We’ve all seen a lot of unprecedented events over the past few weeks related to the coronavirus outbreak, and we are all adjusting on the fly, making changes to our daily lives to stay safe and healthy.
At Precision Home Inspection, the safety of our clients, Realtors, and residents of the homes we inspect are of utmost importance, and I want to share some changes we are making to our inspection process to help keep everyone safe (see our COVID-19 Quick Guide for buyers and sellers here).
Our Temporary Action Plan
For Buyers and Realtors:
I've been in contact with several other home inspection companies throughout the country as well as here in Pennsylvania, and we're all in agreement; the new COVID-19 standard of care is to have the home inspector perform the home inspection alone.
Instead, we will call each client and their Realtor at the end of the inspection to sum up our findings, and then later conduct a phone review of the inspection with the client and Realtor (as needed) after we’ve sent out the report.
While on-site, our inspectors will take the following steps to help maintain a sanitary environment in people’s homes:
We will wear gloves during the course of the inspection
We will keep hand sanitizer nearby and use it as needed (if available)
We will use disinfectant wipes on faucets and door handles (of available)
We will not shake hands or bump fists
We will avoid touching our faces
If any of our inspectors have a fever or cough, we will reschedule the inspection
For Sellers/Homeowners:
We will refrain from touching as much as possible during the inspection and request that sellers help us by moving possessions and furniture away from items we need to access during the inspection including:
Water heater
Heater/AC units
Breaker Panel
Outlets and light switches
Main water shut off valve
Appliances
Faucets and drains
Windows and doors
Foundation walls in basement and crawlspaces
If you will be home during the inspection, our inspectors will also follow recommended distancing (6 feet) and request that you also maintain safe distances or rotate rooms with our inspectors to minimize contact.
With schools closing and kids being left home alone, it’s also important to note that our policy is, and always has been, that we will not enter a home with minors present unless a second adult is present.
This is a significant departure from our usual interactive, informative inspection and we will go to extreme lengths to try to duplicate the education and experience a client would receive in person. This will include more photos, videos (where useful), and even more description of conditions and concerns so clients can feel like they were there along side us.
We will continue to monitor this developing situation, and we will adjust any of these policies as needed or recommended to help ensure everyone’s safety. If you have any suggestions or requests for your particular home inspection, I am happy to work with each client and Realtor individually to make sure we have the most thorough inspection, safest process, and best outcome for everyone.
Philadelphia's Premiere Home Inspector
215.839.1801
