[jcf2]

Hi Jeffrey,

First time poster here so bear with me.....

Your article on home inspectors "hit home" with me.

Back in December 2005, my wife and I bought a 28 year old house. When it came time for the inspection, our realtor asked us if we had an inspector to use. Since we didn't, he picked one for us off of a list they keep at the office.

Needless to say, it all went down hill from there.

The inspector didn't fully/thoroughly do his job (not getting up on the roof was one). In addition we found out during the course of the inspection that the inspector and his wife "lived behind" the sellers of the house and that their wives played bunko together.

So, by having an inspector who didn't fully/thoroughly do his job and having the seller flat-out lie on the seller's disclosure, it has cost us close to $20,000 out of pocket to get things fixed (even with a home warranty and getting a little money from the seller). In addition we are looking at an additional $15,000 or so to rip out a sunroom (installed by the seller we think) and the concrete patio/pad underneath (the pad was put down with footings!).

So, I guess my advice (for/to other so they don't get hosed) would be this -

Choose your own inspector and check them out thoroughly via the BBB, friends, etc. Next, besides having the inspector come out and do his job, hire a separate foundation contractor, an electrical contractor, a roofing contractor, a chimney contractor, and a HVAC contractor to come out and do inspections. These people are "trained" in their particular fields and can give you a good idea of where things are at and if they will be okay or not. This may cost you an additional $50 - $75 per contractor, however, it will be worth it in the long run.

Thanks