Home Inspectors

[tulsa1603]

Anyone know a GOOD one?  I mean GOOD!  I'm about to put in a contract on a bank owned property - which means no disclosures, as-is.  Scares me to death.  I'm an architect, and I have access to lots of structural engineers, and I have a pretty good knowledge of lots of house stuff, but I'm scared to death that I'm gonna miss something.  Haven't been through the home buying process in several years.  Any advice or experience in this realm appreciated.

[Nick Danger]

We have used Knox a couple of times in the past, and they were pretty thorough.

[downtowndweller]

When we had our loft built, we used a 3rd party inspector after completion. We were very pleased with the results and he came very highly recommeded. Michael Hendon, Herndon Engineering Inc. 918-627-0714 or herndoneng@sbcglobal.net

[Michael71]

We bought the same kind of thing.  I suggest a structural inspection.

[tulsa_fan]

I would recommend Herndon as well, he seemed extremely thorough.  He was hired by my builder to inspect our home after the problems began.  He was later not used by them, I guess he was too honest and told them it was their fault.  He said he's ont he side of the house, not the seller or buyer, he wants to see houses be stong and last so I think he would do a great job.

[Conan71]

Knox is good so is Atkinson, but they are "flea-pickers".  Some inspectors don't feel adequate unless they scare the crap out of you with their thoroughness.  If you are an architect, you should have enough physics and structural accumen that I'd only worry about MEP and termite/rot.

I'd never steer someone to blow-off all inspections, but you can indentify obvious structural issues with your degree and a little common sense.  I have yet to see a house in the Tulsa area that I could not spot repaired structural issues.  It's mech. plumbing and electrical (and bugs) that hide behind the walls.

Move forward w/ it or PM me if you want a number for a good inspector.

[tulsa1603]

Well, I want someone who will nitpick the hell out of it.  I know i can sift through what's something to be truly scared of and what isn't.  I'm not so concerned about structural as I am about MEP, drainage, rot, etc..

Thanks for all the advice guys.

[nathanm]

I prefer the nitpicking also. Better to know all the little things, which you can then choose whether to care much about or not, than to not know and find out once you move in.

Of course, our supposedly nitpicky inspector failed to notice the hallway light in our new place doesn't function.