40 Times Boston Home Inspectors Discovered Such Interesting Things, They Just Had To Take A Photo
Just like Alpha Alpha Structural, Inc. (previously here, here, and here), Boston Home Inspectors also rain on people's parades. Well, kinda. In a nice way.
"We are hired by the buyer of a property to inspect the exterior of the house, basement, and structure along with all of the home systems," James Brock of Boston Home Inspectors told Bored Panda. "We test all the outlets, appliances, windows, doors, and bathroom fixtures. We, both, look for items not installed properly or that may be deteriorated, defective, or have an item of concern. For example, a leak or unsafe conditions."
Besides looking for problems or issues, the company educates the buyer about the investment that they will be making. "We teach them how the various components in their new home work and what to expect for life expectancy and what to plan for future maintenance."
During the past 24 years, Boston Home Inspectors have seen quite a bit in their job. From crazy DIY solutions to years of neglect, they share pictures of their most interesting finds on social media. Here are some of the most popular ones.
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Found The Cool House In The Neighborhood!
When talking about common problems, Brock said their Instagram is a pretty good representation of the big picture.
"As you can see, decks seem to have the most issues. Many are not built right or inspected annually for issues. Wood and metal deteriorate and corrode. Too many times people have a deck built and never give it a second thought for 15-20 years, meanwhile, the wood is starting to rot and the metal components rust."
"Also the famous uncle who knows just a little about everything, but is master of nothing, has now built your dream deck wrong! The deck is now potentially dangerous. I understand homeowners are trying to save money, but most times these items will cost them more in the long run," Brock explained.
Well, Hello Now!
When You Need Privacy!
There are a lot of things that could make a home dangerous: it could be the hot water temperature (140F), stairs without handrails, loose toilets, uneven front steps, leaning basement stairs, non-GFI outlets next to a bathtub, window seats in a child's room, clogged fireplace flues, large icicles hanging from the gutters, uneven basement floors for tripping, fire hazards like clogged dryer vents or wiring not to code. The list is long. Apparently, there are many items in a home that can become unsafe if installed incorrectly or have started to age/deteriorate.
Another Room With A View!
Just A Cool Set Of Stairs
"I love to use the analogy with home buyers, do you take your car in for regular maintenance and yearly inspection? Your home is no different than your car," Brock said. "Your home needs the heating and air conditioning system serviced and maintained annually. Same with the roof, dryer vent, foundation, decks, water heater, fireplace, etc."
Kids, Please Grab The Oven Glove For Me
Mother-In-Law Door
Interesting
If you want to prolong your home's lifespan, Brock advises having a professional tradesman, who you can build a long-term relationship with. "[Your home] is your investment and it needs to be protected (inspected, serviced, and maintained). There are several dozen homeowners who have Boston Home Inspectors at their home every 3 years to inspect the major items and components and give them a list of the next few things they should focus on.
For example, Brock said that in the next 3 years, some of these people will have the chimney pointed, repair some deteriorated wood and paint the weathered side of the house, fix the loose deck handrails and repair the leaning fence. "[Regular annual maintenance of the home and its items] gives the direction and what to focus on next."
Seriously?? I Know You Said It Wasn’t Finished Yet
That's impressive. It takes years of work to teach a house how to use stilts.
All Right, Put Back The Other Half Of The House
With This Design You Can Multitask. Wash Dishes While You're On The Crapper
This Was Sent To Me From Masong187!
While creating the Instagram page, Brock wanted it not to be a science book or manual, lecturing people on what they should or not should do, we get enough of that all day long, he said.
"I wanted a spot where people could go, relate to a picture as a homeowner, laugh, and say 'I'm glad that's not my house.' And at the end of the day, they can look at their own home ... and they can say 'At least my deck post is not sitting on a bolder.' Or 'At least my home doesn't look like that.'"
Almost!
Found At Work Today!
Now This Is A Basement We Can Party In!
Hmmmm
Wavy Deck! Imagine A Couple Of Cocktails
Children And Drunks Are On Their Own!
Would Love To Chat With Who Came Second!!
Sometimes You Just Need A Little Edge!
Almost!
Kinda Close....for New Construction!
Dryer Lint. The Cremated Remains Of Missing Socks
Remember When???
Timber!
Seen Something Cool At An Inspection
Day 3 Of 7! Mold Week
Stairway To Nowhere
Looks Like I’m Going To Have A ‘Fun-Gi’ Day! Ok I’ll Stick To Home Inspections And Leave The Comedy Alone
I Bet The Tree Will Win!
I Have No Idea???
Somebody Forgot To Change The Water Filter
Hope The Rock Doesn’t Move!
Who Left The Trx Out During The Home Inspection??
More Water Is Going Up Than Down!
Found The Dryer Vent!
Why Bother??
Damn I Missed The Roof Party!
Holy Duct! You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! Fire Waiting To Happen!
When You Run Out Of Shims!
Boston, USA is an older town, with housing stock that is also old and predates modern building standards, hence the state of decay as well as ridiculousness of some of the upgrades. Honestly though, the situation is the same across Europe where the stock is old/ survived the wars.
There are still building codes and laws in Europe, you know. I lived 30 years in a flat in the attic of a house from the 1880's. Everything was up to code and safer than the s**t in these photos.
Load More Replies...Rough calculation, your 11.50pm is my 9.50pm Lol, it's perfect for evening scrolling!
Load More Replies...Boston, USA is an older town, with housing stock that is also old and predates modern building standards, hence the state of decay as well as ridiculousness of some of the upgrades. Honestly though, the situation is the same across Europe where the stock is old/ survived the wars.
There are still building codes and laws in Europe, you know. I lived 30 years in a flat in the attic of a house from the 1880's. Everything was up to code and safer than the s**t in these photos.
Load More Replies...Rough calculation, your 11.50pm is my 9.50pm Lol, it's perfect for evening scrolling!
Load More Replies...