What is everyone’s thoughts on accepting photos from a third party for your reports?
Example you do a four point inspection it flags down double taps and improper drain pipes. The homeowner hires contractors gets it fixed and sends the agent photos of the work being done and the agent sends them to you expecting an updated report clean at no additional cost. There is an inspector in my area accepting this process.
I wouldn’t do that. And the agent could expect a free updated report from someone, I suppose, but not me. My time has value and I wouldn’t accept free liability.
My Policy: If I didn’t witness it with my own eyes… it didn’t happen!
(Yes that means another trip, and another fee to verify!)
No way would I report on someone elses observations.
Especially with insurance related stuff!
Guess who’s liable if the insurance refuses coverage based on a conflict with said information that you ‘assumed’ was legit but didn’t verify?!
No. I do a number of 4 points, and I have to say, not once have I been asked to update my report and resubmit it.
I might be convinced to re-do the report at small discount. I’m not certifying the work, just doing my observations of the system as is after a repair. To me it would be a new report, not an update. I certainly wouldn’t take someone else’s pics, include it in my report and submit it to an underwriter. That could be insurance fraud if the pics are fraudulent.
So you are talking about someone else doing this or did you get caught doing this and are looking to commiserate?
No, I’ve been inspecting since 2015 and refused to accept the photos sent in by the agent. Insisted on a fee and reinspection. I learned from another agent in that office that the office is being told not to use me.
This is what prompted my question. I knew I did right by the standards and liabilities. But there is an inspector or inspectors in my area that have resorted to this process that in my opinion is criminal and unethical.
Yes you did right by any standards or ethics requirements! As for liability it goes without saying you are avoiding it.
Obviously this is typical REA activity trying to be BMOC or BWOC to try saving their clients money. However they don’t realize the potential liability onto them for doing this.
Unfortunately it is what it is and not much you can do or is worth doing about the other Inspectors willing to play that game just to suck REA hind end thinking they will secure a spot in their referral lists forever. Those Inspectors will learn that to REA they are as expendable as a used roll of toilet paper and will be flushed down when it is convenient for the REA.
John, The verbiage below in in my normal home inspection contracts:
REINSPECTION - CLIENT agrees a reinspection of repair items submitted by CLIENT or their representative is not a guarantee of work performed by others and is not a substitute for obtaining receipts, licenses, warranties, permits, etc. from qualified and/or licensed contractors that performed the repair work. CLIENT agrees COMPANY was retained to determine if some level of repair was performed and further agrees to hold the repair contractor liable for any and all work that was not completed, partially completed, and/or not done in a safe or workmanlike manner. A reinspection is not a guarantee or warranty of future performance of any system, component or structural item. The reinspection fee is $100 minimum and may increase depending on the quantity of items to be inspected. Travel time will be billed at $50 per hour. COMPANY will schedule all reinspections based on current workload.
hits the fan for them, maybe you can get more business.