Has anyone here sued their home inspector?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would sue that sound like you have more than enough evidence.

Did you pick the inspector or did your realtor?

I picked the inspector but could not physically attend the inspection due to work so my realtor did.

You bought a 1920 house and did not go to the inspection?
This has to be your first home.

Even if I attended the inspection it would have made no difference as I would not be able to physically go with them under a crawl space. They provided a picture of new pex pipe which unfortunately only goes to a small section of a later bathroom addition.

And you thought a picture of one pipe was proof the whole house had updated plumbing- the entire house ???
You could have asked, ‘ what about the rest of the home’s plumbing’ you know like in the walls in the house?
The sewer pipes.

Are you for real?

[Anonymous]

Legally required to be a disclosure.
You are a new homeowner and did not know a lot.
It happens, this is on you, not the inside your.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I purchased an old home and was told by the home inspector the pipes were updated. Turns out it is almost all old galvanized pipes that are failing. I’ve had 5 plumbers come in to quote updating them and nobody can believe that the home inspector missed this. One suggested collusion with the realtors to get the home to sell and 3 of them willingly wrote me letters about their findings compared to what my inspection report says. I haven’t gone to an attorney yet and usually your damages are limited to the inspection fee but this seems to be gross negligence or just straight up fraud.

My inspector told me to get a second plumbing inspection to check the pipes because of the age of the home (even though updated) and we did. Showed an issue and the plumbers that came proved the homeowners knew about it (the sellers called said plumbers and didn’t want to pay to properly fix it/tried to hide it before they put house on market) so the sellers ended up giving $ to fix the issue. We had it done after we closed and used that money (and a lot more) basically because we didn’t trust the sellers to repair it. I do think they took me for a ride a bit because we knew the work needed to be done but I was alone and even though I asked in writing for a not to exceed in writing they did some weird wordage so my work went way over budget. They didn’t put all the work into the guaranteed price maximum. My husband was in Asia working for three weeks while this happened. Always get A Guaranteed Maximum Price or not to exceed quote/ price and get it IN WRITING and check to make sure everything that needs to be done is on it.

[Anonymous]

I’m the PP this is for when you have the plumbing work or any work done on your home.

[Anonymous]

Most of the problems are not visible, and since inspectors can't open walls, they can't tell you what the problems are. This is why their contracts are chock-full of limitations and also why it's hard to sue them. With good reason!

We had an inspector warn us off a house, actually, when he sank his screwdriver into a main support beam. It went in like butter, because it had extensive termite damage.

So not all inspectors are lousy; they can't criticize what they can't see; and you can't sue them for not seeing through walls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would sue that sound like you have more than enough evidence.

Did you pick the inspector or did your realtor?

I picked the inspector but could not physically attend the inspection due to work so my realtor did.

You bought a 1920 house and did not go to the inspection?
This has to be your first home.

Even if I attended the inspection it would have made no difference as I would not be able to physically go with them under a crawl space. They provided a picture of new pex pipe which unfortunately only goes to a small section of a later bathroom addition.

And you thought a picture of one pipe was proof the whole house had updated plumbing- the entire house ???
You could have asked, ‘ what about the rest of the home’s plumbing’ you know like in the walls in the house?
The sewer pipes.

Are you for real?

You seem to be missing that I was told all pipes were updated. I did not make an assumption based on a single picture. My inspection literally says the house has all pex pipes. Nothing was said about galvanized pipes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I purchased an old home and was told by the home inspector the pipes were updated. Turns out it is almost all old galvanized pipes that are failing. I’ve had 5 plumbers come in to quote updating them and nobody can believe that the home inspector missed this. One suggested collusion with the realtors to get the home to sell and 3 of them willingly wrote me letters about their findings compared to what my inspection report says. I haven’t gone to an attorney yet and usually your damages are limited to the inspection fee but this seems to be gross negligence or just straight up fraud.

First, it's not fraud. Second, what would be your damages? You paid market price for a house and you have an appraisal (in no way based on the inspection) that says you paid market price. Third, the home inspector doesn't warranty the house. Something breaks, tough shit.

My damages are immediately needing new pipes when I was told all pipes were new based on the inspectors findings. They are not new with the exception of 1 area. They are old galvanized pipes. I have shown every plumber my inspection report and nobody can believe what the inspector wrote vs actual findings. The inspector either had to be beyond extremely incompetent or lied to get the house to sell. Most people that I’ve spoken to believe it’s the latter.

Did the inspection say all the pipes were new or they just showed a picture of one pex pipe? Did you read the entire report not just the highlights? Mine send two reports one short and one really long.

You really should be at inspections to ask questions and see what they find. A realtor wants to sell the property and make a commission they are most likely not going to scare you even if the inspector tells them there is an issue.

Mine literally walked around after showing us what he thought were big issues and needed a specialist inspection. Don’t skip the inspections that is where you ask questions and yes you could have gone in the crawl space. My husband went into our attic after the inspector did and the inspector even would say “come on the ladder and look at this part of your chimney” to show us things he thought were real issues.

And always get a not to exceed clause if you are having work done.

Honestly if the house is that old hey an electrician out. It might need all new wiring also have the plumbers check the sewer line.

If a disclosure form doesn’t say and she they put in new pipies or electrical into an old home then they haven’t! We kept all the paperwork from all work for our records and for when we sell to prove we fixed major things one cannot see. If they don’t say then ask the realtor in writing and get written proof of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would sue that sound like you have more than enough evidence.

Did you pick the inspector or did your realtor?

I picked the inspector but could not physically attend the inspection due to work so my realtor did.

You bought a 1920 house and did not go to the inspection?
This has to be your first home.

Even if I attended the inspection it would have made no difference as I would not be able to physically go with them under a crawl space. They provided a picture of new pex pipe which unfortunately only goes to a small section of a later bathroom addition.

And you thought a picture of one pipe was proof the whole house had updated plumbing- the entire house ???
You could have asked, ‘ what about the rest of the home’s plumbing’ you know like in the walls in the house?
The sewer pipes.

Are you for real?

You seem to be missing that I was told all pipes were updated. I did not make an assumption based on a single picture. My inspection literally says the house has all pex pipes. Nothing was said about galvanized pipes.

In the written report it says all your pipes are pex pipes? If he said it in person that doesn’t mean anything. I can’t see any legitimate inspector saying all pipes are pex, you can’t see inside walls!

[Anonymous]

I’ve bought two homes. One inspector was pretty good; he identified the issues that should be addressed in short order, which were confirmed by third parties. The other guy was useless. Said many things that didn’t make sense, had issues with things that were fine, but missed obvious issues, etc etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would sue that sound like you have more than enough evidence.

Did you pick the inspector or did your realtor?

I picked the inspector but could not physically attend the inspection due to work so my realtor did.

You bought a 1920 house and did not go to the inspection?
This has to be your first home.

Even if I attended the inspection it would have made no difference as I would not be able to physically go with them under a crawl space. They provided a picture of new pex pipe which unfortunately only goes to a small section of a later bathroom addition.

And you thought a picture of one pipe was proof the whole house had updated plumbing- the entire house ???
You could have asked, ‘ what about the rest of the home’s plumbing’ you know like in the walls in the house?
The sewer pipes.

Are you for real?

You seem to be missing that I was told all pipes were updated. I did not make an assumption based on a single picture. My inspection literally says the house has all pex pipes. Nothing was said about galvanized pipes.

In the written report it says all your pipes are pex pipes? If he said it in person that doesn’t mean anything. I can’t see any legitimate inspector saying all pipes are pex, you can’t see inside walls!

Yes it is literally written into the report that all pipes are pex when in fact nearly all are galvanized with the exception of a newer bathroom addition. I’ve shown my inspection report to everyone who’s come in to quote the work and they are shocked at what they found vs what he wrote. 2 of the plumbers asked if I selected my own inspector suggesting collusion with the realtors (I did select my own) and 3 offered to write letters on their letterhead about what they found and are telling me to sue. They can’t believe someone would write what he wrote compared to their findings. One was so upset about it he wanted to call the home inspector and scream at him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would sue that sound like you have more than enough evidence.

Did you pick the inspector or did your realtor?

I picked the inspector but could not physically attend the inspection due to work so my realtor did.

You bought a 1920 house and did not go to the inspection?
This has to be your first home.

Even if I attended the inspection it would have made no difference as I would not be able to physically go with them under a crawl space. They provided a picture of new pex pipe which unfortunately only goes to a small section of a later bathroom addition.

And you thought a picture of one pipe was proof the whole house had updated plumbing- the entire house ???
You could have asked, ‘ what about the rest of the home’s plumbing’ you know like in the walls in the house?
The sewer pipes.

Are you for real?

You seem to be missing that I was told all pipes were updated. I did not make an assumption based on a single picture. My inspection literally says the house has all pex pipes. Nothing was said about galvanized pipes.

In the written report it says all your pipes are pex pipes? If he said it in person that doesn’t mean anything. I can’t see any legitimate inspector saying all pipes are pex, you can’t see inside walls!

Yes it is literally written into the report that all pipes are pex when in fact nearly all are galvanized with the exception of a newer bathroom addition. I’ve shown my inspection report to everyone who’s come in to quote the work and they are shocked at what they found vs what he wrote. 2 of the plumbers asked if I selected my own inspector suggesting collusion with the realtors (I did select my own) and 3 offered to write letters on their letterhead about what they found and are telling me to sue. They can’t believe someone would write what he wrote compared to their findings. One was so upset about it he wanted to call the home inspector and scream at him.

Yikes. I am sorry. What does your contract say? Read the fine print and maybe pay to get a consultation from a lawyer to see what they think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would sue that sound like you have more than enough evidence.

Did you pick the inspector or did your realtor?

I picked the inspector but could not physically attend the inspection due to work so my realtor did.

You bought a 1920 house and did not go to the inspection?
This has to be your first home.

Even if I attended the inspection it would have made no difference as I would not be able to physically go with them under a crawl space. They provided a picture of new pex pipe which unfortunately only goes to a small section of a later bathroom addition.

And you thought a picture of one pipe was proof the whole house had updated plumbing- the entire house ???
You could have asked, ‘ what about the rest of the home’s plumbing’ you know like in the walls in the house?
The sewer pipes.

Are you for real?

You seem to be missing that I was told all pipes were updated. I did not make an assumption based on a single picture. My inspection literally says the house has all pex pipes. Nothing was said about galvanized pipes.

In the written report it says all your pipes are pex pipes? If he said it in person that doesn’t mean anything. I can’t see any legitimate inspector saying all pipes are pex, you can’t see inside walls!

Yes it is literally written into the report that all pipes are pex when in fact nearly all are galvanized with the exception of a newer bathroom addition. I’ve shown my inspection report to everyone who’s come in to quote the work and they are shocked at what they found vs what he wrote. 2 of the plumbers asked if I selected my own inspector suggesting collusion with the realtors (I did select my own) and 3 offered to write letters on their letterhead about what they found and are telling me to sue. They can’t believe someone would write what he wrote compared to their findings. One was so upset about it he wanted to call the home inspector and scream at him.

Yikes. I am sorry. What does your contract say? Read the fine print and maybe pay to get a consultation from a lawyer to see what they think.

Fine print says I am only entitled to up to twice my home inspection fee with the exception of gross negligence and fraud. I feel this falls into that former category. Has this been some small thing or an issue that would cost less than $5k I wouldn’t say anything and just be annoyed. My quotes are in the tens of thousands for repair.

[Anonymous]

you may win the $500 inspection fee

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Most of the problems are not visible, and since inspectors can't open walls, they can't tell you what the problems are. This is why their contracts are chock-full of limitations and also why it's hard to sue them. With good reason!

We had an inspector warn us off a house, actually, when he sank his screwdriver into a main support beam. It went in like butter, because it had extensive termite damage.

Inspectors aren’t supposed to sink tools into support beams.
So not all inspectors are lousy; they can't criticize what they can't see; and you can't sue them for not seeing through walls.

[Anonymous]

Will cost you more to litigate than you will win to repair most likely.