e060923: Selling products to homeowners

Identifier: e060923

Date: 11/27/2006

QUESTION

If an inspector offers to (and then does) sell a CO detector to a homeowner, is this a Code of Ethics violation?

RESPONSE

The Code of Ethics does not prohibit inspectors from selling products to homeowners, so long as the inspector has not inspected the home.  However, section 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, for one year after the inspection."  
This provision of the Code helps ensure the objectivity of the inspection by forbidding the inspector from profiting from the finding of defects.   If the carbon monoxide detector, or any other component, is included in a home inspection, selling such an item would represent a potential conflict of interest in violation of the Code.  Inspectors should be careful to avoid any activities that could be perceived to compromise their objectivity.