Originally Posted By: rkulla This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
This is in reference to Neal’s slowing me down post.
I am wondering how many guys give themselves about a 1/2 hour at the home by themselves before the buyers are told to be there? It would be one way to get your computer set up in the house, get up on the roof and do most of the outside before the customers show up. Of course you would still make a lap around the house discussing any issues found prior to the customer arriving.
Rex Kulla
Custom Home Inspections
Maple Grove MN
(612) 799-3093
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I get there when the clients are supposed to arrive. If I’m there early, I sit in the truck and listen to sports radio. About the only thing I will do prior to a client’s arrival (if they are going to be there) is take a picture of the house for the report cover page.
My reason for this is that I want the client to have the opportunity to either watch or follow me throughout the inspection, so both of us know that everything was inspected that was supposed to be.
If you get a call back, it always helps to say, "well, you were with me when we looked at blah, blah, blah, and there were blah, blah, blah, remember".
Also, the paying person is gonna pay me and sign my agreement before I start, otherwise, I don't start. 
Originally Posted By: dvalley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Rex,
I'm always a half hour early. I knock on the door/ring doorbell and introduce myself to the owners and let them know that I will be performing an exterior Inspection of their house. I also tell them that I will not be entering their premises until the Realtor arrives.
I then complete the entire exterior Inspection while recording my findings on the report before my client arrives. My client usually arrives just as I'm completing the exterior. I then introduce myself to my client and let them know that I arrived early and that the exterior inspection is completed. I politely ask them if they would like to walk with me around the house so I can report my findings to them.
As I am pointing out deficiencies and recommending upgrades with them, they always ask me "Can you write that in the report". I tell them "Already done". They just love to hear that.
Originally Posted By: pdacey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I agree with Blaine, no signature, no inspection.
Also, I always go in the attic before going on the roof. It has saved my butt many times from entering the attic from a new skylight I created while wlaking on the roof.
I also schedule at 9 am and 2 pm. It leaves plenty of time for travel or if you need a little extra time for the first inspection.
Originally Posted By: rkulla This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I agree that a pre-inspection agreement should be signed asap. I would ask for them to sign it as soon as they get there. That way no more of my time would be wasted. So far about 50/50 for starting before the people get there.
Patrick, you actually went through a roof? ouch!
Rex Kulla
Custom Home Inspections
Maple Grove MN
(612) 799-3093
Originally Posted By: pdacey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Rex,
No I haven't (knock wood) because I check out the attic first. An inspection I had yesterday, I found some pretty extensive damage to the sheathing from a past leak. It was in the middle of the roof field, not near any penetrations. Had I not seen that before going on the roof I would have entering the attic the hard way. The damage was old and there was no evidence of it on the exterior.
Originally Posted By: phinsperger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
bwiley wrote:
I get there when the clients are supposed to arrive. If I'm there early, I sit in the truck and listen to sports radio. About the only thing I will do prior to a client's arrival (if they are going to be there) is take a picture of the house for the report cover page.
My reason for this is that I want the client to have the opportunity to either watch or follow me throughout the inspection, so both of us know that everything was inspected that was supposed to be.
If you get a call back, it always helps to say, "well, you were with me when we looked at blah, blah, blah, and there were blah, blah, blah, remember".
Also, the paying person is gonna pay me and sign my agreement before I start, otherwise, I don't start. 
I do exactly the same as Blaine. I also include a clause in my agreement stating that the client has been requested to participate in the inspection.
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Interesting that Patrick goes into the attic first. That is absolutely the last place I go. Especially in the summer, I usually come out of the attic looking like I just took a long hot shower, and smelling like I need one.
I have never even considered the issue of falling through a roof, and never been close. If it's wavy, I just walk on the lines  
I schedule at 9 and 1, and have enough time in-between most to get the report done. Remember though, these 1 level homes are about like doing a condo with a roof and exterior. The average home size around here is about 1500 sq. ft.
Sorry Kevin, I don't think I'm your separated twin brother. I am far too old and good looking   
Originally Posted By: pdacey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
bwiley wrote:
Interesting that Patrick goes into the attic first. That is absolutely the last place I go. Especially in the summer, I usually come out of the attic looking like I just took a long hot shower, and smelling like I need one.
That's another reason why I go in there first. Before it gets too @#$%ing hot. In south Texas, attics are hot all year round. In the summer it's like Africa hot, right now it's like Arizona hot. Just need to keep the Harps well chilled for after the inspection. 
Originally Posted By: rkulla This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Tonight
Partly cloudy. Blustery. Much colder. Lows 5 below to 10 below zero. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Wind chill readings 20 below to 30 below zero.
Thursday
Increasing clouds. Colder. Highs around 5 above. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 21 below to 31 below zero.
Sorry guys, I can’t relate to the too hot in the attic issues, but I would like too. Currently the lakes have 18" / 24" of ice on them up here. No problem keeping the beer cold up here 6 months out of the year.
Originally Posted By: rhinck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I always show up at least 30 min. early. That gives me a chance to take a quick look and the whole house, not bedrooms but the mechanicals, basmt., etc. Next I walk the roof, do my exterior inspection. By this time the buyer has shown up and I do my “driveway presentation”, get aggree. signed and report on the roof and exterior. I don’t want the buyer on the roof with me, and if there are any problems outside we take a look at them right then. I find that the most curious buyer only lasts so long and I don’t want to “use him up” outside. I know I stand the chance of not getting the agree. signed, but I haven’t lost any inspections from this so far. Also I want to be clear that this system works for ME, and this is in no way an indorcement of THE proper protocol.
Originally Posted By: adeerey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
We and I mean we because all of our inspections are done with two guys.
One on the computer and doing some minor checking and the other doing the inspection.
Like Blaine We sit back and listen to the radio if we are early or clean the truck--
I like the idea of them seeing it all in front of there eyes. they are the ones paying you so they should get the whole show.
Who cares how long it takes - They are spending a ton of money and will be paying for it for 30 years.
As for falling thru a roof? Never happened to me but you tommorrow is another day - I agree if they are soft walk on the lines. Nothing makes my day then hearing the cracking of tiles and decking! If it cant hold my skinny a$% how can it be a good roof?
Attic First? No way - To freakin hot to do that. (REX is the exception) I like to do the attic as the last exterior thing - Do the attic and jump into the A/C.
-- This signature thing at the bottom is for what real purpose?
Originally Posted By: cnelson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I e-mail or fax my agreement to my clients when they book an inspection. That way they have a chance to look it over and there are no surprises. If they have a problem they notify me before I drive to the inspection, if there is no problem I have them fax it back signed or have them bring it to the inspection signed.
As far as starting early I have no problem with it only if you go over everything with the clients when they arrive.
Just my opinion: Always walk very gingerly on any roof and don't go on any roof that looks unsafe, be it high pitch, ice, snow or sagging between the rafters.
