Q: Can I sue a home inspector who had falsely report roof conditions?
Hired Home inspector before closing on a home. Inspector's report stated roof was in good condition for 6-10 years. I purchased home. Less than a month of owning home, Homeowners insurance company stated roof was in terrible condition. I had to replace roof before I could be insured. Looking for some type of compensation of Home Inspection company (Baker Inspections) for false claims.
A: I am skeptical of your chances because the typical home-inspection contract contains strong disclaimers. Also, no roof lasts forever and the characterizations of the condition are subjective. Given that the typical roof lasts for 20-30 years, the inspector’s estimate may not have been far off. Two homeowners with identical roofs won’t replace the roof at the same time and could differ by 6 years in the time that they choose to keep the old roof. But, see an attorney for a more thorough review.
A: Normally, home inspectors limit their liability to the amount of the price of their inspection report. They state this in their contract with the prospective homeowner. However, they are not protected from gross negligence. It is important for you to have an attorney review the home inspection report further. The extent of damages would be based upon the disclosed lifetime of the room at the time of your purchase.
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