Something I always struggle with is old homes. I’m not talking 50 year old homes. I mean 100 year old homes. How do you handle the difference between what is acceptable today and what was acceptable then. Lets just use stairs for example. The stairs have higher risers and shorter risers than allowed by todays standards which also means they are beyond the difference tolerance. Do you just report that the stairs are a safety hazard and should be repaired? That seems ridiculous to me. Do you not report anything because it was probably allowed when the home was built. That also seems ridiculous to me. Where is the middle ground?
At the time this house was built, there were very little if any building codes in effect. Some of the items { stair case} are not in compliance with todays code, However they do visually appear to be in a safe structural state and are at present time in working order.
Just curious and no offense intended but how many 100 year old homes have you 2 come across? I have yet to come across one. I guess it all depends in the area you are in. I would love to see a link of one just to see all the stuff you all likely found. It must be interesting as heck.
Dania Beach is Browards oldest city and I have yet come across one. A few 1930’s to 40’s but from 1913 none yet. Not even for insurance inspections.
. Our first $1,000,000;00+++ inspection in about 1993 was well over 100 years .
We have done about 70~ over 100 years most are fantastic .
I loved them all and all had many concerns .
I expect may could be still standing in another 100 years .
Write them up like any other home and tell the client I am writing up your Railing as not meeting today’s standards but the have been here for 100 years and with continuing maintance the could look great in another 100 years .
Miss nothing write hard and talk soft .
17 bed rooms and 17 bathrooms we charged $1,100;00
The issue isn’t with “condition” so much as it is the “standards” of the day.
To inspect these homes, an inspector needs to understand why things were done the way they were. There were specific reasons (and each home may have a specific unique reason) other than cosmetics. Generally speaking, there was no such thing as “Tract Homes” back then. Each home was a “Custom Home” (yes, there are always exceptions).
I don’t ‘report’ on the staircase unless there is an actual defect. I DO talk/discuss the differences between then/now (verbally) with my client(s), and point out the potential hazards associated with older construction practices.
Glad you ask 1978-1980 Hampstead NC. circa 1750, Fully restored Sloop Point Plantation home app.2500 sq ft. Roof framing was all mortise and tennon, with roman numerals . House was built in England and shipped over by boat and reassembled. Foundation was ballast stone from ship bildge. 1979-1980, Warsaw NC, circa 1901 full restoration of Victorian style home app. 3800 sq ft 2 story with master entry double stair case.
I could tell from your narrative. Nice attempt though.
Personally, I would have mentioned you don’t see many, if any, so the OP can weigh your statement accordingly. I would hate for him to take the advice of a “guess”.
I would definitely charge more for them as I would have to do a lot more research. I have no experience with homes of that age and would love to see the reports just as a learning experience to see what you guys found out about them. it’s gotta be interesting just to see and likely kind of fun.
So according to the op, if a 100 year old house has a stair case and the risers are all different hights and treads are all different, then please tell us a non guessing narrative
Thats ok , but it is still a tripping hazard, whether it was built 100 years ago or last week. You ask for a middle ground, somewhere between tear them out and not report it.That what I gave you IMO
To be honest.
Knowing me like I do.
I would likely ask around here to find out if anyone knew an expert in really old homes in this area and recomend them under the condition that I could tag along.
I will not take on something I do not think I know enough about to give a good report.
Thats just me and I am for sure not your average inspector.
I GUESS this is what happens when people start hypothetical threads and want opions from the board. You may want to contact some one privately next time.
