pools and spas

[Chris Mainka]

Is there any requirements for doing pool and spa inspections in Texas. I have completed the InterNachi course and have worked on and been around them all my life. I feel very good about doing the inspection but did not know if we had specific certification needs in Texas.

Thanks
Chris

[John Onofrey]

None.

[David A. Selman]

No "requirements" that I know of for doing pool and spa inspections. Just be sure you know the Texas SOP inside and out.

Good luck selling them. So far, most people don't want to spend the measly extra $35 for a pool inspection as part of their home inspection. Go figure....

[Brian K. Smith]

Originally Posted by dselman

No "requirements" that I know of for doing pool and spa inspections. Just be sure you know the Texas SOP inside and out.

Good luck selling them. So far, most people don't want to spend the measly extra $35 for a pool inspection as part of their home inspection. Go figure....

$35.00 wow thats way to cheep I am just getting ramped up for them also thinking more like 60.00

[Richard W. Washington]

Originally Posted by bsmith2

$35.00 wow thats way to cheep I am just getting ramped up for them also thinking more like 60.00

$60 is cheap and $35 is ...well..are you doing a drive by? My pool guy charges $125 and I have yet to hear any buyer question it.

[Richard W. Washington]

Originally Posted by dselman

No "requirements" that I know of for doing pool and spa inspections. Just be sure you know the Texas SOP inside and out.

Good luck selling them. So far, most people don't want to spend the measly extra $35 for a pool inspection as part of their home inspection. Go figure....

Not sure the kind of folks you are talking to but 80% of my buyers get a pool inspection or they have already owned a pool and pass on it.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by dselman

Good luck selling them. So far, most people don't want to spend the measly extra $35 for a pool inspection as part of their home inspection. Go figure....

I don't give them the choice. Do you allow the client to let you skip the attic inspection or the crawlspace inspection? Will you reduce your fee if those areas are skipped?

Don't kid yourself - there's a ton of additional liability when the property has a pool or spa. If you do not inspect these systems (for whatever reason), you need to be sure the client understands the importance of a thorough safety check - and this should be WRITTEN in the report.

[Richard W. Washington]

Originally Posted by jpope

I don't give them the choice. Do you allow the client to let you skip the attic inspection or the crawlspace inspection? Will you reduce your fee if those areas are skipped?

Don't kid yourself - there's a ton of additional liability when the property has a pool or spa. If you do not inspect these systems (for whatever reason), you need to be sure the client understands the importance of a thorough safety check - and this should be WRITTEN in the report.

I have talked with inspectors (one with more than 15,000 Inspections under his belt) that do not do not do pools specifically because of the liability. The extra $75 -$125 may not be worth it.

[kweiss]

I used to charge $75. Found a specialized pool inspector (older gentleman who built them for 35 years and is now semi retired) in the area who charges $110 - $125. I send all pool inspection straight to him. I do not up charge them or make anything. Experience has showed me he finds all kinds of things other inspectors miss. I am sure he has forgotten more about pools than I ever knew. I personally do not inspect them anymore, sending everything to the specialist.

I know this does not completely remove any chance of liability on my part, but I feel like it provides a better service to the client. I have no trouble getting people to do these when the house in question has a pool. I simply explain that pools are huge potential money sinks and that they need to be informed about them in the same way they are the home.

[Darin Redding]

I read somewhere here in the forums about a pool inspector in San Diego that some HI's were referring to do their pool inspections. Can't seem to find the post now. Can anyone offer a recommendation?

[Chuck Lambert]

Originally Posted by dredding

I read somewhere here in the forums about a pool inspector in San Diego that some HI's were referring to do their pool inspections. Can't seem to find the post now. Can anyone offer a recommendation?

If you do not do pool inspections make sure you report on the child safety gates, alarms, latches and fences on EVERY one. Also make sure you inspect the sub panel as it is part of the electrical system even though you did not inspect the pool.

If you do inspect them, make sure client signs separate agreement for the pool. FREA requires that


Chuck

[Darin Redding]

Good points Chuck, thanks. My client does not have children, intends to have them sometime in the future, so in this scenario would you still report on child safety issues? I suppose one can never be too cautious.

Also make sure you inspect the sub panel as it is part of the electrical system even though you did not inspect the pool.

My latest inspection did not have a sub-panel for the pool, it was wired into the main panel.

If you do inspect them, make sure client signs separate agreement for the pool. FREA requires that

Do you have an example of a pool agreement that you could share? I'm with Allen Insurance and I don't see that they require a separate agreement. Again, good idea regardless.

[Chuck Lambert]

Originally Posted by dredding

Good points Chuck, thanks. My client does not have children, intends to have them sometime in the future, so in this scenario would you still report on child safety issues? I suppose one can never be too cautious.


My latest inspection did not have a sub-panel for the pool, it was wired into the main panel.

Do you have an example of a pool agreement that you could share? I'm with Allen Insurance and I don't see that they require a separate agreement. Again, good idea regardless.

Even with no kids, ALWAYS report on safety gates etc. The gates need to make it diffucult for the neighbor's kids who might want to take a swim when no one is home.

Allen doesn't require a separate pool and spa contract. CREIA has a good one and every little bit of legal protection helps.

Chuck

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by jpope

I don't give them the choice. Do you allow the client to let you skip the attic inspection or the crawlspace inspection? Will you reduce your fee if those areas are skipped?

Don't kid yourself - there's a ton of additional liability when the property has a pool or spa. If you do not inspect these systems (for whatever reason), you need to be sure the client understands the importance of a thorough safety check - and this should be WRITTEN in the report.

Jeff,

While I certainly respect you and agree with you in theory, in Texas we have a standardized form for inspections. Pools are listed in the Optional System section and are not part of the bargained for report unless agreed upon prior to the inspection. I don't disagree that a safety check is warranted.

Now whether or not this would protect an inspector who was not contracted to inspect the pool, I do not know and don't want to be the first to find out.

FWIW, I did a pool last week for an additional $100. It takes me an extra 45 minutes to 1.5 hours (depending on the type of pool). A year ago, my client hired a local pool company to do a pool inspection at the home I was inspecting. The inspector charged my client $125. This same pool company charges an additional $350 if they have to dive the pool.

What do you do for $35 ?

[Nick Gromicko]

How to Inspect Pools and Spas. Free course.