Research & Writing Assignment:
I have told by the realtor that if I give a good inspection report on his property (which obviously needs work) that he will make me his home inspector for all his properties.
I would tell the realtor that I have a code of ethics that I need to follow and my report will reflect honest,true and accurate results of what I find.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read the article: If a Home Inspector misses something
In this article I learned that every home inspector will miss something sooner or later. This error can be turned into something good and it could be ugly. When you find something you should include the SOP in the appropriate section of the home inspection report. When you do your agreement you need to refer your new clients to a “New Clients” page and include links to the Internachi web page as well as a brief verbal description of the inspection and its limitations. Always make sure the client reads and signs the contract which includes the “Systems Excluded” page.To help you in future claims you should give your client a copy of “Now that you’ve had a home inspection book”, If you do miss something, there are times when you need to admit it, apologize and move on,and other times you need to stand firm. Your most important tool is your good judgement.
Research & Writing Assignment:
If I was asked to go easy on a roof or some other part of my report, I would tell the person I have to do a fair and honest inspection and truthfully report what my findings are to the best of my ability
Research & Writing Assignment:
Doing Damage During an Inspection: It’s Your Job. If breaking something during your routine standard method of inspection in normal use, it should be considered that you found a weak point or something that should an needs to be repaird
Research & Writing Assignment:
An inspector should never refer to themselves as an expert because doing so can result in them being held to a higher standard in legal matters. If a frivolous law-suit were to be filed against the inspector the fact that they had told the client they were an expert in any field would increase the chances of them being found negligent for not identifying or reporting on a defect at an expert level.
Research & Writing Assignment:
An act that is unlawful according to statute, law, or standard is considered malum prohibitum. An act that is evil or wrong in and of itself is called malum in se. Morality is a personal code based on one’s own convictions, while ethics is a systematic and codified standard of right and wrong for a particular culture, body, or practice. Often, while personal convictions may not regulate or prevent the act of malum in se, a code of ethics will govern wrongful behavior in the forum of malum prohibitum.
For example, when a real estate agent may attempt to persuade an inspector that a particular configuration of deck construction may be “just the way they’re built around here”, the inspector may rely on State or NACHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics in order to make the right decision about how the deck should be reported. Another example may be foundation damage. A veiled suggestion by an interested party to persuade an inspector to overlook a potentially expensive repair on a foundation because it might kill the deal should be recognized as an attempt to encourage the inspector to violate both malum in se and malum prohibitum. It would be unethical to hide such a defect according to the Standards of Practice, but it would also be immoral for the inspector, whose duty is to the client, to his profession, and most of all to his conscience, to soft-peddle such a finding.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The dread of the new inspector: What did I miss? Well, the answer is-- probably something. The goal of every inspector should be to miss zero major defects. The systematic and methodical evaluation of major components, compartmentalized and then considered as parts of the same body, will not only reduce the anxiety that you might miss something, but will, in fact, help to prevent those major misses. Whatever an inspector does, he ought to do it the same way every single time. Consistency and methodology are the secrets to a successful process.
Research & Writing Assignment:
After I arrived at the house to be inspected the home owner took me aside. He asked me to pass over the condition of the rear deck as they were planning on replacing it before the sale. I inspected it anyways and gave the full report as I had no way to confirm what the owner would do and as I have a responsibility to record everything in its current condition.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Ethical essay,
In this scenario as an inspector I am asked by the home owner not to divulge a condition of the house that they feel does not reach the level of a concern in reference to electrical wiring found in the attic. The first option to me is to inform the seller that I am required by the code of ethics and state and local law and code to only consider the interest of the buyer (my client) and then submit a report with ALL observed information. The second option is to contact the buyer(my client) and inform them of this request and inform them this request creates a conflict and I will be unable to produce a report that meets the requested deletion of observed condition even if the buyer is willing for the deletion to be made.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Situation: Client does not think a Service Panel being accessible is a reason to fail a home inspection, client offers cash in return for passing the inspection with flying colors ( For the client is looking to sell his hoe ASAP and will not be able to with a false report. DO NOT ACCEPT THE MONEY.
Research & Writing Assignment:
For this essay I chose to write on the article ‘Easy Steps That Help Home Inspectors Avoid Lawsuits’. In it I learned Home Inspectors should never call themselves exerts, for, if home inspectors call upon the experts (i.e. septic inspectors, Electricians, Licensed Plumbers, Ect., if things look fishy.
Research & Writing Assignment:
One ethical dilemma that a home inspector might face is trying to be persuaded into giving out copies of the inspection report to those who arent authorized to do so, like the seller. If the seller receives a copy and the buyer ends up backing out of deal, the next buyers could end up getting copy of inspection report that previous buyers received. Im doing so, they dont receive a new and updated report. Various problems could of happened in the time proceeding other report. The buyer of home contacts the home inspector wanting compensation for what they believe was the fault of home inspector. The home inspector isnt bound legally to the new buyer because there was never a formal contract between the two. So the buyer is left without any options to try and recoup monies lost. It is of the best interest of all parties when there is new buyer, a new home inspection report should be performed even if you have done report on same house only a day earlier.
Research & Writing Assignment:
If there is a situation that the house seller requests to go easy on roofs condition, then Home Inspector has to covey to the seller that a Home Inspector shall abide by the Code of Ethics and substantially follow the InterNACHI Standards of Practice and the information, report and inspection done by a Certified Home Inspector needs to be truthful and genuine. The information given by a Home Inspector Shouldnt affect the safety of others and shouldnt violate the Law or statute.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A Home Inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of residential property which is performed for a fee to identify the defects within specific systems and components defined by the standards that are observed and deemed material defects by a certified Home Inspector. The Inspector should be very attentive while performing an inspection. If any major defect is observed, it should be taken to clients attention and should explain that there might be chance for damage while inspection. After getting permission from the client, the Inspector shall perform the inspection. If the damage has occurred accidentally or unknowingly, then the Inspector should explain to the client about the damage and has to calculate a discount on the service fee by offering a sincere apology. The client shouldnt be upset. He/She should be thankful to the Inspector regarding the service and information provided.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Upon inspecting a home the InterNACHI certified home inspector notices a quarter-inch crack in the foundation and photographs the crack. It is noted in the report that “A quarter-inch crack in the poured foundation of the basement in the front right wall is pictured. It is to be noted that the none of the other walls could be inspected due large piles of personal items obstructing access to the walls.”
The realtor who you’ve worked with many times asks you to “just move some boxes and cover that crack up so I can get this sold at a higher price, its already been on the market forever and I need this sold ASAP”.
As an ethical home inspector you could:
1: Advise the realtor that you can not do so as it would be in violation of the code of ethics and void my certification.
2: Advise the realtor that moving such items my put you at a higher risk of liability and you hope that upon providing a quality inspection report that all parties can come to an agreement.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Easy Steps That Help The Home Inspector Avoid Lawsuits Essay.
In the essay titled “Easy steps that help the home inspector avoid lawsuits” I learned that anything can happen during or after a home inspections and it is our job to be ready for it not only because it is good for the client, but is good for our business as well.
E&O insurance can aid in the cost of any frivolous claim that comes forwards after a client who has been given a good home inspection somehow feels that they were “wronged”. As stated in the material, some clients are better to simply walk away from on the notion that their manners during the initial meeting may have you feeling uneasy or that the client my turn into a person that no matter what you do and how well you do it, you just can’t please them.
The agreement forms provided by InterNACHI as well as the satisfaction survey can help avoid any legal troubles by provided a clear understanding of the scope of the inspection as well as proving that the customer was initially satisfied by the inspection and that for some personal reason has changed their mind.
By using proper terminology, safety signs, and photo documentation you can avoid any conflicting views as to what happened during or after an inspection thus limiting and scope of liability that a client my claim during a lawsuit. It is not only important for you to stay safe during the inspection but also after the inspection by properly documenting the inspection and you work so that you can offer a great product for you client and for your business.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A realtor tells the home inspector if they give them a referral fee they will send all there business to the inspector. The inspector can give them the referral. Or the inspector can do the right thing and say there are no referral fee in the internachi COE
Research & Writing Assignment:
Forming a LLC is important to make sure you protect your self and the business. When your home inspection business is a LLC you will get your ein number for tax purposes. The business should be treated as its own separate entity as far as bank accounts and all transactions for the business.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In the hypothetical scenario presented whereby a home inspector is approached by a home seller to “go easy” on the inspection of the roof, it is incumbent upon the home inspector to be fair and impartial by recording/reporting all observations truthfully and accurately. A home inspector’s report is a reflection of their integrity, their commitment to representing the industry in a positive light, and the trust that they build with all past, current and future clients. Choosing the fair and impartial path protects the home buyer, the home inspector, and could ultimately save lives. This is a very important decision.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In the article, “Doing Damage During an Inspection: It’s Your Job”
by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko, I learned that the framing of scenarios whereby damages can happen during a standard home inspection by the inspector is an important matter of perspective. While it may feel as though the event(s) were avoidable and that apologies or recompense should be offered to the clients, the reality is that the damages occurred because there existed a material defect that may have otherwise gone unnoticed or observed if not for a careful inspection facilitated in accordance of the standards of practice. The entire basis of performing a careful home inspection is predicated upon the findings of the inspector. If a system or its components are not in good working order, both the home seller and the home buyer should be informed. With respect to adherence to the Code of Ethics, it is incumbent upon the home inspector to be truthful and accurate in reporting all findings. In these cases, damages done are not a finding of personal fault, but rather a finding of a material defect and possible hazard that needs immediate attention.