Duluth Georgia / Norcross Georgia
Certified Inspector

Home, Condo, Commercial Inspection Services

Home Inspection Library J C Weise Property Inspector Woodstock, GA www.UpscaleInspections.com

Re-Inspection

I am available for re-inspection of numbered items listed in your email report. Advance notice of at least 72 hours is required. Discounts may be available on re-inspections.

In some circumstances, my re-inspection fee includes testing items that could not be tested at the time of the inspection because the gas, water, and/or electricity had been turned off, or pilot lights were not lit. Under no circumstances do I turn utilities on or off, light pilot lights, turn shutoff valves on or off, or turn electrical circuit breakers on or off. Doing so without knowing why the conditions exist can result in property damage, personal injury, or death (click here for additional information about utilities that have been shut off or appliances that have been shut down).

Because I am a full-time professional home inspector, I charge for my services, my time, my knowledge, and my expertise in using my knowledge. However, I do not believe it is fair for my Clients to pay for my services because the utilities were off. That doesn’t mean that I will work for free or give my services away. Most Residential Purchase Agreements provide that the Seller shall make the Property available for all Buyer Investigations. Seller shall have water, gas, electricity and all operable pilot lights on for Buyer’s Investigations and through the date possession is made available to Buyer.

Note the words “shall” in those sentences, a legal word that leaves no doubt that something absolutely must be done. And note who is being directed to do things: the seller. Therefore, if the seller has not made the property available, or the water, gas, and electricity have been turned off, or if pilot lights are not on at the water heater, furnace, and other gas-using appliances, I believe that the seller has violated the terms of the purchase contract. Therefore, I also believe that the seller should compensate you for your inconvenience by paying my re-inspection fee. That is simply my opinion, though. Consult with your Realtor and/or your attorney to determine your options.

If you have any questions about anything, simply contact me.

        Thank you for using The Upscale Home Inspections Service.

www.upscaleinspections.com