New service for members who discover foundation issues.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by jcahill

I send the referral fees to my 3rd cuzin. Grin. Having chaired several ethics commitees I learned you cannot regulate ethics. Our new secretary of treasury is proof of that.

Very true.

[John Cahill]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

According to the TREC enforcement lawyer you are taking a chance of creating an issue regarding a conflict of interest.

I refer people I trust ALL THE TIME. I take no $$ and they offer none. Hell they make ME pay for lunch. I have every confidence they will take care of any problem. That is why I refer them. I guarantee my referral is more trustworthy than the agent. As for TREC? SCREW them . . . they will not prevent me from protecting my client against a truly invalid referral. I work for my client and my referrals are GOLD. I guarantee one thing . . . if I did an inspection for a TREC lawyer and found a problem they would ask me who should fix it. . . . . and I would tell them. My client is number 1.

Now . . regarding the crooked referral. The smart unethical people will never get caught. You cannot regulate Ethics. The only people who comply with Ethics rules are ethical people. Ethics regulation is a waste of words.

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by jcahill

I guarantee my referral is more trustworthy than the agent.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by jcahill

I refer people I trust ALL THE TIME. I take no $$ and they offer none. Hell they make ME pay for lunch. I have every confidence they will take care of any problem. That is why I refer them. I guarantee my referral is more trustworthy than the agent. As for TREC? SCREW them . . . they will not prevent me from protecting my client against a truly invalid referral. I work for my client and my referrals are GOLD. I guarantee one thing . . . if I did an inspection for a TREC lawyer and found a problem they would ask me who should fix it. . . . . and I would tell them. My client is number 1.

Now . . regarding the crooked referral. The smart unethical people will never get caught. You cannot regulate Ethics. The only people who comply with Ethics rules are ethical people. Ethics regulation is a waste of words.

I know it sounds macho to say "screw TREC", but laws can be
used to prosecute, no matter how much we say it will not happen
to me. Because you spent so much time writing ethics and
then had them thrown out, I understand your feelings.

[john bubber]

ummm, like to take a peek and prolly call a few of the S E`s in MI area
please, zip 48225. Got milk?

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by john bubber

ummm, like to take a peek and prolly call a few of the S E`s in MI area
please, zip 48225. Got milk?

I emailed my zip code. No S E's in the St Louis area. Yet

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

I emailed my zip code. No S E's in the St Louis area. Yet

Were did they all go? When I left, there were quite a few.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Were did they all go? When I left, there were quite a few.

Ask Nick. His reply "I'll call our core firm on Monday and see if they have anyone there, if not, we'll get a few and add them to the network".

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Ask Nick. His reply "I'll call our core firm on Monday and see if they have anyone there, if not, we'll get a few and add them to the network".

And...for no promise of additional compensation....they will agree to perform this service for free. Right?

[jvogan]

Originally Posted by jbushart

And...for no promise of additional compensation....they will agree to perform this service for free. Right?

Diagnose foundation cracks over the phone....these guys must be GOOD!

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by jvogan

Diagnose foundation cracks over the phone....these guys must be GOOD!

Jeff:

I sense a bit of cynicism in your post! You have to believe, man. This program may be your saviour some day. You have to believe!!

[Robert J. OConnor]

I don’t usually surf the general topics, but happened to come across this discussion ... so here's my 2-nickles from an inspector/engineer who also does foundation/cracking evaluations and repair designs.

Although not what I would recommend, a very conservative opinion on foundation cracking could be done over the phone with just some basic information. It can be argued from strictly an engineering point of view that a properly designed and quality built foundation shouldn't have anything more than hairline cracking that is barely visible at all. And any cracking can be the first signs of a problem or allow water penetration.

"yup, sounds like you need to repair that foundation. Let me schedule a site visit with you to evaluate the situation and come up with a recommended repair"

However, determining how serious that cracking is and coming up with a proper repair (if one is needed at all), that addresses the problem without being excessively costly, is a completely different story. That requires a field evaluation by an independent qualified experienced professional to assess.

The questions in my mind are:
1. Would it be a referral to a licensed professional engineer
2. Is the engineer an independent consultant
3. Who will pay for the engineer's site evaluation

If it's just a network of foundation repair companies it could just end up flushing you clients money down the toilet, and you could get a bad rep. But if it's a referral service to local independent licensed professional engineers, it could be a great benefit for members. And it would be a huge benifit if the initial consultation is paid by NACHI.

Studies by FREA have shown that structural issues are the top liability area for home inspectors. IMO because it's actually a pretty difficult to correctly access, and from not clearly recommending an evaluation by a specialist where a concern ends up being a significant issue. You can get lucky for just so long with the usual general CYA write ups if there are real issues, and from clients not getting evaluations because the yellow book engineering company quotes high fees.

For significant issues I think its better to refer to an engineer the inspector knows and is comfortable with. But for those uncomfortable making specific recommendations, or feel it might be a conflict (e.g. TX), it could be a great way to get the monkey off your back without making specific recommendations. But be very careful where some type of opinion is based on your description and photos, without the engineer dong their own site evaluation.

I would also think it would be a good idea to have anyone who signs up for the referral service certify to NACHI that they are licensed professional engineers, and that they are independent consultants that do not work for or have a financial interest in any repair company.

JMO & 2 nickels