A home inspector’s purpose is to evaluate the health and safety of a home. Therefore, taking precautions to ensure the health and safety of the home inspector and the clients they are serving, is equally as vital. Home inspectors come in contact with many people and homes as a part of their daily lives. The need to follow safety procedures is more important than ever as we face the risks of contracting and spreading COVID-19.
It is likely your home inspection business has slowed down over the last few months due to state and local restrictions as well as community fears of allowing non-family members into their homes. However, there are many precautions you can make to ease client fears and protect yourself and the community while still conducting your business.
Recommendations for Safely Providing a Home Inspection in the Time of COVID-19
- Prior to a scheduled home inspection, ask the client the following questions:
- Has anyone in the home been sick within the last 14 days?
- Has anyone in the home been in contact with someone who has been sick in the last 14 days?
- Has anyone in the home ever tested positive for COVID-19?
- Has anyone in the home been exposed to someone that has tested positive within the last 14 days?
- Set and prepare the client of your safety procedures and expectations. Some examples:
- Request only essential people or no one be present during the home inspection.
- Require 6ft of separation at all times
- Inform the client of your own safety measures (i.e. wearing a mask, protective gear, frequent hand washing and surface sanitation during the inspection)
- Hold consultations over the phone or via virtual meetings to decrease chances of exposure.
Home inspection is a necessary service to the community and should not be skipped during the process of a home sale or purchase. It is important that home inspectors do their part in protecting themselves, the home and the client while providing this vital service. Communicate clearly to clients that you take health and safety seriously. We do not know when business will continue as usual again so start preparing to conduct your business this way for the foreseeable future to ensure you can continue to operate a successful business.
Find the latest CDC recommendations for conducting business here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response
Read OSHA’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
Visit your state health department for information about COVID-19: https://www.usa.gov/state-health
