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MockingJay
Ring out the old...
Member since 9/08 1312 total posts
Name:
Ring in the new!
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Inspector vs Engineer
Maybe I watch too much Holmes on Holmes but I'm trying to book a home inspection for tomorrow morning and I really would prefer to have an engineer do it, but I'm having a hard time finding someone who's available.
I have a tentative appointment with Bob Leone from NAtional Property Inspectors, but he's not a PE.
Should I just wait until Friday and get the engineer or do you think I should trust this other guy. He's been doing this for YEARS and came highly recommended by my REA (who's also my uncle).
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Posted 6/1/11 2:25 PM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Long Island Weddings |
8ternity
<3
Member since 11/08 10586 total posts
Name:
Formally NYPD-Wife
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
I used 1-800-engineer and they were able to come the next day. The guy I had was a little cooky but he knew his stuff!
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| Posted 6/1/11 2:58 PM |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
Do yourself a huge favor and wait for an engineer(PE). It is worth every penny!
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| Posted 6/1/11 3:13 PM |
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twinkletoes807
Mommy's Girls! ♥
Member since 11/07 10116 total posts
Name:
Gabi
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
I have used two (very thorough) engineers in the past for my home inspections.
Jason Hicks: 516-510-7771 and a company called Heimer: 631-858-5500
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| Posted 6/1/11 11:58 PM |
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ThePs1023
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/10 377 total posts
Name:
Rachel
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
Posted by ChrisDee
Do yourself a huge favor and wait for an engineer(PE). It is worth every penny!
Agreed!
I watch too much Holmes also!
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| Posted 6/2/11 9:26 AM |
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MockingJay
Ring out the old...
Member since 9/08 1312 total posts
Name:
Ring in the new!
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
Posted by twinkletoes807
I have used two (very thorough) engineers in the past for my home inspections.
Jason Hicks: 516-510-7771 and a company called Heimer: 631-858-5500
I actually spoke to Jason Hicks and he's actually not a P.E. but he was a really nice guy.
We just ended up going with the guy my uncle recommended. He's got 20 years of experience doing this, had a really good background and all the right certifications and (most importantly) he was available when we wanted to do it.
I'm a total PITA since I do commercial due dilligence as part of my job and I thought he did a VERY thorough job.
Plus the engineer I was going to hire wouldn't provide any references so to me that was an immediate red flag
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| Posted 6/2/11 12:09 PM |
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MockingJay
Ring out the old...
Member since 9/08 1312 total posts
Name:
Ring in the new!
|
Re: Inspector vs Engineer
Posted by ThePs1023
Posted by ChrisDee
Do yourself a huge favor and wait for an engineer(PE). It is worth every penny!
Agreed!
I watch too much Holmes also!
I KNOW!!! That was the big worry for me also, but honestly- they're in Canada and the ASHI and license boards are really strict here so if this guy F-d me, I can still report him and I have some recourse.
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| Posted 6/2/11 12:10 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
Use an engineer. We didn't - big mistake and now we are paying dearly for it.
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| Posted 6/2/11 2:53 PM |
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
It's probably too late now, but I just wanted to say that in my experience, most people use licensed home inspectors, not PEs, and are happy with the service.
Tonight, I just had a home inspection with a PE from 1-800-Engineers, and while he was very thorough, I don't know that I saw him do anything more or offer more information than I've seen the home inspectors do. He had the same tools and did the same checks that all inspectors do. They all basically test the major systems of the house and look for visible defects.
Neither a PE nor a home inspector can do more than see what's visible. The guy tonight kept saying that he didn't have x-ray vision (there was some question of support beams in the ceiling on the lower level of the house), so with that issue (and some others), all he could do was speculate. There are limits to what a home inspector can do, no matter what his qualifications. So while I think the home inspection is a key part of the whole process (and the more info you can get the better), there are no guarantees. Unfortunately, there are always some unknowns with buying a home (no matter how great the inspector is).
I think the best inspectors -- PEs or not -- are those that take their time, explain everything to the prospective buyer (in understandable, layman's terms), and are patient with answering questions. Also, you want someone who will be quick with getting you the written report, so the process continues moving. The goal is to get to contract quickly.
For what it's worth, my office recommends Bob Leone. I personally haven't dealt with him, but he is on our list of recommended inspectors.
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| Posted 6/3/11 12:40 AM |
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MockingJay
Ring out the old...
Member since 9/08 1312 total posts
Name:
Ring in the new!
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
YEa it is kinda too late but I found his report very thorough and he got it to me, the REA and attorney within 24 hours.
Thanks Christine though, makes me feel better at least he's on a list of recommended people 
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| Posted 6/3/11 12:09 PM |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun
It's probably too late now, but I just wanted to say that in my experience, most people use licensed home inspectors, not PEs, and are happy with the service.
Tonight, I just had a home inspection with a PE from 1-800-Engineers, and while he was very thorough, I don't know that I saw him do anything more or offer more information than I've seen the home inspectors do. He had the same tools and did the same checks that all inspectors do. They all basically test the major systems of the house and look for visible defects.
Neither a PE nor a home inspector can do more than see what's visible. The guy tonight kept saying that he didn't have x-ray vision (there was some question of support beams in the ceiling on the lower level of the house), so with that issue (and some others), all he could do was speculate. There are limits to what a home inspector can do, no matter what his qualifications. So while I think the home inspection is a key part of the whole process (and the more info you can get the better), there are no guarantees. Unfortunately, there are always some unknowns with buying a home (no matter how great the inspector is).
I think the best inspectors -- PEs or not -- are those that take their time, explain everything to the prospective buyer (in understandable, layman's terms), and are patient with answering questions. Also, you want someone who will be quick with getting you the written report, so the process continues moving. The goal is to get to contract quickly.
For what it's worth, my office recommends Bob Leone. I personally haven't dealt with him, but he is on our list of recommended inspectors.
I am sorry, but you can not compare the two. One requires many years of school and the other a few hours of a certification class. The difference is the knowledge that is behind the inspection. It may look the same to someone watching but, there is a HUGE difference in the education/knowledge behind it.
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| Posted 6/4/11 11:05 PM |
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bride07
Ava Rose you are an angel!!!
Member since 3/09 6115 total posts
Name:
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Re: Inspector vs Engineer
Posted by ChrisDee
Do yourself a huge favor and wait for an engineer(PE). It is worth every penny!
ITA!!
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| Posted 6/5/11 9:58 AM |
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