The problem is that, sometimes, the big picture is expansive enough -- such a broad focus -- that defects are not that apparent, or they come at you from left field. Below is a good example This is a brand new house in a development. When I arrived, the realtor was parked in the driveway, off to the right side.
My first thoughts were that the concrete looked good, new and all, so my suspicions were not running high. A few minutes later, the realtor exited the driveway and, in so doing, his truck ran OFF the curb. What?
Take a look below. The tape in the photo is a bit crooked, but it illustrates the point. If you line up the right edge of the vehicle door with the driveway, and drive straight back, the vehicle will run over the curb and down onto the storm drain.
Someone suggested to me that this was a problem, mainly, because they had not planted a tree in that little square of grass. I do not know that a tree would exactly thrive there but, also, then you would back into the tree. I do not know what the builder is going to do on this one as the clients really would rather not deal with this problem over the years, personally, and when they have company.
Let me suffice to say that I am glad that this came to my attention. The inspector is so busy looking at everything, checking out the concrete, flashings, etc, that it is easy to miss something this subtle in the big picture. You do not normally have to line up the garage door with the very end of the driveway.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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Steven, I think that falls into the category of not thinking. I suspect that the superintendent or builder didn't take a "macro" look at the situation when they sighted the house on the lot, and once that was done, it was too late to make adjustments. Interesting problem without an easy solution.
John
I think you are right on that one. I hear a rumor that they had a similar problem at another house and they did some concrete work.
Steven - Good point. In fact my own driveway is sort of like this one. It almost is considered a wing now. I don't mind it as long as I remember not to run over the curb.... lol
The opening at the curb is not required to be the same width as the garage door. Would it be that wide if the driveway was 50 feet or a 100 feet longer? Would be real nice if it was in this case---just not required:)
You might not have intended this but I got a good laugh over the micro/macro. I find the art of inspection entertaining. (Been way too long in the RE industry if inspection quirks are my entertainment I guess)
Charlie,
Might not be required but clients need to know. In this case, if you had a couple cars parked on the left side, not sure you could get cars in on the right side. Anyway, clients were concerned about it, did not like that, and will find out if the builder will modify as he did at another place.
Steve, If there was a tree, I would take it down on a regular basis. I would have to plant one that was a foot in diameter for it to be effective. How would the builder modify, just curious. Considering the arrangement I'm clueless how to make the situation better.
Let me qualify. I'm sure he doesn't want to move the storm sewer receptor, but I suppose that is an alternative.
Jack,
The developer owns the property, condos. So the curb is his. He could change it. That leaves the storm drain. A city guy, who was there, seemed to think it could stay where it was and be driven over all the time.
Steve, What a tangled web. Hey do you think either will do anything?
Builders do the craziest things. They don't seem to be able to think......This is a vivid, nicely done illustration.
I remember watching a home being built near me which was on a corner lot. The driveway and two car garage faced the busy street with the drive put basically right in front of the corner stop sign. I ended up inspecting this house months later.
While I was in the garage something about it was funny. What had happened was the builder ended up having to remove the driveway and move it 90 degrees to the left side of the house. He also had to close the garage front entry and made a new side entry. How stupid was that!
I know what you mean about looking up close and from the distance. It is amazing what can be seen from a distance, better than from close up.
I saw something like that once before. But in that case everyone knew about it and the builder already agreed to fix the problem. The one you saw is much more challenging given the location of that drain.
But is the problem that the drive was installed at the wrong location, or the house? :)