home inspectors

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georgestolz said:
Uhh, I periodically inspect work for people and accept compensation for that. If someone hires a licensed journeyman electrician to inspect a premises, you think that is illegal? I'm not performing electrical work, I'm performing a service. Is that really sidework?

When the inevitable invitation to perform the work comes along, I hand them a business card for my master electrician buddy who gets paid to deal with such headaches, and needs the work. :)
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I dont view it as electrical work,i call it an opinion.However you likely need some sort of license to do it.
 
Washington State has just passed a law requiring all HI's to be licensed. Requires quite a bit of experience to be able to take the test. Licensing is a higher standard than electricians who are certified in this state. But electricians can do HI and don't have to take the test.
 
Good Home Inspector

Good Home Inspector

My S-I-L is an inspector. He and I discuss electrical items often. We generally agree that the HI must say "I observe this and see that it may not meet current electrical codes." The HI cannot say if it meets code or not, the AHJ is the only legal authority. Even a contractor cannot legally say if it meets code or not. The HI cannot say if it must be fixed or not. The HI cannot even say if it is safe or unsafe. The HI can just point it out and leave it for the owner to act or not.
 
georgestolz said:
Uhh, I periodically inspect work for people and accept compensation for that. If someone hires a licensed journeyman electrician to inspect a premises, you think that is illegal? I'm not performing electrical work, I'm performing a service. Is that really sidework?

When the inevitable invitation to perform the work comes along, I hand them a business card for my master electrician buddy who gets paid to deal with such headaches, and needs the work. :)
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HI are not licensed and don't need one in-fact anyone can do it..so at-least you got some knowledge of the area you inspect..

I am happy that Washington is going for a license and has set some standards..do they have a link to the info..I am pushing for the same here..If they had something that was required and something at stake it might be different..like HI inspects the house and says it looks good..You buy it and move in then find out it had math lab in it after the fact..HI is off the hook no license no responsibility..It has happened several times in this state alone..

There needs to be some kind of regulations and they should have at least the same qualifications as a building inspector..Tom I salute the state of Washington for taking the step in the right direction..
 
cschmid said:
HI are not licensed and don't need one in-fact anyone can do it..so at-least you got some knowledge of the area you inspect..
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That's an awful bold and incorrect statement. Click Here for the licensing requirements of HI's in NC.

Roger
 
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That seems odd to me. When I am on the clock in my normal job, I could be asked to examine a structure and offer suggestions for upgrades and point out visible safety issues with the electrical system. That information would then be considered and likely acted upon to use my services as an electrician. Would the "inspecting" part of my job be illegal then? :-?
 
Well I would have to side a bit with the Home Inspector, whether it is a violation or not I would make it a safety hazard that the new home owners need to be aware of.

The owners would not be compelled by law to do anything, but it would add to the buyers negotiation for sale. Let's face it, GFCIs are important around water and if the situation exists that there are none in this home because of its age, it would be appropriate to let the homebuyer know and decide themselves whether they accept the risk, want it fixed, or decide to buy something newer.

If I bought an old car for my kid that didn't have seat belts, it doesn't make it safe that they were not required at the time of manufacture. This is the difference between an HI and a Building/Electrical Inspector. The building inspector is interested in whether it meets local code, they are an advocate of the local authorities... the HI is paid to be the buyers advocate.
 
cschmid said:
HI are not licensed and don't need one in-fact anyone can do it..so at-least you got some knowledge of the area you inspect..
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New York State even licenses home inspectors.

Hard to believe, I know, but there it is. :)
 
plug over a baseboad heater, whether the house was built in 1800 or last year is dangerous, and a fire hazard. why is it a fire hazard ? because people don't think about it when they are plugging something in (unless their house has burned down before). one of my neighbors house burned down the other day - kids smoking upstairs. fire sucks - replace the receptacles.
 
interesting blank it off and not have enough required outlets or remove the heater or sell the house as is..If you dont like it then you fix it..I will not compensate you for the removal or repair..I have already figured it in the house price..you buy house as is where is and I dont warrenty sh-t..it is not a used car from a dealer..it was built in the fifties so you are buying a 1950's house like it is or move on..
So you buy a rental house, rent it for few years..do nothing to it except paint..Now you need some one to tell you to make all this new to sell it..forget it stay out of my house..potential buyer you are buying as is, like it buy or move on..it is a 1950's house it is probabully going to need work..the key is are you smart enough to know the cost of remodel so can you make a profit or not..really not my problem I will just leave renters in it as it makes me profit..So go ahead hire someone to tell you the problems it is your money but I do not care what they say..Dont make it my problem I have not violated nothing..so what if the baseboard is below the outlet, it has been like that for years now and no one has gotten hurt, now it is a problem..If you dont like it then when you own the house you remodel it I am not.

hmm wonder does that even make a good devils advocate arguement..nope but it is the sediment of the population especially if you are elderly and looking to take your cash and move on..So again tell me what an HI does..except give out advice good or bad and try and scare people..So if HI does not like your house he writes up bunch of BS and uses fear factor..now you either have to remodel or give your house away bunch of BS how a single person can have that power and you give it to them..Why????
 
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nakulak said:
plug over a baseboad heater, whether the house was built in 1800 or last year is dangerous, and a fire hazard. why is it a fire hazard ? because people don't think about it when they are plugging something in (unless their house has burned down before). one of my neighbors house burned down the other day - kids smoking upstairs. fire sucks - replace the receptacles.
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So where is the connection between an outlet installed over a heater and the neighbors smoking???:D So the rationale is to don't have kids? :grin: It is safer..

The reason that rule exists is the likelihood that a cord will dry up and short out on the heater. Arc fault may eliminate some woes...
 
cschmid said:
interesting blank it off and not have enough required outlets or remove the heater or sell the house as is..If you dont like it then you fix it..I will not compensate you for the removal or repair..I have already figured it in the house price..you buy house as is where is and I dont warrenty sh-t..it is not a used car from a dealer..it was built in the fifties so you are buying a 1950's house like it is or move on..
So you buy a rental house, rent it for few years..do nothing to it except paint..Now you need some one to tell you to make all this new to sell it..forget it stay out of my house..potential buyer you are buying as is, like it buy or move on..it is a 1950's house it is probabully going to need work..the key is are you smart enough to know the cost of remodel so can you make a profit or not..really not my problem I will just leave renters in it as it makes me profit..So go ahead hire someone to tell you the problems it is your money but I do not care what they say..Dont make it my problem I have not violated nothing..so what if the baseboard is below the outlet, it has been like that for years now and no one has gotten hurt, now it is a problem..If you dont like it then when you own the house you remodel it I am not.

hmm wonder does that even make a good devils advocate arguement..nope but it is the sediment of the population especially if you are elderly and looking to take your cash and move on..So again tell me what an HI does..except give out advice good or bad and try and scare people..So if HI does not like your house he writes up bunch of BS and uses fear factor..now you either have to remodel or give your house away bunch of BS how a single person can have that power and you give it to them..Why????
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I have no idea what the hell you are saying but I love the rage!! Keep it coming. :grin:
 
Kontrols said:
Well I would have to side a bit with the Home Inspector, whether it is a violation or not I would make it a safety hazard that the new home owners need to be aware of.

The owners would not be compelled by law to do anything, but it would add to the buyers negotiation for sale. Let's face it, GFCIs are important around water and if the situation exists that there are none in this home because of its age, it would be appropriate to let the homebuyer know and decide themselves whether they accept the risk, want it fixed, or decide to buy something newer.

If I bought an old car for my kid that didn't have seat belts, it doesn't make it safe that they were not required at the time of manufacture. This is the difference between an HI and a Building/Electrical Inspector. The building inspector is interested in whether it meets local code, they are an advocate of the local authorities... the HI is paid to be the buyers advocate.
Click to expand...

Well said.
 
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