This Was VERY Disappointing To See

[Jay Markanich]

I was called and asked to do an inspection on a house being sold by an individual who is a practicing Licensed Architect and Class A Licensed Contractor.  His company advertises "Design and Build."  I was also told the house was quite remodeled and gorgeous.

This could not have been a more disappointing inspection, given the build up.

This is representative of the kinds of things I found during the inspection.  My report was three times longer than the normal report, for having to write about all the improper and/or dangerous things I discovered while there.

Inspectors will notice about seven things wrong in this picture.  What they cannot see is that the new disposal (builder grade, 1/3 HP) did not have putty under the support ring and no connector clamp where the cable enters the unit.

There is a previous AR post about connector clamps:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1156492/are-you-connected-

Now, any Class A contractor should at least know how to install a disposal.  At least!

Things like this went on an on.  Little things and big things.  I actually said "Dammit" when I looked into the panel box.  I NEVER say dammit, or anything else like that, especially on home inspections and in front of clients.  Honestly, I don't remember the last time I even said dammit!  And at that point I was only about half way through inspecting the basement!  Already we were all fed up.  I was very disappointed because so much was frightfully wrong.

This seller probably passed all the Virginia Class A Contractor test questions about proper wiring and appliance installations.  That is not an easy test!  And here he is trying to sell things like this to other people.  Well, my first-time-buyer clients backed out.  They, too, were very disappointed.

My recommendation:   Even though a listing might be advertised as having this or that benefit, get a home inspection.  You just never know...

[Bruce Ramsey]

Not only is the wiring FUBAR, but it looks like the drain line for the dishwasher does not have a high loop. 

Usually when they agent says something along the lines of "the seller is a contractor, builder, architect, in the trades, etc" you know you are in for a long inspection.  They may know to do it right but often feel that it is only for other people.  They seem to have that I  know what I am doing and this is only dangerous under specific conditions and we never have that condition in my home. 

[Will Handley]

Could have an air gap valve built in to the dishwasher.  Don't see many high loops here in California, usually sink top air gap valve or an occasional dishwasher mounted gap.

Soon as I hear Architect or an Engineer owns this home, my antenna goes up!

[Jay Markanich]

Here Will they require the high loop if there is no air-gap device.  And there was no air-gap device here - that would have been too much work!  And those braided supplies were at least 4' long and wrapped all around everything under there.  The cabinet, and counter top, were all about 1/4" from the wall so I could see behind and I think that yellow cable came from one of the kitchen outlets (yes, that's how he installed them all - no splash block).  There was no disposal circuit in the interesting panel box.

That panel box had a #8 gage servicing a 20amp circuit which said "Kit & Dinning Room."  Now I don't know about you CA folks, but I don't do much dinning around here.  I did get called to dinn-dinn a lot when I was a kid though.  Maybe that's what he means...  There were a variety of double taps.  He had no choice, it was an original 100amp box.

My antenna goes up some, but I had heard so much good about this house I was kind of looking forward to it.  I love to inspect good work.  Honestly I was disappointed, but you should have seen my very young, first-time buyers.  They were really crestfallen.  Better to find out now though!!!

[Jarrod Goforth]

Man that is some crazy stuff.