Going beyond the SOP

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Client was told by Seller that the room was always the hottest room in the summer time, coldest room in the winter time, but the HVAC tech said the system is working fine.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

The inspector is not required to walk on any pitched roof surface. 500' up, 6/12.

[Joe Farsetta]

The inspector is not required to walk on any pitched roof surface. 50' up, 6/12.

And your point is what, Ben?

That you place a value on your life and limb at around $350 ?

Because your illustration is EXACTLY why many inspectors have succeeded in DIMINISHING our value as professionals. If WE dont value OURSELVES, how is anyone supposed to believe we are worth more than a pawltry 1/10th of 1% of a real estate transaction. We carry the most liability, yet get paid the least...

A 6/12 pitch, at 50' in the height. Lovely. Is this supposed to be some badge of courage? Risking your life, and the future wellbeing of your family, for the cost of an inspection is foolish at best.

BTW... the next time you claim to be 50' up, be sure to choose a photo where the sidewalk doesnt show. 50' ? I dont think so...

As to the notion of having someone follow my inspection with infrared, I welcome it. Sure you may see more than I see, but the client did not bargain for an infrared scan. And, the camera is only as good as the operator.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

I am one of those inspectors who go beyond the SOP, as demonstrated by recent poll. The inspector is not required to walk upon sloped roofs.
I do not recommend doing what I do and how I do it.


Going beyond SOP again. Inspector is not required to remove the dead front. I do not recommend doing what I do and how I do it.

[Richard Mangold]

I don't believe that there is anything in any SOP that says that the SOP can not be exceeded. How far it is exceeded varies from inspector to inspector. The use of anything beyon a screw or nut driver to remove a panel exceeds the SOP. Is a flashlight (a tool) beyond the standard? A "visual inspection" does not state that you need to augment the light. I would not want to inspect without one and tell my client the SOP did not require it. In my area, you need other tools & meters to be competitive and more importantly to serve your client.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

I agree. The use of a flashlight is going beyond the SOP. Good point.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

As to the notion of having someone follow my inspection with infrared, I welcome it. Sure you may see more than I see, but the client did not bargain for an infrared scan. And, the camera is only as good as the operator.

If an IR scan reveals hidden moisture in the ceiling that came
from a tiny gap in the roof flashing, did the client want that
gap to be reported (this is a visible item, but difficult to find
defect).?

It is much easier to find moisture with an IR camera, than the
tiny gaps in the roof that are indeed visible, but very difficult
to ever find.

This is just one example.

Worth thinking about.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Attachment 31993
I agree. The use of a flashlight is going beyond the SOP. Good point.

How do you come up with this crap?

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Attachment 31985
The inspector is not required to walk on any pitched roof surface. 500' up, 6/12.

What!
You do not have access to that remote controlled helicopter or did you use a real one to lower yourself from?

Lets see a pic of that ladder placement

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by belliott

Lets see a pic of that ladder placement

That's funny, because I do take pictures of my ladder (and my feet). Proof for my clients that I go where other inspectors do not. I put these ladder pictures in my reports - for marketing purposes - because I know that realtors and other potential clients read reports to make hiring decisions.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

That's funny, because I do take pictures of my ladder (and my feet). Proof for my clients that I go where other inspectors do not. I put these ladder pictures in my reports - for marketing purposes - because I know that realtors and other potential clients read reports to make hiring decisions.

Attachment 31997 Attachment 31998 Attachment 31999

Looks like you use a 28 foot Warner fiberglass.
The claw feet come in handy.

Now you need the hook kit, and gotta start raising that thing a couple rungs past the top.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

No - I like to walk right over the top. Bad?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

No - I like to walk right over the top. Bad?

Ben, ever taken a course on ladder safety?

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Actually, we are developing a training video for ladder safety.

Bill Schaefer from Chief Home Inspections is working with Bruce Mygatt the fire chief for the local Boulder Fire Dept. We've got the best trained fire fighters in the country. And they're going to instruct us home inspectors about ladder operation and safety on NACHI.TV. But it's still in the very beginning stages.

[Bob Elliott]

Yes you should always have 2 rungs over the top.
I took ladder safety and gaff training with SBC /Ameritech and AT&T.

I will never Gaff again ,as injury is a prerequisite.