Property Inspectors vs. Specialists

Why do inspectors always recommend specialists?

Our purpose as general inspectors is to look for defects, flag them and then recommend the appropriate specialist(s) for further evaluation. If we were to do the specialty inspection on every part of the structure, we would be there a good portion of the day and charge much more. Because the general inspection is non-intrusive, the inspector can’t excavate or dismantle anything to access components. It is the specialist’s job to do a more thorough investigation of the specific system in its entirety.

For example, when your doctor recommends you see a dermatologist, at that point he probably won’t check your whole body or do exhaustive testing. Similarly, when the consultant recommends a qualified professional for a system, it may not be necessary for the consultant to continue examining that particular component at length, since he already knows you need a specialist.

Do I have to actually hire a specialist or can I just forward the inspection report?
Often, the specialist will rely solely on the general inspector’s report and not examine the system in person. We do not recommend this. When inspector’s recommendations aren’t followed and the items that the inspector flagged aren’t physically examined comprehensively by a qualified specialist, your client has a greater risk of encountering unexpected problems in the future that likely would have been discovered by the specialist.

What if the licensed professional’s opinion conflicts with the inspection report?
Occasionally, the specialist’s opinion differs from the inspector’s findings. Remember, our job is to note defects or flag anything that could be a problem. The professional must then determine any actual problems and their severity. If the licensed professional challenges the inspector’s call, have him put his opinions in writing. If he’s confident in his knowledge, he will do it. If he refuses to put it in writing, you should get another opinion.