We can’t make this stuff up

Recently, we were requested to review an inspection report.

The product was a rustic, hand-scraped solid wood, random widths (in the carton). The inspector reported measurements using the fraction, 1/32”.

 In his report he reported there are “V” shaped end-gaps that measured from 1/32” to 3/32”.

 There are standards, or as we like to say, Best Industry Practices. Manufactured standards, appearance standards, installation standards and such but, are there inspection standards accepted by the “ENTIRE INSPECTION TRADE?” Nope. And such standards can only be voluntary.

For end-joint gaps that the inspector “cut and pasted” or “copied and pasted”, the standards that says gaps up to 3/32” can be filled with putty.

Then he reported the gaps were beyond “code” or “standard” and the entire installation needed to be replaced.

No matter my Person Opinion about “acceptable gaps”, the standard he quoted said, from 1/32” to 3/32” can be filled with putty as a Best Industry Practice and stated in his report to be “acceptable”. Inspectors must evaluate by their Professional Opinion.

So, he cut / pasted information from a national association reporting what he cut / pasted that he measured, and reported the measurements that meets this standard in his report as acceptable by the industry, then as unacceptable?????

We don’t make this stuff up.

Now, for rustic floors, usually there are no standards.

HOWEVER!

This manufactured states their product will have “pillowed bevel ends" that are tapered. Photographs show tapered V shaped gaps in the report.

The intent is to blend the rustic hand-scraped contours to blend together down the lengths and across the widths of the planks.

The manufactured, designed and manufactured, these random planks, to have the V shaped gaps between the ends of the planks.

The manufacture states on their sample board and literature that the gaps are milled to have “V” shaped gaps and not a defect.

As a professional, the inspector must evaluate any product by the standards and intended appearance by the manufacturer. My personal opinion doesn’t come into consideration.

My person opinion is, I don’t like the gaps but as a professional, I must evaluate by the manufacturer’s design and intended appearance and write my report “professionally”.

The inspector did call the manufacturer who told the inspector that is the product’s intended appearance, and not a defect.

Review:

1.     On the sample board and written information on the sample board, the gaps are shown and explained for their intended appearance.

2.     The inspector was hired by the homeowner, who after choosing the product viewing the sample board, decided she did not like the appearance of the product.

3.     The inspector blamed the installer for the gaps. He reported the plank’s gaps, manufactured to be there, as a manufacturing defect the installer should not have installed.

1.     This is after, talking to the manufacturer and being told they are not defects.

2.     Since he knew the manufacturer is on 100% solid ground to deny any claim, he aims his inspector’s gun at the installer?

3.     Should such inspectors be allowed to state they are “Certified”. Yep, certified but are they what we want in our flooring trade. The only way to stop such people, share these stories and don’t hire them.

Is this buyer's remorse? Doesn’t matter, our job is to inspect the flooring as professionals. We don't evaluate people's state of minds.

The homeowner didn’t like the appearance after it was installed in a new home. That’s requires a personal evaluation and is not a professional evaluation.  

He can report that the homeowner doesn’t like the appearance, but cannot state the appearance is a defect if the product is manufactured to be that shape.

No matter our personal opinions there is a professional opinion we must follow, and that professional opinion must always take into account the intended appearance by the manufacturer.

Folks, we can’t make this “stuff” up. If you have an inspection report that needs reviewing, you can visit tucksfloorinspectionservice.com

or

https://www.flooringinspectorsguild.org/expert-flooring-inspectors/tucks-floor-inspection-service

for more information.