I researched the Thermal Imaging Reports document. I found it interesting the number of things outside of moisture intrusion or energy efficiency one can do with a thermal camera. Such as, inspect for pest/termite intrusion or habitation and checking for hot spots in the service panel or overloaded receptacles. That is something I learned could become very helpful, especially in older homes.
Hypothetical Situation:
Example, if the homewas owned by the inspector’s wife’s mother,the inspectorshould try to avoid doing the inspection based on the family relationship. On the other hand, if the home is owned by someone who the inspector only casually knows, that situation would not appear to*impact the inspector’s judgment and, therefore, would not be considered a conflict of interest.
one conflict of interest:
If my best friend asked me to inspect a home he wants to purchase from the bank. He then tells me the more I can find wrong with the house allows him to negotiate a better price on the house. He then requests even if an item during the inspection seems to be working or is functioning correctly, mark it deficient.
This is a code of ethics violation not only based on the relationship of the home buyer and the home inspector. It’s also misleading facts to the bank for financial gain.
CODE OF ETHICS
The code of ethics course has opened my Insite and made me understand how important it is to follow the code of ethics. Most importantly the duty to the public, duty to continue education, conflict of interest with the clients and equal prominence requirement is the essential parts of this topic. If real estate agent asks an inspector to write the report in a way that does not “kill the deal,” that will be the violation of the code of ethics if an inspector does so. Me and all inspectors can safely practice the home inspection business by following the NACHI code of ethics
While doing a inspection I find several defects that need to be fixed, the client let me know that they will be in need of a good contractor I tell them that I am a licensed contractor and would be able to start asap. This would violate the 12 month rule.
While doing a home inspection I discover a major violation within the house. The real estate agent asks me not to disclose violation and she will give me a cut of the sale. This would be a violation in ethics.
Sample.
I had a real estate agent offer to pay me an extra $150 dollars to quickly fix or leave a furnace defect out of my inspection. I didn’t take the deal but does anyone else run into these problems?
I studied a slide that demonstrated horizontal cracking on a foundation wall. What i gathered from the illustration was that horizontal cracking can be largely due to prematur back filling. In other words, putting in the back fill before the concrete was completely cured. It is my hope that the majority of concrete contractors are knowledgeable enough to not make this mistake.
Just looking through the inspectors gallery thinking about electrical panel inspections. Has anyone ran into problems opening a cover and not being able to get it back on due to the wires pushing out? What do you do in this situation?
I read the article Doing damage during a inspection: At first I would think I was responsible to fix the problem but breaking under normal operation is not my fault I just found a default in the home.
Code of ethics research essay:
I read about Edison’s early accident. The accident they speak of is during a time where they haven’t even developed a power plant to power the light bulb but without proper experimentation on his new Improvement on the light bulb he put a generator in his friend Mr Vanderbilt’s basement and wired his house for the light bulb. As The Story Goes Edison wires up everything in he crosses wires that go to the light bulb in The Parlor when a piece of tensile sparking on the crossed wires ignited the silk that was lined in The Parlor. They found out through investigation that the wires weren’t properly insulated and this is what ignited the fire. I feel as a responsible home inspector these are things that are of the up most importance of our safety to pay attention to while performing our electrical inspection of the house.
I researched garage inspection. The interesting part of the story to me is that sometimes it takes a closer look to find out what’s causing the problem. Just seeing joist hangars and moving on can sometimes be a mistake. Take the extra minute to look a little closer and you will be amazed what you might find.
Code of EthicsEssay
During the inspection of an attic, I observed parts withmissing insulation and other parts with dump insulation. The real estate agentasked me to omit these issues in my report. He said: “Because this might affect the sale”. In return, he offered me tickets to seemy favorite hockey team play. This would be a violation of the Code of Ethics,because he asked me to alter my report and he offered me a benefit in the formof hockey tickets.
Research
From the picture of the Roof Louvers, I learned how actuallythe air circulates in the attic. Louvers have to be installed as close aspossible to the top of the roof. The hotair leaves through the louvers and the fresh air from outside enters the atticthrough the soffit. The continuous air flow allows the hot air and moisture to escapefrom the attic.
My essay,
You obtain a referral from a real estate agent for an inspection of a home that they just had a purchase offer signed off by the buyer and seller. The agent asks you for a payment for the repeated referrals that they have given you. This is considered a conflict of interest and violates the code of ethics for the home inspector. Another example could be that a real estate agent asks you to falsify your inspection report so the possible home defects are overlooked to insure that the sale of the home continues without the chance that the sale could be cancelled due to unforeseen home defects.
Code of Ethics Essay
As a licensed master electrician and home inspector, it would be a violation of the code of ethics for me to offer to repair the client’s electrical system, after issuing an inspection report, for at least 12 months. I also must disclose my interest in my electrical business to my client, before an agreement may be accepted to perform an inspection.
Article/Illustration Essay
Electrical outlet spacing:
I see the wording in this requirement taken the wrong way, quite a bit. The code states that no point along the wall shall be more than 6 feet from a receptacle outlet. This means they can be 12 feet apart. Think of an appliance, with a 6 foot cord. It should be able to be plugged at any point along the wall line.
In my normal marketing efforts, I often call on local real estate offices, mortgage companies and title companies. In one recent meeting with a Real Estate Brokerage the Managing Broker approached me after a sales meeting to discuss sending us “a lot of business” All we would need to do is rent some office space , in a different location on a month to month basis, with no lease. I mentioned my concern that this would be in violation of RESPA and we would be breaking federal law. She went down the month to month rent with no contract as a defense. We politely declined and did not get the business.
Duty to the Public 3:
As a home inspector, I may encounter individuals who would offer a bribe in exchange for a passing inspection regarding the property,although the property does not meet standard. In this example, I would not accept the bribe, and report the honest condition of the property.
Essay for Code of Ethics Course
Occasionally I am asked if I can do the repairs on the items or if I can give an estimate on the cost of repairs. When I am asked if I can do the repairs is an indirect way to get a free estimate. As an Inspector in Texas , I am not allowed to work on a home I have inspected for 12 months. This rule also applies to InterNACHI policies as well. To avoid any ethics violation or any conflict of interest I do the following.
In the course of doing business as a home inspector it is a good practice to have a Home Inspection Agreement. If you are going to have a home inspection agreement it is a good idea to spell out your Code of Ethics in the Agreement with a Code of Ethics clause. In doing so it helps make clear to a client that there no tolerance for dishonesty. Here are a couple of sentences I put in my Agreement to insure I do not run afoul with the Code of Ethics or the law and to reduce the chances a client would ask me to do something improper.
Client(s) understands that Inspector is not and can not be a party to any real estate transaction regarding the Property, Inspector can not and will not do any repair work on the Property. Inspector can not and will not bid on or give estimates on any work needed.
Now, when asked if I can do the work or give an estimate, I can just point to the Inspection Agreement.