e071011, e070828 Using ancillary services to obtain additional work

Identifier: e071011, e070828

Date: 12/05/2007

Question e071011

Isit a violation of the Code of Ethics to use ancillary services such as termite inspections, radon testing, etc. to obtain work correcting any deficiencies found when performing these services, based on Sections 1. and 1.E of the Codeof Ethics?    

Question e70828:

Can I perform Radon Mitigation on a home I have inspected?

Response:

Profiting from work correcting deficiencies found in the course of a home inspection would bring into question the objectivity of the inspection report.  1.Fof the Code of Ethics addresses this conflict of interest, stating that "Inspectors shall not repair, replace, or upgrade, for compensation,systems or components covered by ASHI Standards of Practice, for one year afterthe inspection."  Offering to repair framing members damaged by wooddestroying insects, for example, would violate 1.F of the Code.  ? ?

While all conflicts of interest that arise in the course of providing a home inspection should be avoided per Principle 1 of the Code, the prohibition against performing repairs in 1.F of the Code only addresses “components covered by ASHI Standards of Practice.”  This is because ASHI represents the profession of home inspection, rather than the practices of other professions who are either regulated, or represented by their own professional associations.  ? ?

Radon mitigation or termite abatement does not represent a repair to an inspected component included in the ASHI Standards ofPractice, and is not specifically addressed by our Code of Ethics.  For additional guidance we recommend that the inspector look to governmental regulation or the practices of applicable associations, such as AARST for radon testing/mitigation and NPMA for pest management .