TOPIC: Home owner on site during an inspection

Hello ,

I was curious how most handle having the home owner following behind you during an inspection?
Do you allow it? Do you charge more money because of the possible delays with the home owner interjecting his/her comments or excuses for your findings while you are reporting to your client?
Can the presence of the homeowner assist you? Moving things that we cannot move or giving insight into unusual findings.
I am new to Home inspecting but have been inspecting floorcoverings and floor structures for many years and many times a client will invite friends or contractors to be on site while I am to question my every move.I do not have a problem with it usually and if the person becomes an issue I will ask them to leave the area so i can get my job done.I appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Thanks

I encourage my client to attend at least part of the inspection. As far as homeowners go, I just make it clear that I am there to do a job, and go to it. If they tag along, I make sure that I get access to everywhere(homeowners like to block things off sometimes), so that I get a through report out. Quite a few times this has landed me another inspection, from the current home owner, when they find a new home. I have yet to have a client have contractors on hand, they hired me because they trust me. This should be earned at the initial phone call, sell yourself and your company.

I don't perform inspections where my client isn't present, period.  I advise the client and clients agent that the seller should not be present during the inspection.  This allows for the agent, client and you to have freedom to speak, discuss and statigize about the condition of the property and how the client is going to proceed without interference from the seller.  I love it when the client or agent blurts out what a $hit installation of the water heater or AC system or flooring, tile, etc.. only to have the seller become outraged when they over hear you and guess who did the installation.  We can't make the seller leave, but we damn sure don't have to include them in the inspection. 

All of these issues should be addressed at time of inspection order.  Let the client and agent know what your inspection protocol is and how you want to handle the inspection.  You're in charge and your ultimately responsible for the results. 

BTW, I perform my inspection with the client and clients agent present, I discuss and show them interesting issues as I perform the inspection.  When we've completed the inspection, we're done.  I've already pointed out and showed them all the important stuff.  No need to spend another hour arguing with the listing agent and seller at the conclusion.  When the listing agent shows up at the end of a 4 hour inspection because they were to lazy to be there during the process and thinks nothing of ordering you to spend an extra hour going over it with them, I quickly respond, that I've already gone over the issues with my client, but am sure the buyers agent would love to spend another hour with you going over those issues.  The buyers agent will immediately state, not to worry, I'm going to send you a copy of the report. 

We're out the door and gone!

I don't work for the seller, owner and or listing agent....

The few times the seller is present, I request the buyers agent to request the seller leave for a few hours to allow the inspection to take place.  Usually the buyers agent agrees and will chase off the seller. 

Once the buyer stayed around.  Everytime I pointed something out, they mentioned they were going to fix it, they never had a problem, their inspector did not find it, blah, blah, blah. 

I pulled the buyers agent aside and asked if he would "entertain the seller" so I could perform the inspection.  He understood and chatted up the seller to distract the seller.  It was my second inspection for the buyer and I already had his trust. 

Legally the seller still owns the property and cannot be forced to leave.  Usually politely asking them to go shopping or run errands for a few hours works.  The can be a real pain if they hang around.

Alternately if I am performing a Warranty Inspection, it is great to have the owner around.  They have lived in the house for a year and are usually very willing to point out every little detail.  I frequently ask they move stuff away from electrical panels and water heaters in the garage for better access.