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  1. #1
    imported_John Smith's Avatar
    imported_John Smith Guest

    Default Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Knock on wood, I haven't broke anything until last week. I was inspecting a home in Katy, Texas when I kind of gave an exterior light fixture a "shake" when the damn little cheap ass glass surround promptly dropped from its mount and busted into little pieces. The client and homeowner were both near me and saw the whole thing. They were both understanding and agreed that it hadnt been properly attached. I felt kind of bad and cleaned up the mess. I offered to get them a new one, but they both said it was okay. For what its worth, the glass surround is one of those ones that looks like a jelly jar, and is about the same cost. Available at Home Depots everywhere.

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    I have litterally destroyed thousands of dollars worth of cheap arse mini-blinds over the years.

    You just grab the cord to open them and the things jump off the wall like they want to go home with you.

    Oh yeah, and there was this priceless ashtray once.

    rick


  3. #3
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    I broke a GFCI breaker when I tested it. The seller was there and went and bought one before I left and I installed it for him so he would have lights in the bathroom.

    I also tested a washing machine and the drain hose came loose from the back of the machine and flooded the floor (slab house). I helped get the water up and that was the last I heard of it....so far. Been about a year now.


  4. #4
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Knelt on a picture once in a closet entry to a crawl area. Picture was in a bag. Glass broke. Homeowner wanter $120 dollars. I told her to have her lawyer email me the address to send the check.
    Her lawyer emailed me my own address so I made out a check to myself and deposited it along with saving the email.
    Never heard from her again.
    Ah Lawyers. So smart and yet


  5. #5
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Sorry John, but you're not out of the woods by a long shot ! Are you aware that was a 14th century Ming Dynasty light fixture you carelessly destroyed? You will be getting a registered letter any day now from some group of invertebrates with "Esquire" after their names.

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  6. #6
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Was inspecting the lower exterior part of a sliding glass door. when I stood up I hit my head on a bird seed feader and out came all the bird seed all over my head. then I look into the glass door to see an old lady about 90 falling out of her chair from seeing me covered in bird seed.

    Just what she needed. A good L.O.L.

    Best

    Ron


  7. #7
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    I broke a vase on a window sill once... no $$, the agent called the sellers and they said not to worry, it was cheap.

    I cracked a clear glass decorative something or other that was on a range burner. I'm still not clear if it was meant to sit on the burner or if the seller just put it there out of stupidity. Anyhow, I fired up all the burners and about 2 mintues later it was shattered into a million pieces.

    One of my guys ripped a HUGE gash in a leather chair by standing up with a screwdriver in his pocket. He took a picture of the chair and it was an old junker. The lady called and gave me some story about it being an antique that had been in her family for generations. I relunctantly gave her $200 after a couple negotiations back and forth

    My best story is probably one where I didn't break anything. I walked into a wine rack in a basement and several bottles went flying. Suddenly, I turned into Pele' and managed to cushion the fall of all the bottles before any crashed to the ground and broke. It was total and complete luck.

    Considering how much valuable stuff we walk by everday it's amazing we don't break more things.


  8. #8
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    OK who gets the sheet rock award? has any one just drop into the living room from that attic ? I never did but i have had other inspector i work with do that.

    Ron


  9. #9
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Had a customer once. Just had to come up in the attic. I told him stay where you area. If it's Pink don't step on it. Well he fell into the master bedroom. Both legs hanging through over the bed.
    Broker wanted me to stay and fix it. Yeah right. I told her sure for $125 an hour, Cash! " WELL! Never mind" I looked at the buyer when he was looking at the hole in the ceiling and said' So how do you like the house"?
    He said" It's OK"
    I said" I hope you like it, because you jsut bought it"


  10. #10
    imported_John Smith's Avatar
    imported_John Smith Guest

    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    I havent personally fell through a ceiling, but I did an inspection on a foreclosure home where a HUD "inspector" did. Dont know if he hurt himself. Looks like it was just one leg that went through. Funny, the client saw the HUD report, but didnt see any reference to ceiling damage.

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  11. #11
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    I was doing an attic inspection in Aug. temp in the attic measured 138 with my IR therm. On my way back to the scuttle hole, I could just make out the shape of the HVAC contractor through the sweat streaming down my face, standing on my ladder, inspecting the air-handler. When I stepped off the ceiling joist onto the BROWN walk board surrounding the air-handler, I went right through the ceiling. The scuttle hole had been moved 3' and the old opening had drywall held in place with 6 screws. The insulation above the patch was upside down (brown) shure looked like a good place to step at the time! Spent that Saturday brushing up on my drywall and textured ceiling skills.


  12. #12
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Broke a hallway light fixture walking by it with my ladder. Went to Home Depot and bought two and installed them (I couldn't match them exactly).
    Like Rick, I have trashed countless window blinds, or at least left them cockeyed.
    A bunch of little glass crap that people put on window sills and toilet tanks.
    Had my ladder slide out from under me and slide across the hall and bust out drywall with the feet. Owner came home and said he was doing some drywall repair anyway, and not to worry about it.
    Had a bunch of sellers CLAIM I broke their heirloom stuff, but never paid for any of it (since I didn't break it).


  13. #13
    John McKenna's Avatar
    John McKenna Guest

    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    When I was a novice, I applied too much pressure to a Garage door during a kick back test and the entire double Garage door fell off it's runner. The Realtor just rolled her eyes at me. I felt 2 feet tall.


  14. #14
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    2 feet tall?

    Was you standing below the door when you tested it.

    rick


  15. #15
    Jeff Spencer's Avatar
    Jeff Spencer Guest

    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    This spring I went into an attic in which the owners had stored about 100 coffee cans with both ends cut off under the walk boards. Of course the boards flexed (I swear I only drink Lite beer) and one of the cans did a perfect cookie cutter impersonation right through the garage ceiling.

    Didn't argue with the owner, just called the sheetrock guy. $80.00 later all was well.

    About 2 years ago I attempted to take off an attic access cover screwed in place and ended up peeling about 4 feet of sheetrock facing off of a hall ceiling. The house belonged to a realtor -- her husband happened to be helping me and said no problem.

    Knock on wood, those are the only problems in 5 years.

    I'm probably jinxed now.

    Jeff


  16. #16
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    I avoid the plastic panels that go over flourescent light fixtures in drop ceilings like the plague. I was nudging up some of the surrounding ceiling tiles for a look at the ceiling joists and the panel magically multiplied from one piece to about 20 when it hit the ground.

    Against my better judgement, I let myself get talked into moving a cheap-o fiberboard storage cabinet away from a closet by my termite guy and the buyer's annoying mother who insisted we needed to see what was in the closet. As we attempted to slide it across the carpet, I heard every weak little corner and connection on that cabinet creak and break as the whole thing just started twisting. I worked for free that day and it's one of those situations that made me wonder what I was thinking in the first place.


  17. #17
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Inspection for Realtor's Mom. half way through Realtor & Mom peeling wall paper off [not closed yet ] Oh it's alright she paid extra to start painting.

    Realtor left, Mom wants in Locked Storage Shed. Should we call Realtor ?, Oh she doesn't have a key, I want to see inside.

    Flat bar no Problem, Lock comes off , full of contents, furniture , Riding Lawnmower, ect.

    Realtor returns. What did you Do?

    Placed old lock in shed installed New Lock & Hasp .

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  18. #18
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Billy, Billy, Billy... you learned that lesson, right?
    Now write 50 times on the black board, "I will not break and enter no matter how many times my friends tell me it is OK."

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  19. #19
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Damn, I knew this would happen. Today, I was crawling parallel to the truss bottom chords to move from the main section into the garage dormer, and slipped (just a little, I swear). I must have caught the perfect spot, because a chunk of drywall fell out and crashed onto the garage floor. Fortunately, it was the garage, and it was never taped or painted. A scrap of sheet rock this weekend and I'll be off the hook.

    First time since I was working construction that I went through the rock.

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    Jim Robinson
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  20. #20
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Jim,

    If your admitting it, so will I. It happened yesterday except I took out a bit more drywall. Luckily I was able to catch myself on the ceiling rafters before falling all the through to the floor.

    Homeowner had cable tv wiring running everywhere which I tripped over. Thats the story anyway.

    This thread is cursed I believe.

    rick

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  21. #21
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    Talking Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall View Post
    Billy, Billy, Billy... you learned that lesson, right?
    Now write 50 times on the black board, "I will not break and enter no matter how many times my friends tell me it is OK."

    Honest I Was Setup. ( Your Honor ! )

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    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  22. #22
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Congrats..!!! ( you get the sheet rock awards )

    Its good that you 2 are ok.
    that could get you in the wrong place. OUCH!

    Best

    Ron


  23. #23
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Well luckily I didnt do this. When I was in Florida had an inspection on a $6 Million pad. The seller was just leaving in his $10K golf cart for a round of golf. He had just had a new garage door installed. Since I was arriving and he was leaving, he wanted to show me the new door. Well his new $450K convertible Bentley sat underneath this brand spanking new door. He pushed the button and boom most of the door crashed down on the Bentley and completely crushed the windshield into the car (the convertible top was down.) He looked at me and said F===. Luckily it was a 4 car garage 2 car door but double deep and we were way far away from where it fell. He had his insurance agent in his cell and called them as he was going for his tee time. Turns out the garage door guys were not done yet they had just gone to lunch. Two weeks later another inspection in the same area, I drove by out of curiousty another new Bentley with a temp tag just like the first one had. I asked the seller of the house of the second inspection why his neighbor left his new Bentley in the garage when a new door was being installed.

    This is where it gets good, his wife had a hair appointment and didnt want to sit on the hot leather.

    Jerry P can probably relate to some of these rich stupid stories.

    Paul Kondzich
    Ft. Myers, FL.

  24. #24
    Paul Luczyk's Avatar
    Paul Luczyk Guest

    Red face Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    While walking a comp roof I encountered a real "soft" section and moved back quickly, thinking when I get in the attic I'll see what's the reason. The buyer's agent on the ground watching me, asked how bad it it. I said I don't know yet but in a flash he was up my ladder, he didn't ask me, looking for the spot. I said don't go there but he did and quickly put his foot through a mold rotted section. I said that's it. I believe that was the last time he got up on a roof. I'm not sure what it cost him.


    Looking forward to another good week,

    Paul


  25. #25
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Unhappy Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    Uh oh, You did not explain to the realtor that he could not come up your ladder and onto the roof. Man, talk about liability.

    My story

    I was standing on a roof and turned slightly to look at some shingles that were slightly out of line. When I did a three by six foot area of shingles that I was standing in the middle of started sliding down the roof. She called her lawyer to get me to pay for the damage. Her lawyer said why would it be his fault (good lawyer) you invited him in to inspect your home. A man cannot see what he cannot see. Your roofing shingles are damaged and they need repair.


    Ted


    In this added edit I will say I was kind of only kidding. The fact is I do not allow anyone to get on my ladder for any reason what so ever. I do not invite anyone into an attic to look at my findings etc. etc. Is this being overly cautious and protective? Maybe so.

    Last edited by Ted Menelly; 06-16-2008 at 11:06 AM. Reason: Added info

  26. #26
    Jeffrey L. Mathis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anybody ever break anything? If so, how much$$$

    First inspection I ever did I was cruising through an attic. After 20 years of building, I had a pretty good 16" oc gait when the framing chaged directions.
    Buyer traded the report for the repair. Good deal for me.

    When testing windows, I give a double hung wood unit a good push at the sides and move on. The agent admonished my for not trying harder, hit the top rail hard and sent it flying back across the room. He learned a lesson.

    But my best one was leaving a gas oven on when the tenant did not come back for 3 days. That hurt my feelings. Wasn't too good on her house plants either.

    You do this long enough, you got stories.

    JLMathis


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