chrisberg

I guess I need to shop around. I have been inspecting since 2002. I did the fast track inspection class at ITA which is now Kaplan School. I use the ITA Matrix Reporting system on my laptop. I have 24 years in the building industry and the last 15 yrs I have been building custom Spec homes. I have over 650 paid inspections. I am not a member of any home inspection association. I have never been asked about being a member in one. I live on the island of Kauai and do not have any plans to leave to inspect on the mainland. Hawaii has a very different building style than the mainland. We don't have freezing conditions so no heating source to inspect. We don't use insulation in the walls or attics. Mold is not much of an issue. Most home are on post and pier for ventilation. I have not had to inspect a basement. Its very rare that I come across a air conditioning unit. The oldest home I have inspected on this island was built in 1927. Most of the older home have been moved and were required to be brought to current code. Chinese drywall never made it to Kauai. Hawaii has no rules governing home inspections yet. Knock on wood, I have never been called on a error on my reports. I am not a licenced contractor. I just want a little insurance to help me sleep a little better at night. As far as I can tell only 1 inspector on this island is a member of a home inspector association but he is a new franchise inspector.

Thanks for the replies! I have been getting my contracts signed before I release the inspection report. Most have faxed them and I have a few emailed ones. Now I have the insurance quote in front of me and the underwriter has list of conditions. First I have to join a home inspection association. I need to add an exclusion for Chinese drywall to my contract. I also need to add wording in my contract for the $1500 deductable. I did some quick math and the policy and membership add about 40 bucks to each inspection. Are these normal policies of insurance providers?

Thanks Guys, I am working on a executable contract for my web page that I can direct client to.

I just found out I am not covered by my insurance without a signed contract. I have a tough time getting clients to sign my contract due to the fact I do not have contact with 90% of my clients as they are buying property out of state. Is there a way to get a digital signature before a client opens the inspection report? Would that satisfy the insurance company? Any recommendations on how to get the client to sign the contract? Sorry if this post is a little off topic. Thanks in advance