Paul Brunetti,

Connie Grosch

Paul Brunetti inspects an electrical box.

home inspector.

A home inspector is like a general practitioner. I check everything: heating, air conditioning, roofing and foundation, electrical, plumbing, framing, general exterior, general interior, attic and basement.

But if you have a foot problem, a general practitioner sends you to a podiatrist. I can’t tell someone whether they should buy a house or not. If someone asks me how much a new boiler costs, I tell them to contact a heating contractor.

I enjoy crawling and climbing. And I know it sounds a little corny but I enjoy helping people make what we call in the business an “informed decision.” I save people thousands of dollars sometimes.

We’re creatures of habit. I do an inspection the same way every time. I explain the contract: what we do inspect, what we don’t inspect. I always start with the exterior, then go to the basement, first floor, second floor, attic. I point out leak or stains in the attic or a crack in the bathroom sink. I’m operating windows and checking electrical receptacles. I like the buyer to see what I’m doing so I encourage them to walk through with me. A crack in the tile floor? Not a big deal. Easily fixed. I look at the big ticket items. I try not to nitpick, but I do give them their money’s worth.

The house I inspected today was in pretty good shape. But let’s say I found a significant problem: termite damage, needs a new boiler, major electrical problems. These folks today are first-time buyers. They’re young, they’re nervous. They can say, ‘gee there’s too much going on here,’ so they put a letter together to the seller saying ‘pursuant to the inspection.…’

How do I deal with a real novice? I try to talk in layman’s terms. I can always sense how savvy someone is. I chat a little before the inspection, ask what they do for a living. Most people don’t have any construction background. I always ask ‘Is this your first house?’ If so, I slow down. I know I talk fast — it’s the Rhode Island curse.

I have to work fast — it takes three hours minimum to do an inspection.

I was in my 20s when I started at Griggs and Browne. It’s a great company: a third generation family-owned business. I’m in my 23rd year — got promoted to manager after two years here. Last year, Dan Griggs appointed me to the board of directors. I was so honored.

I bet I’ve inspected more than 10,000 homes — average 500 or 600 a year. Most common problem I find? Almost always electrical. People rigging something. That’s followed by roofing, then plumbing. But electrical is by far the most dangerous. And then there’s termites: we look for termite crunch with a probe. Termites eat wood, carpenter ants don’t eat it. Termites look like white rice with legs. If I find termites I usually find them close to the top of the foundations, in the sills. Some people are absolutely freaked out by termites.

What will cause a sale to actually fall through? People have different thresholds of what they can tolerate. It’s a psychological thing. For some people, the sky is falling and they don’t care, and other people are upset if a window doesn’t slide smoothly.

The home inspector sometimes takes the brunt. We’re not looking to blow anybody’s deal. It’s all in the delivery — it’s like a comedian. I’m not going to be alarmist. You’ll never hear me say ‘holy crap’ or ‘oh my god’ if I see something. If the buyers see me get nervous, they get real nervous. I try to talk in monotones and put it in perspective.

There are no licensed home inspectors in Rhode Island. I’m the president of the RI Association of Home Inspectors, and about 15 years ago, we tried to get a licensing procedure going. Many states have it — standards of practice, code of ethics, apprenticeship program — totally pro-consumer. We ultimately got a bill passed and Governor Almond signed it. So this law is on the books but it was never funded. It looks like it might finally be funded this year.

Last week, at a home inspection in North Providence, the realtor mentioned she saw some paw prints on the living room floor. They were raccoon prints. Raccoons can nest inside chimney flues. As we approached the fireplace, we could hear the raccoon making noises. Someone had left the damper open. Broom in hand, my client was ready to fend off the little intruder, but I closed the damper without incident. The whole scene was pretty comical.