OP
ETD66SS
Platinum Member
No, I decided to skip the radon test. It's not a big problem in the area.
I can just test it myself.
Any asbestos siding experts here?
- Thread starter ETD66SS
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No, I decided to skip the radon test. It's not a big problem in the area.
I can just test it myself.
Grand_Pooba
Silver Member
Your Real Estate agent should get it tested for radon for you. The tests are cheap $15.
I thought he was kidding with you about that.
OP
ETD66SS
Platinum Member
Actually, the home inspector wants $175 to do the radon test.
Yes, it's quite a racket.
Unfortunately, the general public has few alternatives to try and protect themselves, besides hiring a home inspector.
A friend's father is in the business. Most of what they do is a dog and pony show, to to convince you beyond a doubt, they are worth the money.
I have met individuals who were in the home inspecting business, who did not impress me, even though they were licensed.
Since a lot of judgment calls have to be made, you need someone who has had real experience with these issues, making those judgments.
A full time home inspector has a huge conflict of interest. i.e. The inspector that gets a reputation for being a deal killer in the real estate community, will find their workload very light. Thus often times, some, (usually less significant), issues may be over looked, or down played, to keep the buyer from bolting. And sometimes, it's more extreme than that.
Again, if you don't have your own ability to really look at a home, and a home inspector its your only resource, use them. But for God's sake, don't let either the buyer agent, seller agent, or mortgage company, "suggest" their guy, CONFLICT OF INTEREST!!! If you know a good, experienced contractor, who has no ties to the real estate community, that is potentially a much better way to go.
OP
ETD66SS
Platinum Member
I got the name of this home inspector from the local building inspector...
He comes highly recommended.
My father & I have enough knowledge to look at stuff & see problems, but it's more of a piece of mind thing I guess, as I'm not an expert in the field. And experience does count in situations like these I think.
I do agree with your assessment that it is a racket however.
Still not sure I want to pay $175 for a Radon test that will most likely be wasted money. I'm 50/50 on the Radon test.
He comes highly recommended.
My father & I have enough knowledge to look at stuff & see problems, but it's more of a piece of mind thing I guess, as I'm not an expert in the field. And experience does count in situations like these I think.
I do agree with your assessment that it is a racket however.
Still not sure I want to pay $175 for a Radon test that will most likely be wasted money. I'm 50/50 on the Radon test.
tommu56
Elite Member
You can buy 4 or 5 kits off the web for that price
The difference is time some need to be left in place for 30 days some less.
tom
The difference is time some need to be left in place for 30 days some less.
tom
Piperflyer
Gold Member
I'd try and get my best price and use the asbestos as a bargaining agent with the seller. Get a free estimate on the removal and tell the seller you'd like that much of the estimate price knocked of the house. Sounds like you want to reside it anyways, so don't include the residing price in the deal.
2manyrocks
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2007
- Messages
- 8,679
It would be ironic to pass on a house because of absestos siding that you tested for and then get stuck with the one house that happened to have radon gas that you didn't test for.
OP
ETD66SS
Platinum Member
I am going to test for it, myself... I just don't see the point in paying $175 for something that the EPA maps tell me won't be an issue.