A Special Message for Real Estate
Agents
Why is it more important to hire a
home inspector who has been professionally schooled and trained
than to hire someone who is simply a
"candidate" or "member" of some society or association?
It's just common sense:
- Being a candidate member of a home inspection
society or association
basically means that an individual has paid money and possibly taken a
test on standards. No prior
experience or education is required.
- While full membership may have "requirements,"
there is little if
any evidence that the requirements are policed. It appears to be the honor system.
Did you get your real estate license by the honor system?
- Supervision of candidates or members is not
required.
- As far as we can tell, the number of
inspections
inspectors claim that
they have performed for membership are not
checked for accuracy or
authenticity.
- Memberships in societies and associations are
for the purpose of
continuing education, sharing of opinions, and general camaraderie. The
completion of a formal training program in home
inspecting prior to performing home inspections for a fee is not
required.
- Societies and associations may be encouraging
unschooled and
untrained inspectors to perform fee paid inspections to gain
experience. This could be considered irresponsible behavior. Without
formal training and preparation, how many mistakes can be made. Could
this be why E&O insurance has gone sky high?
- Societies and associations do not require
standardized
reporting systems.
- Societies and associations do not require
standardized contracts.
- Because there is no supervision or validation
of authenticity or
accuracy on all inspections required, FULL MEMBERSHIP MAY BE
MEANINGLESS.
- Several states, like Alabama now require home inspectors
to have Errors and
Omissions insurance.Georgia is not one of them.
- States that
regulate home inspectors understand
the need for
training, testing and supervision. Georgia may soon be one of
them.
- When you recommend a home inspector to you
clents, whose
credentials are based on
"membership" to a trade organization, do you really know who you're
recommending?
- If you have your client's best interests in
mind, always ask your
home inspector, "WHERE DID YOU GO TO
SCHOOL TO BE A HOME INSPECTOR?"
ALL
OF OUR INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN PROFESSIONALLY SCHOOLED AND TRAINED
IN HOME INSPECTION BY THE GEORGIA INSTITUTE FOR HOME INSPECTORS AND ARE
FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED
INCLUDING E&O!
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