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Home Inspection Standards, How Many Can One Inspector Use?

By James Quarello

Home Inspector with JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC HOI 394

June 26, 2007 01:54 AM

Home inspection standards of practice and code of ethics are becoming as plentiful as home inspectors themselves. It never ceases to amaze me how home inspection companies will advertise they follow a laundry list of organizations SoP and CoE such ASHI (a first rate favorite). How many of these can one company follow? Do you on Mondays inspection use the NACHI standards and Tuesday the State SoP? What happens if there is a difference in the standards in say the heating system. Which standard do you use?

The bottom line is the inspector should follow one SoP and CoE. If the State has a set of standards, that is the one that should be followed, period. Why is this important? Consistency. You can not be consistent and follow several different standards.

Here in my State of CT we have licensing and a set of State SoP and CoE. We are required to take continuing ed as part of license renewal. One course we must take each cycle is CT laws, rules and regulations. This taught by an attorney who is an expert on home inspection laws. His advice is to never claim to inspect to numerous SoP. Do not state that you exceed the standards as well. (Another claim thrown around by many companies) His reason is basically inconsistency will get you in trouble every time.

Now inspection standards are minimums. In order to do a good thorough inspection going beyond the minimum is usually a must. So how can this be accomplished and still stay within the standards?

It comes down to reporting. If for example during the inspection of the boiler water was seen under and around the unit. This would lead the inspector to look into the boiler more closely. Almost assuredly beyond the SoP. But the inspector had reason to go beyond the minimum as indicated in the report.

So all those claims of following numerous standards could get you into trouble. They really amount to nothing more than marketing hype. It is no different than all the "certifications" we see these days, a lot of these are meaningless. Claims like talk are cheap.

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Jimmy Breazeale

Sherlock Home Inspections - Coldwater, MS

Off on that other subject: I'm proposing a national campaign. There will be a little row of chicken-house condos, with a fox figuring prominently in the animation, grinning from ear to ear but with rather sinister eyes. The first caption will read, "This guy may be well qualified to sell you your house," The next frame will show the fox wearing his you-know-what hat. The caption reads, "but would you also have him choose your inspector for you?" Followed by a short paragraph of very good consumer info. Maybe I should copywrite that. Come to think of it, it already is, by default under the copywrite laws. After this, I may need to sell that idea. Maybe the IHINA guys will buy it. Where's Mitchell when you need him?????

Jul 23, 2007 12:00 PM

Anonymous

Erol Kartal

Hi Gang.

Bob check with your attorney. He will tell you that if you're going to abide by one SOP it better be Illinois and not NACHI. We in Illinois MUST inspect by the state's SOP and then mention our favorite club second if we wish too. The whole premise of our licensing was based on "Standards". Mentioning two SOP's is OK as long as we are in full compliance of Illinois first.

And after all that gibber...inspection agreements are pretty much worthless anyway if an inspector is found to be negligent. Agreements and reports don't mean much if were guilty of a mistake or ommission. Using a disclaimer to protect ourselves if we screw up doesn't work.

Erol Kartal

www.ProInspect1.com

Jul 27, 2007 01:49 PM

#34

Bob Elliott

Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL

Chicago Property Inspection

I abide by my states SOP and then some.You may do as you wish as it does me no harm.

Jul 27, 2007 06:15 PM

Erol Kartal

Schaumburg, IL

Couldn't care less what you do...

Condo Inspection Chicago

Jul 28, 2007 12:25 PM

Stephen Gladstone

Stonehollow Fine Home Inspections & Testing - Stamford, CT

Whew... It was tough going thru all this. Truth is ASHI's standards & codes stood the test of time for 30 years...but whatever standards you follow...I would assume they will be like different inspection reports...pretty much the same. So does it really matter...no. More importantly what matters is that we do what we say we are going to do. I exceed the level of care that all the existing standards out there demand...as an example we are required to open a random sample of windows...after a few years you find it's far smarter to try as many windows as you can.( I remember a crank casement I opened on the 2nd floor that after two turns... left the window frame and hurtled down to the rear yard). Not a great day but we found the damage and reported it, instead of getting an angry phone call. I'd add when we exceed the standards we do it as a marketing tool to sell against our competition. That is, when someone calls, we tell them we test all outlets, we open all accessible windows , we go as far as this fat body can wiggle into the crawlspace and go from one end of an attic to the other. We also inspect appliances and do common areas in condo inspections... but, we do charge a higher rate for the client care we provide. Remember also when you get a client who tries to renegotiate your contract and wants to cross off something... your risk increases. If your risk increases your rate should too. Standards also help us to understand where the bar is, and where we fit in the continuum of other inspectors and to the level of care a client should expect. If you choose to give them more...all the better. I find the more careful we are the less likely we will be standing in front of judges and arbitrators. We should worry less about which Standards are followed and more that we are adequately living up to our clients expectations and make good ethical decisions.

Jul 28, 2007 01:07 PM

Jimmy Breazeale

Sherlock Home Inspections - Coldwater, MS

Well said, Stephen. Or, in other words, if you follow the Golden Rule in your business, the standards will pretty much follow.

Jul 28, 2007 03:39 PM

Bob Elliott

Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL

Chicago Property Inspection

James ..does hearing what I have been saying but from someone else help you understand what I am saying.

If NACHI standards are inclusive of the state but more encompassing and I follow NACHI standards by living up to NACHI standards I am increasing expectations of my clients which is bettor for my clients if I abide by them.

This is what Stephen is agreeing with.Thank you ..Stephen.

Jul 28, 2007 08:44 PM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Bob,

Yes I would definitely agree with Steve and if that is what you your point was in our previous discussion, then I agree with you too.

One important part of what Steve said is;

I'd add when we exceed the standards we do it as a marketing tool to sell against our competition. That is, when someone calls, we tell them we test all outlets, we open all accessible windows , we go as far as this fat body can wiggle into the crawlspace and go from one end of an attic to the other.

When someone calls, in other words he exceeds the SoP, but does not print it, he says it to a potential client. Which was my point.

Jul 29, 2007 12:34 AM

Carl Winters

Canyon Lake, TX

Whew! Sure glad you got it all worked out. I enjoy sitting back and reading your comments while I eat my M&M's.

Carl

Aug 03, 2007 01:35 PM

Stephen Gladstone

Stonehollow Fine Home Inspections & Testing - Stamford, CT

It's fun to watch you guys duke it out. As long as you have standards and they (whomever wrote them) are close in principle, that's really all that matters... whatever flag you wave... let it protect the consumer. Don't choke on them m&m's Carl. Steve.

Aug 03, 2007 02:09 PM

Bob Elliott

Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL

Chicago Property Inspection

If you met some of past girlfreinds ,you would realize there was a time when I had no standards.

Aug 03, 2007 03:08 PM

Jimmy Breazeale

Sherlock Home Inspections - Coldwater, MS

Isn't it beautiful that nearly every inspector on AR shares such standards? Even when we disagree, it is obvious that the vast majority of us are passionate about looking out for the consumer's interest. That, gentlemen, is absolutely the most important thing. May none of us ever sell out, even once.

Aug 03, 2007 07:10 PM

Bob Elliott

Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL

Chicago Property Inspection

Jimmy are you nite riding again.?

Aug 03, 2007 07:15 PM

Carla Horne

Grand View Home Inspections, LLC. - Meredith, NH

NH licensed Home Inspector

Hi guys,

my opinion is that the state(law) comes first and it seems like most states creating licensing are also creating state own SoPs.

all of the standards from the many organizations are so similar that it doesn't matter which you follow as long as one follows them. it seems like that is actually part of the "my organization is better than your org." attitude.

and a last point, can someone explain exceeds standards to me? it makes no sense.

if you are exceeding the standards than you are not following the standards, right?

just my thoughts.

Carla

Jun 03, 2008 08:02 AM

Michael Reel

Integrity Home Inspections LLC - Parkersburg, WV

Nice Post james, I believe you are right on point. One standard is the only way to go. If your State has licensing/certification then that is the standard by law you have to follow. BUT, as you stated these are always the minimum guidlines required to meet the applicable State law. The serious, proficient inspector will alwyas exceed the standard without bragging or bringing it to the clients attention to protect his client. Education and awareness are key, reporting clarity is important as well but the desire to be the absolute best you can be is without question the most important factor in Home Inspection results.

Blessings,

Jun 16, 2008 02:00 PM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Michael,

You have grasped my point exactly. As you probably read this turned in to quite a discussion about following other Standards.

"The serious, proficient inspector will always exceed the standard without bragging or bringing it to the clients attention to protect his client."

That is perfectly said and is how I conduct my inspections.

Jun 17, 2008 12:18 AM

Anonymous

Jim Mushinsky

I read State Licensing SOP as Consumer Protection.

I read Professional Organization SOP as Industry Standard.

Both type of SOP provide guides for the dynamic environment of Home Inspection.

If I may use the simple decision model of "fear of loss" and "desire for gain", then I expect a Home Inspector to ensure me that my "fear of loss" will be satisfied with the Inspector's State License and my "desire for gain" is satisfied by the Inspector's additional involvement with a Professional Organization.

At this point the consumer is probably already overloaded with information. I doubt that many consumers check the State SOP nor a Professional Organization SOP. I do believe that if they don't hear both of these messages then they will keep looking for another Inspector.

In summary I disagree with James with respect to a quality Home Inspection. I feel both SOP references are required to ensure consumer confidence. However, if price is the main decision criteria for the consumer in your market, then I agree with James that only the State SOP should be used.

** Can you tell I'm from MA with the John Kerry style "Flip Flop" summary? ** (No disrespect to MA or Senator Kerry intended)

Jim Mushinsky

Jun 22, 2008 03:16 PM

#49

Robert Sole

REM Inspections LLC - Winter Springs, FL

I think we all agree that the organization's SOP should be the minimum acceptable effort on our part. You do have to be careful about promising more. If you state that you do XYZ that is above the minimum, you are in trouble if one time you do not. Consistency is very important.

The one way to solve this problem is to state that you inspect according to the SOP and then feel free to exceed it.. Like the old adage: Under promise and over deliver.

Jul 22, 2008 08:45 AM

Rick Maday

Schaumburg, IL

Schaumburg Home Inspector -

Perhaps defining what "exceeding" SOP means would help.

Possibly many say they "exceed" SOP when in fact they are simply compliant.

FWIW - the IL SOP is weak, IMO

Aug 08, 2008 05:41 AM

Jacques Mountain

Dream Home Inspections/203K Consultant - Fayetteville, GA

Inspector/203K Consultant

I have only seem rare instances where I personally exceed the SOP but I just consider it a part of the job.

Sep 09, 2008 01:59 PM

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