CROSSROADS ENGINEERING

 CODE OF ETHICS
 

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The position of trust given to home inspection professionals is unequalled among other professions, and must be assumed with reverence by the inspector.  As a base standard for ethics and integrity, the following minimum standards are pledged to each client:

NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The inspector shall not stand to benefit, or put himself in a position to benefit from the results of the inspection in any way. 

The inspector will not propose his services for follow-on construction or remodeling.
 

 He shall not propose his services as the exclusive source for follow-on work. This includes follow-on environmental testing (radon, lead, mold, etc) and related issues.  In cases where the number of local providers for the testing is very short, and if the inspector proposes himself as a provider for this testing, he must list other sources of the same service, including governmental providers (county health department, state environmental divisions, etc).  Additionally, he must outline how the homeowner could perform the testing himself, if applicable.

The inspector shall not use his position of trust to sell follow-on home appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, air purifiers, plumbing upgrades, etc., which the inspector proposes to provide or install.

The inspector will work for one client only at each inspection.  He will accept no compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party without the consent of all interested parties.

The inspector will promptly disclose any interest in a business which may affect the client. The inspector will not allow an interest in any business to affect the results of the inspection.

GUARANTEE

The inspector must perform a methodical inspection, identifying and reporting the inspectable and non-aesthetic issues in the home.  He must make every effort to assure that the home’s issues are properly identified, and potential solutions described.

Despite the inspector’s best efforts, perfection occurs rarely in any endeavor. The inspector will not guarantee perfection, as such a claim would be unrealistic, and potentially misleading. 

However, should the inspector find that he has missed a substantial and warranted item, he may make an effort to make the situation right with the client.  The inspector remains the decision maker as to what remedy, if any, represents the best choice.  In no case will the inspector charge additional fees, or rename additional fees as “deductibles” when performing remedial services
 

THE CLIENT IS WELCOME

The inspector recognizes that a text-based report and photography is no substitute for time spent with the client at the site.  The inspector will invite the client to the inspection, thereby allowing the parties to look at issues, discuss them to the client’s satisfaction, and provide education and understanding.

CHANGES TO THE HOME

The inspector will not modify the house without prior permission from the homeowner.  Because gas and main water valves that have been turned off may be turned off for specific unknown reasons, the inspector must not turn them on without prior approval. 

If the inspector, by homeowner request, is asked to light a fireplace, furnace or water heater, the inspector may use his own judgement.

The inspector will not damage walls or other parts of the home in an effort to provide a more complete inspection.   Potential inspection points that cannot reasonably be accessed (behind sheetrock, behind heavy boxes, behind panels that are nailed closed, etc), will not be inspected.

CLIENT EDUCATION

The inspector must not use his position to cause undue fear in the client, nor shall he write the report with undue harshness in order to affect negotiations.
 

THE REPORT

The inspector must provide both a verbal and written repors.  The verbal report, shall include an ongoing discussion as issues are observed at the house, as well as a final verbal summary.  The written is a legible, typed professional report relating to the warranted (per Section 10.2 of the REPC) items found at the home. 

The report must be factual in nature.  Personal opinions, preferences, and non-substantive issues must be minimized or eliminated.

Deficiencies must be described clearly, and include site-specific recommendations, including reasonable repair options. The report must also include a professional opinion as to how involved the project may be for a knowledgeable repairman or technician.