The main points of the video is working with the standards of practice and detail in your explanations of what the issue is then a recommended on hoe to repair or replace. Also list it if is a safety hazard. Also make it to where the average person can understand the report.
The real estate agent selling the house is a friend of the home inspector. He requests that I give him a home inspection that passes all areas (even if certain areas don’t pass), so that he can get the sell of the house. He even offers a “compensation” if I do this for him as he will get a nice commission off the house. As an InterNACHI member I would disclose to him that I will not give a false report as it would affect my career as an inspector and is unethical, not only to the client buying the house but to myself as a certified home inspector that is following the code of ethics, both for InterNachi and myself, and I would provide a complete comprehensive report for the home as we should every home.
The best way that I have found out in my readings to avoid Lawsuits is, first to join NACHI so that you are supported by a certified Education program. As an Inspector you should Incorporate or form a LLC. Become a Certified Master Inspector. An Inspector should never consider himself as an expert in your marketing. you should always consider yourself to be a generalist. And if you are gonna hire helpers, you should have them sign a contract stating that they will follow all rules and regulations with honesty and respectability.
I formed a corporation or LLC company, Now What?
In this article I learned that it is vital for home inspectors to form an LLC, or corporation to separate themselves to protect their personal liability from the "companies"debts. I learned that when operating an LLC to keep the business to business and leave the personal side out. This will keep the liability to a minimum if the home inspector was to ever be sued or taken to court. Make sure to always let the client that you are doing a home inspection for know that you are an LLC or corporation and make sure your marketing media represents this fact as well.
my name is Asif and i am a InterNachi member home inspector has very important job and inspector must follows the all rules and regulation and always be truth full with his or her client and keep all home inspection report confidential.
Hi, my name is asif and i am a InterNachi member and i want to talk about home inspection process ,when we start home inspection then we must very care full and we must follow all state and InterNachi laws and rule and regulation.
Essay regards dryer vent safety. The inspection of dryer vents pertains to the maintenance, proper installation and fire safety issues. You should refer to the dryers info plate for info. Vents should not exceed 25ft and be installed in a straight line. For every 45* bend, 2.5ft should be reduced and 5ft for every 90* bend. Proper hardware should be used around vent pipes. Sheet metal screws shall not be used that will protrude pipe. Dryer fires are responsible for many house fires and property damage.
Hypothetical situation; the client asks the inspector to exaggerate the negative condition of the roof in order to pressure the seller into repairing the roof before sale of the home. I would explain that I cannot knowingly make untrue statements about the condition of any components in order to deceive the seller as this is both unlawful and unethical and that I would not act in any way that would reflect negatively on the inspection industry.
After completing the home inspection and providing the client (seller) with a copy of the completed Home Inspection Report, I am contacted by the clients realtor acting on the sellers behalf, requesting changes be made to the report, i.e. remove a few identified safety defects. I explain that its is not only illegal for any inspector to do so, but it’s ethically incorrect and not worth compromising, my integrity or that of my company.
There are numerous ways to reduce liability in the home inspection industry. The best start is by being a member if InterNACHI, next, being an LLC protects the inspector from being sued personally, and substantially following the InerNACHI Standards of Practice, and having a well written inspection agreement are a good start in reducing liability.
Real estate agents are able to reduce or limit their liability by attending home inspections on a consistent basis and they will be less likely to be named in a lawsuit in the future. During a home inspection agents will be able to confirm of the conditions of the home and their defects for immediate attention should there be a need for repairs or replacements of any kind to limit the liability.
A client asks to “beef up the report” in order to have more negotiating leverage with a seller. In this case, the inspector should remind them they follow their Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and will abide by those same practuces.
In garages and in other inspected buildings, it is important to pay attention to modifications in engineered trusses and connections of structural members. Shear strength is important in fasteners at connections. Modifications to engineered trusses require evaluation by a structural engineer.
As an internachi home inspector it is my mission to be fair, honest, impartial, and truthful about my services to my client not following these guidelines would be against my code of ethics and not following my standards of practice.
Seller to the inspector- Sir, I am in a situation where if this house does not sale, the foreclosure will go through and ruin my credit. I know the house has issues, what do you say I double your fee to assist in getting this house sold.
Inspector to the Seller- although I sympathize with your situation, and know I am not an alarmist. I will report factual and accurately, my personal integrity and code of ethics will not allow me to engage in unethical behavior. I will respectfully decline your offer.
Marketing is an effective but also dangerous tool. Learning in the courts eyes that calling yourself an expert opens you up to accountability above and beyond the standards of practice really puts things in prospective on how to effectively advertise without making yourself more vulnerable. Keep the marketing to the facts of what we do.
A buyer’s agent witnessed me finding significant cracks in a balconies stuccoed posts and asked me to phrase it to the customer is a fashion that implied it wasn’t a big deal. I informed her that it was unethical to do so and the customer hired me and I will inform them of everything I find that is a concern.
In the example provided that a house inspector “go easy” on a roof’s condition, it is my belief that I would automatically respond and explain to the seller that I am obligated to describe the roof condition as it is. It honestly would probably make me look closer at the roof for any obscure faults that may not be readily seen during a non-invasive inspection. The ethical response would be to make sure that the seller knew unquestionably that you wouldn’t be favoring his request over reporting the truth. Maintaining that professionalism means that your client doesn’t have to worry about any breach of ethic.
A real estate agent asks that certain things be “overlooked” during an inspection , so as not to kill the deal.
This is not very professional on the part of the realtor, nor is it fair to the prospective home buyer, who is the actual client. The home buyer has the ultimate expectation that the inspector is looking out for their best interests as should the buyers agent. Not only would it be a violation of state law to secede to the agents request, it is against INTERNACHI Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, not to mention, just plain immoral.
For expediency, I chose the avoiding lawsuits article you posted and I’m glad that I did. While my preparation for my business has been extensive, it is always a reminder that some people just aren’t “logical” or realistic when it comes to personal injury. A caution sign will be one of my next purchases for my work bag. In regard to calling ourselves “experts” it is imperative that our clientele understand this fact and in an act of humility we should remind our clients of this. Someone recently shared a story where their Inspector told them many electrical issues that needed a specific result, without disclaiming that the house electrics needed to be evaluated by an licensed Electrician. If he would have changed his approach, he would have saved himself from a lot of bad press and a potential law-suit (It is a recent event Feb 2018).
While this Inspector may not have called himself an ‘expert’ he alluded to the fact a certain situation was false and needed immediate remedy (giving instructions on what to do), opposed to allowing the licensed expert to give his professional opinion and in doing so opened himself up to a potential lawsuit.