Sherlock Home Appraisal- Bad News, Watson!
Sherlock Home Appraisal
I was very disappointed with the appraisal that I purchased from Sherlock Home for $420 on several levels.
The inspection was rushed and it shows. For example, the major discovery of the day was water intrusion and it was missed by the appraiser. A few doors (not all) of kitchen cabinets were flipped open and shut. Fortunately, I was standing there and had him go back, because I was actually looking and I saw the water stains on the ceiling.
We zipped through at breakneck speed with no notes taken other than cell phone photos. When we ran appliances, it was not for the full cycle, or to test the hot water heater, but just to see if any water came out. When we saw non-working lights, we didn’t test with a working bulb to verify whether it was the bulb or the electrical system. A customer orders the report to KNOW if the lights will cost $4 or $4500. That’s the point. As far as actual findings, the 37 pages of report amounted to a single page about the property – if we add up little section paragraphs marked “COMMENTS.”
Over 97% of the document is about company policies and practices. It is a big report that is all boiler-plate filler about what Sherlock Home Inspection could look for and disclaimers about what they don’t look for. It is deceptively designed to look like way more than it is. SUCKER ALERT.
The report was also too vague to be usable. The language skirts a conclusion at all costs. The report weasels with wording such as “may need to” or “appears to” or “seems to” or “no evidence of” and so forth. If Sherlock Home Inspectors is the superior inspection company it claims to be, inspectors ought to be able to conclude and declare rather than hedge. The report is useless because buyer cannot negotiate or withdraw based on what “the inspector said” when the inspector only hinted.
The comments that “all areas of walls and floors could not be inspected due to current residents’ furniture &/or artwork” is tripe. A few staging pieces of easily movable furniture were present and there was no artwork. It’s a matter of taking the time to do it right…like you were the buyer.
On a personal level, I liked the inspector. I really prefer to be giving compliments when I have enjoyed dealing with someone. However, as a service, this is very poor product that falls far short.
As for environmental, Page 3 says samples will be taken and tested for lead. Although the unit dates to 1983…it wasn’t done. For the main purchase concern of air conditioner/air quality, my inspector advised me to hire an AC man to inspect – the job he was there to do.
Owner Todd "guaranteed" me I would be completely satisfied. Never made good. Watch out.
Footnote: Owner Todd Riley left a dishonest rebuttal to this review claiming I told him I was satisfied and claiming that a competitor must be making this review up. What a joke!!! I contacted Todd. I told him that I am a dissatisfied customer. He read my message and asked why I was dissatisfied. I told Todd about the shoddy, worthless inspection by chat with the EXACT TEXT -- word for word -- that I put in my review. He read every word before you or anyone else. Todd and his Sherlock Home Inspection company were given an opportunity to make good his (strictly) verbal "guarantee." They did not. Owner Todd is a slick salesman. Major integrity issues here.