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Thread: Introduction

  1. #1
    mary gould's Avatar
    mary gould Guest

    Default Introduction

    Hi,

    My name is Mary Gould and I am posting for the first time to introduce myself. I work in the insurance inspection industry.

    I think this is a great website and look forward to posting more in the future.


    Thank you,

    Mary Gould
    978-397-3725

    Similar Threads:
    Inspection Referral

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia PA
    Posts
    3,177

    Default Re: Introduction

    Hi Mary - Welcome to the asylum!

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  3. #3
    Jeff Remas's Avatar
    Jeff Remas Guest

    Default Re: Introduction

    Hello Mary and welcome.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Oak Park, IL
    Posts
    61

    Default Re: Introduction

    Hi Mary. Welcome aboard.

    Rick Sabatino
    Sabatino Consulting, Inc.
    Oak Park, IL

  5. #5
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: Introduction

    OK You guys A Girl shows up and everybody is so nice

    Welcome Mary. So mary give us some of the inside info on how we as inspectors can get on the inside of the insurance inspection game.

    Got any inside info ? please do tell

    Best

    Ron


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
    Posts
    4,521

    Default Re: Introduction

    Welcome to the board, Mary.

    Would you like a chocolate?

    Rick

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  7. #7
    mary gould's Avatar
    mary gould Guest

    Default Re: Introduction

    Hello Rick,

    Yes, please. I would very much like a chocolate. I appreciate the offer although technology has not yet caught up with Star Trek and we can't send food through cyberspace......yet.

    Thank you.


    Mary


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

    Default Re: Introduction

    Quote Originally Posted by mary gould View Post
    Hello Rick,

    Yes, please. I would very much like a chocolate. I appreciate the offer although technology has not yet caught up with Star Trek and we can't send food through cyberspace......yet.

    Thank you.


    Mary
    Mary you don"t known Rick He can find a way...


  9. #9
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Introduction

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Hurst View Post
    Welcome to the board, Mary.

    Would you like a chocolate?

    Rick
    Oh Rick

    Always got your head somewhere.

    Besides. You already have a Valentine.


  10. #10
    mary gould's Avatar
    mary gould Guest

    Default Re: Introduction - My first question

    Since when did an offer of a piece of chocolate mean we were Valentines? I too have a Valentine of my own and it would take more than a piece of chocolate to drag me away from him....(wild horses and all that)

    But seriously, back to business. Most of you are home inspectors, and I am in the insurance inspecting business. No licensing required, just measure the home to do a diagram, take photos of all sides of the home and any adverse conditions, fill out a report online for calculating the replacement cost, and enter any pertinent comments regarding any adverse conditions found at the property.

    Any insurance inspectors out there would like to offer a response, please do. But in the world of home inspecting, if you went to inspect a "duplex" and find what appears to be a 3rd apartment - separate entrance, bath, bedroom, living room, kitchen in all senses except no oven/stove, but with refrigerator, sink, countertops, cabinets, microwave, etc. Is that technically a 3-family home, or does the mere lack of the oven/stove mean it's not a real kitchen and therefore not a 3rd apt?

    Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this matter for me.

    Mary Gould




  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Memphis TN.
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    4,311

    Default Re: Introduction - My first question

    Quote Originally Posted by mary gould View Post

    But in the world of home inspecting, if you went to inspect a "duplex" and find what appears to be a 3rd apartment - separate entrance, bath, bedroom, living room, kitchen in all senses except no oven/stove, but with refrigerator, sink, counter tops, cabinets, microwave, etc.

    Is that technically a 3-family home, or does the mere lack of the oven/stove mean it's not a real kitchen and therefore not a 3rd apt?

    .
    Mary,

    This would be a question for your local Code Enforcement.
    .

    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.

  12. #12
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Introduction

    If it is designated as a duplex that it certainly cannot be a triplex unless you go thru the city to do it.

    I am sure the insurance company would rate it different as a three family than a duplex.


  13. #13
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    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Introduction - My first question

    Quote Originally Posted by mary gould View Post
    But in the world of home inspecting, if you went to inspect a "duplex" and find what appears to be a 3rd apartment - separate entrance, bath, bedroom, living room, kitchen in all senses except no oven/stove, but with refrigerator, sink, countertops, cabinets, microwave, etc. Is that technically a 3-family home, or does the mere lack of the oven/stove mean it's not a real kitchen and therefore not a 3rd apt?

    Mary,

    That is technically a duplex, but not because it does not have a stove/oven.

    It is a duplex because it was constructed as a duplex, to become a triplex (3-family dwelling) it would require fire-resistance rated walls between all three units which extend up to the roof sheathing and fire-resistance rated roof sheathing or similarly protected, or the walls would need to extend 30" up through the roof as parapet walls.

    If I were an insurance company and my insurance inspector said "There are three separate units in that duplex.", I, as the insurance company, would say "Thank you very much.", then call the insured-to-be and say "No way.", then pause, while they scream, then add "Unless you can provide documentation from the city/county that the conversion was done with permits, has passed all inspections, and has a certificate of occupancy as a 3-family dwelling." Either that or run a risk analysis and say "Yep, we can do that, but your rate is going to be $$$$$." - with that rate being 5 times the rate for a duplex ... after all, the insurance company is in it to *make money* and if they presume the risk is limited and you are willing to pay mucho dollars for coverage, they will limit the coverage and take your money.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  14. #14
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Introduction

    Yeah. What Jerry said but with fewer words


  15. #15
    mary gould's Avatar
    mary gould Guest

    Default Re: Introduction

    Thank you for all your responses, they have been very helpful.

    There is a reason I mentioned the oven/stove which has to do with the replacement cost program I used in the example, and which I won't bother to go into further detail about.

    Also, perhaps I should have been more specific and said that most often I see these in 2.5 or 2.75-story houses where upper level ends up being finished into what appears to be a 3rd apartment. One thing I know for sure, my clients want to know when I come across these. They want photos and comments on everything, because they will probably try to increase the rate to a 3-family.

    Thanks again for all your sharing.

    Mary


  16. #16
    L Kilhefner's Avatar
    L Kilhefner Guest

    Default Re: Introduction

    Mary,
    As insurance inspector you must be acquainted with FS 718.111, I hope.
    And, if you were an insurance inspector for a condo association you would make it easier (less expensive) for the association insurance if we talk about a broken water heater and water running thru ceiling and walls from a 4th floor to the first floor and maybe state that the condo insurance is not liable?

    I am expecting a response from Jerry since I am still lost about the steps that I need to take on this situation.
    Thanks anyway for your time.
    L Kilhefner


  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    28,032

    Default Re: Introduction - My first question

    Quote Originally Posted by mary gould View Post
    But in the world of home inspecting, if you went to inspect a "duplex" and find what appears to be a 3rd apartment - separate entrance, bath, bedroom, living room, kitchen in all senses except no oven/stove, but with refrigerator, sink, countertops, cabinets, microwave, etc. Is that technically a 3-family home, or does the mere lack of the oven/stove mean it's not a real kitchen and therefore not a 3rd apt?
    Technically it is a building code and zoning code violation as it is no longer a "duplex" as "duplex" means "two" and you just described "three" dwelling units in a structure originally designed for two, meaning firewalls and all kinds of things are going to be completely wrong and that is a mess to try to straighten out if the building department is awake at all.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Introduction

    Quote Originally Posted by L Kilhefner View Post
    I am expecting a response from Jerry since I am still lost about the steps that I need to take on this situation.

    I was doing my taxes today ... ... but did briefly review your e-mail earlier in the day and I will try to answer it tomorrow. That is one reason I was not even on here until late this evening. Taxes are done, now I can start thinking again.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
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    Default Re: Introduction

    Quote Originally Posted by L Kilhefner View Post
    Mary,
    As insurance inspector you must be acquainted with FS 718.111, I hope.

    Mary is not in Florida.

    - Chapter 718 CONDOMINIUMS
    - - 718.111 The association.--

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  20. #20
    mary gould's Avatar
    mary gould Guest

    Default Re: Introduction

    Of course I immediately Googled FS 718.111, so now I am familiar with it. Still, not quite sure what it has to do with my question as I was not referring to condos.

    Here in Massachusetts we have a lot of "duplexes" that are listed that way in public records but when you actually get to the house and do an interior inspection, you find that there are 3 electric meters, three mailboxes, at least 3 electric boxes, and either a finished basement with a 3rd apartment, or a finished attic with a 3rd apartment. I believe many of these are illegal 3rd apartments.

    It is a question for each carrier to answer. Jerry Peck's answer on 2/13 was very helpful.

    Thanks to all of you who offered your help.

    Mary Gould


  21. #21

    Default Re: Introduction

    Hello Mary and Welcome:

    I am not an home inspector and I know nothing about home inspection. I’m just a scientist, specializing in stuff like microbiology, toxicology, pot-stirring, and epidemiology. I'm afraid of spiders and electricity and I have a genetic predilection towards politically incorrect statements, but these guys are nice enough to tolerate my intrusions.

    Caoimhín P. Connell
    Forensic Industrial Hygienist
    Forensic Industrial Hygiene

    PS: A few years ago, it was rumored on the internet that I had received $5 million dollars from the Hartford Insurance Company who had hired me to head up a “Mold Misinformation Office.” According to reports on the internet, I was also being investigated by an unidentified Federal Agency for RICO violations and fraud. Alas, none of that was true – given the current administration, had it been true, I would almost certainly have been short listed for a cabinet position.




    (The opinions expressed here are exclusively my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect my professional opinion, opinion of my employer, agency, peers, or professional affiliates. The above post is for information only and does not reflect professional advice and is not intended to supercede the professional advice of others.)

    AMDG

    Last edited by Caoimhín P. Connell; 04-15-2009 at 08:46 AM. Reason: Added P.S.

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