New service for members who discover foundation issues.

[Nick Gromicko]

Ever find foundation issues during an inspection? Ever point out cracks to your client? Ever not sure what those cracks mean? Ever afraid to say to much for fear of practicing engineering without a license? Ever have a client ask... "Are these cracks something to worry about?"

InterNACHI to the rescue!

InterNACHI has partnered with a network of structural and professional engineers across the U.S. and Canada. We are setting up a special phone number that members can call, right from an inspection, and get help.

The foundation experts on the other end will speak to you or your client direct and explain what the presence of different cracks may mean. The experts will also review pictures the inspector can upload to fetchreport.com (InterNACHI's report upload system) if desired. They can also arrange with your client to visit the home, for no additional charge.

The network is already in place and a NACHI.TV episode has been filmed to help explain the program. We're predicting a launch date of early March.

This program reduces liability for imembrers while providing added value for their clients, all at no charge.

InterNACHI... always helping.

[Bob Elliott]

Sounds great
Hope it works out.

[ROBERT W. NEWLAND, JR.]

Very good!

[Michael R. Boyett]

What you wanna bet the phone gets answered something like "Olshan Foundation Repairs...how may I direct your call?" and that the 'structural and professional engineers' turn out to be hourly sales reps. I can't imagine any licensed PE will " speak to you or your client direct and explain what the presence of different cracks may mean" based solely on a phone call. I'm skeptical, please tell me I'm wrong Nick.

[Eragorn Northe]

Super Fantastic idea Nick, thanks

[James H. Bushart]

Question for Ben Garrison.....

When I report that my client should consult with an expert on an issue that I find and the client finds his own expert, I know that I am free and clear from any liability or responsibility regarding that expert's future advice or relationship with my client.

However, when I select the "expert" for the client and it is my photographs or communications that the "expert" that I selected relies upon for his finding...or should the client decide to have a future relationship with the "expert" based upon my coordinating their meeting....it seems to me that I may be held partially or totally liable for the outcome of that relationship. Would I?

And...if so...would a standard E&O policy cover me for his errors or omissions?

[whandley]

Ring! Ring!

Good Morning, Pro-Lab Engineering...

Yes, we can provide a structural review by phone...

Yes, we will dispatch an independent licensed Structural Engineer to your location in just a few minutes...

Best of all, it is completely free of charge.

Are you kidding me?

[whandley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Question for Ben Garrison.....

When I report that my client should consult with an expert on an issue that I find and the client finds his own expert, I know that I am free and clear from any liability or responsibility regarding that expert's future advice or relationship with my client.

However, when I select the "expert" for the client and it is my photographs or communications that the "expert" that I selected relies upon for his finding...or should the client decide to have a future relationship with the "expert" based upon my coordinating their meeting....it seems to me that I may be held partially or totally liable for the outcome of that relationship. Would I?

And...if so...would a standard E&O policy cover me for his errors or omissions?

I think we should leave Ben and Bob out of these threads. These poor guys have got to work with NACHI ownership, we don't....

[Nick Gromicko]

And if your client doesn't consult with a licensed expert, who do you think is left to go after? You! This puts a licensed expert between you and your client whenever a structural issue is discovered. Just don't take a referral fee from the engineer.

[James H. Bushart]

If this is such a good deal and eliminates my liability....as verified by a legitimate source of information, such as Ben....I will find my own local guy, and put the kickback for the referral in my OWN pocket.

[Nick Gromicko]

If this is such a good deal and eliminates my liability....

Why would you think it would eliminate your liability?

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by gromicko

Why would you think it would eliminate your liability?

Isn't that was this means?

This puts a licensed expert between you and your client whenever a structural issue is discovered.

[whandley]

Originally Posted by gromicko

And if your client doesn't consult with a licensed expert, who do you think is left to go after? You! This puts a licensed expert between you and your client whenever a structural issue is discovered. Just don't take a referral fee from the engineer.

So, I should refer my clients to you or one of your merry men with regard to structural, geological and or environmental issues.

Let's assume you and Pro-Lab Engineering might make a mistake in your haste to extract profit over quality of service. Let's further assume the client gets upset because of an oversight by you and or Pro-Lab Engineering and contacts an attorney.

When their attorney finds, views and explores this website and all of its negative posts and information regarding some of your programs, question #1 will be, "Why did you refer Nick Gromicko and his band of merry men to your client?"

To avoid these types of scenario's I would include the following comment:

Recommend client contact an independent registered structural engineer for further inspection of the subject property prior to close of escrow.

BTW, in Southern California I personally would refer my clients should they be unable to locate an engineer on their own to the following:

http://www.wallacese.com/

[Vince Santos]

I've noticed anytime Nick posts a new "benefit" it's torn apart by people. I'm not at all saying anyone should buy into everything they hear but there's a right way and a wrong way to question things. Seems like things are struck down with worse case assumptions.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by vsantos

I've noticed anytime Nick posts a new "benefit" it's torn apart by people. I'm not at all saying anyone should buy into everything they hear but there's a right way and a wrong way to question things. Seems like things are struck down with worse case assumptions.

It's just the way new "products" are vetted around here.

If they turn out to be useful some of the same critics will return to sing their praises.