e080213 Offering assessment services

Identifier: e080213

Date: 02/13/2008

Question

Can a home inspectoroffer additional services within the real estate market such as performingproperty assessments for banks or investors? The assessment might include adescription of the general condition of the property and estimates for costs ofrepairs.

Response

The Code of Ethicsdoes not prohibit an inspector from performing other services for which s/hemay be qualified. There are two notable rules that affect an inspector’sservice offering. The bylaws prohibit an inspector from being actively involvedin the sale of real estate as an agent and the code of ethics prohibits aninspector from performing repairs or upgrading systems or components covered bythe ASHI Standard of Practice.

Providing property assessments as described in the RFI is a modified form of inspection that, with the consent or at the request of the client, is permissible.