With more states moving toward home inspector licensing and fewer lone rangers, the industry is under much more scrutiny. On the surface, it might feel a bit like working under a magnifying glass. But for the future of the industry and the protection of customers, regulations are a good thing. And where regulations go, a code of ethics is sure to follow.
If you work in a state without regulations, and if you’re not a member of any home inspection association, following a nationally-recognized code of ethics helps give customers more reliable service. And if you are regulated, a refresher course helps keep good work habits at the forefront and negative ones at bay.
Here’s why ethics matter in the industry and where to find guidelines if your state doesn’t provide them.
Every Major Home Inspection Association Has a Code of Ethics
Whether you live and work in South Dakota, Maryland or Louisiana, one thing is certain: you can join a national home inspection association as long as you meet their requirements. One of those is learning and abiding by a strict code of ethics.
National associations typically have state-level chapters, and some states have their own associations. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), for example, has been around for decades. Their code of ethics is nearly identical to every other model. California’s CREIA is one of the oldest state associations in the country, and their code is much like all the others, as well.
Whether or not you belong to an association, you can access a code of ethics, study it and adopt it for your own business. ASHI makes theirs public, and so does CREIA. That’s the case with most associations. What’s in it for you? Support for the industry and protection for the customers who hire you.
Uniformity in the home inspection industry gives customers a level of service to count on.
Home Inspection Customers Take a Risk in Unregulated States
Most home buyers will only purchase a home a few times in their lives. Some people buy one home and live there indefinitely. Either way, there aren’t many repeat customers in the home inspection industry, so most people hire an inspector without much experience or information to go on.
Adhering to a code of ethics helps you protect customers. They may have very little idea about what to expect from a home inspector or the services they provide. They may never have considered the risks involved with hiring someone who doesn’t abide by any regulations. The more inspectors who do, the less chance there is for customers to hire a fly-by-night layperson who might not have their best interest at heart.
A code of ethics also protects you. Although home buyers aren’t always educated about the home inspection process, they do understand their legal remedies if an inspector makes a huge error or simply fails to perform as promised. Play it straight and you’ll protect your business against a lawsuit.
Maybe you once had an ethics code committed to memory. If so, how long has it been since you looked it over? If you can’t remember, chances are your knowledge could use some freshening up.
If your state doesn’t require adherence to a code of ethics and you aren’t an association member, now is the time to bring yourself up to speed. It’s one more way to improve your marketability in an industry that’s growing more regulated and competitive every day.
Marketability also depends on providing the best service without unnecessary delays for your customers. A great home inspection reporting app makes that part of the job easier. If you’re in the market for something clean, professional and efficient, download our home inspection app for Android or get it at the App Store for your iPhone.