Research & Writing Assignment:
Regarding what happens when an inspector misses something, we are human and it is going to happen. The important part is doing what you can to set expectations with the client and disclaim anything that is outside the scope of inspection or was not accessible. If you do miss something, its important to own it and do your best to make it right, then move on.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The home inspector is called to perform an inspection on a home for a client that was referred by a realtor that has sent him many referrals in the past. While conducting the inspection the realtor called and asked the inspector to go easy on his report to help save the sale of the home. The inspector is obligated first and foremost to his client and not the referring realtor. The inspector should never fail to report any defect in a home especially due to fear of loosing future referrals.
Research & Writing Assignment:
InterterNACHIs Drone Law Primer for Home Inspectors. Drones are becoming a very useful tool for the modern home inspector, however there are laws related to their use that the inspector must follow. One such law is FAA part 107 that requires for commercial use including home inspections the operator to obtain a remote pilot certificate and register the drone being used.
Research & Writing Assignment:
You should try and become as knowledgeable as you possibly can. You can do this by taking advantage of the internachi training programs and certificates. You may get may get some frivolous complaints or worst case is have a lawsuit against you but it will look much better for you if you’re very knowledgeable and properly certified. Which if you have the ambition internachi will help you tremendously.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I have found throughout the years that never referring to myself as an “expert” in any trade has been useful in allowing all clients to understand that my findings should be followed up and evaluated by a licensed & insured professional in that given trade. An example would be - "there is noted low pressure to all upper level water supplies. Have upper level water pressure evaluated and repaired by a licensed plumbing professional… Thus; I have identified the issue, but want an “EXPERT” to evaluate & provide the proper repairs.
Research & Writing Assignment:
An InterNACHI inspector, when faced with a buyer or seller requesting a favorable description of a defect should always describe the condition as precisely as possible to the actual condition. It can also be possible to prevent the awkard situation from arising by clearly stateing at the beginning of the inspection the parameters that will be used in writing the report.
Research & Writing Assignment:
An agent asks if you help close the deal on a sale of an aging home, you will become there preferred inspector. The agent is implying you overlook items of repair to convince the buyers to close on the sale, in return you would get more work in the future. This would not be in the best interest of your clients. The inspector has an obligation to report honestly as to the conditions observed.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Doing Damage During an Inspection. I had a fear of breaking something while doing an inspection and being responsible for its repair costs. The article taught me to look at it as part of my job to find these defects and that I am doing my clients a service by identifying faulty items at the time of inspection, and not after closing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Easy Steps That Help Home Inspectors Avoid Lawsuits has many good tips about avaoiding lawsuits related to home inspections. However, many of them have a common underlying theme using InterNACHI and their materials but one stands out to me. Using the InterNACHI SOP as a basis for the inspection contract, and performing your inspection to those standards will make the inspection report more easily defended, and may even disuade someone from seeking litigation.
Research & Writing Assignment:
For my research and writing assignment I decided to read the article Easy Steps that Help Home Inspectors Avoid Lawsuits. I personally enjoyed reading this article because I believe it is a must read article for all Home Inspectors who want to avoid lawsuits and trouble. Something I that I liked reading the article is creating and setting up an LLC which is a Limited Liability Corporation. According to debt and liability it is said in the article that no inspector should ever operate as a partner or sole proprietor ever. Another truth statement from the article is to be trained properly as an inspector one should join internachi.org that way a home inspector can take each and every course.
InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice provides a strong defense against a claim that an inspector failed to perform to a level of care or acceptable practice for the inspection profession. The article also brings up a good point to be a Certified Master Inspector as it helps deter lawsuits. According to the article attorneys prefer weak targets. Attorneys fear going up against an inspector who knows what he/she is doing and knows the laws regarding his/her profession.
I also learned something wise to keep in mind from the article and that is to never say you are an expert. According to the article home inspectors are generalists not experts. According to the article experts are specialists who are held to a higher standard of care than the ordinary (non-expert) inspector, and courts now hold inspectors to the claims they make in their marketing.
Another piece of the article that I find relevant and valuable is right before leaving the property to take three photographs of the water meter because as an inspector you never want to be accused of failing to note a water line leak, or–worse–causing water damage because you forgot to turn off a fixture. The photographs should show that no water lines are leaking, assuming you didn’t find any.
Among several other steps in the article that are very valuable is one that I especially like. Step 7 in the advisement says turn away some consumers. If a client starts off being difficult or unreasonable, it usually gets worse, not better. According to the article while it may be hard to walk away from an inspection fee, it’s sometimes cheaper in the long run.
The step advisement that I definitely agree with in the article is number 20. Carry errors and omissions insurance. It is definitely better to be protected with insurance in case of error than to be sorry.
I truly enjoyed reading this article and I consider it extremely valuable. Among many articles I have read I plan to read this one over and over in the near future as I plan to memorize all the advice and facts in this great article.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I HAVE TYPED THIS ESSAY 6 TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO SHOW UNFINISHED EACH TIME I TRY TO MOVE FORWARD TO THE EXAM. WHY IS INTERNACHI WEBSITES FULL OF GLITCHES AND INCORRECT SPELLING? The essay i typed was in regards to lawsuits and im not sure how else to submit it considering it wont work.
Research & Writing Assignment:
An inspector may find a defect that their partner company specializes in fixing. The owner wants the inspector to fix it. The inspector should right the defect up. Tell the owner that it ethically he can not fix it. After the 12 month period the inspectors company could do the work for the owner.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I was once asked by a Realtor to change my rating of a leaking boiler and cracked expansion tank from defective to “needs maintenance”. She cited my being “too picky” could cause her to lose the sale. I explained that I would not change my observation. The seller replaced the defective, beyond repair boiler and expansion tank, and the sale closed anyway.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Minor/deteriorating foundation issues are discovered during the home inspection, but other than the inspection report, that would not be obvious for some time. The homeowner claims they still want the property, that they are not concerned about that right now, and that they already have a loan approval structure that maximises their finance potential. They ask if I can leave it out of the report if they promise to address it once it affects the property.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Upon arriving the property to be inspected the real estate agent greeted me ask me to overlook water stain on the ceiling. I told her I must follow standard of practice and must reports dwelling in its current state. I went ahead with inspection didn’t find an active water leak but did refer to client to have professional evaluate and repair found water marks on sheathing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When it comes to what I’ve learned about the code of ethics, in a situation where a home owner tries to persuade me to bend the rules on anything concerning my job and the purpose of inspecting the property there are no negotiations on bending the rules.I would do my best in observing and informing anything that is not up to code or may potentially cause a hazard in my report. therefore I would write my observations in your report truthfully and accurately.
Research & Writing Assignment:
After reading the article on how to avoid lawsuits it was very informative. I learn that education through InterNACHI online courses are thorough. Certifications convey that your well qualified and also found in this article, InterNACHI recommends contract workers versus employees. Also stop signs to keep your clients aware and protects yourself in case of lawsuits. Two programs are offered that really help is buy back program and resolution service. These services offered by InterNACHI really help you add layers of protection to your home inspection business.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Referrals are an important component to any successful business, including but not limited to home inspectors. Real estate agents are protected, in part, for their referrals to InterNACHI home inspectors in the event that they are sued for recommending an inspector n that resulted in litigation. I feel that promotes confidence in our ability, and demonstrates good faith to referring agents.
Research & Writing Assignment:
WHILE READING IN THE LIBRARY THE TITLE "DOING DAMAGE DURING INSPECTION I LEARNED THAT IF WHILE INSPECTING A HOME UNDER NORMAL OPERATIONS ASSUMING EVERYTHING IS IN FAVORABLE CONDITION; IF SOMETHING BREAKS WHILE I,M TOUCHING IT, OR IF MY FOOT GOES THROUGH A WEAK PART OF THE ROOF IT’S NOT MY FAULT AND NOT MY DUTY TO OFFER REPAIRS. IT’S IN FACT A GOOD THING THAT I FOUND THE DEFECT AND INFORM THE HOME OWNER. I SHOULD RE FRAME FROM OFFERING ANY DISCOUNTS OR REPAIRS. I HAVE ACTUALLY IN THE LONG RUN PREVENTED UNFORESEEN SAFETY HAZARDS AND ALSO CATCHING THE DEFECTS EARLY ON SAVES THE HOME OWNER THE HEADACHE OF FINDING OUT AFTER THE HOME HAS BEEN PURCHASED.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The customer doesnt want to sign the inspection agreement until after the inspection. As an InterNACHI certified inspector how would he or she handle the situation? One option would be to leave. The other better option is for you to explain that we are absolutely required to get the agreement signed before performing any inspections 100% of the time