Stephanie Jaynes
Marketing Director Stephanie Jaynes simplifies complex insurance and legal concepts to help home inspectors protect their livelihood and avoid unnecessary risk. Her articles have appeared in publications like the ASHI Reporter, CREIA Inspector Magazine, and the InspectorPro Blog. She’s been a guest on NACHI TV, Spectora Spotlight, The ASHI Online Learning Center, The Successful Home Inspector Podcast, Today’s Home Inspector, and the Home Inspection Authority Podcast. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Arts from Mills College with a major in creative writing and a minor in journalism. She has also earned her Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation from The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys trying new recipes and taking walks with her husband and sons.
Over two years after performing a home and pest inspection, a Florida home inspector received a claim. In it, his client alleged that he failed to identify a termite infestation in the home, which the client discovered after removing drywall to renovate. Removing the drywall revealed significant termite damage to the entire wall, from the…
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In a recent claim, claimants alleged that a home inspector failed to detect structural deficiencies in the property. The claimants alleged that the inspector failed to identify that the wrong sized boards were used for the span of the ceiling, the boards were spanned incorrectly, and that the boards were incorrectly seated on the supporting…
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Welcome to our first home inspector profile. In our new series of profiles, we take a closer look at individual inspectors making an impact on the inspection industry. For military veteran Bronson Anderson, it was difficult to transition from military service to the private world. A former infantryman in Iraq, there were not many ways…
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Last fall, one of our home inspectors received a claim alleging that he failed to identify the existence of polybutylene pipes during his inspection of a condominium two months earlier. The property did, in fact, have polybutylene pipes. However, the pipes were located in the attic, which was not included within the scope of the…
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In 2016, we published an article featuring the top five claims home inspectors face each year and what you can do to mitigate your risk. Those allegations—water damage, roof issues, foundation defects, mold, and plumbing problems—continue to be common. We revisit each claim type by looking at recent claims from our archives and the lessons…
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In Massachusetts, claimants alleged that a home inspector missed over $30,000 in property damages. According to the claimants, the inspector failed to identify a bow in the exterior wall along with resulting water, structural, and pest damage. The crawlspace that exhibited most of the issues was inaccessible at the time of the inspection, and the…
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Even if you’re not inspecting for mold-but especially if you are-it’s important for home inspectors to know how to avoid a mold claim. Why are mold claims common? Regardless of whether or not you decide to perform mold screenings, clients can file mold claims against you. Mold claims are the fourth most common type of…
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Note: The Managing Risk column reviews the most common allegations in the industry and provides tips to make home inspectors better equipped to prevent claims. Foundation claims are the third most common allegation against home inspectors. However, because foundations are literally the base upon which every home rests, foundation damage claims are also one of…
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American homeowners aren’t living alone. They share their homes with family. They share their homes with pets. And, whether homeowners know it or not, they share their homes with uninvited guests that lead to the top 3 pest claims against home inspectors. Pests and the American household Insects, spiders, and other pests dwell right…
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Second only to general water damage claims, roof damage claims—especially ones alleging roof leaks—are one of the most common claims against home inspectors. Why is roof damage common? Depending on its material, a typical roof lasts from 20 to 30 years before it needs to be replaced. However, it’s common for roofs to require regular…
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Try as you may, you can’t always be a one-stop shop. Maybe your inspection business is still small, so you don’t offer many additional services beyond the basic inspection. Or maybe your client needs something that goes beyond the Standard of Practice (SOP).1 Regardless, if you’re unable to meet a client’s needs in-house, you’re likely to…
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Many of you are desperate for hiring tips for your home inspection business. After all, in a niche industry like home inspections, it can be tough to find talent. But for many U.S. home inspectors, hiring is a must. Let your inspection business run understaffed and you risk lower productivity and employee burnout. But hire the…
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