Here is the very last spa tub I did.
Talk about lack of access.
I observe and notate with words plus pictures to CYA.
Yes ,I make a good case for taking lots of pictures.
[ATTACH][ATTACH]
I guess I could have not been so lazy and just moved the sink to inspect the pump area.:roll:
On quick follow up to this question, the CYA part of it happens when you examine the electrical panel.
Here is a direct shot off the same report.
Please observe some of my language is just not going to happen in a click (PDA) or checklist style report.
Narrative at the office is way to go IMO.
I like this as a good example of the three color text option also ,by the way.
(only red goes to summary)
The info is a little confusing Bob. The panel rating is 125 amp, the “main” breaker is 100 amp?, and you’re assuming it’s a sub-panel and the “breaker” is at the meter (this would put the “main” disconnect at the meter).
Actually you just confused me Chris 
The panel rating is 125 amps (you check the panel label for that)
The main breaker for the sub is rated at 100 amps
Chris please go back over it,(read the blue comments) as I state I’m assuming it is because this is a high rise Condo.(I know you do not get them often)however my client had it explained in detail on site.
That is where experience comes in.
Hard to get much more detailed with so few words but I state the exact facts that so many seem to just leave out when they do all checklist and canned reports.
That is why my clients have never called confused about my reports (ever) and I am proud of that record.
I report for my client, and not the mis-placed forum scrutiny.
“Wish you well”
Mark - You may want to read the posts again.
The above quote is from Joe Funderbunk. In his very 1st post, Eric stated “he assumed the realtor meant flip the breaker in the panel box”.
Several posts have alluded to resetting a GFCI, which I would also do IF it was a GFCI outlet - NOT the breaker, BECAUSE of exactly situations like I mentioned. BUT others on this site have also referred to resetting a BREAKER if tripped. Thats what my post discussed / Stupidity.
Various inspectors in my areas often ask me how I’ve made it 34 years as a home inspector and not been sued in such a litigatious business. My stock answer is usually: 1) a good inspection agreement; 2) a thorough inspection; and 3) don’t do stupid things to please others.
Dan is “spot on”.
I’m also curious, Eric, why you were not dealing directly with ‘your client’ the homebuyer? Is that not person you have your agreement with?
I know that agents are always trying to be the center of attention, but it would seem to me that you should have been talking directly with the buyer … your client.
Best wishes for the situation.
Cheers,
Nolan E. Kienitz
Nolan’s Inspections, LLC
D/FW
Eric,
Every time you are willing to pay for a mistake that you did NOT make, you are setting a bad precedent.
Sometimes there is a GFCI mounted in the wall opposite the whirlpool which resembles a switch. Even if you failed to activate it, the seller or seller’s agent could have activated it.
Most times, if I cant activate a device, I inform the agent and simply ask to ensurre the device works prior to close of escrow.
I had a similar situation a couple of months back. I returned to the residence at the request of the seller and seller’s agent, where I was accused of breaking the whirlpool. I informed the seller that I carried liability insurance, and that I have no reason to lie. I also informed her that I had no intention of paying for a review or repair by a plumber, expert, or genie.
Her whirlpool failed to turn on after filling the tub with water at the time of the inspection. I did not know why, nor did I care.
The agent got nasty, and I politely told her to keep her mouth shut.* I am a damned good inspector, and I am not beholden to a-hole homeowners or their a-hole representatives.*
I NEVER TURN ON BREAKERS OR VALVES. ONLY DO SO WHEN YOU ARE WILLNG TO TEST THE LIMITS OF YOUR GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE.
DONT BE SO WILLING TO GIVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY AWAY. IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT, DO YOU THINK THE AGENT WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY?
Test post to see if it appears.
Nolan Kienitz
Nolan’s Inspections, LLC
D/FW
Great insight Joe.
Alright guys here is how this issue ended. I was tired of getting different stories and I wanted to know what my $150 actually paid for. So I requested an invoice from the sellers agent. I recieved three invoices 1) Plumber for $138.25, 2) Electrician for $85.50 3) Handyman for $70.00 for repair of tub casing and trim after removal of enclosure.
The electrician wrote on the invoice. “Whirlpool not coming on ended up pulling small cabinet (which was sealed) to gain access to the pump and electrical, found no power to unit found GDCI had tripped no problems found with operation of whirlpool tub after reset and testing”
So now they want another check for $143.75 for the difference between the $150.00 and the total amount of invoices. I told them no if anything I should get my money back.
And a “Go to hell” is in order as well—:shock:
Wack-Jobs Eric…!!
Yeah some people you can’t make happy no matter what. I asked her if she forgot to send me the invoice for the floor refinishing too 
ERIC -
#1 - Was the GFCI the electrician referred to - - UNDER the SEALED tub compartment? If so, politely tell them to stuff it
#2 - If there was no problem AFTER the GFCI was reset / WHY were the plumber and handyman out there?
#3 - Can you NOT recognize a Blow Job when you see one?
#4 - Cut these Bozo’s loose / You don’t need to be doing business with bottom feeders like this.
Yeah it was sealed in they had the handyman out to reattch the tub compartment and re caulk it.
So Eric are you saying the GCFI is installed in the sealed compartment, inaccessible, and after the fiasco it is still installed that way?
Yeah they resealed it up makes alot of sense huh?
My next question to them would have been, “What do you intend to do if and when it trips again?” GFCIs don’t just trip for no reason and when it does, not for the reason most people think. Design flaw at the time of installation and certainly not your fault. If you pointed out a problem, it doesn’t automatically become “your problem”. What you can expect now, is that every time something fails or does not work properly they will look to you to pay for the corrections. As said, a dangerous precedence has been set.
With the economy the way it is, bottom feeders are everywhere, including agents and buyers. We all need to be extremely cautious on what we do, say, and write. I am a CMI, 10 years and thousands of inspections, and in the last 4 weeks have had only 7 inspections. It is so dead here in KC that I am trying to look for work elsewhere. I had an interview to drive a school bus 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon for $11.90 an hour, and did not get the job. They had 320 other applications. RE sales here are down about 40% from April. The business you do get, be careful.
I bet the repair persons were not licensed and had no insurance whatsoever, and very unprofessional, IMHO.
Eric -
Valuable lesson in home inspection #101.
IT was NOT your problem / BUT by whining they apparently got YOU to PAY for the SELLERS problem.
If you’ve already paid for this / Bite the bullet and move on.
If you haven’t paid / Blow them off.
Either way / Write a nice letter of ethical complaint and file with the MREC and Springfield Board of Realtors, AND the agents Broker. This is the type of AMMO we need to combat the PUSH by Realtors in MO to bring HI licensing to town.
I would never remove the marble tub skirt even if it wasn’t caulked. The skirts are only 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick and are very fragile. One slip and it is broken. There goes $150 to $200. You may not be able to get one to match the tub, then you may have to replace the tub ($1000 or more).
A metal or plastic panel, yes. A marble skirt and it is not accessible.
