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Why Didn't My Home Inspector Tell Me That?
Posted: May 2008

 It happens all too often. Someone buys a home after a Home Inspector has completed a (mostly superficial) inspection of the various systems in a house. If anyone reading this article honestly thinks that any one person can inspect a home for an hour or two and provide you with any reliable information about the real condition of that home, you need a reality check.

Were I about to purchase any home, I would contact my favorite roofing contractor, my best plumber, my most trusted electrician, and the best heating and air conditioning contractor that I know (Now, who would that be?) to thoroughly check the various systems in the house. Then I would have some reliable information about the condition of these specific areas. Whatever the cost, at least you’ll be getting some useful information.

Even a reliable and honest home inspector does not know enough about these specialized areas to give you information that could potentially save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. I have seen many reports from home inspectors regarding the heating and air conditioning system. The information is usually so general and superficial that it is of no use to the homeowner.

I have seen many heating (and air conditioning) systems that are truly dangerous. I mean, real hazards! Like - don’t use it until it gets repaired. Did the homeowner have any idea that there was a problem? Probably not, in most cases. The Home Inspector probably didn’t have a clue either.

The reason that there are so many systems installed this way is our society’s recent adoption of what I call The Wal-Mart mentality. Everyone wants everything for the lowest price. What kind of heating and air conditioning installation do you think you’ll get for the lowest price? The words quality, longevity and reliability likely won’t come to mind.

The kind of work ethic that was prevalent when I was growing up here is harder to find today. Expert craftsmanship, the concern for details and doing the job properly are still attainable – but you definitely will not get them with the lowest price.

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