updated 05/19/2020
Castle Home Inspections, LLC is (currently) still doing inspections to help keep the real estate industry moving during this unprecedented time. That said, I am taking several precautions to keep everyone as healthy and safe as possible. My wife and I personally know several people who would be at very high risk of complications due to this virus, so we are doing what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19, and keep our loved ones safe - that includes you!
I am following government and health protocols, including physical distancing. In short, I am asking that nobody be present at the inspection. The below are the steps I am are taking to help keep clients, agents, home occupants, and the inspector as healthy and safe as possible. These guidelines will change as needed to keep current with government and CDC protocols with this outbreak. If a shelter-in-place order is commenced, I will cease doing inspections.
Castle Home Inspections, LLC
COVID-19 INSPECTION GUIDELINES:
Attendance and Scheduling
- If any of the occupants within the inspection property are, or have recently been sick or felt sick within 9-days of the inspection, the inspection will need to be rescheduled - following the CDC/government guidelines for self-containment timelines.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html - The inspector should be the only person present during the inspection time. This means that the home occupants, real estate agents, buyers, and contractors not be in the home at the time of the inspection.
- I am requesting that the owner/occupants be out of the house. Knowing that we have been asked not to go anywhere unless absolutely necessary, I cannot in good conscience ask home owners to leave their home unless they have a safe place to go that won't put themselves, or others at risk of infection. If occupants have no place safe to go during the inspection, they may stay at home. See Sanitary Practices below on how I will work safely in your home.
- Normally, I would require the buyer to be present for the last hour of the inspection – that has also changed. I am now requesting that the buyer not attend the inspection - I will call them directly after the inspection to review the major deficiencies. After I send them the report, if desired, I can go through the entire report with them over the phone.
Sanitary Practices
- It has always been my practice to wear disposable shoe covers, and will continue to do so while inside properties - these will not be reused.
- I will be washing my hands often (supplying my own soap and hand towel), and may use rubber gloves on occasion but these would be washed and sanitized the same as bare hands would during the inspection - these will not be reused. I also will be avoiding touching my face.
- I will be using hand sanitizer before entering the home. If I leave the home, I will be reapplying sanitizer as I reenter the home and also when washing of hands is not convenient.
- If I feel sick with a fever, cough, or am sneezing, I will reschedule the inspection.
- Disinfecting wipes will be used to clean fixtures that I touch, including kitchen and bathroom fixtures, door knobs and light switches.
- My tools will be disinfected after each inspection.
Again, these measures are to help keep clients, agents, home occupants, and the inspector as healthy and safe as possible. These guidelines will change as needed to keep current with government and CDC protocols with this outbreak.
