Grandfathered In

[Roy Drangstveit]

What do I tell a client, when they tell me that the things that I am writing up in a report are Grandfathered in. Such as lack of egress windows, poor baluster spacing etc?

Roy Drangstveit

[David A. Andersen]

Client telling you?
I thought your were the one doing the telling!
You write what you want. What they do with the information is up to them.

If they don't have kids, spacing doesnt matter.
If they are not using the room as a bedroom it doesnt matter if you can't get out the window.

You don't always know these things, so just report it.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

I would call them just recommendations, not requirements. Tell him this is your job to inform him about these issues. It is his job to decide if they are a concern to him..
Our SOPs requires us to check and report the baluster spacing.

[Henry Valenzano, CMI]

I tell my customer i do NOT code inspect. I look for what i think are defects and safety concerns. Those things cant be grand fathered Only Fixed.

[James H. Bushart]

Explain to your client that you are observing and reporting based upon today's building standards.

Let him know that "grandfathering" is always a personal/political decision made by the local AHJ and can be as inconsistently applied as from house to house; accordingly, you eliminate these inconsistencies by applying the current building standards (not codes).

[Henry Valenzano, CMI]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Explain to your client that you are observing and reporting based upon today's building standards.

Let him know that "grandfathering" is always a personal/political decision made by the local AHJ and can be as inconsistently applied as from house to house; accordingly, you eliminate these inconsistencies by applying the current building standards (not codes).

Your a better at politics then i am.

[Erby Crofutt]

Here's what I tell them about "Grandfathering"

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If the response to an area of concern or a recommendation in our report is, "

Well, they didn't have that (or they didn't do that) when the house was built," or that it was "grandfathered", I usually know that. When it comes to home repairs, "Grandfathered" is a term often tossed out by people who care more about their wallet than about you and your family's safety: as in "That 8 inch gap in the balcony railing doesn't need to be fixed because it's grandfathered. It was okay to do it that way when this house was built." Is it going to comfort you, when your child falls through that gap and is badly injured, that the size of the gap was "Grandfathered"? All "Grandfathered" really means is that no one can "force" you to change it, repair it, or replace it. Only you can choose what level of risk you want to live with. People with young children who could fall thru that 8 inch gap "should" choose to ensure it is changed to a safer gap but no one is going to force a change except you.

Since whatever issue was "grandfathered", our knowledge has increased considerably concerning safety in the home. I believe that you should be safe in your home and that taking care of your home should be as easy as possible. So I will recommend things that they didn't have or do years ago simply to keep you safe or help you take care of your home. What's most important to me is that you and your family are as safe as possible in your home. Only you can choose what level of risk you want to live with and expose your family to.
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[Barry Adair]

This is what I've used in the past

"Grandpa's dead, the "safety enhancement upgrade" items noted in the report are there to potentially prevent the same from happening to current or future occupants."

[Brian E. Kelly]

As a Grandfather myself, I call out issues as recommended safety upgrades.

[Brian E. Kelly]

As a Grandfather myself, I call out issues reccomended as safety upgrades.

Asbestos transite vent pipe comes to mind......................

[Larry D. Kage]

I recommend ________________ for enhanced safety.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by lkage

I recommend ________________ for enhanced safety.

I concur.

I always tell my clients that they are the homeowner. If they do not want to upgrade for safety reasons, then it's their choice. When someone gets hurt....I told you so. Look at my report.

[Doug Edwards]

We simply locate the dragons, someone else decides whether, what, when and how to slay them

[Bruce M. Graham]

Just had one the other day, the client calls back wanting codes on bath vent ducted to the outside and T&p valve piping. When I asked why, she said that the seller was mad and stated that the house past when built and it past the home inspection that they got 4 years ago. I said that I was sorry to hear that but both items are still incorrect and should be corrected, but as far as who does it is between the two of you I have completed my job. My client ( an attorney ) is ok with this but the seller is still mad they have already spent $700.00 on repairs and there is more to do.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Explain to your client that you are observing and reporting based upon today's building standards.

Let him know that "grandfathering" is always a personal/political decision made by the local AHJ and can be as inconsistently applied as from house to house; accordingly, you eliminate these inconsistencies by applying the current building standards (not codes).

Totally agree!

"Grandfathering" is just a local political term that means "we do not have the manpower, budget or ability to make sure that old houses are as safe and of the same quality as new houses, so you are on your own and we wash our hands of any responsibility if something bad happens. After all, we are the government and have the ability to do this. But no one else does."

If it does not meet current national construction standards, call it out.

Hope this helps;