Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 28, 1999 02:43am | #1

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   What is the title of the article you are referring to?

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   Guest_ | Oct 28, 1999 09:00am | #2

   *Andy, as in every aspect of business, there are good, diligent, knowledgeable people... and the others. It's not who the inspector works for, as much as how professional he/she is. Who in your business is willing to say: "Whoops! I'm no expert in this style of construction... you should call _____ instead." To me that is what makes the difference.

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 29, 1999 03:31pm | #3

   *You nailed it george. Andy now you know how we feel when some underbids us by 30% and does a hack job. Un fortunatly you deal with real estate agents. in this area these are people who are too unethical to be ambulance chasers. Anything for the sale. Yet they keep their reputations untainted.Rick Tuk

2. 
   Andy_Watkins | Oct 29, 1999 06:03pm | #4

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   Matt,
   the article is in the Breaktime Discussion. It is listed as, "Whom do home inspectors work for?"
   It can be found on page14 and 15 of the November 1999 #126 issue. Good reading and let me know what you think.

   Thanks,
   Andy

1. 
   Andy_Watkins | Oct 29, 1999 06:09pm | #5

   *George, I don't know if you are in the home inspection business or not. However, as part of my certification process. I had to agree to not answer that statement for running the risk of showing a conflict of interest. That would be as bad as a real estate agent saying use XYZ Home Inspection Co. It creates that conflict of interest. One example I was shown in my training was the real estate agent that did his own home inspections. I can imagine that every house he inspected was in tip top shape. Thanks for your response,Andy Watkins

1. 
   Andy_Watkins | Oct 29, 1999 06:09pm | #6

   *Matt,the article is in the Breaktime Discussion. It is listed as, "Whom do home inspectors work for?"It can be found on page14 and 15 of the November 1999 #126 issue. Good reading and let me know what you think.Thanks,Andy

3. 
   Guest_ | Oct 30, 1999 03:13am | #7

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   Andy:

   I not only read the column in the mag but... take a closer look. Search the Breaktime Archives here on line to get the complete discussion.

   BTW, It is not my impression that anyone here thought Home Inspectors take bribes.

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 30, 1999 03:31am | #8

   *Andy, the answer is not. My thought was a referal to a more capable inspector... liken it to a Residential Realtor refering you to a Commercial Realtor for high-rise space... A Home Inspector doing repairs... now that's a conflict! My issue with the H.I. business is that no one person can know all things. It's been my experience that a ASHI cert. Inspector can look at a antique timber-frame house, and miss major structural issues... like powderpost beetles... as his/her training and experience is lacking.Try this: Conventional wisdom is the beetle larvae only infest moist wood, and a old house should be too dry for infestation. Add a fieldstone foundation, wet spring and summer, a leaking sill... and the sound of munching returns... but it "can't" be happening.My guess is your field will eventually specialize, leading to greater respect, and happier customers.Continue the good work.

4. 
   Andy_Watkins | Oct 30, 1999 03:33am | #9

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   I am a registered home inspector in Virginia. Right now there is no certification requirement in the state. However, I read the article in the Nov. 1999 #126 issue about home inspections. I am Pissed... We have been told that we ( the company I work for) does too thorough of a job on our inspections. In some states, there requirements for certification and registration amd continuing eduacaton in the field. I fpoeple want to really know who the inspector should work for just ask me! The home inspector should work for the person buying the house. I liken it to the mechanic that you take that used car to for a check up prior to buying. Screw the real estate agent. They make at least 3% if not more commission on the sale. So they should be more concerned with the structural condition of the house rather than commission. Who would be the first person sued if no inspection were conducted at the recommendation of the real estate agent and the house had a major defect? So who shouold the home inspector work for?