Originally Posted By: dbowers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Ryan -
They've been around for years. I use AHWA out of Ohio.
Jerry - You made a valid point. I may have made hundreds of mistakes over the years, but been lucky enough to never had a client call and complain. Never thought of it that way, BUT entirely possible.
Originally Posted By: jerry gallman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Ryan,
This of course is a business decision you are going to have to make. Hopefully you have not agreed that you may have missed it, just that hmm, thats odd, I`ll have to go and see it.
Put your findings in writing concerning the replaced water heater and 3 inch pipe. Document your normal inspection procedure and any referance to the readings taken at the time of inspection.
Then say, since no one witnessed the condition, you can only,like them,speculate what has happened. Offer the broker that since this is a valuable client to his office, (their $3-10k commision) and that his office is of value to your business you would be more than happy to set aside some of your inspection time to accompany the service tech of his choosing to verify proper installation and consider the matter closed.
The broker, using your services often, should know if your past performances for his office have ever created any issues and that this issue should not be laid in your lap, who made the 300.00, and wasnt even the last man in. Just my 2cents. Good luck and leave your check book at home.
Originally Posted By: mrichardson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Rich R,
"Just yesterday, I was up on the roof. The next thing I know is the buyer has climbed up on my ladder on to the roof (8/12 pitch). He immediatly started to slide down, grabbed the water heater flue/ chimney while slidding and dislodged it from below. DFMSOB!!!"
I encourage clients to accompany me, but I specifically don't allow them to use my ladders - ever. If they want to walk the roof they can bring their own ladder. I always invite them into the crawlspace of course. 
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
mrichardson wrote:
I encourage clients to accompany me, but I specifically don't allow them to use my ladders - ever. If they want to walk the roof they can bring their own ladder. I always invite them into the crawlspace of course.
That is also encouraging being named in the lawsuit if a client falls.
If you "encourage" them to come up on the roof, not allowing them to use your ladder for access is not going to save you..
"Your Honor, my inspector "encouraged" me to come up on the roof, and the ONLY ladder I could find was that old rickety one which broke when I was at the top of it. Had the inspection allowed me to use HIS ladder, I would NOT have fallen, NOT have been injured, and NOT now be a quadriplegic."
Originally Posted By: mrichardson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jerry,
I did not make myself clear, I encourage them to be present for the inspection, but, not onto the roof, into the attic or in fact into the crawlspace.
I was trying to be funny, in my experience even the most curious clients rarely want to enter any of those areas, occasionally the attic or very accessible crawlspaces (really stoopspaces in this area).
I also don't permit them to look over my shoulder or stand close when I inspect the service panel, that is something a few want to do. I tell those about the dangers of electrocution and arc faults, and ask them to stand clear. I've never had an argument about it, have had a few who rolled their eyes. 