During the housing boom between 2004 and 2006 mostly in Florida, especially after hurricane Katrina when domestic building supplies were in short demand, roughly 250,000 tons of drywall was imported from China. It was plentiful and cost effective. This material was used in about 100,000 homes. This material poses very serious health concerns and damage to appliances and electrical wiring. The drywal was made of “fly ash”. A byproduct of coal fired power plants. The drywall is known to emit hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur compounds, resulting in numerous physical ailments. Although very costly, this product should be replaced. Most insurance companies do not cover the cost. A sample can be made out for proper identification of the drywall type.
In a home it is important to improve energy efficiency. Programmable thermostats are a good way to dramatically reduce the energy efficiency of the home by reducing the temperature overnight by some degree. Installing a ceiling fan beside an air conditioner and installing a tankless water heater are very efficient eco-friendly measures.
Here in Boise, Idaho we had an unusually wet winter this year. With all the additional snow we had many cases of ice dams and ice dam damage to homes. I read an article on ice dams to understand better how they are caused and what you can do to prevent them.
It was interesting to learn that using a type of metal to cover areas most vulnerable to ice dams will help keep area cooler causing the water to start cool and stay cool and not build up into the dams as easily.
One tool available to test for problem Chinese drywall is a handheld XRF analyzer. Due to the cost of these units, $17,000 for a factory refurbished, the fact that hydrogen sulfide can be in domestic drywall at much lower levels and the relatively localized occurrence of this problem (mostly South and Central Florida in 2006 and 2007) other identification measures may be better suited. A quick look at the wiring, copper piping, the corners of mirrors and faucets for black corrosion or pitting along with either a slightly sweet or sulphur smell are good indications of the presence.
A hypothetical conflict of interest, The other day I was introduced to the girlfriend of my nephew, she is a real estate agent. We talked and I told her I was going to become a home inspector. She offered pointers on running a successful home inspection business. She proceeded to tell me that I should consult with the real estate agent before I wrote the inspection report as my report could BLOW the deal and I would not be in business long! I thought to myself this was so wrong in so many ways and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing as it was my intension of having a working relationship with her as she lives just down the street. She explained that a unfavorable inspection would scare off potential buyers and especially first time home owners. I thanked her for points and I thank god I found this out before I invested my time with her. It was a direct conflict of my interest as I am new to InterNACHI, I’m just reviewing the code of ethics and fine that my thought about her was right on.
A homeowner with a gas fireplace has turned off the gas at the interior home shutoff valve required in Pennsylvania because the fireplace isn’t “working correctly.” I turn it on and discover what I feel is a gas leak associated with the artificial log structure in the fireplace. The homeowner states that he has already contacted a fireplace insert repair resource and that they will be there later in the day to complete repairs, so he requests that I leave that issue out of the report since he has already “taken care of it.” I offer to return after the repair to complete the report and he states that he will not be home then and I should go ahead and note the repair in the report or simply not mention it in my inspection, otherwise he will hire a different inspector. The correct thing for me to do is to decline the work unless the customer allows and accepts a full report of the defect as it stands in the report
Adjustable Steel Columns Research
The post is not less then 3 inches in diameter, be protected by rust inhibitive paint, be mechanically connected to the floor and beam to offer lateral resistance. Defective conditions are visible signs of rust, over 3 inches of thread exposed, lateral displacement of more then 1 inch or the post is bent.
It can be very difficult to start a home inspection business on a shoestring budget. Most easily, although not the best from a personal liability standpoint I have chosen to begin as a sole proprietor and proceed as quickly as possible to establish an LLC which I will treat as a subchapter S corporation for tax purposes. Legal zoom, MyLLC and incorporate.com are all adequate online resources for incorporation and not too expensive. LegalZoom allows payments to be divided over 3 to 4 months. Incorporate.com requires a single payment , but offers corporate litigation insurance as a complimentary benefit for using their services. I prefer LegalZoom and have used them before.
hello to everyone taking this course. i am actually new to the field. i am looking for a change in life. i have been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. have part of several property build and remodel. so, i am new to this and will or may ask a lot of questions.
During a client’s inspection, it was clear the owner was not satisfied with the purchase of the house I was about to inspect. The client was willing to offer me money in exchange for an improper report that will not declare the excessive damages on the property. The client wanted the report to declare bad or poor construction practices in order for the client to be able to sue the construction company.
I informed the client, that my commitment as inspector is to offer a faithful and honest examination for which I was contracted. I also informed the client that the request is against the ethics of the profession, that Internachi is the association to which I belong and my commitment is to exercise my profession in the most honest way possible. Under no circumstance, I will put my name on a false report, endangering not only my profession, but the integrity of the association I belong to. I stood firm on my way of conducting a proper and honest report.
As a new home inspector and owner of a Grill & Chill DQ, I am giving a free ice cream cake “thank you” coupon to clients when conducting a home inspection for them. At a home inspection recently, the buyer’s representative seemed very interested in a free cake also. However, she understood that I cannot provide any gifts to entities involved in the transaction other than my clients.
Learned more about AFCI testers. As I understand it, an indicator that does not cause a a trip doesn’t necessarily mean the AFCI is not working properly. Verifiy by pressing the test button on the circuit interrupter in order to confirm whether it is malfunctioning. The indicators are used to complement the test button, but should not take the place of the test button.
Hypothetical conflict of Interest
After completing a home inspection for a client there were approximately 40 minor items that were listed on the home inspection report. The Real Estate agent contacted me and asked if I could give him an estimate to fix the 40 minor items.
I told him that it was a code of ethics violation to do a home inspection and do any of the repairs for a minimum of 12 months.
He replied that he understood and if I could refer any contractors that could do the work.
I referred him to bluebook.
He thanked me and referred me to another client.
My hypothetical conflict of Interest: I have a very good friend that is a Real Estate Agent. He uses me for an inspection for a house that the buyer is ready to close. He asked me not to report on the cracks in the foundation. Since the buyer has reviewed the house and is ready to sign. He asked me as a friend and oh by the way he will add another $50.00 to the fee not to disclose the cracks.
I was reading about aluminum siding as an exterior treatment of a building. I understand that aluminum siding, if maintained properly can last approximately 40 years. However, how do you know if the siding is failing? For instance, how do you confirm if rot is present under the siding due to water being trapped on wood being unable to dry due to the aluminum wrapping/siding?
Hypothetical essay - inspection with conflicts of interest.
Shortly after my arrival my clients arrived to be present during the inspection. I knocked on the door and introduced myself to the homeowner / seller and asked if I could begin my inspection. I invited them to be present at the time of the inspection and they told me they would be across the street at the neighbor’s house having coffee. The homeowners then told me that if I could overlook some of the defects of the house to make it “not look so bad” that they own a sign shop and could offer me a “wrap” on my business van at “cost”.
I respectfully declined and told the homeowner that I work for the buyers who hired me. I added that I work within strict business ethics as prescribed by state law and InterNACHI. I also made them aware that my personal integrity and reputation would always be in question if I did such a thing. They told me they understood.
During the inspection, the realtor that my clients used called me on the phone. The realtor asked me to try not to kill the deal with my inspection report. I told the realtor that I am always honest with my clients. I reminded the realtor that just like him /her that I am a member of a professional association (InterNACHI) and I will inspect and report my findings. I will explain as necessary or asked by my client and the rest is up to them. I also told the realtor that my clients liked the house enough to make an offer on it which led me to be at the house to begin with. The client simply wants to know what things a professional home inspector finds in order to make a better educated decision.
I then completed my inspection and provided my clients a written copy of my report. The report was thorough and included my findings without any embellishment. As agreed upon with my client prior to the inspection, I provided the current homeowner with a copy of the report as well.
In the end, the client who hired me bought the house anyway. The deal was not killed, no favors were provided, laws were followed as were ethical and personal standards.
Hypothetical essay - inspection with conflicts of interest.
Shortly after my arrival my clients arrived to be present during the inspection. I knocked on the door and introduced myself to the homeowner / seller and asked if I could begin my inspection. I invited them to be present at the time of the inspection and they told me they would be across the street at the neighbor’s house having coffee. The homeowners then told me that if I could overlook some of the defects of the house to make it “not look so bad” that they own a sign shop and could offer me a “wrap” on my business van at “cost”.
I respectfully declined and told the homeowner that I work for the buyers who hired me. I added that I work within strict business ethics as prescribed by state law and InterNACHI. I also made them aware that my personal integrity and reputation would always be in question if I did such a thing. They told me they understood.
During the inspection, the realtor that my clients used called me on the phone. The realtor asked me to try not to kill the deal with my inspection report. I told the realtor that I am always honest with my clients. I reminded the realtor that just like him /her that I am a member of a professional association (InterNACHI) and I will inspect and report my findings. I will explain as necessary or asked by my client and the rest is up to them. I also told the realtor that my clients liked the house enough to make an offer on it which led me to be at the house to begin with. The client simply wants to know what things a professional home inspector finds in order to make a better educated decision.
I then completed my inspection and provided my clients a written copy of my report. The report was thorough and included my findings without any embellishment. As agreed upon with my client prior to the inspection, I provided the current homeowner with a copy of the report as well.
In the end, the client who hired me bought the house anyway. The deal was not killed, no favors were provided, laws were followed as were ethical and personal standards.
Short essay from library -
Energy efficiency caught my interest. It is simple and something that a new homeowner can do themselves and it leaves them with a feeling that you care.
things like installing ceiling fans, changing air filters, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are easy fixes. Sealing around items that a homeowner wouldn’t typically think of are good ways to insulate your home.
Tankless water heaters are a little more of a high-end fix but good information for them to have.
The article went on to bathroom items, energy efficient appliances and a few practical ways to save energy were helpful.
Mark Jeansonne
Code of Ethics Violation/Conflict of Interest
I am a home inspector that does some painting projects on the side. In my inspection report I falsely state that the siding is in need of sealing due to moisture wicking. Luckily, I know just the guy for the job…me!