Camelot Home Inspections Services

The overall 'report' was a basic Copy / Paste from a database with personal comments added that applied to our specific property. He was hired by the buyers, not by my husband and myself (the sellers). I know home inspection reports often sting because it's their job to find all of the BAD things on a property. He did find a lot of issues. Some we were aware of and others we were not. Some have been fixed since the report revealed them. Some will not be fixed. Others, mentioned below, made me laugh because of the complete stupidity revealed. The following are my notes to the new Buyers (the report has become a permanent part of our home's records now). I only included the portions of the report that were ridiculous. Site Fences and gates 1.1 The 'fence' mentioned is on TOP of a retaining wall and NOT being used as soil retention. The wood retaining wall (constructed when tract was put in in the 1970's) is used for soil retention. The fence is on TOP of the retaining wall. It is our understanding that the retaining wall is the responsibility of the home owner south of the property. She has made some repairs to it recently (see behind shed). It is recommended that it be replaced at some time in the future. ***IT APPEARS THE INSPECTOR DID NOT KNOW WHAT A WOODEN RETAINING WALL IS SO HE CALLED IT A FENCE IN HIS REPORT*** Concrete accessories 1.4 The pre-cast concrete fountain in the front yard is not concrete and is not staying with the house. The inspector needed to tap the fountain to notice that it is actually resin; lightweight and almost harmless. I carried that little gem all by myself and I can testify that it's not concrete. (Mellisa) **IT'S A VERY NICE LOOKING FOUNTAIN BUT IT IS QUITE OBVIOUSLY RESIN** Fireplace 9.4 If the inspector had looked to the LEFT of the fireplace, he'd see the gas control valve with the key. ***HE STATED IN HIS REPORT THAT THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE A CONTROL VALVE FOR THE LOG STARTER*** 9.7 There is no fireplace screen? Wow, what did I spend $49.99 + tax on at OSH then place directly in front of my fireplace? ***HE STATED THAT THERE IS NO SCREEN AND THE BUYERS SHOULD PURCHASE ONE BEFORE BUILDING A FIRE*** 9.8 Brick (broken hearth stone with crack) was glued with masonry adhesive in November, 2011. It is not LOOSE. **INSPECTOR SAID THE BRICK IS LOOSE AND NEEDS TO BE SERVICED FOR SAFETY??? IF HE'D TOUCHED IT, HE'D HAVE NOTICED THAT IT IS QUITE SOLID** Masonry fireplace 9.9 Floor of fireplace is NOT completely concealed by ash, as stated in report. It was thoroughly cleaned when we put the house on the market several months ago. There is no way the inspector could not inspect it. **I DARE THE INSPECTOR TO COME SHOW ME THE ASH THAT COMPLETELY COVERS THE FLOOR OF THE FIREPLACE. THERE IS NONE AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY FOR MONTHS** 9.10 Metal deflector shield is not 'installed' as stated in the report. It is sitting at the back of the fireplace to deflect heat into the room. There is no way the inspector could not look behind it if he'd actually touched it. All he would have to do is remove the screen (that he stated is not there in comment 9.7) and move it with his hand. **I LAUGHED WHEN I READ THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO INSPECT THE BACK OF THE FIREPLACE BECAUSE OF THE DEFLECTOR** Overall, I found him guilty of being lazy. Due to his laziness, his inspection & report were incomplete. I don't like to call someone 'stupid' but some of his comments (now permanent records) are stupid. A resin fountain listed as concrete. A fireplace screen there but not there. So much ash in a clean fireplace he couldn't see the floor? A heat deflector 'installed' that is only sitting there, doing its job; deflecting heat. He is not allowed to ever come onto our property again. He is, in my opinion, unprofessional. His inability to do simple things like tap a fountain, move a fireplace screen, and find a valve a few inches to the left of the fireplace make me wonder what kind of training and experience he has.