Holmes Inspections

[kurt]

This month's Reporter mag has a pullout ad for Holmes Inspections. Has anyone ever seen a Holmes Inspections "franchisee"?

[Marc]

No, but I've seen the doll. Does that count?

Marc

[kurt]

Probably.

[John Kogel]

They are or were predominantly in Ontario. A few years ago now, I saw some ads for inspectors in the West to join the flock, but that is all.

From what I recall hearing, the franchise is quick to throw you under the bus if you screw up. The fees are high because the overhead is unbearable. This is hearsay.

I would consider purchasing the Bobblehead doll, if anyone knows of one.

[Stephen D. Gazo]

...I checked out his website a few years ago....I like his price system...won't work where I am yet...but the older the home the more expensive the fee...I do that now for all century homes...so much to see and report....

[Tom Raymond]

My pricing is opposite. I charge more for anything after 1980.

[Les]

Do you guys charge to look at a house?

Cripe, I have been giving those new home owners a few bucks, just for the learning experience!

No wonder it is a skinny Christmas!

I tried to watch his new infomercial from Colorado and made it for a few minutes. He is an ass on those programs.

[kurt]

I never got the "charge more for old houses" thing. We know how old house materials and systems work; we've got a few centuries of information to base our opinions upon. Some of the new stuff is way more complicated to figure out and harder to explain, largely because people can't believe new houses can have problems.

[Stephen D. Gazo]

....many of our century homes are in disrepair....many small towns trying to grow again...I see more century homes than I'd like....new home warranties end after 7 years...so i may see 6 year old homes...I go to open houses to see what's coming up...

[Marc]

For me, new construction is the wild card. It can be quick or it can make me work much harder than usual.

Marc

[Les]

I agree with Kurt. Most of our inspections used to be 50+- and really old stuff. As the market changes, the newer stuff is more difficult, for us.

[Jerry Simon]

As the market changes, the newer stuff is more difficult, for us.

Smart phone technology (thermostats, lights, door openers, etc.) Good golly; I is too old for this stuff.

[Les]

As the market changes, the newer stuff is more difficult, for us.

Smart phone technology (thermostats, lights, door openers, etc.) Good golly; I is too old for this stuff.

I will admit that the new technology sometimes eludes me. I remain sharp enough to know when to defer on some of that stuff. Deferring is difficult because for many decades I was the inspector that was critical of wholesale deffering; "have qualified professional inspect" - Always got grouchy when inspectors did that 15-20 times per report!

I always felt, and feel, they are paying me for my opinion, not another persons.

[Marc]

Methods, materials, products, appliances and issues affecting houses change constantly. We should keep up.

Marc

[Erby]

I'm with you Les. I seldom defer. It's broke. Have it, along with any other issues found while conducting repairs, fixed by a "whichever contractor".

And if I do have to defer, I'm after education so I don't have to the next time I see it.

There are several around here whose reports read like wholesale deferral.

Have a qualified roofer fully evaluate the roof.

Have a qualified siding contractor fully evaluate the siding.

Have a qualified plumber fully evaluate the plumbing system.

Have a qualified electrician fully evaluate the electrical system.

Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor fully evaluate the heating and cooling system.

Have a qualified insulation contractor fully evaluate the insulation.

Have a qualified structural engineer fully evaluate the foundation and structure.

Etc.

Don't know how they stay in business but a few of them do, though a lot of them don't.

[Nolan Kienitz]

I'm with you Les. I seldom defer. It's broke. Have it, along with any other issues found while conducting repairs, fixed by a "whichever contractor".

And if I do have to defer, I'm after education so I don't have to the next time I see it.

There are several around here whose reports read like wholesale deferral.

Have a qualified roofer fully evaluate the roof.

Have a qualified siding contractor fully evaluate the siding.

Have a qualified plumber fully evaluate the plumbing system.

Have a qualified electrician fully evaluate the electrical system.

Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor fully evaluate the heating and cooling system.

Have a qualified insulation contractor fully evaluate the insulation.

Have a qualified structural engineer fully evaluate the foundation and structure.

Etc.

Don't know how they stay in business but a few of them do, though a lot of them don't.

They are still in business as they only charge $250 per inspection. The "drive-by" inspectors are alive and well all over.

[Marc]

I'm with you Les. I seldom defer. It's broke. Have it, along with any other issues found while conducting repairs, fixed by a "whichever contractor".

And if I do have to defer, I'm after education so I don't have to the next time I see it.

There are several around here whose reports read like wholesale deferral.

Have a qualified roofer fully evaluate the roof.

Have a qualified siding contractor fully evaluate the siding.

Have a qualified plumber fully evaluate the plumbing system.

Have a qualified electrician fully evaluate the electrical system.

Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor fully evaluate the heating and cooling system.

Have a qualified insulation contractor fully evaluate the insulation.

Have a qualified structural engineer fully evaluate the foundation and structure.

Etc.

Don't know how they stay in business but a few of them do, though a lot of them don't.

They are still in business as they only charge $250 per inspection. The "drive-by" inspectors are alive and well all over.

Yeah, but sometimes it's because the 'client' is practically the agent, who's as happy as a clam at high tide when such a reporting style ends up translating as protection for the agent's commission.

Marc

[Erby]

The cheap guys come and go.

My business model has been keeping me as busy as I want to be for the last 10--15 years.

I don't spend a lot of time worrying (or even thinking about them.