Holy shmoly! You need to check the Quebec water. That’s crazy for 3 complaints over attic access even in a long career. I’ve never had one complaint and there are plenty of attics that I couldn’t or didn’t access for various reasons. I’ve also had plenty of crawlspaces that I couldn’t or didn’t access and I’ve had only one complaint ever (recently) that I easily explained with a phone call. It can be a funny business.
3 Likes
Go Buckeyes!
1 Like
Not the water, its one “reality” TV personality: Mike Holmes
3 Likes
The last person that tried to enter that attic 
17 Likes
Considering that Holmes has an inspection company, you’d think he would be more prudent in explaining the differences between what he does (or did) on his shows and what home inspectors do.
1 Like
I’ve had a few that I refused to sign for. Most lawyers have inflated egos. They don’t like to be ignored.
I once read a book in which the author told a story of testifying in a trial. While on the witness stand, he had been presented with a paper that had what looked like his signature. The lawyer said “Is this your signature”, expecting the guy to say that it was. The lawyer reminded him multiple times that he was under oath. After about fifteen minutes of being at a stalemate, the judge finally intervened. It turned out that it was a photocopy of a document that the guy had signed. The guy eventually told the judge that the signature was a facsimile of his signature, but it wasn’t his signature,
The point to the story was that the author, who was the guy testifying, intentionally does everything he can to drag things out and to frustrate the lawyers on the opposing side.
I wish that I could remember the name of the book. It has helped me immensely over the years as a forensic consultant. Ignoring lawyers is a very effective strategy. I want the opposing lawyer to be so frustrated with me that by the time we get into a deposition, it is easy for me to derail them. A lot of people will answer flawed questions during a deposition. I won’t I will only answer questions precisely as they were asked. I make no effort to answer a question based on what I suspect the lawyer meant to ask.
6 Likes
I got tired of running into blocked accesses, utilities being off when I had been told that they were on, not being able to find water meters that had been enclosed, and other such things, so I started using a pre-inspection checklist that the seller or the seller’s agent completes and signs. If I don’t get a signed copy of the checklist in advance, I won’t do the inspection.
There are several versions of my pre-inspection checklist on my website, https://bestinspectors.net, in the free stuff section. Anyone is free to download and use it.
I will say that when I started using the checklist, around 2008, some real estate agents didn’t initially like the idea. A few were even angry about it because they said no other inspectors do anything like that.
I explained to them and the buyers that the purpose of the checklist is to ensure that the house is ready for me and that, in turn, enables me to do the best inspection possible. Once they see how beneficial it is to all concerned, they come around to the idea. I’ve had sellers hire me when they became buyers because of the form. Many sellers have said that they appreciated the form because they wouldn’t have thought about some of the things on the form and their agents hadn’t said anything to them about things like making sure that there is clear access to the attic, electrical panels, water meters and so on.
1 Like
For better or worse, I’ve had relatively few interactions with attorneys but many years ago, an attorney called me to tell me not to contact his client (who had breached our contract). I said, “Request denied. Life’s a bitch.” He said, “It surely is.” I hung up and called the guy to further excoriate him. Never heard from the attorney again.
2 Likes
Mike’s son has the company.
As for Mike…Mike Holmes was fast-tracked the franchise under his sons name during the Ontario home inspection regulations debate. Traces of “anyone can call themselves a home inspector” are still used by news networks today. There are only 2 regulated provinces. BC and Alberta.
Back in 2006 Global BC reporter Elaine Yong in BC hitched her wagons to Mike Holmes when, Imre Toth of Aldergrove BC failed to inspect the entire home, and should have advised the couple to hire a structural engineer before they bought the $1.1-million house in September 2006.
Mike’s charisma and tough guy personality, with marketing, got Mike to where he is today.
I use to laugh when Roy Cooke’s friend and InterNACHI member Raymond Wand use to phone in during Mike’s live call-in shows. Being a Great Home Inspector and having some paralegal experience Raymond Wand would put Mike Holmes on the spot exposing Mike knew zero about being a home inspector and knew less about SoP.
Morning, Lon.
I concur. This is totally uncalled for. Nuts!
As far as I can tell, several issues have merged in the home inspection industry in this province.
1: Lawyers are targeting home inspectors as an easy means to increase their income.
2: This province is under the provincial home inspection regulations looking glass. Much as Ontario was 6 or 7 years ago.
3: I surmise, Language. This province’s working language is French. It is not easy to translate defects and deficiencies into French. I have had many bilingual colleagues mirror that thought.
4: One of the provincial InterNACHI Quebec members muddies the waters, unknowingly. I will leave it at that for now.
I had a target on my back because I pushed back unethical relators working behavior in my neck of the woods when I started. In turn, real estate agents complaints about me culminated to myself being shadowed by a provincial master electrician and an AHJ and large developer that worked within the RBQ, the AHJ main body.
Once the inspection was completed and reported published I was given the highest regards.
It is almost imposable to get errors and omissions insurance in this province. Cost now…$10,000.00 unless you belong to InterNACHI Quebec or The AIBQ.
I haven’t seen anything from Raymond in years. He was a knowledgeable and valuable contributor to HI discussions.
1 Like
Others would disagree. He was suspended multiple times and his membership eventually terminated. If I remember correctly, he was permanently BANNED from both Nachi and CMI for some fairly serious issues.
I didn’t know he was banned, and I don’t think I saw those “serious issues.” I was thinking more of his contributions to inspecting topics, but now that you mention it, I remember disputes with Nick and Nachi.
1 Like
I concur. Raymond was a wealth oh knowledge and contributed greatly to the home inspection industry From opening up sensible and relevant discussions to ethics, Raymond Wand improved the industry.
Last time I talked to Raymond was prior Roy Cooke succumbing to death by old age.
I fondly miss them both.
George Wells, “Your The Best!” I mean that sincerely,
George. You are one of the few that continually helps move this industry forward, in the right direction.
If you are not now in the InterNACHI Home Inspector Hall of Fame, you should be and I will try to help move this forward.
Nick, Ben, I hope you are reading the post.
1 Like
ha ha ha…the human skeleton…that’s it for me…I’m outta here…
2 Likes
I’m disappointed Kevin. You could have squeezed your head in there. 
1 Like
You’re right Joe, I’m sending a refund now. Checks in the mail. 
1 Like