I agree with Steven on this one David. Sometimes with certain clients I have trouble with the “Befriending” part. 
Mostly for lack of effort on my part.
What about having one of the environmental specialists come in, someone that can take all the samples and test for a ‘sick house’ syndrome.
No way in this case.
While I don’t have a problem with the idea of being compared in general. I do have a problem with it if the client is completely untrusting of everything/everyone. If all they want to do is question what one inspector says against the other - and seeming to distrust both - it seems to defeat the client trust relationship that is so important in what we do.
I had a client who constantly compared what I was doing to what his “last inspector did” when he bought the house new. After 30 minutes I ended the inspection and walked away. There is a post about it somewhere on here.
I’ll bet that… “His Last Inspector” probably walked off of the job:p
I’m just a friendly guy, I guess. Nobody makes me nervous. I’m simply fun to be with and I do attempt to loosen up those who are nervous at the home inspection. Let’s not be too serious about the situation…
Apparently not according to him the inspector was there for over 6 hours.
Here is the post I made about it - funny stuff.
I did this about a year ago. I show up to the inspection and to my surprise I see another home inspector’s car there. I ask what’s going on and I’m told by the buyer’s realtor there will be two inspections. The other inspector is finishing up as I am getting there. Personally, I was nervous at first, but then I figured I would do the same inspection as I always would. This accually worked out great, as I came out squeaky clean (read client review HERE) It’s the first review on the front page. I have had a couple of people ask about this when calling.
So…I would say go for it IMO.
Oh Would I Love to be in your shoes. Do what you know and cover your butt with liability statements. It does have the opportunity to turn bad. Good luck and keep us informed.
I just wanted to let you know how this situation turned out.
Just to refresh everyone on the scenario.
I was hired to do a general, WDI and 2 radon tests.
A separate mold inspection was done and another general inspection was being conducted when I set up my monitors last Friday.
I was to do the general inspection on Monday morning.
Late Sunday I received a call to cancel the WDI and general inspection (No surprise there)
Then early Monday I get a call wanting to do the WDI inspection.
I was called at least 6 times by the prospective buyer in the week leading up to the inspection.
So on Monday I did the radon & pest inspections.
They asked me a few related general inspection questions. The other inspector appeared to do a good job. I did notice an open drain on the tree lawn, and the potential buyer said he missed a crooked toilet. I told her she could have 10 inspections and all of them would be different.
There were some issues with the house and they decided not to purchase.
I have no problems with there decision. I was paid well for my time.
I hope it works out for them!
No surprise there.
Thanks for the update Dave. Also, way to take the high road - Good attitude towards what sounded like something that was more of a pain in the backside than what it was probably worth. I have had a few that I really wished they would have just hired somebody else. After the 4th or 5th call with-in a day or two it gets to be a bit of a hassle & the red flags start flying.
Kevin,
Good for you! I would have told the client the same thing! 
I have had a couple of these type of clients:
- Overly concerned with issues of environmental health.
- Want to make sure that all paint and floor finishes were water based.
- Want Radon, Mold, WDI, water, Electro-Magnetic Radiation test.
- Believe (falsely) that a standard HVAC system can be used to regulate indoor air quality.
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Have small children, who have alergies, Autism, ADHD, etc.
-
Watch too much Oprah or Dateline NBC shows that report about house problems.
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Search the internet for the latest threat.
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Are unmarried.
I do the inspection, but try to explain that about 90% of their fears are baseless.
I had a couple who tried to sue me, unsuccessfully. Reasons:
- Failed to call out that the electrical transformer on the pole was within 100 ’ of the house (electromagnetic radiation hazard).
- The use of polyurethane foam (great stuff) to seal windows (afraid of VOCs)
- Claimed the house had lead based paint (it was built in 1992) because their friend (who is equally wacko) said it did because it was peeling. Seems she believed that all paint that peels is lead based.
- Claimed that I didn’t test for perscription drugs in the water. She actually tried to set me up by flushing some Viagra down the toilet at the beginning of the inspection and then calling me out when the lab report didn’t show the presence of Viagra in the water sample.
- One claimed that the house was a total mold farm because there was some mildew behind the vinyl bathroom wallpaper. She told me that an “expert” on Oprah stated that if the mold was black, that it was toxic.
- Wanted me to test for the presence of Argon gas in the thermal windows because she had read, somewhere, that Argon was highly poisionous (Argon is an inert gas, and harmless).
- Saw some cockroaches (probably brought in when she moved) and claimed that the WDI inspection didn’t find them and that I sould pay to have her whole house fumigated, under a tent, and that I HAD TO use an exterminator she knew (her friends brother) because he used non-toxic, “green” pesticides only.
- Wanted me to test for fiberglass insulation in the walls because she had heard that fiberglass was a carcinogen.
Takes all kinds, don’t it.
Did a radon test and WDI inspection on the clients 2nd attempt at a house.
The mold inspector was there at the same time.
They had there home inspection on Monday.
They finished the basement and there was seepage/mold at the carpet, drywall and basically the house needed exterior excavation. Original drainage with numerous large trees within 5/10 feet, improper grade, poor type window wells, overgrown vegetation, mold, water intrusion at interior Terra cota block foundation. (Hey lets just throw some new drywall and carpet and no one will ever no this house leaks like a sieve)
It was neat talking to my friend the Mold/Home inspector.
He/we found Potential asbestos in a crawl area. Supply and return going to garage.
I was just there doing a radon & pest but they kept asking me/us Home Inspection related questions.
Looks like a third job is lurking.
I think my friend the Mold inspector or I will be doing the general inspection.
At this rate we may do 4, 5 6+houses.
What has been your experience with clients who are overly concerned with environmental health issues during a home inspection?
Define overly concerned. Environmental concerns are almost always an issue with buyers. IMO, you need to be direct when addressing these concerns. Such as, “that determination is outside the scope of this inspection. I recommend you hire a specialist in this area to address your concerns”
Basically, that is not what I do and it is not why I am here. The SoP specifically excludes these issues. Now, if you have ancillary services that can address some of these concerns, then sell them that service.
I have had two clients in the past two years that had many of the same concerns with EMF and VOCs and such and I was able to address their concerns much as Brian just described because you need to set expectations for what a home inspection includes and what they need to get an “expert” for. I ended up doing multiple inspections for both of those clients.
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Give me a call. Office number below. We can talk. Way to involved for an email
Hope this helps;
William Decker, CPI, CMI
Decker Inspection Services
Office: (847) 676-8393
Cell: (847) 609-2345
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We don’t divulge ‘Trade Secrets’ to Non-Member looky-loo’s!!