It's about time. There are far too many "thieves" out there giving thier advice for considerable profit. And when the potential home buyer hires these people to tell them what is and is not wrong with thier possible future home and they purchase based on the information provided to them from these "experts". Then they move in and one problem after another keep popping up that should have been found if the person they hired knew what they were talking about. And the worst thing is the home owner now has a bunch of unforseen expenses for repairs they were told were ok and no way to bring that person to accountability. So on they move to the next person trying to buy a safe home for thier family.

Yep - finally. Having someone go through your home and try to baffle you with their BS is very risky. I'm sure there are some who know what they are talking about, but I encountered one who seemed to be talking in circles and, sure enough, I found out he had no clue what he was saying. Don't take anyone's word for anything, check and double check if something doesn't seem quite right.

We had our home inspected for a very generous fee, at the bank's insistence. I had already done a very thorough home inspection myself.

I guess the home inspectors think that the anticipated end result is that the home is fine, you can get your mortgage, and move right in, congratulations. They don't seem to think there is supposed to be any bad news for fear of blowing the deal, and being blamed for you not getting the mortgage on the house you want.

The home inspector came up with nothing unusual, while I had already identified the problems, estimated the cost and factored it into my offer, and subsequently written into the conditions of the sale.

Nobody looks out for your best interests like you do.

To thereasonableman. Please do not write off all inspectors. You just need to change your search criteria. #1 Look for inspectors that have been properly trained before they are able to provide services to the public (see our organizations article in the Vancouver Sun http://www.vancouversun.com/Business/choose+competent+home+inspector/1425420/story.html) #2 and most important - Look for a Independent Inspector (see my site under Realtor Referrals http://www.bchouseinspections.ca/site/about_us/our_guarantee.php#refferals)

There are a few of us out there that are willing to buck the trend and look after YOUR best interests. What a concept. Is that not what we are all supposed to be doing? But the public has to help fix the problem by stopping the practise of using the inspector their Realtor suggests. because a lot of times this will be an inspector that may not always work hard for your best interest. GET YOUR INSPECTOR like any other contractor - by word of mouth from someone who has had an exceptional inspector or if going to yellow pages or better yet Google then ask these questions http://www.bchouseinspections.ca/myinspection/_pdf_articles/2009-01%20Are%20all%20inspectors%20created%20equal.pdf

Should anyone want to talk to me further on this issue I can be reached at inspector@bchouseinspections.ca. I will also be following this thread.

Cheers
Sean

To thereasonableman. Please do not write off all inspectors. You just need to change your search criteria. #1 Look for inspectors that have been properly trained before they are able to provide services to the public (see our organizations article in the Vancouver Sun http://www.vancouversun.com/Business/choose+competent+home+inspector/1425420/story.html) #2 and most important - Look for a Independent Inspector (see my site under Realtor Referrals http://www.bchouseinspections.ca/site/about_us/our_guarantee.php#refferals)

There are a few of us out there that are willing to buck the trend and look after YOUR best interests. What a concept. Is that not what we are all supposed to be doing? But the public has to help fix the problem by stopping the practise of using the inspector their Realtor suggests. because a lot of times this will be an inspector that may not always work hard for your best interest. GET YOUR INSPECTOR like any other contractor - by word of mouth from someone who has had an exceptional inspector or if going to yellow pages or better yet Google then ask these questions http://www.bchouseinspections.ca/myinspection/_pdf_articles/2009-01%20Are%20all%20inspectors%20created%20equal.pdf

Should anyone want to talk to me further on this issue I can be reached at inspector@bchouseinspections.ca. I will also be following this thread.

Cheers
Sean

Sorry folks - do not know why it shows up twice as only posted once. Also did not know correct way to show url's - should have read instructions below posting window

Vancouver Sun Article http://www.vancouversun.com/Business/choose+competent+home+inspector/1425420/story.html

Independent Inspector (Realtor Referrals) http://www.bchouseinspections.ca/site/about_us/our_guarantee.php#refferals

How to find an inspector
http://www.bchouseinspections.ca/myinspection/_pdf_articles/2009-01%20Are%20all%20inspectors%20created%20equal.pdf

Thanks Sean

Sorry folks - do not know why it shows up twice as only posted once. Also did not know correct way to show url's - should have read instructions below posting window

Vancouver Sun Article http://www.vancouversun.com/Business/choose+competent+home+inspector/1425420/story.html

Independent Inspector (Realtor Referrals) http://www.bchouseinspections.ca/site/about_us/our_guarantee.php#refferals

How to find an inspector
http://www.bchouseinspections.ca/myinspection/_pdf_articles/2009-01%20Are%20all%20inspectors%20created%20equal.pdf

Thanks Sean

Thank you for the information, Sean.

I will not write off all inspectors, but I can sure identify in a heartbeat, the ones that I will.

The links that you provided will help a lot of other people avoid the "deadbeats".

Like I said, the guy we got seemed to think he gets paid a princely sum just to show up and rubber stamp the deal so it can go ahead. He thinks he's doing you a favor, he thinks he's getting paid for his signature.

The guy I want is Mike Holmes or his twin, clone, offspring, whatever.