It’s smart to be hands-on when it comes to pest inspector or repair issues
Note: This week’s MarketWise column features a reader’s response to Pat Kapowich’s April 29 column that ran in The Mercury News and East Bay Times.
Q: Hi Pat, Longtime reader, thanks for all the good information provided. I think it bears noting that for the person who wants an inspector and repair person to do both, there is another strong benefit of NOT doing this. The inspector can be impartial if he is not financially affected whether a property does or does not have termites. Now, if someone who does inspections and repairs inspected my home and said I need a lot of work done, well then, the potential for them to push unnecessary work is great. The real estate broker who suggested the impartial inspector, who apparently was quite good, did right in suggesting an impartial inspector. (I’d like to know who it was for my next inspection!) Thanks again for the relevant articles that we can all learn from. Sincerely, Peter.
A: Hi Peter, When I began in real estate, termite inspectors and real estate agents had an unenviable reputation. Regulation from Sacramento’s Structural Pest Control Board (www. pestboard.ca.gov) and Department of Real Estate (http://www.dre. ca.gov/), combined with industry self-policing, has improved the standing of both industries. It’s not enough for real estate agents/agencies. We still have lots of work to do in that regard. But certainly for pest control operators, aka termite companies/ termite inspectors. Surely, any inspector who leaves repairs to others will generate a report with less skepticism. For example, the American Society of Home Inspectors (www. homeinspector.org/) does not allow its members to conduct repairs.
Reputable one-stop roof, chimney, foundation or termite companies inspecting a property have an upside. For example, termite companies can list prices for the remediation of Section 1 (actual damage), Section 2 (prevention issues), conduct the repairs and then file the almighty Work Completed and Not Completed notice with the state of California.
If the consumer is present for their inspection, he or she can experience firsthand the validity of their inspectors and reports. It is paramount agents and consumers are present during inspections. A doctor does not want to read a digital report about a patient; he or she wants to conduct the physical.