We arrived to inspect a pre-inspected home. This home had a “Pre-Inspected, Seller-Certified” sign right in the front yard.
This would suggest to any reasonable buyer that there is nothing significant for another inspector to find wrong with the home. It suggests that the sellers wanted to be aware of every issue so they could make all the necessary repairs before putting it up for sale.
What Issues Did We Find in this Pre-Inspected Home?
Walking into the kitchen to start our inspection for our wise home buyer, we noticed the flue pipes for the water heater and two furnaces with incorrect clearances. We had not put down our tool bag at this stage and already there is a fire hazard.
The electric breaker panel had so many wiring issues that we had to wonder if the previous inspector (who performed the pre-certified inspection) had removed the cover of the panel to inspect it properly. Additionally, the gas lines to the furnaces had no dirt leg, and worst of all had a union on the gas line inside the furnace.
Next, we found the air conditioner was incorrectly wired and over-fused. Condensate (water from the AC) was dripping into a ductwork. Insulation was missing in the attic. There was no 
GFCI safety on an updated receptacle and a leaking drain pipe. The list went on and on. Shockingly, the pre-inspection report did not identify any of these issues. Finally, we noted that all the smoke detectors worked and were marked as not tested in the client’s report.
It is a disgrace that someone with a “certified master inspector” designation who is at the top of the Google search results could miss so much!
Not All Home Inspectors Are Equal
When a Home Inspector is hired, it is assumed that the inspector will do a really good job. It is assumed that the inspection will be detailed. It is assumed the inspector has the knowledge and training to realize what he or she is looking at. When you are considering hiring a Home Inspector, understand that they are not all the same.
All too often, we find numerous issues that a sellers’ inspector did not make them aware of when they purchased their home. Upon completion of our inspection, the sellers sadly find out how bad their initial inspection really was. They find out that they have been living with serious safety defects, and worst of all, must now pay to repair the defects remedied.
Sadly, there is no standard for inspecting in Ohio despite the licensing of inspectors. You, as a home buyer, are left on your own to find a good inspector when you make your purchase.
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