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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Bad Home Inspection
I feel so bad for DH right now - he is stomping around the house, slamming things, so angry and upset. He just got off the phone with the company that did our Home Inspection 4 months ago. They had missed two HUGE, structural problems: An 8-inch hole in the foundation that the owners tried to cover for $20 with a piece of indoor wood trim and some bathroom caulking, and a leaky roof. Both problems existed at the time of the inspection and the inspector didn't notice either one.
So DH just called the company to complain and the guy on the phone accused HIM of being stupid. Says that we should have hired a roofer to inspect the house - I'm sorry, why would we do that when the inspector we trusted told us that the roof was sound??? And what trained professional inspects the foundation of a house and doesn't notice a 3-foot wide section of it covered by a piece of wood painted white and BATHROOM CAULKING?
A good friend of mine is a RE lawyer and he advised us not to pursue this in court - apparently legal fees would be far more than the amount we'd recover - so we just feel so angry and so helpless. We haven't even been in the house 3 weeks yet and there is over $7000 worth of damage that we have to fix, like, NOW.
Sorry, venting. At least I have an outlet with LIF though - poor DH is ready to punch a hole through a wall. 
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Posted 3/31/10 1:31 PM  |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this now. I do think you are able to go after the previous homeowner and have them pay to fix it. DH's cousin had a water problem in her basement and she was able to get it fixed and the previous homeowner ended up paying for it.
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| Posted 3/31/10 1:33 PM |
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philsdeezy
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/06 643 total posts
Name:
Dee
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Our home inspection company had to guarantee there findings for I believe a year. Check you contract.
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| Posted 3/31/10 1:41 PM |
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Megs4
LIF Adult
Member since 11/08 1619 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
We had a similar situation actually, although not as bad I guess. When we redid our bathroom we discovered they missed a structural issue (that wasrepaired while working on the bathroom thankfully). We came to the same conclusion though - it wasn't worth legal expenses to go after them.
We ALSO just found out that they were TOTALLY wrong about something. Told us that the nozzle on the back of the house didn't work at all. We turned on the valve in the basement and it worked just fine. I'd like to think the engineer would have realized to turn it on INSIDE first.
I learned a lot in buying my first home that will make the lives of every professional we work with when buying the second miserable I am sure, but will make me happier in the end!!
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| Posted 3/31/10 2:17 PM |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
ugh  I'm sorry.. that is SO frustrating!!!!
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| Posted 3/31/10 2:30 PM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
 I'm so sorry you are going through this. owning a home really sux some days.
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| Posted 3/31/10 2:37 PM |
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Aries14
Can't plan life...
Member since 8/08 2860 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
I would talk to your lawyer again. There is a law that the homeowners cant "cover up" any real damage. Things like that have to be told up front. But, I also dont know if the recourse would be more money and stress as well..
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| Posted 3/31/10 2:46 PM |
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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Thank you for the supportive comments.
Remember when you buy a house and contract says that the sellers can either write out a full disclosure statement or tell you nothing and pay $500? And every seller just pays the $500? Well, because of that, our lawyer said that we'd have to prove that the homeowners purposefully committed fraud and that's hard to do. Oh, and did I mention that the sellers sold their home because they were moving to another country? They're about 5000 miles away now. 
Oh well. At least now we'll have a beautiful and functional backyard and patio, with colors and designs exactly how we want it. That's a nice thing.
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| Posted 3/31/10 3:06 PM |
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rkoenke
my little piggys
Member since 3/08 4315 total posts
Name:
rachel
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Posted by DavaDay
Thank you for the supportive comments.
Remember when you buy a house and contract says that the sellers can either write out a full disclosure statement or tell you nothing and pay $500? And every seller just pays the $500? Well, because of that, our lawyer said that we'd have to prove that the homeowners purposefully committed fraud and that's hard to do. Oh, and did I mention that the sellers sold their home because they were moving to another country? They're about 5000 miles away now.
Oh well. At least now we'll have a beautiful and functional backyard and patio, with colors and designs exactly how we want it. That's a nice thing.
OH NO DAVA! BOO ON THE INSPECTION COMPANY!!
listen, those inspection companies insure their findings, or lack thereof. i am sure of it. i understand your atty saying that it would be expensive to pursue, but i would threaten with other things if the contracts prove that they are liable.
especially BBB... there is also that site (it's a ladies name) of companies that people use and recommend. i'd go there and do a PSA of a NON recommendation.
i am asking my mom.. she's an atty and see if she thinks anything can be done.
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| Posted 3/31/10 3:17 PM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Posted by rkoenke
Posted by DavaDay
Thank you for the supportive comments.
Remember when you buy a house and contract says that the sellers can either write out a full disclosure statement or tell you nothing and pay $500? And every seller just pays the $500? Well, because of that, our lawyer said that we'd have to prove that the homeowners purposefully committed fraud and that's hard to do. Oh, and did I mention that the sellers sold their home because they were moving to another country? They're about 5000 miles away now.
Oh well. At least now we'll have a beautiful and functional backyard and patio, with colors and designs exactly how we want it. That's a nice thing.
OH NO DAVA! BOO ON THE INSPECTION COMPANY!!
listen, those inspection companies insure their findings, or lack thereof. i am sure of it. i understand your atty saying that it would be expensive to pursue, but i would threaten with other things if the contracts prove that they are liable.
especially BBB... there is also that site (it's a ladies name) of companies that people use and recommend. i'd go there and do a PSA of a NON recommendation.
i am asking my mom.. she's an atty and see if she thinks anything can be done.
Angie's list?
I agree, I know you don't want to have to deal with this, but it's $7k and the inspection company should be held responsible for THEIR negligence!
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| Posted 3/31/10 3:29 PM |
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LeShellem
A new beginning
Member since 2/07 3600 total posts
Name:
LeShelle
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
So sorry this happened to you. It happened to us. The home inspector miss a ton of stuff and you know what they were not liable for any of the stuff. They basically told us that we should have hired specific people to inspect all the differnent parts of the house. I agree with not trying to pursue this legally, you will likely lose or spend a ton of money and lose, since you will be more out of pocket then to do the repair. What I would do is tell everyone you know not to use this company. Hopefully they will lose business because of this.
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| Posted 3/31/10 3:59 PM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
WOW im so sorry this happened to you,
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| Posted 3/31/10 4:03 PM |
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mom2b
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 1072 total posts
Name:
x
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Thats so horrible. They were paid to do their job and obviously they didn't. Sorry you're going through this. Having such structural damage in your home is scary. Atleast you'll know its fixed properly.
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| Posted 3/31/10 4:03 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
I understand you can't really pursue the sellers but a letter from your attorney to the inspection company is worth a shot.
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| Posted 3/31/10 4:05 PM |
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KittyGags
LIF Adult
Member since 7/09 5614 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
This is why its important to have a great inspector. I'm so sorry this happened to you but I don't think you can pursue legal action. I know that we had to sign something that said if there was an error in the inspection that they're not liable.
All you can probably do is badmouth who you used...OUT THEM!!!!!!
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| Posted 3/31/10 4:37 PM |
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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Hey, thank you all so much for the support. I keep going back to the fact that I wish I'd been more thorough in my day-before walkthrough, like this is my fault, and it helps to hear you all getting angry for me. 
The inspector pretty much covered his @ss in the report... regarding the foundation, it was rated "fair" and said that I should take care of drainage issues "as they arise." You could say that about anyone's house! That's not news. But legally, I think he covered himself.
I chose this company because another LIF'er raved about them a few months ago, and I didn't "out" them here because I didn't want her defending them with how good they were to someone else, making me feel worse! But if you're in the market for an inspector, FM me and I'll tell you who not to use. 
Message edited 3/31/2010 5:02:49 PM.
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| Posted 3/31/10 5:02 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19461 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
I would call the attorney that handled your closing and see what can be done. ETS: Have your attorney write a letter to the inspection company or write one yourself. I would also contact the BBB and the attorney general's office.
Message edited 3/31/2010 5:50:48 PM.
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| Posted 3/31/10 5:48 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Oh no! I am so sorry about all of this Dava! That really stinks! I wish there was something you could do.
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| Posted 3/31/10 7:45 PM |
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ThreeCats
Train Ride
Member since 5/05 3127 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
how do you know the leak was their 4 months ago?
i had a leak one of these past storms... never had one before and not one since... had something to do with the direction of the wind/rain. dh got on the roof and put some stuff around the vent inquestion.
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| Posted 3/31/10 9:22 PM |
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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Posted by ThreeCats
how do you know the leak was their 4 months ago?
i had a leak one of these past storms... never had one before and not one since... had something to do with the direction of the wind/rain. dh got on the roof and put some stuff around the vent inquestion.
The skylight leak? There was tons of damage around the moulding to the skylight - lumpy paint, peeling paint, the wood on the moulding looked "off" - but the inspector assured us that it was old damage and had been fixed but not aesthetically finished.
Every time it snows or rains now, regardless of the amount or how much wind there is, we have to put a bucket underneath it.
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| Posted 3/31/10 9:45 PM |
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rkoenke
my little piggys
Member since 3/08 4315 total posts
Name:
rachel
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Posted by Mici C
Posted by rkoenke
Posted by DavaDay
Thank you for the supportive comments.
Remember when you buy a house and contract says that the sellers can either write out a full disclosure statement or tell you nothing and pay $500? And every seller just pays the $500? Well, because of that, our lawyer said that we'd have to prove that the homeowners purposefully committed fraud and that's hard to do. Oh, and did I mention that the sellers sold their home because they were moving to another country? They're about 5000 miles away now.
Oh well. At least now we'll have a beautiful and functional backyard and patio, with colors and designs exactly how we want it. That's a nice thing.
OH NO DAVA! BOO ON THE INSPECTION COMPANY!!
listen, those inspection companies insure their findings, or lack thereof. i am sure of it. i understand your atty saying that it would be expensive to pursue, but i would threaten with other things if the contracts prove that they are liable.
especially BBB... there is also that site (it's a ladies name) of companies that people use and recommend. i'd go there and do a PSA of a NON recommendation.
i am asking my mom.. she's an atty and see if she thinks anything can be done.
Angie's list?
I agree, I know you don't want to have to deal with this, but it's $7k and the inspection company should be held responsible for THEIR negligence!
YES! that's it.
you won't get anything for the roof, apparently. but, you should find out about the hole. if it was covered with furniture, forget about it.
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| Posted 4/1/10 8:50 AM |
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snowprincess
My happy babies
Member since 3/06 3428 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bad Home Inspection
Posted by DavaDay
Posted by ThreeCats
how do you know the leak was their 4 months ago?
i had a leak one of these past storms... never had one before and not one since... had something to do with the direction of the wind/rain. dh got on the roof and put some stuff around the vent inquestion.
The skylight leak? There was tons of damage around the moulding to the skylight - lumpy paint, peeling paint, the wood on the moulding looked "off" - but the inspector assured us that it was old damage and had been fixed but not aesthetically finished.
Every time it snows or rains now, regardless of the amount or how much wind there is, we have to put a bucket underneath it.
skylight leaks are pretty common - it may not be your roof but the flashing around your ski light or the skylight itself expecially if the skylight opens
my parents old house - the skylight was the problem for the leak in a 8 year old roof - the skylight was the type that opened
may just need to replace skylight and patch roof
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| Posted 4/1/10 8:54 AM |
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