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Home Inspection Clients Bill of Rights

By
Home Inspector with Trace Inspections, LLC TN #17

Scott Patterson as a member of ASHI is proud to agree with and endorse the following Client Bill of Rights.

Published June 2008

American Society of Home Inspectors® (ASHI®) Client Bill of Rights

As a profession, home inspectors have an ethical obligation to the public. This obligation includes integrity, competency, honesty, confidentiality, objectivity and an interest in public safety. Fulfilling this obligation will promote and preserve public confidence in the profession. In recognition of this obligation, we hereby promote and proclaim these rights for our clients.

I.  To be assured the inspector is objective in his or her reporting and will not knowingly understate or overstate the significance of reported conditions.

II. To be assured the inspector's opinion is based on genuine conviction within the scope of his or her education and experience.

III. To be assured the inspector stays current with the industry's body of knowledge through continuing education.

IV. To be assured the inspector will not disclose inspection results or client information without client approval.

V. To be assured the inspector has not accepted any form of compensation for recommending contractors, services or products.

VI. To be assured the inspector will not offer to repair or replace for compensation any component covered by the ASHI Standards of Practice for one year after the inspection.

VII. To be assured future referrals to the inspector from real estate agents are not dependent on the inspection findings or the sale of the property.

VIII. To be assured the home inspector has no financial interest in the transaction.

IX. To be assured the inspector is not receiving compensation for the inspection from any other party.

X. To be assured the inspector did not compensate the real estate agent or other party for the referral to the client.

W. Michael (Mike) Chris
HouseNspect - Saint George, UT
The HouseNspect Guy

Scott: Item VI. . . . for one year after the inspection. - I wouldn't even begin to offer to repair or replace after 20 years, that's for the handyman, contractors, etc. . . . my 2 cents worth.

Jun 05, 2008 11:26 AM
Mitchell Captain
AllSpec Professional Property Inspections Inc - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Home inspections in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach

And ASHI has no policing of the clients bill of rights. So the home inspector who has violated the bill of rights will continue to do so.

It is a shame that people seeking the services of a home inspector will feel and think that they are safe by hiring an ASHI inspector.

Buyer beware.

Jun 05, 2008 11:25 PM
Scott Patterson, ACI
Trace Inspections, LLC - Spring Hill, TN
Home Inspector, Middle TN

Mike: I agree about doing repairs.  Truth be known ASHI is the only national home inspector organization that states this with wording that is this strong.  It is hard for some inspectors to comply as in many small towns or rural areas, some home inspectors serve double duty.  But, I agree that home inspectors should not be in the repair business.

Mitchell: A typical grouchy response from you is to be expected.  I did not delete your response as folks need to see all sides. Out of the the national home inspection organizations ASHI does have the best track record for having the more experienced and knowledgeable inspectors in their membership.  But you are correct in that no organization can police their membership, not even ASHI.  It is just not possible to police over 6,000 folks, they funny thing is that complaints do come in on a weekly basis and with many of the consumer complaints the inspector that is being complained about does not even belong to ASHI.

Bottom line is that this Consumer Bill of Rights is a marketing tool that can be used or not used.  Heck, I noticed that the Kroger's grocery store had a "Consumer Bill of Rights" posted near their customer service counter the other night.  Now if we could only get the Airlines to do the same!

Jun 06, 2008 01:40 AM
Mitchell Captain
AllSpec Professional Property Inspections Inc - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Home inspections in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach

"It is just not possible to police over 6,000 folks, they funny thing is that complaints do come in on a weekly basis and with many of the consumer complaints the inspector that is being complained about does not even belong to ASHI."

And what does ASHI do when the complaint from a consumer is directed at one of the inspectors that belong to ASHI.

Oh and thanks for not deleting my post.

Jun 06, 2008 02:49 AM
Scott Patterson, ACI
Trace Inspections, LLC - Spring Hill, TN
Home Inspector, Middle TN

Mitchell, to answer your question: When a consumer complaint is registered against an ASHI inspector it is sent to a complaint committee who then investigates.  They get the inspectors side of the story and then review it and compare the consumers complaint.  Then they do whatever research they can and decide on a course of action.  Most of the time it has been my experience that the consumer had higher expectations than the inspector provided.

If it is an ethical violation, the inspector could have their membership revoked.  It all depends on the severity surrounding the complaint.  Just like every house is different so is every complaint so each has a different outcome.

I can tell you that ASHI revoked 9 memberships last year due to various violations.  If the violation occurs in a state that has licensing the complainant is advised to contact that licensing authority in addition to ASHI.

Jun 06, 2008 06:27 AM
Mitchell Captain
AllSpec Professional Property Inspections Inc - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Home inspections in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach

Thank you.

Jun 06, 2008 09:21 AM