What Recourses Homeowners Have
Fabricating the truth
Recently, I received an e-mail from a stranger asking me about a problem he had with a faucet in his bathroom. He complained that it was taking around two minutes for the hot water to flow out of the faucet. This is obviously a waste of water, and since the house was newly built, he was looking to the builder to correct the problem. The man tells me that the builder and the plumber who worked on the home informed him that the faucet had met building code. According to the new owner, he was told by the builder that in the state of Texas the code allowed three minutes before hot water arrived at the faucet. In his e-mail to me, he asked if indeed this code existed.
I was unaware of any code that listed a set time for hot water to flow from any source, but I went through my code books just to make sure. In the end, I found that this man had been hoodwinked by the builder and the plumber. The plumber had apparently lied to the new owner, instead of being forthright with him. Thankfully for the Internet, the owner was able to do a Google search for a 'home inspector expert' and came across my Web site and contact information.
Double check
But this doesn't mean the Internet is the end-all and be-all for your home queries. Some Web sites and blogs can be a source of misleading information. The diversity and complexity of building codes makes it difficult to create a one-size-fits-all Web site that could effortlessly answer all your questions about an inspection or help you understand the intricacies of local codes. Maybe every homeowner needs a good inspector as a friend? Or better yet, contractors and builders should be held to some standard of ethics when dealing with homeowners. I am not sure what course of action should be taken, but we should consider some plan. Make sure you check the credentials of any so-called expert you're soliciting advice from, and always get a second opinion if you're uncomfortable with their suggestions.
How do you think home owners can be better kept informed?
Frank Schulte-Ladbeck, Professional Real Estate Inspector
Comments
I am not interested so much in the public slamming a builder, but I am interested in every business being held accountable. Whether this is done through ratings on a website or some oversight board. What is more of a concern for me is the idea that valid information should be available to the consumer. Maybe building departments should place their building codes online, so homeowners can examine them, or maybe a query form so consumers can obtain an answer within a reasonable time (and yes I know that most building departments are overworked at this time, so maybe cities should provide them with more funds for such a project). What I really want is to find a way to help the consumer.
I think encouraging more ratings on Websites for plumbers, builders and inspectors will help keep the individuals honest. In life poeple do bad things when they don't think they will get caught. Sometimes acting big brotherish forces people to do the right thing.
I think you will open a can of worms if you let people public slam a builder. A discrental home owners who may just be difficult to begin with could damage a builder's reputation.
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