How can you shadow any of them or review their work for each inspection?
The various other professionals coming in obviously need to have an incentive to even arrive let alone perform an inspection of their areas. Either they are trying to find issues so that they can bid on them in hopes of getting the work or they are being paid for their time. If they are being paid for their time that would make the inspection extremely expensive since the hourly rates for these other professionals is high and I know of no other professional that would be willing to bill just for an hour of their time when they can bill for a minimum of one hour plus travel time on any other job of their own. Even if they billed for one hour that adds up very quickly! If they are attempting to find issues to quote repairs on as a way of making the money on this then are you validating the issues they write to ensure they are not just attempts at writing up something that is not there?
This was already asked before but is another important aspect. These other professionals are expected to be your subcontractors. If the other professional does make an egregious error are you taking responsibility for it?
Many Inspectors try to limit their liability to some small amount like the inspection fee by placing a clause in their contracts stating this. Since you now have professionals in each group inspecting each area are you still adding any type clause such as this to your contract? After all there should be no mistake about the specific issue called out since it was called out by the professional in that field.
Many Inspectors carry General Liability insurance in the event something is damaged on the property by their actions. Do you have General Liability insurance that will cover these other professionals as well if they damage something? I am not aware of any GL carrier that will cover sub-contractors without additional riders and premiums.
Do you carry disability insurance to cover the other professionals when acting under your contract? That would be a large concern for the owner and their homeowner insurance policy if one of these other professionals injured themselves on the owner's property.
Do you perform a thorough background check on the other professionals to ensure you are not allowing or inviting a problem into a seller's home?
The concept you are reportedly using is a common technique in large commercial inspections and in some very large and high end homes. I would expect if properly implemented it might work on a residential structure inspection. There are many questions though that go unanswered and concerns for the safety of the property owner as well as buyer.
As a buyer I would find the service appealing. It would depend on (1) the age & expense of the home (e.g. more inclined to use it on an older and/or more expensive home) and (2) the cost of the "enhanced" inspection. If 20% more than a $500 inspection...sure I'd pay $600 on just about any home. If we're talking more like $1000, then back to my #1 as it may not be as worthwhile if I'm buying newer construction that, for all intents & purposes, can be reasonably inspected by a typical inspector.
My concern is that having a whole bunch of people inspecting a home will either confuse or intimidate an average buyer. Perhaps for really complex home, or a commercial property it would make sense. Some jobs call for a scalpel, some call for a chainsaw.
Yours is a company I would use, because that is what we end up doing anyway. Having dealt with home inspectors as buyers and sellers many times, I consider it a scam plagued industry. The ratio of legitimate to hacks is very low. Anyone who can take a test can become a "home inspector". I have a few horror stories, but, I digress . . . I would use your company, because if I required a home inspection now, I would use a specialist from each discipline. Good luck.
From the home buyers point of view it is an ideal inspection. If one of the inspectors misses something that should have been reported, you are going to sue all the inspectors for damages, you have more companies to sue, starting with you as the primary inspector. You will be sued if they miss termite damage as an example, along with all the other inspectors in your package inspection as they are working for/with you.
Gives the homeowners more insurance policies to go against. As the primary inspector, you become responsible for all the inspections if something is missed. And if the suit goes to court, you will be the primary one sued, no matter what the problem is.
Go for it. One thing missed that should have been seen, and you are liable for the unknown damages covered by all the inspections. Like in construction, a problem that ends up in court, the primary contractor is always the number one sued for any problems caused by one of the subs. As the primary inspection contractor, you are responsible for anything missed by all the inspectors not just in your own field.
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