Risk Management

 RISK MANAGEMENT = A THOROUGH HOME INSPECTION
 

A thorough home inspection is good for everyone.  When we perform our due diligence to discover all that we can about the property being sold, there is far less chance of an unpleasant surprise in the future.  Repairs done in a timely manner can avoid more costly problems in the future. Buildings degrade with age and use.  Sometimes the process is so slow that the occupants hardly notice.  Although the inspection is not a substitute for disclosure, it can serve to remind the seller of forgotten or ignored conditions.  With few exceptions, every inspection reveals things that are a surprise to the seller.    
By encouraging clients to find the most qualified and thorough inspector, real estate agents are protecting the clients, themselves and the transaction.  Risk management is most effective when performed early in the process.  The sooner a defect can be revealed, the sooner it can be dealt with or simply noted.  We all have learned from the political arena that the appearance of a cover-up can be more devastating than the actual condition.  An unbiased home inspection can help to uncover the true condition of the home.  With more knowledge, differences can more effectively be negotiated.  In the end we accomplish peace of mind knowing that the transaction was fair and just.
 What does it mean to be certified?  Home inspectors are not licensed in California .  Some “certifications” are bogus.  With a few hundred dollars and someone to take the online test, anyone could be a “certified home inspector” tomorrow!  Obviously, only a certification from a reputable source such as ICC or CREIA is significant.  
The International Code Council (www.iccsafe.org) is the organization that writes the building codes.  They offer proctored certification exams to verify knowledge of the codes and how buildings are built.  Residential construction is covered by building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing exams.  Successful completion of all of these exams earns the inspector the Residential Combination certification. 
The California Real Estate Inspection Association (www.creia.org) is a non profit corporation, founded in 1976, to provide education, training and support services to the real estate inspection profession and to the public. The CREIA Standards of Practice are considered by the legal community to be the standard of care in California and help protect consumers from erroneous or misleading inspection reports.  A Certified CREIA Inspector (CCI) has passed a comprehensive exam and completes at least 30 continuing education credits each year.
Is it built to code? A home inspection is not a "code compliance" inspection. The building codes are subject to the interpretation of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) at the city or county building department.  Therefore, only the AHJ is in a position to grant a code compliance determination. However, it is a combination of the home inspectors understanding of the codes and construction experience that is relied upon when inspecting the residence.  Unfortunately, there is no continuing education requirement for California licensed contractors.  As a result, sometimes the various code changes are brought to their attention by the AHJ or a knowledgeable home inspector.
How long does a thorough home inspection take?  The old adage in the industry is “the more you know, the longer it takes”.  An average home can take several hours to inspect.  Newer homes don’t usually take as long but require greater vigilance because a construction defect may not have exhibited telltale signs like moisture stains or cracking.  Add some time if there has been some remodeling or if it’s an older home.