MARVIN H SCHAEFER INSPECTION

My inspector was Scott Alban he was very nice professional knowledgeable kind he explained things with passion he's friendly very ontime he knows his stuff I was very comfortable with him. He included us in the inspection I was very impressed he's Amazing and he's very professional and he loves his job I am very happy big up urself Scott Alban ?.

During heavy rain Paul took his time outside looking at everything. He could have gone faster but that would have been unfair to me if he missed something because he didn't want to get soaked. He wore boot covers inside and took his time looking at everything. It was a two hour inspection for a one bedroom Condo. I feel I got my money's worth! Thank you Paul!

Went well and received a comprehensive written report.

it was great!

unknown

ME AND MY FAMILY WERE LOOKING TO PURCHASE A HOME AND WE NEEDED A HOME INSPECTION COMPANY TO COME INSPECT THE HOME PROIR TO THE PURCHASE. WE HIRED MARVIN H. SCHAEFER COMPANY TO DO THE INSPECTION. THE OVERALL INSPECTION TOOK ABOUT 1 HOUR, THATS RIGHT 1 HOUR TO INSPECT A WHOLE HOUSE! ILL GET RIGHT TO THE POINT ONE CRITICAL AREA THAT WAS TO BE INSPECTED WAS THE ROOF. THE INSPECTOR SAID THE ROOF APPEARED TO BE 10 TO 15 YEARS OLD AND THE PLYWOOD THATS WAS UNDER THE SHINGLES WERE BUCKLING BUT GOOD. SO WE MOVED IN TO OUR NEW HOME AND WITHIN 1 MONTH THE ROOF BEGAN TO LEAK! WE CONTACTED A ROOFING COMPANY THINKING IT WAS SOMETHING MINOR BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE ROOF I WAS TOLD WAS 30 YEARS OLD BY HOME DEPOT AND THE LEAK WAS A BIG HOLE RIGHT ABOVE THE BED ROOM! WE CONTACTED SCHAEFER COMPANY AND THEY DID ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING! THEY CAME TOOK 2 PICTURES OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROOF AND WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WE SPENT ALMOST $10,000 ON A NEW ROOF AND ALL WE ASKED THE INSPECTION COMPANY TO DO WAS PICK UP THE BILL FOR THE MATERIAL USED WHICH WAS $3,700. WE STILL HAVE NOT YET HEARD BACK FROM THE COMPANY! PLEASE I ADVISE YOU TO USE MY EXPERIENCE AND NOT USE THIS COMPANY FOR YOUR HOME INSPECTION!

This is not a "sour grapes" review because a few minor issues were found during the home inspection, but just the facts.  Our Radon levels were a little high and we had a radon mitigation system installed within 72 hours of being notified.  Also, our water softener was setup to backwash into our septic system.  This is very common and was allowed/legal when the system was originally installed almost 17 years ago.  Buyer did back out of the purchase because of these two issues, but we were under contract again within 4 days.

1) Inspector showed up a 1/2 hour early, but that really wasn't a big deal.

2) Front door was left unlocked at the end of the inspection.

3) Main burner switch was left in the off position after the inspection.  I was in NH where we're building a new home and my poor wife had no hot water for several days until I was able to get back to CT to find the issue.  I should have just called our plumber and sent them the bill.

4) They just assumed that someone would be home to pick up the radon test, even though no time or date was given for their return.  Our realtor called and I let him know my wife would be back to the house in 15-20 minutes, but I guess they were too busy to wait.  They asked about coming out again the next day and I told them anytime before 7:00am or after 5:30pm would be fine.  Some of us actually work during the day.  They said that wouldn't work for them, so they finally decided they'd come back later the same day they couldn't wait the 15 minutes.

5)  Reported "The well location was not found.  It is either below grade or concealed somewhere on the property."  The well sticks 2-3' out of the ground and is easy to locate.  It's even visible while standing right at the front door.

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unknown

unknown

He was wonderful. He was very thorough and reviewed information with us regarding our home like how things work as far as electrical. He gave us suggestions like how long will thing last. He got here early which is timely and I appreciated it.

I would not recommend this inspector, Tom Tussing. I had concerns regarding the roof, and asked him specifically about it multiple times. He simply looked at the roof and said it was fine. Did not get up there, did not even use binoculars. A roofer later told me that the roof had maybe 2 years left. However, this company did at least refund my money and I appreciate that. Other inspectors at this company have a better reputation.

good

Booking an appointment was easy - we were able to get the inspector we wanted and a time that worked for us with only 3 days notice. (I should note that the price was higher than we expected, even in light of the fact that it's a larger and older home, but now that the inspection is done, it was worth every penny.) The inspector (Tom) was early and was ready to go when we got there at the scheduled time. At no point did we feel like we were intruding on his inspection - in fact, he wanted us to follow him so he could explain what he was looking for and what he found as he went around the interior and exterior of the house and conducted a thorough inspection. He explained everything to us in detail, and was friendly and helpful in answering the multitude of questions we had. Being first-time owners of a physical structure (house) as opposed to an apartment, this was invaluable. His report arrived about 2 hours after he left the house, and contained incredible detail (text and accompanying photos) on his findings, including an important distinction between items requiring immediate attention and those more suited to monitoring over time. Not only do I feel more comfortable with the various systems contained in a house, but any anxiety I had about the condition of those systems in the house we were buying is now gone, thanks to Tom's explanations and his report, which will serve as the guidebook to our new home.

My wife and I never actually met the guy who did the inspection and I wasn't around when he did it. They sent us a very detailed and understandable packet of information that they felt needed to be repaired, looked at or replaced.