Originally Posted By: rzimmerman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
So what defines a fee paid inspection. I know you get paid
Does it need to be a whole house inspection? Do you need to use your reporting SW?
The reason I ask is I just completed 41 HUD inspections. I will complete an online HUD form and will be paid? Can I count these toward my fee paid inspections?
Now these inspections are VERY limited in scope. They are health, safety, visual damage inspections only. But they do meet the requirements of the HUD contract.
Originally Posted By: gbell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
It is my understanding that any inspection should meet the requirements of the SOP and have a fee to be considered a fee paid inspection for purposes of meeting qualifying membership requirements.
Originally Posted By: jburkeson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Rob,
I am in agreement with Greg, although if we ever get an HI licensing law in Florida they may count toward your minimum inspection count, as licensing requirements are usually not as stringent as association's SOP's, keep good documentation.
-- Joseph Burkeson, RPI (Hooperette)
?Anyone who has proclaimed violence his method inexorably must choose lying as his principle.?
~ Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
As Joe and Greg said, keep good records.
I can't make that call either.
I will say that they "might" count, but I would not count on that ... but maybe ... then again ... 
Originally Posted By: rzimmerman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jpeck wrote:
.
I will say that they "might" count, but I would not count on that ... but maybe ... then again ... 
O' that helps
Well I just sent a note to a member of the SOP committee. Below is from the note.
Scenario #1
I recently completed 41 HUD Special Property Inspections (SPIs). These are limited visual inspections that cover Health, Safety and Damage. All utilities are off (no power, water or gas). All are winterized (at least this time of the year). Per the client, no systems are to be checked, attic to be accessed. Roof reviews are to be from ground level only. Pictures are taken of the front, address, rear and any issues. There are no requested system checks to be conducted per the client (HUD). For performing the requested inspection a fee is paid.
Scenario #2
I recently completed a 4-point inspection as follows
A. Electrical. Review for functional operation only.
B. Plumbing. Review for functional operation only.
C. Roof. Review for functional operation and provide opinion if under 15 years old.
D. HVAC/Heat. Review for functional operation only
This is a simple report for insurance on older homes prior to writing a policy. These are one-page simple narrative reports. No request or requirement for review or reporting outside the above guidelines. The client is the homebuyer and is responsible for the fee. The report is provided to the insurance company and copied to the buyer. These may or may not be part of a home inspection. For this scenario let?s assume it is a stand-alone report.
Questions;
1. For a non-member requesting membership to NACHI, who so far is not bound by the SOP or COE, would these count as Fee Paid Inspections?
2. For existing members. As these meet the clients request, the COE and I believe the SOP would these count as Fee Paid Inspections?
Originally Posted By: ecrofutt This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I wouldn’t count them. I don’t think either of them follow the SOP. If I had to stretch to meet numbers, I just wouldn’t feel right counting the cheapies like that.
Though I do know an inspector who uses crap like that to artificially inflate his numbers to "thousands of inspections".
Hey, the cash is good and I've done some of those cheapies myself to put food on the table, I just don't count them as home inspections.
Your own morals should be more of a guide than anything else.
Originally Posted By: jstewart1 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Robert,
Cheapies, crap put food on the table!! What kind of inspections are you doing down there, crack houses? shooting galleries? houses of ill repute?    
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
ecrofutt wrote:
I wouldn't count them. I don't think either of them follow the SOP.
They meet more SoPs than one would think.
Go back and read the Sops, including the exclusions and exceptions.
Like this, from the *ASHI* SoP.
2.3 These Standards of Practice are not intended to limit inspectors from:
including other inspection services, systems or components in addition to those required by these Standards of Practice.
specifying repairs, provided the inspector is appropriately qualified and willing to do so.
excluding systems and components from the inspection if requested by the client.
So I go back to what I said before "I will say that they "might" count, but I would not count on that ... "
Originally Posted By: rzimmerman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Just to clear up one area.
I am not looking to pad my numbers. Unless it helps 
I know these are in a very gray area. To some they are meaningless inspections. But, after review I realized there is no definition of Fee Paid Inspection, at least that I can find.
Now if and when FL implements state requirements for HIs and if one requirement is 250 Fee Paid Inspections I would consider these if they passed the requirement. Or lack thereof.
I saw on another thread where some could not post to this area. I did this late at night after a long day. I did intend to place it where all could respond. I intended this to be open for General Discussion for all. Sorry for picking an area that some could not post to. If the moderators can relocate this to another area that is open I have no problem with that.
Originally Posted By: dedwards This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I suppose one way to look or consider these type of inspections is…Does it in any diminish your liability when you do a four point inspection, a HUD inspection, or a full blown 4 hour inspection that covers everything from soup to nuts. Everyone of us has done a real scrap heap and felt like “Man, I am really earning my fee today. The report alone may take four more hours.” And then the next day get one so cherry you (almost) feel guilty taking the money because the home has been well kept, routine maintenance performed, and the mechanicals are pristene clean and working like new. Some days its lemons and some days its lemonade. I think if you go out and do an inspection and perform it in the “spirit” of the SOP it should count. Just my take and that and 42 cents will get you a cup of coffee at Tom Thumb’s.
Originally Posted By: jburkeson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
rzimmerman wrote:
Now if and when FL implements state requirements for HIs and if one requirement is 250 Fee Paid Inspections I would consider these if they passed the requirement. Or lack thereof.
The licensing puzzle piece inspection count thingy will only be useful if you have both 250-inspections AND 3-years experience, a gazillion inspections will do no good if you have only 1-year experience.
-- Joseph Burkeson, RPI (Hooperette)
?Anyone who has proclaimed violence his method inexorably must choose lying as his principle.?
~ Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
rzimmerman wrote:
But, after review I realized there is no definition of Fee Paid Inspection. . .
Not true. Just ask the IRS. If it can be claimed as income, or used as a deduction, it qualifies as "fee paid."
The real question becomes - "Did the inspection conform to the Standards of Practice of the Association (whichever Association that might be)?"
The question is not really that difficult IMHO.
In SOP's there is a specific list of items to be inspected and identified. In order to qualify, your report should identify all of the components specified in the SOP (at minimum).
If there is no power or utilities (for instance), this doesn't mean that you didn't identify the item, you did. You identified it as not there.
Many times when we inspect condo's or town homes, we do not inspect the roof and other common areas but in our reports we "identify" the item as not inspected due to "whatever." This inspection still meets the SOP of most Associations (except for possibly TREC  ).
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jburkeson wrote:
rzimmerman wrote:
Now if and when FL implements state requirements for HIs and if one requirement is 250 Fee Paid Inspections I would consider these if they passed the requirement. Or lack thereof.
The licensing puzzle piece inspection count thingy will only be useful if you have both 250-inspections AND 3-years experience, a gazillion inspections will do no good if you have only 1-year experience.
Except that, if you miss being Grandfathered in, you can get in easier by being 'new'.
The 'new' inspector actually has fewer hoops to jump through than an inspector trying to get grandfathered in.
Figure that one out. 
Originally Posted By: rzimmerman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jstewart1 wrote:
Robert,
Cheapies, crap put food on the table!! What kind of inspections are you doing down there, crack houses? shooting galleries? houses of ill repute?    
Yes Yes and YES. The worst so far was one in a rather questionable part of Orlando. The homeless had broken into the home and were using it as the local Holiday Inn. Remember NO utilities
Originally Posted By: kbaldwin This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jpeck wrote:
jburkeson wrote:
rzimmerman wrote:
Now if and when FL implements state requirements for HIs and if one requirement is 250 Fee Paid Inspections I would consider these if they passed the requirement. Or lack thereof.
The licensing puzzle piece inspection count thingy will only be useful if you have both 250-inspections AND 3-years experience, a gazillion inspections will do no good if you have only 1-year experience.
Except that, if you miss being Grandfathered in, you can get in easier by being 'new'.
The 'new' inspector actually has fewer hoops to jump through than an inspector trying to get grandfathered in.
Figure that one out. 
Could you please elaborate on the fewer hoops?
Keith
