House Detectives
The sale of a home often hinges on the work of one person – the home inspector.
By Tim McNellie

When Thomas Scheidler goes to work, people get nervous.

That’s because he makes his living as a home inspector, looking for defects in the houses that his clients are just one favorable report away from buying. That can cause a bit of stress among prospective home-buyers. After weeks or months of house-shopping, and finally finding the perfect structure in the perfect location at the perfect price, the entire deal often hangs on the inspector’s findings. A serious problem like a damaged foundation or a bad roof could complicate, or even end, negotiations over the sale. “The homebuyer is usually very quiet when I start an inspection,” says Scheidler, owner of AllTech Engineering & Inspection Services in Bethel Park. “They’re under a lot of stress and they’re very nervous.”

It’s an odd line of work, being a home inspector. They’re part engineer, examining the structural integrity of a home; part detective, making sure that the current homeowner isn’t hiding any serious issues with the house; and part counselor, as they work with people going through what will likely be the largest (and most nerve-wracking) purchase they ever make.

Not all mortgages require a home inspection, but virtually every real estate agent, banker, and mortgage broker will agree that it’s a good idea to have one done. Without a thorough inspection, a homebuyer can easily get burned by overpaying for a house with serious structural flaws. And it’s that prospect that gets people nervous.

“When I arrive at the house, it’s usually just me and the home-buyer, and maybe a real estate agent” Scheidler says. “I’ll start by introducing myself and going over what I’m about to do, to try to put them at ease. If they’re comfortable, they’re willing to ask questions about the home they’re buying, and once they get involved, they feel better about the process, like they’re not being excluded.”

It’s helpful to have them involved, many home inspectors agree, because almost inevitably the house is going to have defects. Not necessarily moneydraining, deal-killing problems like a chimney about to topple over, but every house, even the brand new ones, will reveal something that needs attention. It’s the nature of the beast; a house is the result of the labor of scores of different tradesmen toiling in a relatively short time. In the process, things are overlooked or aren’t constructed properly.

“I’ve never inspected a home that had nothing wrong with it,” says Matt Adams, owner of the BrickKicker Home Inspection in Washington. “You’ll typically find something wrong, even it is just a minor thing in the electrical box, or a gutter not installed just right.” Easily-fixed problems like those typically won’t affect a home’s sale, however. Only about 20 percent of the houses inspectors see will have significant problems that could adversely affect the value of the home, Adams says.

In Western Pennsylvania, the most common of the more serious problems stem from water issues. The soil in the region is predominantly clay. When it rains, it doesn’t absorb water very well, which leads to constantly flooded basements. When the soil does soak up the water, it expands, pushing out against basement walls, which leads to cracking and buckling. Home-sellers are required to disclose serious problems prior to sale, but some choose not to (or just aren’t aware of serious defects). It’s up to the home inspector to uncover any flaws that haven’t already been reported. Often a simple process of disclosing a defect, sometimes the evidence is covered up. “I don’t see a lot of it, but a few times a year I’ll see fresh paint over mold and stains,” says Mike Orr, of Basset Home Inspection in Cecil.

Photo: Home inspector Thomas Scheidler checking out a fixture.

“Sometimes, people will store boxes in front of a cracked wall, or actually build a wall in front of the bad wall.”

“If I go into a place with fresh paint, I’m suspicious,” Scheidler says. “If I go into a basement or garage without fresh paint, I can see everything I want about that wall.” Occasionally, Orr says, the home-seller will have paid to fix a problem, but the original defect is not corrected.

Despite the potential cost-savings of a solid home inspection, some people still opt against them when buying a house. Or they’ll try to save a few bucks by finding the cheapest inspector possible, a move that leaves experienced inspectors befuddled. “It’s the biggest investment they’re ever going to make,” Orr says, “but instead of asking the inspector questions about his experience and background they’ll simply pick one based on price.” Scheidler agrees: “When you’re buying a home, you’re spending a lot of money. The inspection is the cheapest part of it. We don’t pass or fail a home, that’s up to you. But in the three hours we’re there, we get you as much information about that house as we can.”

"The real estate market in the South Hills is very stable. In fact, home prices are even edging up. We never experienced the bubble that affected home purchases across the country. There was no over-production here. Realtors in Pittsburgh are very professional. We give buyers and sellers a sense of confidence in the process."
- Lisa Carr, Howard Hanna

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A Vietnam veteran visits Chartiers Valley high school to recount one of the darkest chapters in U.S. military history.

Unlikely Friendships
A trip to one of Africa’s most desperate countries teaches a CV student that people aren’t so different after all.

Officer of the Year
Scott Township’s Police Department unanimously names Alan Ballo its top cop.

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