These statements always get me. Once you have listed the defects, which you have, why do you go and say that it now needs to be evaluated by a qualified electrician. YOU have already evaluated it and found it to be in need of repair. Recommend that it be repaired by a qualified electrician. He will have to do his own evaluation anyway in order to repair it.
There may be defects/issues which were not reported/visible. I give my clients as much information as I can, but if there are multiple issues I believe the system should be evaluated fully by a specialist. It certainly takes a burden off you and the specialist is already called for, why not add in “evalute fully”.
Because that is what you are being paid to do.
Following your full evaluation, you will recommend that something be repaired or replaced.
The only time a request should be made for “an evaluation” is when the inspector is not a licensed engineer and an evaluation of evidence that your evaluation reveals regarding the movement/potential movement requires an evaluation by an engineer, IMO.
I use to avoid recommending further evaluation, but I realized that a specialist is more than likely to find issues which I did not report on for one reason or another. I know that I don’t know as much as a good HVAC contractor, plumber, electrician, roofer, achitect, etc (I do know more than some). The professionals do this stuff every day and they know it better.
If you see 3 issues, how many more are there you didn’t see, sometimes through no fault of your own. Sometimes things have to be disassembled for further evaluation. Quite often when you start working on something you realize there are other issues.
If something is really straight forward, I call for repair. If there is any chance of complications or concealed damage/issues, I will call for repair/evaluation. If there are a lot of issues, like unprofessional plumbing I will recommend “full evaluation”.
A good contractor is going to “evaluate” the system before he takes a hammer to it…whether you “recommend” it nor not. That is a given.
If I were paying a full fee to a fully qualified home inspector who recommended to me to pay an additional person for a “full evaluation”, I would be demanding all or some of my money back.
I only charge half price anyway!!
My customers are very satisfied with my reports:
“We truly appreciate the care and effort that has gone into both the inspections you’ve done for us. You have been one of the brightest, most positive parts of this whole involved process. Thank you”
That’s fair.
[FONT=Times New Roman][size=3]Sample of recent inspection comment:[/size][/FONT]
**[size=3][FONT=Times New Roman]ACTION ITEM: Unprofessional wiring practices were noted at various **areas. The service wire to the main distribution panel in the bedroom closet appeared to be 8 or 10 gauge wire, which is most likely undersized. The transition point between the 100 amp main service cable into the building and the smaller wirer into the distribution panel could not be located. The larger wire went up from the crawlspace in the area of the closet. There may be a junction box or a breaker panel which was not located. The service wire to the bonus room panel was improper (neutral wire is separate and undersized). Splices were noted in the crawlspace on the service wires. Unprotected cables were noted at the garage/enclosed patio. Improper splice was noted in the enclosed patio. Unprotected cable was noted coming through a hole in the metal siding outside the family room. The panel in the bonus room is poorly wired. Many receptacles have disconnected ground conductors. Recommend full evaluation by a qualified electrician and repairs/remediation as advised to [/FONT][/size][FONT=Times New Roman][size=3]promote safe and reliable function.[/size][/FONT]
I agree, skip the evaluation verbiage.
[size=2]“Problem(s) discovered with Branch Circuits such as (Defect), and any other problems that an electrical contractor may discover while performing repairs need correcting. I recommend a licensed electrical contractor inspect further and correct as needed.”
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