By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
I've worked for a home inspection company for the past two years and now have started my own inspection business. In some respects, my approach to inspections differs from that of my previous employer. For example, I feel that all electric outlets and switches should have cover plates on them. My former employer disagrees. He says that covers are cosmetic and needn't be included in a home inspection report. Do you think that uncovered plugs and switches pose a hazard, or is that being too picky? -- Tony
Dear Tony,
Disclosure of missing electrical cover plates is consistent with your position as a professional consumer advocate. Outlet and switch covers are installed for safety, not cosmetics. Without cover plates, electrical contacts are fully exposed. What would your previous employer say if a three-year-old were to stick a finger in an open outlet and be injured or killed? Would that be regarded as a cosmetic outcome?
The litmus test for such disclosures is safety and liability. The utmost liability is incurred when conditions involving safety are not disclosed. The utmost consequence occurs when unsafe conditions are ignored. Keep up the good work.
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