Seattle Bubble Forum Archive

I now know of four buyer-units who shortly after taking ownership have been surprised by issues of baroque sewer-line setup, longtime neglect of sewer issues on the part of the previous owners, and/or lack of candor on the part of real estate agents regarding same, hence very non-negligible expenses associated with putting the situation right. So obviously the smart thing to do is pony up the extra few hundred in advance for a sewer inspection to ensure that things in this department will not hit the fan in the near future.

But I understand there is also a plumbing inspection that is separate from the sewer inspection that can identify issues the sewer inspection might miss? And that one can get a roof inspection separate from the general structural inspection? How many inspections should the cautious post-bubble buyer with time on her side be looking at? This is all hypothetical, but let's assume that the house in question is a sturdy house with a basement built prior to 1940, with standard workmanship and materials for its period. Thanks for any advice or cautions.

A really good home inspector will do a very thorough job that will include plumbing, electrical, roof, drainage, and a myriad of other things.
I think the key here is not that you need to a hire a separate inspector for each of these items, ( except maybe sewer?),but hire a really good one in the first place.
Some people shy away from hiring the really good ones because they charge a little more , but spending a couple of hundred extra to save many thousands is probably worth it.

To add to my own reply: A good inspector will advise you that you need additional inspections, such as a more thorough roof inspection or electrical, etc. It's a fabulous thing to save money on floor coverings or furniture. Trying to save money on a home inspection is not necessarily a good thing.

Thanks, Ira -- I suspected it would be you with the reply and good information here. Not that I'm anywhere near buying yet (etc., etc.), but, you know, knowledge is power.

In at least one of my sample group, one party to the purchase wanted a sewer inspection but was talked out of it by the other -- yes, to save money.

I would suspect that in each of those cases, had a really good inspector been used from the get go, he/she would have recommended getting a sewer inspection.

Inspectors miss things - they claim to be generalists, not specialist. Sometimes it is minor, sometimes not.

When I bought my current house this year, we had the roof, electrical & plumbing inspected in addition to the general inspection. It doesn't cost that much more & you can get quotes for the work you need to get done.

Compared to the overall cost of the property, and the potential for repair what is an extra $500-700 for additional inspections?