TOPIC: Have you ever received a detailed list of questions on your contract?

THIS IS ONE I RECEIVED, I WAS PRETTY SURPRISED AT THE DILIGENCE THE CLIENT POSSESSED, BUT AT SAME TIME DIDN'T SEEM TO BOTHER ACTUALLY READING THE CONTRACT OR THE ILLINOIS SOP.
Questions re: AGREEMENT:

We reviewed and have a few questions/comments. 

         1. Please delete ‘radon’ from the ‘Exclusions’ as we have agreed to include that.
         2. Will you test for ‘normal functioning’ (kitchen and laundry household appliances, smoke detectors, exterior lighting, etc.) even if excluded?
         3. Will you list the presence of any ‘antennae, satellite dishes, lightening arrestors, trees or plants’ even if excluded?
         4. Will you list the presence of any ‘heating system accessories’ even if excluded?
         5. Will you list the presence of any ‘alarm systems (there is an ADT sign in the photo), security and fire protection systems’ even if not inspected?
         6. Can the report discuss missing or deficient items that are required by code or standard practice even if ‘excluded’ such as:

               1. lightening arrestor system or

               2. emergency power backup for the sump pumps,
               3. carbon monoxide alarms,
               4. GFI outlets, settled/cracked ac pad
               5. Frost Proof HB
               6. exterior lights, on wall and on post

         7. Can a sewer system videoing from house to street be requested in report (sewer back-up)? Is a die test from the sump another option?
         8. If there is visual evidence of a potential problem (like mold in the basement or attic, or termites or mice droppings, etc), can the report recommend a separate mold inspection and remediation?
         9. Can the report include approximate costs to repair deficiencies?
        10. The crawl space and garage and attic will be inspected, correct?
        11. Will the chimney/fireplace be checked for normal functioning (gas log type, NOT a wood burning)? How to check for chimney being clean?
        12. Can water pressure and quality be checked?



Can we discuss soon? Thanks again. We are looking forward to working with you and joining you on Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.

Is this someone from out of town? They are referring to photos like they've never seen the place.

Joe, I am curious to know how you are going to handle this. It sounds like a future PROBLEM client. They have done the due diligence that probably a few friends or relatives told them to do. You can tell from the questioning that they never read your PIA. I feel for you, but expect problems from this crew.

It was someone local.
The whole thing is over and done with. The client got an answer to every concern... yeah it took me an extra few hours , but i explained everything to them.

This is only the half of it.

I did my typical, thorough Inspection to my satisfaction, took my time and the report was well built at 70 pages & over200 photos.

Still , after submitting the report, I got a laundry list of worries and requests about the home,
And again I had to take several hours addressing each item until they fully understood.
I had to remind them time and time again that a home inspection is not technically exhaustive, and I had to rewrite a few of my narratives in the long hand including every bit of minutia. 

In the end they seemed grateful and pleased with the inspection, thanking me for bearing with them. They had been having a very hard time in the home search. I told them i would be there for them if the needed advice. Part of the job i guess... but whew!

Joe, I am curious to know how you are going to handle this. It sounds like a future PROBLEM client. They have done the due diligence that probably a few friends or relatives told them to do. You can tell from the questioning that they never read your PIA. I feel for you, but expect problems from this crew.

There was a relative who was a contractor and a fiance who was an architect- I'm telling you, this one needed extra special care to say the least...lol
So that's how i handled it- carefully.

Hopefully it'll result in multiple referrals to you