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I do Toilets!

By
Home Inspector with The Inspector Home Inspections AZBTR #52249

Sometimes I just have to shake my head in amazement and wonder how some folks are able to do what they do.  I did an inspection for a very nice couple this morning.  They brought their 2 year old and also the wife’s parents.  The dad was a builder for 30 years and is now a full time electrician. (No pressure there!)  Nicest folks in the world!

I am working in the master bedroom when the wife (buyer) walks in and very quietly and sheepishly says “Should I flush all of the toilets in the house or do you do that?”

I first thought that she just did not understand what my job as a home inspector in Mesa, Arizona entailed.  I answered with “No, that’s what you hired me to do.  That is included in the home inspection that you hired me to do”.

She went on to tell me that she and her husband were looking at a different house last week and used a different inspector.  That inspector told them that “He didn’t do toilets”.  So naturally they wondered if they needed to be checking the toilets in this house themselves.

It’s probably good that they opted to pass on the other house when they found out that the one I was inspecting today became available over the weekend.  There is no telling what else the other inspector “doesn’t do”.

So of course that got me to thinking, which is usually a dangerous thing.  Maybe I, as a home inspector, don’t do enough to tell Realtors and clients what my job as an inspector does and does not cover?  It has never been an issue for me but today pointed out that maybe I can change how I do things to make it even easier for Realtors and clients.  I already have a page on my website that tells “what your inspection includes”.  I also have a very detailed page showing the Standards of Professional Practice for Arizona Home Inspectors as mandated by the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration.  And a third page detailing the NACHI Standards of Practice for Inspecting Residential Properties.  Between these three pages it is pretty clear what a home inspection does and does not cover.

But I think what I learned from today’s inspection is that I need to do a better job of explaining these details to Realtors and clients.  There is enough going on for the buyer during the “crunch” time of dealing with paperwork, lining up the inspection, their nerves, etc.  So I took something away from today’s inspection that will make me a better inspector.

It’s kind of scary and frankly it makes me mad that there are inspectors in the field working that don’t follow the Standards of Practice.  They are giving all of us a bad name.

FYI – I do follow the SOP’s, I’m good at what I do and, I proudly do toilets!

Show All Comments Sort:
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I think this is soooo  important.  I think both buyers and agents do not neccesarily know what is included in an inpsection!  It is very important information.

Aug 11, 2011 03:18 PM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Sounds like you do a much more thorough inspection of the home! 

Aug 11, 2011 03:19 PM
Donald Reich
Madison Specs - New Rochelle, NY
Cost Segregation Specialist

Most agents do NOT know what  an inspector does. Whenever I have an inspection I walk along with the inspector, and pay attention.  It's beneficial for the buyer, and I learn a lot too!

Aug 11, 2011 03:27 PM
John M. Scott
BRE # 01442690, Scott Keys Properties - San Francisco, CA
Broker / Owner San Francisco Bay Area

Toby, the fact that you do have a web site and put it out there so everyone knows what to expect is great!

Aug 11, 2011 03:31 PM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City

Hey! Uncle Joe always did a good job. At least the buyer thought so.

Aug 11, 2011 03:37 PM
Rose King
David Tracy Real Estate - Friendswood, TX
Friendswood / Pearland / Houston Bay Area

I know that inpectors have a check-list of items they all cover, but in my experience, not all inspectors cover that list thoroughly. I think it's great that you let your clients know what to expect!

Aug 11, 2011 03:42 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

The best inspector that I know always starts his inspection with a briefing of the buyer. He points out what his inspections will and will not cover. He explains his responsibility and liability. He explains his qualifications. He welcomes the buyer to tag along or check in occasionally with questions during the inspection. Afterwards, he gives a brief oral report and follows it up with a detailed written report.

Aug 11, 2011 04:08 PM
Digital Digital
Alachua, FL
full service

Hi Toby,
Thanks for sharing!
That was a teachable moment.
I second John Juarez comment above.
Life is good; we are all constantly learning and improving!

Aug 11, 2011 04:23 PM
Loren Green
Greens Home Design L.L.C. - Buckeye, AZ
Phoenix Home Inspector & Designer

I have found it helpfull to email a scope of work statement with the agreement as soon as the inspection is scheduled.  That gives the client something short and specific to read.  I used to have the client read and sign the agreement at the inspection.  Then a client said if he hadn't already agreed to the terms of the contract, which he hadn't seen yet, then I wouldn't have started the inspection.  Now it gets emailed out asap.

Aug 12, 2011 03:01 AM
Toby Karlquist
The Inspector Home Inspections - Queen Creek, AZ
Home Inspector in Queen Creek, Arizona

Thanks for the comments everyone!  I guess we’re all educators at some point.  I will continue down the path of “More info is better” when working with both Realtors and clients.  Even the “Uncle Joes” of the world!

Aug 12, 2011 10:40 AM
Toby Karlquist
The Inspector Home Inspections - Queen Creek, AZ
Home Inspector in Queen Creek, Arizona

Hi Loren - I also email a scope of work along with my inspection agreement once I book an inspection.  But referring to my comment above about “the buyer dealing with paperwork, lining up the inspection, their nerves, etc.” doesn’t always necessarily mean the client understands what they are reading.  I’ll continue to work on ways to make it as simple as possible for everyone.

Aug 12, 2011 10:49 AM
Anonymous
Satyajit
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Feb 17, 2012 04:16 AM
#12
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