reason to walk the roof

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by prussell

On the other hand, you should recognize the fact that some inspectors, such as my self are trained and are perfectly capable to walk roofs. I have many years of experience on not only roofs but all types of staging and ladders. I'll be the first to admit if you do not feel comfortable don't do it.

I also have a great deal of experience, having installed many roofs in Kingsville, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Houston area, Bryan/College Station, San Antonio, and Austin. Many of those roofs I installed on Shoreline Drive in Corpus Christi have made it through many a hurricane and are still going strong.

It's not that I'm not comfortable, it's that my various insurance policies (GL, life, AD&D, and workers' comp) won't cover me for damage, injury, or death when doing certain things that should only be done by licensed professionals in licensed industries. That's why I write my legislative representatives the first Saturday of each month asking—neé, begging—someone to sponsor some good home inspection legislation. No takers yet. Home inspections is just not a high-profile industry, or one that has the potential to provide lots of excellent soundbites to raise money for political campaigns.

If I were in a state where home inspectors are licensed, such as Texas, I suspect it would be a totally different story on my part. Alas, I left the Great Nation of Texas 38 years after I was born there.

Those who choose to walk roofs should check with their various insurance providers to make sure that they are covered in all circumstances for being on someone else's property doing this type of work.

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by rray

I also have a great deal of experience, having installed many roofs in Kingsville, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Houston area, Bryan/College Station, San Antonio, and Austin. Many of those roofs I installed on Shoreline Drive in Corpus Christi have made it through many a hurricane and are still going strong.

It's not that I'm not comfortable, it's that my various insurance policies (GL, life, AD&D, and workers' comp) won't cover me for damage, injury, or death when doing certain things that should only be done by licensed professionals in licensed industries. That's why I write my legislative representatives the first Saturday of each month asking—neé, begging—someone to sponsor some good home inspection legislation. No takers yet. Home inspections is just not a high-profile industry, or one that has the potential to provide lots of excellent soundbites to raise money for political campaigns.

If I were in a state where home inspectors are licensed, such as Texas, I suspect it would be a totally different story on my part. Alas, I left the Great Nation of Texas 38 years after I was born there.

Those who choose to walk roofs should check with their various insurance providers to make sure that they are covered in all circumstances for being on someone else's property doing this type of work.

Are you saying you are for legislation? and if so why?

[jhugenroth]

Originally Posted by rray

Not walking the roof doesn't mean that one doesn't inspect the roof. Duh.

You can't always see the entire roof from the ground or the eaves. Double duh.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by prussell

Are you saying you are for legislation? and if so why?

I don't care now because I'll be out of the home inspection business effective June 30, when my E&O insurance expires. However, if we had licensing for home inspectors here in California, then we could do more. I could walk on roofs and have insurance for same; make better recommendations based on my experience and knowledge--no more "Recommend further evaluation by licensed [enter name of licensed professional]; etc.

Licensing does create an artificial barrier to entry, but in some cases I think that's justified, such as with doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jhugenroth

You can't always see the entire roof from the ground or the eaves. Double duh.

I've never needed to. I've always found at least one thing from the ground, from the eaves, from my ladder, from upper story windows, from the tree, from standing on my car, and from neighborhing properties that are higher up to warrant "further evaluation by a licensed roofing contractor." Interestingly, my insurance carriers have stated in writing that claims would be paid if I were standing on a car and fell off, climbing a tree to get a better view and fell, etc. But they just won't let me walk on a roof as an unlicensed home inspector. Gotta love governments.

Any licensed professional worth his licensed should not rely on the opinion of an unlicensed yo-yo who, according to the State of California, doesn't know what he's doing. Those licenses give those individuals a lot of power and protection. Triple duh. Your turn.