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  1. #1
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    Default How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Got a call from the realtor who says the buyer says I broke 2 of her window blinds. Now I know that is BS. The house was a POS 80 yr old former meth house. I know she is mad because of the 40 page report. The blinds might be worth 10 dollars total. I'm probably just gonna write a check for good will for the agent but how about ya'll.

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Usually not. Unless I actually broke something.

    Department of Redundancy Department
    Supreme Emperor of Hyperbole
    http://www.FullCircleInspect.com/

  3. #3
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Quote Originally Posted by ren ramsey View Post
    Got a call from the realtor who says the buyer says I broke 2 of her window blinds. Now I know that is BS. The house was a POS 80 yr old former meth house. I know she is mad because of the 40 page report. The blinds might be worth 10 dollars total. I'm probably just gonna write a check for good will for the agent but how about ya'll.
    Are you kidding, I can barely afford to pay for the things I do break.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Never, despite several requests over the years. I politely but firmly, tell them that I didn't break it, although I wanted to.....


  5. #5
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Never break anything and that will be the end of that.

    By the way. I did try to raise many a blind that just fell off the wall. I write a quick note, tell them it fell off and I neatly stack it next to the window.

    I did have a seller push a button on a garage door to put it down. The unit bound up and did not shut down and the door came down. She literally asked me what I was going to do about that

    No, I did not pay for it but you know who did? The selling agent that was making 10,000.00 on the sale. The agent said don't worry about it. I said I wasn't worried, with a smile. I collected my goodies and left .....politely.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Do you mean the seller's agent called and the seller is pissed? So selling meth must not be going so well?


  7. #7
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Never been accused of something I didn't break..... something I do break? Yep.... I've bought a couple things over the years. Nothing too expensive but it happens.

    In 12 years my company has probably shelled out $800-$1000 total. Not too bad considering we've done in the neighborhood of 8000 inspections over that period. So, I guess it's about $.10 per inspection.... I've never really thought about it like that

    Here's the list from what I can remember:

    A couple broken windows from opening/closing them (for the first time they've been moved in 50 years)
    A garage door that failed where the opener attaches - modified our testing after that one
    A ratty old leather chair (one of our guys stood up and gashed it with a screwdriver that was in his pocket)
    A blender that I knocked off a counter and shattered
    Paid for carpet cleaning once from one of our guys spilling coffee (I can't remember if it was his or someone else's).

    There are probably a couple others.... nothing awful.

    Just being in the number of houses we are in each year things are bound to happen - as for people trying to stick me with something I didn't do? I'd tell them to pound sand.


  8. #8
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    I have never paid for anything I didn't break.
    I really don't remember the last thing I did break.

    I think window blinds are the bane of home inspectors. They either fall off the wall, or won't go back down.


  9. #9
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Quote Originally Posted by ren ramsey View Post
    Got a call from the realtor who says the buyer says I broke 2 of her window blinds. Now I know that is BS. The house was a POS 80 yr old former meth house. I know she is mad because of the 40 page report. The blinds might be worth 10 dollars total. I'm probably just gonna write a check for good will for the agent but how about ya'll.
    Can't say I have ever had a call like that. I think I would require the request to be written/email from the owner of the home. I would deal directly with the owner and ask to come over to view the damage, so I can see the extent of it..

    Put the monkey on their back to perform to your requirements, if they go to the trouble then most likely they really do think you screwed up their blinds whether you did or didn't.

    Offer them a Lowe's or HD gift card for $20 or whatever you feel is needed to make it go away. Yes, sometimes you just need to make things go away regardless if you do not always agree.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  10. #10
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    The number one thing that I have happen to me several times a year, is getting a flood. About 6 times a year, a dishwasher starts flooding for one reason or another. In remodels, it's surprising how often an installer fails to connect up the dishwasher correctly and in foreclosures, gremlins attack the dishwasher first.

    I carry three towels around for mopping up messes. My big one was a walk-in tub that didn't spring a leak until it was full. The seller, an attorney, was there trying to supervise the inspection and immediately started demanding where to send me the clean up bill. I told him that the door seal failed under normal use, but please send me a bill which would get my immediate attention as I placed it in the round file that I keep under my desk.

    I never heard from him.


  11. #11
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    When blinds look feeble or are the heavy wood ones I'll put one had under the bottom and lift while pulling on the cord.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  12. #12
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    How many sellers pay you for injuries you never actually sustained in their house? Tell the seller to beat it.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  13. #13
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    I tripped a GFCI in an old ladies kitchen and it wouldn't re-set. She was upset that none of her counter outlets would work, I went out and bought a GFCI and replaced it.
    Not my fault, but for $15, everybody was happy.
    Good luck explaining to her that it wasn't my fault that the outlets worked fine before I got there but not when I left.
    I have gone to Wal mart and bought a few vinyl mini blinds.
    I write it off under "advertising"'.
    Matt, if a window will not operate under "reasonable force", write it up and move on.

    END GLOBAL WHINING

  14. #14
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski View Post
    How many sellers pay you for injuries you never actually sustained in their house? Tell the seller to beat it.
    I tripped today on very uneven risers on a set of stairs today........can I sue the seller?
    I hurt my feelings.


  15. #15
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    I inspected a house where the entire garage was stacked with property from front-to-back and side-to-side 6 feet high. You couldn't step one foot into the garage. Of course when I tested and tripped the exterior GFI protected outlets and I couldn't find the reset, guess where it was located? Inside the garage........ on the same outlet the standup freezer was plugged into. I paid $150.00 for food that defrosted and went bad. Arrrgghhhhh!!!!!!

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  16. #16
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Quote Originally Posted by Lon Henderson View Post
    The number one thing that I have happen to me several times a year, is getting a flood. About 6 times a year, a dishwasher starts flooding for one reason or another. In remodels, it's surprising how often an installer fails to connect up the dishwasher correctly and in foreclosures, gremlins attack the dishwasher first.

    I carry three towels around for mopping up messes. My big one was a walk-in tub that didn't spring a leak until it was full. The seller, an attorney, was there trying to supervise the inspection and immediately started demanding where to send me the clean up bill. I told him that the door seal failed under normal use, but please send me a bill which would get my immediate attention as I placed it in the round file that I keep under my desk.

    I never heard from him.
    I carry a BUNCH of towels, too. It's amazing how often I use them.... leaking sinks, dishwashers, etc, etc.

    I always lay one at the door along with my slippers when I walk in. It's a great "marketing" tool also. Sellers and agents thank me regularly for caring so much (truth be told I don't want to step on tacks and need a bit of a stiff sole for my ladder getting into the attic ).

    The $8 slippers at Walmart is the best money I've ever spent as far as making my inspections easier. And the towels are often used by others to wipe off their feet, their pets, their animals or ?????


  17. #17
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski View Post
    I paid $150.00 for food that defrosted and went bad. Arrrgghhhhh!!!!!!
    I have run into that type problem a few times too. I always call the listor, leave a note for the seller, and ask the buyer's realtor to try to call the listor if I can't talk directly to them. Once, the seller was on vacation. I went back to the house and did what I had to do to access the stinkin' reset. So far, no one has asked me to pay for defrosted food. On one hand, if the seller has made it impossible to access the GFCI, and you trip it in the normal course of your inspection; is the defrosted food your responsibility? On the other hand, $150 isn't too bad. We have $500 worth of food in our garage freezer.

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Fellman View Post
    The $8 slippers at Walmart is the best money I've ever spent
    I have a cheap pair of slippers,too. I only wear them on rainy or snowy days or in homes where the seller has a no shoes policy. It seems, that I am often going back and forth from the inside and outside and changing shoes every time is annoying. I probably get the most comments for pulling out my small tarp to lay under the attic access when I check that out.....and that tarp is the best money I've spent in this biz. I once had two cubic feet of loose insulation fall on my head. The tarp wasn't much help on that one.


  18. #18
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    5000+ sq ft house with seller sitting on the sofa entire time. Went to operate the powder room toilet and the plastic lever broke off in my hand. Muttered to myself and continued the inspection. After a while the seller came running up and screaming about me breaking the toilet and what was I going to do about it.

    At end of inspection, drove to store, bought a new handle and flapper valve, returned and replaced both. The flapper was worn and leaking. Figured for $3, might as well replace it at the same to prevent a return call.

    $15 in parts and 45 minutes time driving, buying, installing. I could have played the "failed under testing" card but it would have only only fallen on deaf ears. Impressed the agent and saved me lots more headache having to fight the seller.

    "The Code is not a peak to reach but a foundation to build from."

  19. #19
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Ramsey View Post
    5000+ sq ft house with seller sitting on the sofa entire time. Went to operate the powder room toilet and the plastic lever broke off in my hand. Muttered to myself and continued the inspection. After a while the seller came running up and screaming about me breaking the toilet and what was I going to do about it.

    At end of inspection, drove to store, bought a new handle and flapper valve, returned and replaced both. The flapper was worn and leaking. Figured for $3, might as well replace it at the same to prevent a return call.

    $15 in parts and 45 minutes time driving, buying, installing. I could have played the "failed under testing" card but it would have only only fallen on deaf ears. Impressed the agent and saved me lots more headache having to fight the seller.
    That was prudent.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  20. #20
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    I think I'm going to start asking for the seller's or listing agent's contact information. I hate going into a house that has closed heavy drapes, curtains, shades or blinds on every window. I've had too much time wasted hanging up fallen curtains and blinds. I'll send the seller a "getting ready for a home inspection" email before the inspection that states I am no responsible for fallen or broken blinds, curtains, or drapes. Then add that the area's in front of and around breaker panels, air handlers, and water heaters should be cleared for access. Oh yeah, the stuffed garage with a controlling GFCI receptacle - access to that has to be cleared as well as all vehicles removed from the garage.

    The above statements are expressed solely as my opinion and in all probability will conflict with someone else's.
    Stu, Fredericksburg VA

  21. #21
    Eric Shuman's Avatar
    Eric Shuman Guest

    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski View Post
    I inspected a house where the entire garage was stacked with property from front-to-back and side-to-side 6 feet high. You couldn't step one foot into the garage. Of course when I tested and tripped the exterior GFI protected outlets and I couldn't find the reset, guess where it was located? Inside the garage........ on the same outlet the standup freezer was plugged into. I paid $150.00 for food that defrosted and went bad. Arrrgghhhhh!!!!!!
    On occupied homes I always try to locate any GFCI resets now before I trip any GFCI outlets because I've had that same issue of not being able to get to or find the reset. If I cannot find the reset, I disclaim it and move on.

    Couple of years ago I was inspecting a garage in a house that had a beer cooler and a sprinkler system plugged into a wall outlet. As a general rule, I do not unplug anything to test outlets other than floor or table lamps or phone chargers that are not in use.

    The seller was out of town and when they got back a few days later, they called the agent and said that they wanted me to pay for the keg of beer that had gone bad because they said I had unplugged the beer cooler and not plugged it back in, which I did not believe to be true.

    I don't know if it was really unplugged but they were adamant that I replace it, as I was the last one in the house (supposedly). In order to save face with all parties, I coughed up the $125 for the keg. Later I realized that I probably should have went back over to see how much beer was actually in the keg and paid a pro-rated fee.

    I wrote a lot of things up and I'm pretty sure the seller was disgruntled.


  22. #22
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    $125.00??? If it was chit beer like Busch, $75.00 tops.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  23. #23
    Eric Shuman's Avatar
    Eric Shuman Guest

    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski View Post
    $125.00??? If it was chit beer like Busch, $75.00 tops.
    Yeah, local microbrew from Live Oak Brewing. One of my favorites, too bad I didn't get to have one at that price.


  24. #24
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Beer goes bad?

    Oh right, Yankee beer.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  25. #25
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    UPDATE: The buyer hired me to go back and inspect the electrical items they were suppose to fix in the attic and the crawl. Long story short, the electricians fixed the stuff in the attic halfway and never went into the crawl. But I did get a chance to look at those blinds. NO way I tore them, they were the cheap 4.00 a set vinyl and the blind had been torn. No way I was that violent with a blind. Anyway the realtor said they seller would leave it up to the buyer for me to replace and the buyer said don't bother.


  26. #26
    Terry Griffin's Avatar
    Terry Griffin Guest

    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    Never, When I find something broken I take a picture, note it in the report and go about my merry way.


  27. #27
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    It is unfortunate that some buyers will try to get back at the inspector because you happen to write up something in the house they don't agree with but that is human nature. We all think we are right about things. Best to be prepared for the worst case when doing an inspection, from experience I carry towels ect. I did have one case which I was unprepared for; I tripped the kitchen GFCI and apparently interrupted a woman's bread maker in progress. She gave me hell for ruining her bread. I could only say I was sorry which really didn't work but that was why the house smelled so good. Live and learn.


  28. #28
    Jeffrey L. Mathis's Avatar
    Jeffrey L. Mathis Guest

    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    I pushed the button on a garage door last year and it decomposed on the spot. The seller and the seller's agent demanded payment. The opener had to be 30 years old and the door older. You will break things over time. It took 2 garage techs to convince the parties that math rules the world and what happened was destined to happen to the next person who pushed the button. They backed off.
    JLMathis


  29. #29
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    Default Re: How many pay for stuff you did not break

    There are times when things break for one reason or another. I removed a panel cover from an old fuse type panel for inspection. The main block fuse fell out on to the floor and broke in two. No replacement parts for this old panel.

    I agree to split the cost of a new panel. I also made the owner sign a "release and hold harmless agreement" as part of the negotiated settlement.
    A very important part of any pay-out settlement.

    Ken Amelin
    Cape Cod's Best Inspection Services
    www.midcapehomeinspection.com

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