Research & Writing Assignment:
I learned that you can reduce the likelihood of a lawsuit by constantly becoming more educated. I learned that you can be sued because of decisions by others (a realtor climbing up on a ladder). Lastly, I probable should purchase the sign that notifies people to stay away from inspection area.
Research & Writing Assignment:
As a member of NACHI one of the guidelines that should be strictly adhered to is not offering compensation or incentives for my services. So if I’m faced with the hypothetical scenario as follows: I stop into a local real estate office to introduce myself and start a conversation with an agent who asks the following: I would be happy to use you for all my future inspections and refer you to the other agents in this office but I would like something in return. She states she would like compensation in the form of a gift card for any and all inspections she can generate on my behalf from her office.
As this a violation of our code of conduct I would inform the person making the request that I am a highly trained member of NACHI and accepting compensation would be a direct violation of my associations code of conduct.
Research & Writing Assignment:
As a certified home inspector we leave ourselves open to a host of lawsuits. Regardless of our extensive training we are always open to a lawsuit. The best ways we can limit our liability in the industry is by using the valuable knowledge and tools we have learned and have access to. Such as continued education in our field, access to comprehensive insurance products,and also the support of the NACHI association membership.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A home owner offered a bribe to not disclose the findings in the attic. There was a prior leak that hasnt been corrected. I explained that it is unethical to not disclose to my clients, also taking the bribe would be against the code of ethics and my morals. I also informed my client of the request
Research & Writing Assignment:
one home seller was requesting me to inspect the attic, but was different items up there. I told them it was impossible to check it due to attic enabled conditions .I took some pictures and made written report about the situation and suggest them to cleaned up and give me another date to inspect the attic.
Research & Writing Assignment:
the pre inspection agreement, It’s not necessary to sign. obviously the two parties must be ok with terms and conditions related to contract.one must be offer and the other have to be enforce with the terms and the conditions written in the contract.
Research & Writing Assignment:
As a licensed plumber I will always be approached by possible clients that are flipping homes. They sometimes ask to install type m copper but list on my invoice or report that I used type L copper. This is never acceptable to me or would never agree to do it. It us very unethical and unprofessional to do so or even think about deceiving future home buyers into thinking the house is plumbed with a higher quality pipe than it is.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Defamation is something that should be taken seriously and avoid at all cost. It is important to me to provide great quality service to all clients. However, there are clients or non clients that seem to make a living out of falsely accusing inspectors or contractors of wrong doing or not fulfilling their contract or obligations. I always make sure the client is 100% satisfied with my service before accepting payment. Wrongfully being accused by someone or getting a negative review by a client should be taken very serious. But, if in deed the client is not truthful it is important that inspectors know what they can do to fight back and keep their name or company in good standing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Internatchi Drone primer for home inspection. Drones are far safer and more effective than using ladders and causing potential damage or personal injuries. However home inspector must obtain a 107 license to fly for commercial use. This is a federal law. You basically a taking a flying exam to obtain the 107. In this ever changing world, drones are a great tool, however the use must be respected for the safety of all.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read “Doing Damage During an Inspection: It’s Your Job” and this article reassures Home Inspectors that causing damage to the property while performing the inspection, though unintentional or accidental, is a win rather than a loss for the inspector and client. Many believe that the home inspector would be held financial responsible for the damage(s), yet it is the inspector’s job to probe and visually find any damages or defects of the property. So the inspector is not necessarily in the wrong if damage occurs during the inspection, it is evidence that there is obvious defect to the property that needs immediate repair and correction from an expert in that designated field.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Imagining myself getting caught in the roof situation, it is safe to say the choice is easy. If a realtor asks me to lie on my inspection report, the answer would be no. I may loose the benefit of having that realtor recommend me to their clients, but going the other route and damaging my own reputation would be far worse in the long run.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The clients realtor is present for the inspection and request i really look at the hvac system and make it look worse.
In this case i would first off tell the realtor that I’m sorry that i can’t do that, that i can do a legit inspection as i always do. If that she wants that then i would not be the inspector for them. If she wants me to continue then I’ll do my normal inspection.
Research & Writing Assignment:
This hypothetical C.O.E. situation does not come with a resolution as it is more of question for the group members in the forum that may have the best possible answer…
We know through the C.O.E. that no additional work may be performed by the designated home inspector to a property within 12 months following the inspection but may an inspector accept a home inspection job on a property he/she has previously worked on with 12 months prior to scheduled inspection?
Research & Writing Assignment:
As a home inspector i must be honest with my skills, not offer more than i could do. When booking a client, if they are acting up from the beginning then it may be better to pass them on to the next person. Thing probably won’t get better.
Never use the expert road unless your technically certified as an expert. Use the agreement before the inspection and make sure the clients understand that we are limited visually safety and functional inspectors.
Always continue learning with educational videos and test. And even on the forums offered with internochi.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Any time the phrase “go easy” is used, it comes from fear that the inspector is actively seeking to go beyond the scope of what is being inspected or exaggerate findings of the conditions in order for the client to gain an advantage over the seller. An inspector’s ability to accurately observe, honestly report, and clearly communicate can go along way to limiting ethical situations such as these. One such situation I have heard numerous times recently is how a home inspector has “killed the deal” due to findings in the inspection report. It is my observation that in most of these cases the home inspector never had a conversation with their client after the inspection was completed. Since, most inspection reports may include terminology or descriptions of systems and conditions that an untrained individual may not be accustomed to creates fear. Ethically, home inspectors should seek to make sure clients clearly understand descriptions and be available for follow up questions about the report. By doing so the “fear” of the inspection can be alleviated knowing that the report is not a witch hunt or bargaining tool but an honest representation of the facts observed.
Research & Writing Assignment:
If the situation should ever occur that I was asked to go easy on any section of an inspection I would do my inspection exactly how I normally do and report sufficiently on any and all defects. You cannot ever give a subpar report to your client.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Having a letter that explains the importance of the Internachi endorsement is utmost important. There will come a time that someone asks what does Internachi mean and its great to have some documentation showing the raised level of training that members have.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In the article “avoiding lawsuits” I learned the dangers of claiming to be an expert. A home inspector should be very careful on stating any qualifications that could increase liability. Just as home inspectors should avoid using residential code in writing reports due to the implication of being an expert in residential code, a better practice may be to state that you are licensed, certified, or experienced as a home inspector.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The scenario I’m choosing to write about is,lets say,while inspecting a home for the seller or just someone who chooses to get their home inspected as part of a preventive measure,the inspector finds several defects and the homeowner approaches the inspector and asks him or her if they have knowledge of how to repair the defects listed. If the inspector chose to break the code of ethics and take the repair job or the proper ethical decision would be to politely decline and make the homeowner aware that,that would be unethical but refer him or her to check out something like Angie’s List or something along those lines.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The subject of my essay is,can a Real Estate agent sign the Inspection contract on behalf of the client. The way I understand it ,it is just one huge grey area on what is legally correct and what is not. Personally,the way I look at it is,I will make all efforts to insure the actual client signs the contract or verify that the Real Estate agent does have legal authority to sign.