jdamato Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 I am a new inspector in P.A. And looking for a septic template. If anyone here has one thats compatible with AHIT Inspectit I would really appreciate it.
Bill Kibbel Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 Do you need language to disclaim septic systems or are you inspecting them and including it in a home inspection report?
jdamato Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Posted February 23, 2011 Im looking for both I guess. I will be inspecting them for an additional fee and noticed some inspectors include it in there emailed report as a seperate report.
Bain Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 Do you plan to locate the tank hatch and remove it, and also check out the distribution box, which is often toast on old systems? And do you know what to look for once you have access? If not, you're wasting your customer's time and setting yourself up for a lawsuit. Too, I don't know about PA, but around here, the health department has to take a look before everything is covered back up, which typically entails a second visit to the house.
rbaake Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 "If anyone here has one thats compatible with AHIT Inspectit" I think your software is MS Word based (was the last time I used it), copy and paste anything you find. Can't help with the septic, try to not get involved with things I can't see.
Bill Kibbel Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 In PA, you should really be PSMA certified and strictly follow the PSMA guidelines for septic system inspections. I've met a few HIs that inspected septic systems that weren't and didn't. When I met them, they were referred to as "defendants".
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 Yes, inspectit is word based. Yes I know what to look for, all I need is a template so I can stop using the forms I made.
randynavarro Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 I'm not sure what you mean by "template." If you're using Inspectit, you can create anything you want on the page, highlight it, and save it as an entry. Of course you have to manually type whatever text you're trying to save.
Robert Jones Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 Jason, Are you a member of PSMA? I see you have them listed on your website. I take it you have a lot of experience with septic systems to include inspecting the different treatment tanks, distribution systems, siphons/pumps and absorption areas. If that is the case, just set up a word template with all of that information on it. Explain what type of system it is, status of the tank(not sure how you can tell without pumping it), status of the pump(s) and drain field. Also keep in mind that you are going against your associations SOP. Maybe the iachi crew can make something up for this type of inspection. Have you tried their forum? Does your HI insurance cover you on this?
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 The problem isn't performing the inspection. The question was directed more towards me being lazy and looking for a Pre designed template so I can get rid of more paperwork.
Robert Jones Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 I can't imagine that anyone would have a template for septic. In my state for example, it is handle through a septic company and the local health department. It is clearly stated in my contract and report that it is beyond the scope of a home inspection.
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 Its apparantly different in P.A. , for the most part every home inspector here is performing septic inspections as per FHA guidelines. It is required for an FHA loan to have water, septic, and termite but not structure. Kind of Ironic due to the fact that termite isnt an issue but radon is and thats NOT required.
randynavarro Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 Robert, I see you've tanned a bit.
Bill Kibbel Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 Its apparantly different in P.A. , for the most part every home inspector here is performing septic inspections as per FHA guidelines. WRONG!
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 Whats WRONG ?? Dont leave me hanging.
Bill Kibbel Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 There aren't very many HIs in PA performing septic inspections. Those that do offer to do them sure aren't doing them to "FHA guidelines". Someone mentioned you have PSMA on your website. Why wouldn't you be doing the inspections according to the PSMA guidelines? Why would you consider addressing septic systems without the PSMA certification?
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 My wifes an agent. Every inspector she uses does them. I was basing my stats on the facts In our area.
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 Again, the topic isn't how to perform. All I was looking for was a premade template.
Inspectorjoe Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 My wifes an agent. Every inspector she uses does them. I was basing my stats on the facts In our area. Jason: You're basing your stats on the inspectors your wife "uses", not the facts in our area (I'm no more than 15 miles away from you). Around here, as Bill said, most inspectors don't do septic. BTW, here's something you'd probably want to know. On the Amerispec Specialty Services page, much of the info and links are the same as yours. In fact, the septic info, as well as the water testing info is exactly the same, word for word. Also, the radon links are identical. http://www.amerispec.com/inspectionserv ... vices.aspx http://comfortspecpa.com/specialty-services.html#water It's hard to believe that a company as big as Amerispec (owned by ServiceMaster) would plagiarize from your website, which is probably pretty new. You might want to alert your attorney about this. Copyright infringement (especially when involving a large company) can be pretty serious. It's a good thing you have this at the bottom of your page: © 2011 ComfortSpec Home Inspection Services - All Rights Reserved
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 Wasn't aware it was copyrighted info. I had a webmaster design it for me. I told the company (em4b) what I was looking for and they built it. I'm calling when they open and I'll get it fixed. Thanks for the heads up.
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 Anything else you notice I'm doing wrong please let me know. I'm a newer inspector and appreciate all your help Joe.
Robert Jones Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 Randy, That's Bettlejuice(Howard Stern fame)! I just about fell out of my chair when a friend sent it to me.
Inspectorjoe Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 Jason: I see that emb4 has template websites that you can customize yourself. You might want to see if you can convert the site they did for you to a template site. That way you have total control of the content. After all, you are ultimately responsible for it. Right now, your About page has the same content as at least a dozen other emb4 sites that I found through a Google search. You want your About page to be about you, not a generic inspector. One thing that was added to yours that the other sites don't have is :"you benefit from over 8 years in inspection service". How is that, when you say you're just starting out? I'm probably not one who should be giving advice on websites. I'm still using a now-obsolete one that I acquired when I bought my company over a year ago. I did find a top notch designer that I know will give me an outstanding site, but I don't have the thousands of dollars it's going to cost. I think a flawless, professionally done web site is important, so I'll limp along with the current one until I can get it done right. Good luck to you Jason. PS - You've already done one of the best things someone just starting out can do ...... You found The Inspector's Journal. Soak up as much as you can of the incredible amount of collective knowledge found here. I know I do.
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 Joe, I worked in the power generation industry as part of the operations dept performing DAILY inspections at power plants.
jdamato Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 This site is a great help I agree. I will absolutely be turning to everyone here throughout my career.
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