I get it. Buying a home is exciting, and it is for most people, a family affair. I often see my clients Parents show up just to see what kind of madness their kids are getting into. Their parents try very hard not to look too proud, or conversely too relived that their kid is (finally) getting a house of their own. I personally love seeing Mom and Dad show up. Buying a home is a celebration, milestone or right of passage kind of thing. I can work with that, see the love and concern, and respect it.
It is also true that more often than not, when a single women is buying a house they often have a Dad or Uncle show up at the inspection as a sort of backup (their in house go to guy). Like, if you are buying a used car you might take along a buddy or family member who is a mechanic for their input. Often these family members own a house, or have owned several homes, or are in a construction related field. I’m fine with that, I know my business, and I think it’s sweet that they show up for a family member (I would do the same for my kids if asked). These situations are really not distractions, and strike me as being very reasonable.
However, there are the times when a client will bring small children through, and they stay, and they run about the house, and well, be kids… A few weeks ago I had three kids along with their parents at the entire inspection. As far as kids go, they were very adorable. This particular house was vacant (the owners had moved out) and the house was professionally staged with furniture and artwork. The kids promptly redecorated (not my concern). They played on the outside play structure (not my risk) but nonetheless it was distracting to me. When I was outside inspecting the main electrical panel in that area they sang and sang and sang. Of course the singing was interspersed with arguing amongst themselves and asking questions of everyone within 10 feet of them. I was tolerant, and yet I was keenly aware of how distracting they were and realized that their parents had no idea that this was possibly having a negative impact on their inspection.
Home inspections are primarily visual, however all inspectors use their other senses, and sound is a key element of the inspection. I noticed that when the kids were singing or arguing (almost constantly) I could not hear the fan over the cook-top or if the dishwasher was pumping out as it changed cycles. I turned on the gas key for the fireplace log lighter and could not hear the gas so I had to stick my head in the fireplace and get a good whiff of gas (not my favorite thing) just to tell if it was working. As I move from room to room I keep an ear out for the fans. Do they speed up or slow down, does the dishwasher change cycles, does water in the dishwasher backup into the sink or drain properly? I’m aware of these things as I open windows and doors, check locks and electrical outlet…when I can hear them. I learned on this occasion that properly working bathroom fans are no match for Row Row Row Your Boat sang in English or Japanese.
I personally tap on windows as well as look at them for cracks. Sometimes you don’t see a crack if the lighting isn’t right, but you may hear a cracked window rattle when you tap on it. That is, provided no one is arguing about who put the magazines and the sofa throw on the floor, or who scattered the fake strawberries across the counter-top and into the sink before a frazzled parent who is desperately trying to divine the truth of that little charade with a little “raised voice” interrogation of their own.
The worst part is usually at the end of the inspection. The kids are understandably bored to tears, often literally at that point, and their parents of course want to direct their full attention to the inspector to learn about the conditions of the house. The kids on the other hand only want one of two things, their parents attention or to leave and frankly they often want both. I cringe when the parents keeping saying with no real effect “just one more minute” to the kids, and in reality I have five to ten more minutes of data to deliver. Often by the time they are writing me a check the kids are melting down, tears and all.
In fairness, it must also be very distracting to the parents to have the kids melting down as they are trying to take in the information the inspector is trying to convey on site. Sure there will be a follow up report, but so many people want to hear it on the spot and ask questions and when they get the chance their kids are not liking it. The fact is, too many clients do not have a reasonable expectation about how long an inspection takes or know that the kids could be distracting to all parties.
This is my attempt to inform the public at large, HOME INSPECTIONS ARE BORING. They take longer than any kids attention span, and are in no way entertaining to them, nor are they their idea of a good time.
My bottom line on kids at the home inspection, no not so much. Yes, by all means get a home with a yard for them, just do yourself a favor and hold off on bringing them until a more appropriate time.
All the best!
