TOPIC: Garage door safety features.

David,

Did you use the 2x4 method or something else. Here in AZ they expect us to test the safety reverses. I know this may sound petty but not meant that way, what are you going to do if a faucet springs a leak or if a garbage disposal breaks during testing? We all know that items will fail during an inspection at some point in our lives.
I applaud you on taking what I would consider the "high road" and paying for the repair. The public relationship aspect of paying should more than cover the cost. Hopefully you will get plenty of business from the other agents now.

I was thinking that too. Most SOP's require testing the reverse safety feature.

Dave
as a matter of the inspection process I would still check all safety features I had a similar event except the client pushed the open button  while the garage door was locked, nothing happened even though the seller claimed the action caused the motor to twist thus destroying his opener wanted me to pay  I did not pay opener worked fine, they are hard calls should I pay or not

As inspectors, we have to be able to do our job, and that means testing components and systems of the home using the normal operating controls or technics.
If I push the button on a GFI or GFCI and it fails, then it was all ready defective. If the agent told me it worked before I got there, that could be possible, we have no way of determining when things will fail.
I think the negative consequences are much greater by intentionally by passing something that should be and is required either by you organizations SOP or state laws.
You should not be picking and choosing what parts of the inspection to do.
I have not turned on any Mains, they must be off for a reason. If you think a garage door opener is expensive, how much damage do you think a broken water line could do.

But I make look at adding a clause in my contracts stating something to the effect, "that whatever is discovered on the inspection was there before I got there".

If someone tells you something worked before you tested it, ask them if they have the test results for you to look at?   ;D

The decision I am making is from past experience.

When I am doing something at an inspection and it is damaged from me testing I feel responsible.

If I would of walked away and left the garage door/opener in this condition it would have been a issue with the seller, listing agent and buyers agent. The seller was getting married (Saturday).

I did my job and it just ended up breaking. I felt it was best to take action call a professional and get it fixed ASAP. It cost me $168. The way I test the reverse by force is the correct procedure.

But since I have had issues before I personally am not going to test the reverse by force anymore.

I know it could be the same for GFCI or any other area we test but this is my decision.

I will show, explain and document the reverse by force. But I am no longer testing.

Just my business decision.

I also am very careful testing GFCI. If there is anything plugged in like a refrigerator I do not test.

I have had 3 or 4 call backs on GFCI. "You ruined my $500 worth of fillet Mignon" I say "well sire your old refrigerator should not be on a GFCI and this was also on a switch. Not my fault.

I just felt it was best to pay for this repair even though I was just doing my job. My wedding present to the seller. (I inspected this house for her 3 years ago)