March, 30th, 2020
Dear Washington Home Inspectors and Real Estate Professionals,
The Board of Directors for The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Washington Chapter has been monitoring the quickly changing events surrounding home inspection and the Covid-19 outbreak and we will continue to provide accurate information as it becomes available. Please remember that this situation is changing so fast, it is impossible to keep fully abreast of all developments as they occur.
While the governor has given some leniency to continuing home inspections under limited circumstances, the ASHI Washington Board feels that the risks of this situation far exceed the benefits of continuing to perform home inspections at this time. While missing work is a great hardship, we believe that the more we can flatten the curve now, the sooner we can all get back to some sense of normal life. Continuing to perform home inspections, considering the vast uncertainties, risks the health of the communities we are trying to serve and risks prolonging the stay-at-home orders which most of the population have been respecting. Please consider that continuing to work while others stay at home could be seen as disrespectful to the sacrifices that others are making. This is not the kind of image we wish to project for our profession.
The ASHI Washington Board encourages all home inspectors to consider how critical a given inspection is to public health and safety. Please use caution in deciding to work and please respect the collective sacrifices of others in our communities. This may be one of the greatest opportunities you will have to get caught up on all the work you never have time for. Use this opportunity to improve your templates, do online training, finish your taxes, or hone new inspection skills. Or better yet, spend time with your family and go for a walk and breathe deep.
This will pass. Life may never be the same, but if we use this time for self-reflection perhaps life will be better than we ever imagined it.
Stay safe and please reach out to us if we can help.
Sincerely, the ASHI Washington Board