Ethics in the home inspection profession (or "industry" as it is less-professionally called):
This is a public, consumer information document describing the code of ethical behavior required for professional home inspectors in the United States.
Because ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors was the first and is the oldest home inspection "professional society" we include reference to ASHI's ethical codes here. Since the 1990's many U.S. States have enacted home inspector licensing laws and some of those states include a code of ethics for home inspectors under the aegis of state licensing. Examples are included here.
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
During an ethics committee report to the national board of directors of a professional association board meeting in the 1990's a board member objected to the findings and observed that "ethics does not apply in this case - it's just business".
The remark may have sprung from a well-intended motive of generosity, but it illustrates a fundamental misunderstanding about the role and nature of ethics in society and business.
Contrary to the board member's' statement, the application of rules of ethical behavior cannot be optionally "turned on or off" at the will of an individual.
The principles of ethical conduct are always present, and judgements about whether or not conduct is ethical always apply in all situations.
An individual or company can choose to follow ethical business practices or not. But it cannot choose to declare that "ethics does not apply."
Similarly, a professional association can decide to enforce its code of ethics, or not, in a given situation. But it is incoherent and thus impossible for an association to state that "ethics does not apply." - Daniel Friedman, prior chairman, ASHI National Ethics and Standards Committees.
Because ASHI's ethics committee continues to meet and review ethical guidelines for the profession, a revised version of this particular ethics document may be obtained from the American Society of Home Inspectors, at the ASHI HQ website www.ashi.com.
Other individual home inspection associations and individual states may write their own codes of ethics.
OPINION: Readers will note that in comparison with the legislated State Code of Ethics above, this example of a professional association's code of ethics from 1993 is far more concise and less legalistic. The association consulted with professionals who had expertise in language and ethics (philosophy) as well as professional texts where business ethics are discussed. [Disclosure: the website editor DF was involved in that procedure as member and chair of the ASHI Ethics Committee.]
Honesty, justice, and courtesy form a moral philosophy which, associated with mutual interest among people, constitutes the foundation of ethics. The members should recognize such a standard, not in passive observance, but in a set of dynamic principles guiding their conduct. It is their duty to practice the profession according to this code of ethics.
As the keystone of professional conduct is integrity, the members will discharge their duties with fidelity to the public, their clients, and with fairness and impartiality to all. They should uphold the honor and dignity of their profession and avoid association with any enterprise of questionable character, or apparent conflict of interest.
© 1993 American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
...
Continue reading at HOME INSPECTION STANDARDS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see these
HOME INSPECTION ETHICAL CODES at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
Or see this
Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.
Search the InspectApedia website
Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.
Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.