InterNACHI releases new Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Property.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Michael, a fellow graduate of NACHI's first commercial inspection class, how is things going. Inspections slowed down here in Central Missouri. Realtors are dropping like flies. I am starting up the MIC program. I got one inspection from it so far.

[Michael Larson]

Hi James,

Very much the same here. New construction is way off too. It's definately a buyer's market here. I have some concerns that some will forego a HI because of the lower house prices. We'll see how it goes his winter.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Originally Posted by jbraun

I am looking forward to buying your software someday. I overspent this fall. I need to make sure I have enough money to make it through the slower winter months. Your knowledge and attitude is impressive.

James,

I understand completely. Send me a pm with what name and company name you want and I'll send you a license file that will turn the program into the full version through the end of the year.

Dominic

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Thanks for the offer but the first few months of the year are tight also because Most of my inspections I do not get paid until closing. I think it would be best just for me to wait until I get the money

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Sure thing, I understand. Let me know when you're ready and if you need to work out a payment plan let me know, I've done so with a few other guys here.

Dominic

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

2.1.2.1 Observations – The wording is not quite right… items which are observed are not “observations” They are items being observed. An observation is a “visual assessment”.

2.1.2.2 Report - The inspection report is defined as the document providing information about the structure(s), supplied according to the terms of the Inspection Agreement between Inspector and Client.
The Inspection Report may include peripheral but relevant information including but not limited to photographs, inspection reports on building systems or components supplied by specialist inspectors, maintenance records, legal documents or technical information.

4.1 Objective- The objective of the inspection is to provide an inspection report which complies with the terms set out in the Inspection Agreement between the Inspector and Client, to be delivered in a manner and within a time frame agreed upon in this Agreement

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

.3.2 Representative observations- In recognizing that the client likely has the goal of acquiring information about the subject property at a cost, in time and money, that does not exceed the value of that information, representative observations are not just permitted by this standard, but recommended as well.
What are “representative observations”?


4.4 Uncertainty
The client should understand that no inspection report is completely accurate and will contain a certain level of uncertainty. Inspector and Client should attempt to define the acceptable level of uncertainty when defining the terms of the contract. A report is only the written communication of the observations made and research conducted by the inspector. The report contains those items which in the inspector's opinion are likely to be of interest to his/her client. This should be defined in the contract.

4.5 Subjectivity
The client should understand that the inspection report is, to a large degree, the subjective opinions of the inspector based on his/her observations and research within the limits of access, time, and budget and without the aid of special equipment or meters and without dismantling, probing, testing, or troubleshooting and without detailed knowledge of the commercial property, its components or its systems. The inspection report is not much more than a subjective professional opinion. Will using moisture meters or other instruments negate this and open inspectors to liability? Why not include language which leaves the use of instruments to the inspector’s discretion and make it clear that it’s not a technically exhaustive inspection.

5.3 Documents to be reviewed and included in the inspection report
The inspector should review all documents provided by the client and owner. only relevant documents.

[Nick Gromicko]

How would you rewrite 2.1.2.1? I think an observation is a thing, and it isn't the act of seeing something. When someone asks "What was your observation?" they are asking for a description of what you observed. No?

[Nick Gromicko]

Kenton, Your rewrite of 4.1 would negate the need for an SOP, no? Isn't that exactly what a commercial inspection is in lieu of an SOP?

[Nick Gromicko]

Kenton, We can't add your last line's rewrite to 4.4 because it would require the inspector to magically go back in time and enter into the contract all those things he later discovered during the inspection that he thinks might be of enough interest to his client to include in the report.

[Nick Gromicko]

Kenton, 4.5 need not permit an inspector to use a moisture meter. He is permitted already in this standard. He just isn't required to use meters.

[Nick Gromicko]

The main idea:

"... the client likely has the goal of acquiring information about the subject property at a cost, in time and money, that does not exceed the value of that information..."

[Nick Gromicko]

Keeping that in mind, if you can look above ceiling tiles at a cost to the client in time and money that is less than the value of the information discovered by looking above them... look above them.

[Joe Farsetta]

Nick's point is verbiage taken from E2018, which (translated) states that the client sometimes just aint gonna pay, in time or money, to dig too deep.

The purpose of the SOP is to impress a process on the inspector.

[Nick Gromicko]

Well, actually, it isn't from 2018. The quote I made in post 27 which I called the main idea:

"... the client likely has the goal of acquiring information about the subject property at a cost, in time and money, that does not exceed the value of that information..."

is mine. My words. Although all SOPs include the same thinking to an extent.

I put them in 4.3.2 of InterNACHI's SOP to explain representative observations and why, like a home inspector, a commercial inspector may check some windows and some receptacles, but not every single one of them.

That quote, which I call thte main idea here, really is the main idea here.