Originally Posted By: Joe DiGiacomo This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thinking of other ways to generate business as a HI. I have seen a few HI companies offer a consulting, project manager type service. Let’s say your having an addition put onto your house, who is watching out in the home owners best interest, chances are not the contractor. I would like to know the pros and cons to this. Can it be a legitimate extension of a HI business would your EO insurance cover this…maybe with a small add.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Joe , you would have to check the E&O situation out with your carrier but I think the idea a good one, if fact I did it the other way around the home inspection came after the project management.
Originally Posted By: Jeff Pope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hey guys,
Here's the scenario as I see it;
All new homes and most home additions require the appropriate permits (even though many home owners do not comply). A city or county official (technically) does the Code Compliant Inspection (CCI). In most cases, their inspection is sub-standard with regards to quality control. This is where we can safely step in.
Unless we are qualified to do so, we cannot LEGALLY conduct a CCI.
Where we can benefit (so to speak) is in the area of quality control. I have witnessed many cases where, even though the installations were completely code compliant, they were not functional.
Case in point: I recently inspected a NEW home where the duct work from the heating/cooling unit was crushed to about 25% of its actual capacity. When the pipe fitters installed the gas line, they did not have enough room in the sub-floor. Their remedy was the path of least resistance - the flexible A/C ducting. It was then covered by drywall and hidden forever (so they thought).
My role was as the Quality Control Inspector. With pictures as proof, the builder was "compelled" to remove the drywall and re-route the piping.
Our liability as a QCI is actually much less when inspecting new homes or additions. The CCI is responsible for most safety hazards that could produce heavy financial liability. Our role is much simpler - if it looks wrong, it probably is.
If we choose to inspect an addition WITHOUT the proper permits, we are treading on thin ice. Even though we may be familiar with most codes, the code compliant inspection is considered the same as "Law Enforcement."
Originally Posted By: Joe DiGiacomo This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Gerry, are you still doing the project mgr thing? If so does it fill time between inspections or does it get in the way. What would you caution as a down side. Jeff, I by no means am suggesting to replace or supplement what the local inspectors do. I was looking at it as more a professional consultant, making sure to get everything in writing, documented and specified correctly up front and then keeping the contractor honest, and watching that if he cuts corners he does not deter from the customer’s initial expectations. Making sure that communication between customer and contractor is clear. Also keeping an eye on making sure change orders are done fairly and correctly. Do you have experience good or bad on this Jeff?
Originally Posted By: Jeff Pope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Gerry,
Professional consultant was exactly what I was referring to. I apologize if I wasn't clear on this, sometimes I get a little carried away in details.
I spent years as a Project Manager. I'm not so sure that I (personally) would be willing to deal directly with the contractor or trades again. One reason I became an inspector was to avoid the "Project Manager" positions. As an inspector or consultant, there is much less stress , hours are more flexible and the pay can be much greater.
As a consultant, I deal with the client. Occasionally, a disgruntled seller, or even a builder will approach me - upset with something in my report - but those situations are usually pretty easy to handle.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Guys
Yes I still do some of that, although increasingly less and less, like your comments I see it as a QC role, and that is how my clients also see it, personally I will call in a AHJ if I see a problem and the contractor doesn’t want to address it (you don’t win many friends with that ) Also you are able to save clients alot of time and agravation by neing the bad guy sometimes, and very often save the client a lot of money. For example last year a client was having a kitchen remodel and installing a 42 inch wide fridge freezer, which the contractor could not get through the door, they were on the verge of taking out the door frame and cutting back the wall, before I suggested just removing the doors from the unit and feeding it in through a window appature ( cost saving about $1,000 and time saving about 2 days !!) Some contactors just like creating work and big invoices
) Also you are able to save clients alot of time and agravation by neing the bad guy sometimes, and very often save the client a lot of money. For example last year a client was having a kitchen remodel and installing a 42 inch wide fridge freezer, which the contractor could not get through the door, they were on the verge of taking out the door frame and cutting back the wall, before I suggested just removing the doors from the unit and feeding it in through a window appature ( cost saving about $1,000 and time saving about 2 days !!) Some contactors just like creating work and big invoices 