Originally Posted By: kmcmahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Because of this thread, I started checking appliances. I don’t include the information in the report, I just let the client know when I see something wrong.
Originally Posted By: evandeven This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Kevin,
Just wondering, why don’t you include appliances in your written report? You have already inspected them and if you put in your report wording stating that they were tested and the test is valid for the date of the inspection, wouldn’t that increase your inspections “perceived value”?
– Eric Van De Ven
Owner/Inspector
Magnum Inspections Inc.
I get paid to be suspicious when there is nothing to be suspicious about!
Originally Posted By: kmcmahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Because they are not really inspected like waterheaters or furnaces…all I do is turn em on and say yep they work or no they don’t. Don’t want anyone to come back and say “hey, you didn’t notice the gas leak on the stove? Says in your report that the stove was inspected and was ok” I dont need that kind of extra liability headache when it’s not a requirement by my state. I really want to provide extra service but really would like to limit the liability.
Originally Posted By: evandeven This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
Because they are not really inspected like waterheaters or furnaces...all I do is turn em on and say yep they work or no they don't. Don't want anyone to come back and say "hey, you didn't notice the gas leak on the stove? Says in your report that the stove was inspected and was ok" I dont need that kind of extra liability headache when it's not a requirement by my state. I really want to provide extra service but really would like to limit the liability.
Good enough for me! 
-- Eric Van De Ven
Owner/Inspector
Magnum Inspections Inc.
I get paid to be suspicious when there is nothing to be suspicious about!
www.magnuminspections.com
Originally Posted By: dedwards This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
We check appliances. Why? Because that is what we are paid to do. Someone hands me their hard earned money for a home inspection. If you don’t want any liability you got into the wrong business. If you do it right you reduce your liability to almost zilch. If you don’t inspect an item and it turns out after closing that it does not work then it comes back as “that #@%ing inspector didn’t check anything”. You can check one hundred items perfectly but if you neglect to inspect an item and it later fails, it comes out as you being a piss poor inspector and yes it has an effect on ALL inspectors. I am constantly being told about some inspectors who spend a whole 45 minutes at a home, grab their fee and haul a$% for the next inspection. They are cheap and have a reputation for half assed work. I hear in here all the time about how much money an inspector should be making and want to be known as a professional. Then the customer should expect superior service. Someone buys a home and later finds out half the appliances need repairs or replacement that just ain’t right and the customer is left holding the bag. Marketing folks tell us that if you satisfy a customer they will tell approximately 20 people, but if you screw them they will tell EVERYONE! Just something to think about.
Originally Posted By: aslimack This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I think the problem you would have is saying “it was inspected and o.k.” Why would you specify its ok, as opposed to functional? Funtional implys a lot less than than o.k., as in it responded to the controls. Not necessarily Top notch or perfect or like new or show room … I think the wording is the key. Also, to say you inspected an oven would imply more than most would care to, unless you do actually go through all the temp. measurements, etc. Your wording creates the clients perception. If you check the controls on an oven with them standing near, they more than likely don’t consider that an in depth inspection of the appliance. They appreciate the effort, but they would hardly consider that part of the inspection they hired you for. So i think the key is to not refer to that minute or two you spent in front the oven as an “inspection” of the oven. Rather you bothered to check it for basic funtion. I hope this makes sense to someone other than me, cause its been a long day and while my communication skills still seem to be funtional, I’m sure they are not top notch,or perfect, or like new, or Ya know…
Originally Posted By: jmurray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
dedwards wrote:
We check appliances. Why? Because that is what we are paid to do.
I usually get paid for:
1-What I describe as my services to the customer.
2-What is on my brochures, internet site or other marketing material.
3-What my association requires me to inspect!
4-What I personally choose to inspect over and above what is required by 1,2 and 3!
-- "A little less conversation and a little more action"!
Originally Posted By: jmurray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
kmcmahon wrote:
Because they are not really inspected like waterheaters or furnaces...all I do is turn em on and say yep they work or no they don't. Don't want anyone to come back and say "hey, you didn't notice the gas leak on the stove? Says in your report that the stove was inspected and was ok" I dont need that kind of extra liability headache when it's not a requirement by my state. I really want to provide extra service but really would like to limit the liability.
I personally would be hesitant to give an oral report on appliances. It may take a little more work for a schister or even a legitimate complainant to come after you but, I would not want to put myself in a position to have to lie to a court to defend myself!
-- "A little less conversation and a little more action"!
Originally Posted By: dedwards This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
John,
I agree. Its on our brochures too so we inspect the items. If it is on your brochure you had better inspect it. It is a functional check using the normal controls. If for instance you do not inspect a dishwasher and it later turns out to be leaking like a sieve or it backs up into the sink when it discharges, it reflects back on the inspector. It does not take that much more time to check the appliances because frankly I do not stand there and watch it run. I first make sure that it is wired properly, if it is integrated into the plumbing (dishwaser, etc.) that it is in fact connected properly, then I turn it on and let it run while I go about doing other things in the same general area in case there is a malfunction. We routinely receive comments on how thorough we do an inspection and we get a LOT of referrals. Someone just getting started needs that extra umph to get their name out in front of the public. Don’t depend on getting work just because you might have a real snappy business card or brochure. Word of mouth is still the best advertisement in the world (and the cheapest). If it means taking a $4 oven thermometer and checking the oven’s thermostat than do it. A typical oven thermostat costs about $60 plus labor. The customer would probably appreciate knowing they won’t have to face a repair bill right after taking possession of the home.
Originally Posted By: kmcmahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Had a lawyer speak at a local meeting and he spoke about checking for gas leaks with a detector…if you don’t find anything don’t report that you even checked…you’d be opening yourself up to serious liability. It’s ok to report problems, but don’t report that " gas lines were checked and no leaks were found".
Originally Posted By: dedwards This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Kevin,
That’s how we do it. If it is right “at the time of the inspection” there is no requirement to say that. We report on what is wrong/ discrepancies, otherwise you could write up volumns of useless information. I do a lot of things just for my own peace of mind that never goes on the report or verbally relayed to the client. Its for me to sleep good at night. If there is nothing to report than I don’t. Wording and how you convey the information to your client is very important. If it becomes an issue, for instance a gas leak and the question is asked “Did you check for gas leaks?” you can say “Yes, and there were none detected at the time of the inspection.” Everything breaks down or malfunctions at some point in time and we can not nor should not predict it. If I had a crystal ball I would not be doing home inspections. There is a lot of misunderstandings out there about just what a home inspection is. Many think it is somehow a guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong after it is completed. Home inspectors can do a lot towards clearing up that impression. A home inspection is a snap shot in time. A physical is only good until that person gets sick or they have a second physical and something is discovered.
Originally Posted By: jmurray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
dedwards wrote:
Kevin,
That's how we do it. If it is right "at the time of the inspection" there is no requirement to say that. We report on what is wrong/ discrepancies, otherwise you could write up volumns of useless information. I do a lot of things just for my own peace of mind that never goes on the report or verbally relayed to the client. Its for me to sleep good at night. If there is nothing to report than I don't. Wording and how you convey the information to your client is very important. If it becomes an issue, for instance a gas leak and the question is asked "Did you check for gas leaks?" you can say "Yes, and there were none detected at the time of the inspection." Everything breaks down or malfunctions at some point in time and we can not nor should not predict it. If I had a crystal ball I would not be doing home inspections. There is a lot of misunderstandings out there about just what a home inspection is. Many think it is somehow a guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong after it is completed. Home inspectors can do a lot towards clearing up that impression. A home inspection is a snap shot in time. A physical is only good until that person gets sick or they have a second physical and something is discovered.
A problem might arise if you inspect the fridge and a week after closing an internal electronic component tells the icemaker to keep producing ice while the owner is at work! Similar circumstances will apply to any appliance that uses electronics!
Washers-overflow, vibrate excessively, burn motors and etc.
Dryers- timer not functioning-fire risk, Thermostat not properly calibrated-overheat (fire?), internal gas leak when temperature reaches 110 degrees (explosion and etc.)
Dishwashers- see washers and much of dryers.
Microwave- fire risk and don't forget your leak detector!
If one were to report that the fridge-washer-dryer as needing to be leveled or an anti-tip bracket should be installed on the oven and any one of the scenario's occurred from above, what might the client think?
He/She may think that these/this component(s) were inspected by a "professional" and the "professional" missed the fact that my gas stove had a internal regulator that was malfunctioning and blew a hole in my roof!
If it is not reported then, is it not our fault?
Personally, I am pretty good with electronics but, am afraid of investing 3 or 4 hours properly testing circuit boards and relays in a residential home inspection.
-- "A little less conversation and a little more action"!