Research & Writing Assignment:
Sooner or later a home inspector will miss something during a inspection. The inspector may be blamed for something that’s disclaimed in the home inspection report. It’s a good idea to include the SOP in the inspection report. The InterNACHI’S standard home inspection contract explains that it is not the inspectors duty to find every defect.
Research & Writing Assignment:
after the home seller asked me to go “easy” on the inspection of his roof I informed him that as an inspector i was there to report on what i actually find. Be it good or bad it was not in good form to lie on an inspection and i would return his fee that was paid to me for the inspection. The home seller thought about what was at hand and thanked me for being honest
Research & Writing Assignment:
After reading the article on having a letter for an intended client i have concluded that for my business practice i will include a copy of said letter in all of my packets that i give to intended customers. this will be done not only for their assurance of my qualifications but as a way to show them i am who I say I am.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I learned in the Articles on a Letter Explaining your InterNACHI Inspector Certification that sometime you should send a more personalized letter explaining your certificate. There were many examples and preformed literature that you could use to gain the confidence of your client while showcasing your certifications and InterNACHI membership.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When pulling up to an inspection I realize that the client is an old classmate from high school. Should I tell the client to call another inspector, or should I be totally objective and do a through inspection? In this situation, I would ask the client to call another inspector so I stay within my Code of Ethics.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A home inspector is approached by a realtor. The realtor states they will give the inspector preferential treatment with clients for a specified sum of money. The inspector should decline the offer as it would be inappropriate and unethical to pay for preferential treatment.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I recently read an article about avoiding lawsuits. Within this article I learned several ways to protect myself in the future. The #1 lesson I learned was to join InterNACHI and take their online learning courses. This will not only expand my knowledge of the subject matter, will show others that I went above and beyond the minimum requirements within my area to become a home inspector.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I would explain to the house seller respectfully that I am obligated to give a fair and honest report on the roof’s condition. In addition, he will get a copy of the report for his review. I would be courteous and professional at all times with the seller.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I would explain to the house seller respectfully that I am obligated to give a fair and honest report on the roof’s condition. I would also explain that he will receive a copy of the report for his review. I would be courteous and professional at all times with the seller.
Research & Writing Assignment:
If I was asked to “go easy” on anything that I have to inspect. My response would be to remind them, that I am obligated to do a visual inspection. On top of that I am going to take a couple hundred photos. My report will reflect what is in need of repair or review by a specialized contracter. I would put their mind at ease and just reassure that I will do my best when writing the report.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When doing a home inspection, if I notice a roof is going to need to be replaced or if there is an are that needs to be repaired. I typically would point out what are needs to be addressed and refer them to a contracter. I would never say “It’ll cost about that much” to fix the problem. If I guess one price and the client gets a different price, I wouldn’t want to be on the hook for paying the difference.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I could imagine that the situation of having some party asking you to overlook an issue with a home is common. I would like to think that I would approach that situation by explaining the benefits of the inspection and the damages that “overlooking” issues could result in. If an issue was overlooked it would diminish the buyers knowledge of what they were buying and then reflect on reputation of the seller as not honest. And obviously the reputation of the inspector is jeapordized also. Much safer that all parties are informed properly.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article that I read was avoiding lawsuits . A home inspector must always protect himself in writing on the contract and have a sign to avoid the risk of lawsuits. A good practice is to include language after you recommend. Language should say consult a license professional for said components.
Research & Writing Assignment:
This essay will reflect on a situation where the seller offers to pay the inspector to fix any noted deficiencies during the inspection to prevent the deficiency from being noted in the report.
In this situation, the client would be tactfully advised that any deficiencies found during the inspection would need to be noted in the inspection report as the Inspector is not authorized to fix such deficiencies. The Inspector could offer the option to the client, of them hiring a contractor to check and correct any deficiencies found prior to the inspection.
This action by the Inspector is supported by the InterNACHI Code of Ethics, which states, “The InterNACHI member shall not perform or offer to perform, for an additional fee, any repairs or associated services to the structure for which the member or member’s company has prepared a home inspection report for a period of 12 months. This provision shall not include services to components and/or systems that are not included in the InterNACHI Standards of Practice.”
Research & Writing Assignment:
I have learned that the safety of the people around you while you are performing an inspection is critical. People may be more interested in what you are inspecting and follow you to unsafe situations. I have a construction background and keeping people unfamiliar with the jobsite safe was difficult, but it was an obvious construction site. Generally people are careful. In the case of an inpection, it doesn’t look like a construction site so people are not aware of open doorways, ladders, unsafe and unseen dangers. So if someone was injured it may be a problem for the inspector, so using safe practices is important.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I reviewed the article What Home Inspectors Need to Know About Subpoenas written by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko.
This article discusses the difference between a summons and a subpoena, types of subpoenas, service of process, subpoenas requiring appearance, subpoenas for evidence, and responding to a subpoena.
Basically, a summons is issued by a court advising you that you are being sued. A subpoena requires your presence in court or to produce documents or items to the court, or both. A subpoena can be issued to the defendant as well as to witnesses.
Service of process, or service of the subpoena, involves how the subpoena is delivered to a person. This can be done by certified mail, signed receipt, or in person by certain persons. This articles also reflects on rules protecting those being subpoenaed.
I found this information very valuable as receiving a summons or subpoena can be a very stressful and intimidating situation. However, these feelings can be mitigated by the knowledge of the rules and rights the individual has under the law.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A situation arises where a real estate agent selling a house offers you more business in exchange for writing a “good” report on an older home. An InterNACHI Certified inspector has a duty to not accept any benefit from a real estate agent and also to be honest. In this situation we must do our complete thorough inspection and not leave out any potential issues even if that may mean losing the real estate agents business.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Situation: A realtor promises additional compensation for overlooking “minor issues” in an inspection report.
According to the InterNACI code of conduct it is unethical to receive compensation whether disclosed or undisclosed for my work. Furthermore, it is unethical to “overlook items” in a report to make it more favorable property. It would compromise my integrity and that of InterNACHI. It would trigger an review that could lead to dismissal of membership. I would decline the offer under all circumstances even if I lost a resource for additional business from the realtor.
Research & Writing Assignment:
“No visible evidence” article and what I learned!
In order to mitigate the risk of a lawsuit all inspection reports the words “visible” and evidence" will not be used. Doing so is ambiguous in a court of law. The proper language would be to say "at the time of the inspection I did not observe any indications of the ____.
Research & Writing Assignment:
InterNACHI inspectors need to be careful when claims and statements are made on their websites and to clients. What is written can be used against them. Don’t ever claim to be “code certified” because that is a job for the government to decide.