Don't be Offended

Inspections are normally requested by the buyer or their agent, but occasionally the seller will order an inspection. As a homeowner, there are a few things to know about ordering an inspection. When the inspector is asked to inspect a home there are standards of practice (SOP) and codes of ethics to be followed. Regardless of who is ordering the inspection, the standards do not change. 

One of the first homes that I inspected was for a friend. The house was over sixty years old and naturally had a few defects. I was taking pictures of all of the problems that I could see, everything from cosmetic issues to cracks in the foundation. As I would go through the house taking pictures and making notes the owner would give me nervous looks. He kept saying that he already knew about the issues I was documenting. From the looks he was giving me I could tell he was wondering why I took so many pictures and noted such minor defects.

Even if you have a home inspection done with no intention of sharing the report with a potential buyer the inspector must conduct the inspection and write the report just as if it were being done for a buyer. If you don't wish to share the results of your home inspection that's fine. The home inspector is only sharing the report with the person who ordered it, so don't stress out about the results.