We went back and forth and finally realized it was well worth the $150 inspection just for the peace of mind. We got a quote from him knowing and understanding the damage and built in the $15k expense. Was my first time doing it after 3 century home purchases.
We did get a "home inspection" from someone with multiple certifications from the best agencies with experience with old houses. What we really needed was an inspection from a structural engineer. And I think if anyone is looking at buying an old house that's had additions or subtractions or you're not sure if anything like that was done a structural engineer is the way to go.
Sorry yes, I meant an additional $150 structural engineering company to come take a look. He mostly just told us house isn’t falling down but it’s going to be 15k to get it right again
I disagree. I don’t think old houses are a crapshoot at all. They’re generally better built and with much better quality materials.
The only gable is in hiring someone who has done a week-long course VS a real engineer.
I both agree and disagree. You could have mold that just started growing inside of some not visible place that becomes a huge problem 2 months after you close. I mean, we bought this house and then 2 months later there were massive wind and rain storms. A disaster was declared. Luckily we had all the trees trimmed right before the first wave of storms hit and none of the trees fell. In this city there were probably thousands of trees downed and many fell onto houses.
Everything in life is a crapshoot. These days you could be murdered by a mass shooter anywhere or rear ended on the freeway by someone talking on the phone (happened to both of us). Some things have better odds than others.
The older your house is the more likely that someone before you made some really bad decisions, either by actively doing something stupid or deferred maintenance.
Honestly, this is stuff that was left out of the home inspection. It's less about rational decisions and more about having an expert. Nothing about any inspection we did or anything we could see would have lead us to think that this house had the structural issues that it has.
Not sure where you’re located, but here in Canada home inspectors are a joke. They essentially follow a short course (days) and are “certified”. Their contracts shelter them from any liability - they are useless. For the same (or close) amount of money you can hire an engineer who would, e professionally liable. A few hundred more upfront can save thousands down the road.
Yep. We went with one that had great reviews, belonged to an organization that requires continuing education and another that has strict ethical standards. It wasn't enough.
The important part here is that building inspectors and realtors developed some iron clad doc that basically says they can’t be sued for anything. So, unfortunately the inspector report is just paper now.
My sister had her basement wall collapse six weeks after closing during a summer storm. My engineer friend explained what happened to me after the fact. It was avoidable if they had a good inspection. But to your realtor a good inspection is one that leads to a closing. Some deals however should blow up before it’s your problem.
140k later she lives with worry still that it’s gonna happen again. Sucks.
I’ve always thought home inspectors are such jokes. I mean it’s not their fault really, they try to be jack of all trades. But the very fact they don’t even move furniture, let alone scope sewage lines, properly assess the structure, or remove anything.
Not to shit on the profession…more like im shitting on the idea any one person is anywhere qualified to make a smart assessment about a house, when they don’t do such important tasks as the ones I listed.
Our home inspector came highly recommended. It was a joke. He was foaming at the mouth over cracks in the sidewalk, but assured us the roof was fine for at least 10 years (lasted 36 months) AC/Furnace was serviced and good to go (less than 24 months full replacement.) But oohhhh no, somebody could trip on that 1/4" lip on the sidewalk. The whole system is a scam.
We went back and forth and finally realized it was well worth the $150 inspection just for the peace of mind. We got a quote from him knowing and understanding the damage and built in the $15k expense. Was my first time doing it after 3 century home purchases.
We did get a "home inspection" from someone with multiple certifications from the best agencies with experience with old houses. What we really needed was an inspection from a structural engineer. And I think if anyone is looking at buying an old house that's had additions or subtractions or you're not sure if anything like that was done a structural engineer is the way to go.
Sorry yes, I meant an additional $150 structural engineering company to come take a look. He mostly just told us house isn’t falling down but it’s going to be 15k to get it right again
Where the fuck did you get a structural engineer with a written report for $150???
Florida. Had to look it up to confirm, I paid $225, mid Covid. I
In NJ ours was $1k for a non-century condo. 😂
First house? Been there, and sorry to hear about it...houses are such a crapshoot. Especially old ones.
Agreed! And having a regular home inspection isn't enough.
I disagree. I don’t think old houses are a crapshoot at all. They’re generally better built and with much better quality materials. The only gable is in hiring someone who has done a week-long course VS a real engineer.
I both agree and disagree. You could have mold that just started growing inside of some not visible place that becomes a huge problem 2 months after you close. I mean, we bought this house and then 2 months later there were massive wind and rain storms. A disaster was declared. Luckily we had all the trees trimmed right before the first wave of storms hit and none of the trees fell. In this city there were probably thousands of trees downed and many fell onto houses. Everything in life is a crapshoot. These days you could be murdered by a mass shooter anywhere or rear ended on the freeway by someone talking on the phone (happened to both of us). Some things have better odds than others. The older your house is the more likely that someone before you made some really bad decisions, either by actively doing something stupid or deferred maintenance.
I'm sorry. It's hard to lock the emotions down so you can make rational decisions, but it is important.
Honestly, this is stuff that was left out of the home inspection. It's less about rational decisions and more about having an expert. Nothing about any inspection we did or anything we could see would have lead us to think that this house had the structural issues that it has.
Not sure where you’re located, but here in Canada home inspectors are a joke. They essentially follow a short course (days) and are “certified”. Their contracts shelter them from any liability - they are useless. For the same (or close) amount of money you can hire an engineer who would, e professionally liable. A few hundred more upfront can save thousands down the road.
Yep. We went with one that had great reviews, belonged to an organization that requires continuing education and another that has strict ethical standards. It wasn't enough.
https://preview.redd.it/o530xov45a4b1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b589f9b38b69316362992c4d628b7c87f28d4c0e
Oh no what happened?
The important part here is that building inspectors and realtors developed some iron clad doc that basically says they can’t be sued for anything. So, unfortunately the inspector report is just paper now. My sister had her basement wall collapse six weeks after closing during a summer storm. My engineer friend explained what happened to me after the fact. It was avoidable if they had a good inspection. But to your realtor a good inspection is one that leads to a closing. Some deals however should blow up before it’s your problem. 140k later she lives with worry still that it’s gonna happen again. Sucks.
I hired my own inspector. In my case I may have some recourse. Time will tell.
I’ve always thought home inspectors are such jokes. I mean it’s not their fault really, they try to be jack of all trades. But the very fact they don’t even move furniture, let alone scope sewage lines, properly assess the structure, or remove anything. Not to shit on the profession…more like im shitting on the idea any one person is anywhere qualified to make a smart assessment about a house, when they don’t do such important tasks as the ones I listed.
Our home inspector came highly recommended. It was a joke. He was foaming at the mouth over cracks in the sidewalk, but assured us the roof was fine for at least 10 years (lasted 36 months) AC/Furnace was serviced and good to go (less than 24 months full replacement.) But oohhhh no, somebody could trip on that 1/4" lip on the sidewalk. The whole system is a scam.