Hey guys, so it’s the first time I’ve been asked if I could turn the main water valve to the home on, and the main electrical breaker/disconnect. The seller is from out of town and due to a time crunch, can’t get anyone out there before my scheduled inspection. My question is that the home is suppose to be in pretty decent condition but am I legally covered if I get it in writing from the seller that I have permission to turn both on? It’s with a very large brokerage I’ve been trying to get in good with so I want to be helpful but also not get myself into to much of a pickle with this. What do you guys think?
Have seller sign a waiver releasing you of all liability if something would go wrong. Verbal agreement wont hold up in court.
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And if there is no washing machine present, be sure the water valves are closed. I know an agent who was having an inspection done with the same scenario (out of town owners.) The inspector turned on the water not thinking to check the laundry area first. No washer hooked up and the valves were left open for some reason. Wasn’t pretty and a lot of angry folks after that mishap.
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Great reminder why we shouldn’t be fiddling with valves and breakers.
Have them ask the agent to do it and go wait in the truck…
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That’s what I do Dom. I think I’ve only turned the water on once or twice. I really don’t care to do it at all.
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I would have the seller or the sellers agent do any turning on. You have no way of knowing if they are off to save money or for some safety or failure reason.
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I refuse to turn anything on. This is written out in the confirmation of appointment email that I send out.
Agents should also not be turning on the water at the time of the inspection. On two different inspections that I was performing, the agents turned on the water at the beginning of the inspection that caused damage to the home. Both times it was the “Jeff is just trying to cover his ass just in case something would happen” as they stormed off to turn it on. Both times I was outside when they turned it on, yet they still blamed me for the damage. If I would have told them about the potential dangers of turning it on, they would never would have done so.
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This is what could happen if you turned on anything.
Call the listing agent to turn on anything. That’s part of their job.
Water leak occuring during HI - Archive / Public Archive - InterNACHI®️ Forum
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I will not turn on switches or valves.
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Do not touch main breakers or main valves, just disclaim and continue inspecting
Always something in writing, even if it is a quick email. Regarding valves, one never knows why it is turned off, especially gas. Same thing with a breaker. Much to consider when you turn any of them on. Water heater drained, toilet spewing, blah blah…
Generally, I have the agent turn them on.
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