Documentation Is Key

For the home inspector, documentation is a key area of protection

. This would include documenting the conditions encountered during the inspection process especially when you come across conditions that block the inspectors view or access. This would also include situations where, in the inspectors opinion, conditions may be unsafe for him/her to enter a section of a dwelling. Remember, it is your life at stake. For the multi-inspector firm the risk can be higher as OSHA rules and regulations for safe working environments, practices, policies, equipment, and training prevail. Sending an employee onto a roof can be more dangerous than one can imagine. Confined space entry is another common situation the inspector may encounter. Cover your bases. Protect yourself and the employee.

As to one of the hottest issues facing the home inspector today, clear communication and setting proper expectations is an absolute must. We are speaking of mold. As a matter of practice, it is probably advisable to include a brief paragraph in ones inspection agreement informing the client that all homes contain some degree of mold infestation and to have the client initial this clause. Mold is a fact of life, unfortunately. It is probably a good idea to include a brief paragraph in your inspection reports explaining mold and other toxins. Again, the purpose is to correctly inform the client of the realities of mold, to explain that a home inspection is limited in scope and non-invasive, to inform them that mold problems can be easily covered up by a seller, and to set their expectations relative to mold. Of course, always refer back to the mold clause you include in your inspection agreement.

by: jfarsetta

POST COMMENT

Where Our Legal System Often Fails The Home Inspector What Might Be The True Cost Of Arbitration? Does Arbitration Actually Work For Home Inspection Disputes? The Pitfalls Of Having special Knowledge Theories, The Truth, Disclaimers, And Avoiding Litigation Home Inspections: When Is Exceeding The Sop Going Too Far? Florida Commercial Real Estate Basics Commercial Mortgages And Rates Better Miami Beach Luxury Condo Association Management Useful Tips Avoid These Mistakes When Buying Homes For Sale Online Miami Rental Property Tips For Savvy Landlords How To Know If You Are At Risk Of A Miami Foreclosure The Cozumel Real Estate Industry Listens Anxiously To Tourism Secretary's Announcement The Mazatlan Aquarium A Worthwhile Visit For Tourists And Mazatlan Real Estate Buyers