Texas Inspectors - The approved SOP and form is now posted

[jmckenna1 (John McKenna, CMI)]

What ever came of the idea that we are to MOVE things in the process of inspecting a house.? This was a big discussion point at one time.

[mboyett (Michael Boyett, TREC #7290 (Ret) Boerne, TX)]

Well, there was a compromise agreed upon on that controversy. The new SOP says:

[size=2]FONT=Verdana Accessible–In the reasonable judgment of the inspector, capable of being approached, entered, or viewed without:
(A) undue hazard to the inspector;
(B) moving furnishings or large, heavy, or fragile objects;
(C) using specialized tools or procedures;
(D) disassembling items other than covers or panels intended to be removed for inspection;
(E) damaging property; or
(F) using a ladder for portions of the inspection other than the roof or attic space.

You decide what is large, heavy or fragile & hope it meets others’ definition.

[/size][/FONT]

[escanlan (Emmanuel Scanlan, TREC# 7593)]

@mboyett

There was an Inspectors Committee meeting yesterday, 11/10/08, that was apparently scheduled just a couple of days ago. The posted agenda said the meeting was to discuss an SOP Commentary. I didn’t see the meeting schedule until it was too late so I did not attend.

Mike,

That is an interesting concept, an SOP commentary. Of course a commentary on the SOP would have to be HUGE to provide proper explanation of such a convoluted mess as the SOP! :mrgreen::mrgreen:

[escanlan (Emmanuel Scanlan, TREC# 7593)]

@mboyett

Well, there was a compromise agreed upon on that controversy. The new SOP says:
[size=2][FONT=Verdana]You decide what is large, heavy or fragile & hope it meets others’ definition.

[/size][/FONT]

We also have to take into account the following:

(4) In the event of a conflict between specific provisions and general provisions in the standards of practice, specific provisions shall take precedence.

This little statement will essentially negate the items “required” and “not required” as listed above if the specific provisions in a section require you to do an action. For example on foundations it could be easily argued that you should have removed all of the junk from half a garage floor to inspect for visible cracks. From the new SOP:

(a) Foundations. The inspector shall:
(3) generally report present and visible indications used to render the opinion of adverse performance, such as:
(A) open or offset concrete cracks;

(b) Specific limitations for foundations. The inspector is not required to:
(1) enter a crawlspace or any area where headroom is less than 18 inches or the access opening is less than 24 inches wide and
18 inches high;
(2) provide an exhaustive list of indicators of possible adverse performance; or
(3) inspect retaining walls not related to foundation performance.

By virtue of the fact that they did not exclude you from having to move anything in the foundation section it can be argued it was an implied requirement. Besides, if the floor is covered with lightweight, smaller, non-fragile items then what choice do you have?