e101228 If the inspection was done by my other company, can I do inspection-related repairs?

Identifier: e101228

Date: 03/05/2011

Question

According to the RFI response in the Dec. 2010 ASHI REPORTER, can I have a home repair business and also operate a home inspection business and do inspection-related repairs if the inspection was done by another inspector than myself and still comply with the core guideline of "Inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise or appear to compromise professional independence, objectivity or inspection integrity"? It appears you have listed the wrong reference (correct reference above) and have given the wrong interpretation. 

Response

The situation noted above is a little vague and prone to misinterpretation. To clarify, an individual may have an inspection business and a repair business and can repair properties inspected by others, but only as long as there is no connection between the two companies. So, that being said, if the inspection company had one of its inspectors inspect said property there would be a conflict with the ASHI Code of Ethics for it to repair the property, even it it was by a separate employee of the company. 

Reference

ASHI CoE: 1. Inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise or appear to compromise, professional independence, objectivity or inspection integrity. F. Inspections shall not repair, replace or upgrade for compensation, systems or components covered by the ASHI Standards of Practice, for one year after the inspection.