e050423 Can an inspector offer repair services?
Identifier: e050423
Date: 03/15/2006
Question
Does the Code of Ethics disallow an inspector who is also a general contractor from upgrading only items found to be in need of repair, or does it include anything in a house that was inspected?
Response
1.F of the Code of Ethics states that "inspectors shall not repair, replace, or upgrade, for compensation, systems or components covered by ASHI Standards of Practice...." Any system or component that is covered in the Standards of Practice would be included in this prohibition, whether the item was found to be defective or not. The intent of the Code is to prohibit an inspector from performing any type of construction work for one year on systems or components that the inspector has inspected. The potential to profit from repairs or upgrades to inspected components could influence the inspector's judgment regarding their condition. All parties to a real estate transaction must be able to have confidence that the inspector's opinion has not been influenced and remains objective.