I purchased my home one year ago. I had a home inspection done. My home is on a crawl space. Shortly after moving in, I noticed some cracks appearing in a doorway and then on the ceiling above my cabinets. I could then tell they had been covered up previously. Now my sons ceiling has cracked all the way across it. The floors are giving. I have had two companies come and inspect the crawlspace. The main support beam is giving and is made of 2x4's. The floor joists are 2x6's. New cracks are now now coming daily. I contacted the home inspection company and they have stated they did not have to tell me the support beam was 2x4's. One floor joist had been cut into and spliced back together. They said they did not have to tell me about that also. I do not have the money these companies want to fix this mess. My house may go into foreclosure over this. Is the home inspection company telling me the truth? Was it ok to use 2x4's for the main support beam & they did not have to revea
2007-08-25 03:40:27 · 4 answers · asked by Rosie S 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I think you should consult an attorney.
From what you describe, the structural issues of this house are significant. The home inspector may be trying to avoid acknowledging that he is incompetent or didn't bother to do his job.
You need an attorney to answer this question: is the home inspector liable when he fails to find issues, especially issues that should be obvious to someone in that profession?
2007-08-25 03:57:05 · answer #1 · answered by R_Crumb_Rocks 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Before the 1970s, building codes weren't really enforced. At least not around here. They didn't even do building inspections. That's why it's called buyer beware. Home inspections at purchase time are for info only. They may find issues that you wouldn't on your own. They are in no way liable, they are for advice only. These support issue you mention can be solved. If you aren't a DIY person, I would pay someone to do the work. Letting a house go into forclosure is always a bad idea and should be last resort.
2007-08-25 13:40:00 · answer #2 · answered by morris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to get a structural engineer to give you a few ideas .My home was built in the late 50s and I have had some of the same problems I have fixed my problems but with out knowing your abilities will not go into how I would fix this problem
2007-08-25 12:40:11 · answer #3 · answered by oildog#1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your local Building Codes office. They should be able to give you the information you need. I would also ask the Home Inspection company to explain why they feel they do not need to give you information, since you paid them.
2007-08-25 10:49:57 · answer #4 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋