Attic Inspection Requirements

[Greg Parker]

but it only takes about two minutes of extra effort and makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

In this heat, both scenarios apply, I feel incredibly warm after getting in these scuttles right now, and certainly fuzzy from all the crap that falls on me when I open the hatch!

 

[CANative]

I will not climb ladders of more than 7'. Another fine reason not to do FHA appraisals...crippled or dead appraisers falling off ladders.

 

[Steelers74]

The high attic access can be dangerous. I had a high access in an attached garage. The owner had an aluminum ladder he made available which wasn't quite tall enough, but before I could climb back down it twisted and bent out from under me (piece of crap, prob made in China). When I reached for the edge of the hole to grab on, I broke one of my fingers when all my weight jerked down it. Fell to the concrete, big winter coat helped pad my landing. I am always wary of poor attic access and make sure its safe, if not I'll have to come back at an additional fee. Also, I have almost slid off a rear overhang since exterior access only access on another one. On that one she swept all the snow away but not the ice underneath. I've learned in those cases and if they don't like it I just tell them what HUD has told me, "have the owner cut a hole in the ceiling".

 

[Salty]

Just get a monopod and be done with it. Works like a charm. Put the camera on the stick and use that to push the scuttle hatch open then the timer takes the pic. I think my monopod extends to 15 or 20 feet. I couldn't even fit my shoulders in most of these scuttle non-use attic.

 

[smackodu]

I know some appraisers may disagree, but I don't bring ladders to inspection. The OP is a good example. Attic locations and ceiling heights can very from property to property and I do not want to be expected to have ladders for all occassions. I am not a contractor nor do I drive a contractors truck with several different ladder types attached to the truck. I also don't want the liability of carrying a ladder through someones home and potentially chipping a wall or knocking grandmas portrait off the wall.

As I see it access is to be provided to the appraiser. This includes access to any scuttle attic areas. It's their home, they should have proper and safe access equipment.

I discuss this with the borrower or realtor when I schedule the appointment to give them a heads up and they have enough time to make sure there is something safe for me to get a head and shoulders view. I also do not bring tools nor do I turn on utilities from any main source. I'm there to observe. That is all.

My safety and the way I provide for my family are very important to me. I would NEVER depend on someone else's ladder. Do the realtors or homeowners ask you in advance for your height and weight so they can calculate what size ladder is needed to get you that head and shoulders inspection of the attic? If I am the realtor/homeowner and I know the FHA requirements and you try pulling this, my next call is to report you to FHA. If you don't want to do what is expected of you by FHA don't take FHA assignments.

 

[AnonApprsr]

Confession Time: I do not actually put my head above a scuttle 90% of the time. I stick my fat arm up through it and take flash-enabled 5MP pictures. "Head and Shoulders" is not a literal phrase, it just describes the amount you have to break the threshold for your POV of the attic. In other words, you can't stand on the ground and "look" from there and say you inspected the attic. By saying "head and shoulders" inspection FHA/HUD is saying they want you to actually see the freaking attic. That is all.

In fact, the scenario that Lee describes (the stick + camera) is perfectly acceptable.

 

[smackodu]

Confession Time: I do not actually put my head above a scuttle 90% of the time. I stick my fat arm up through it and take flash-enabled 5MP pictures. "Head and Shoulders" is not a literal phrase, it just describes the amount you have to break the threshold for your POV of the attic. In other words, you can't stand on the ground and "look" from there and say you inspected the attic. By saying "head and shoulders" inspection FHA/HUD is saying they want you to actually see the freaking attic. That is all.

In fact, the scenario that Lee describes (the stick + camera) is perfectly acceptable.

I guess we will have to disagree. If one gets their head and shoulders into the attic, one can get a 360 view. You can't do that just sticking your camera into the attic. I believe FHA would like a little more than just a picture of the attic. On the other hand, Doc and the AMC reviewers only want to see a picture. If they were looking at FRT they would not have a clue as to what it was. However it would pass through all of their quality reviews.

 

[AnonApprsr]

You're wrong. So wrong it hurts me to say it. You're hurting me! What the heck is the difference between me taking 360 degrees worth of photos with my arm sticking up through the scuttle and my face sticking up through the scuttle? Oh.. there is no difference, and you don't know what you're saying in the slightest sense of the word know.

 

[Delta85]

My safety and the way I provide for my family are very important to me. I would NEVER depend on someone else's ladder. Do the realtors or homeowners ask you in advance for your height and weight so they can calculate what size ladder is needed to get you that head and shoulders inspection of the attic? If I am the realtor/homeowner and I know the FHA requirements and you try pulling this, my next call is to report you to FHA. If you don't want to do what is expected of you by FHA don't take FHA assignments.

FHA does NOT require me to bring ladders to inspections. They require access to these areas be made available TO me. As I said earlier I know many will disagree but I don't want the responsibility of bringing a ladder to my inspections. Attic locations vary and ceiling heights vary which may require ladders of various sizes. Do you have ladders for every occassion and do you have a vehicle that carries all these ladders? Do you do roofing and siding jobs on the side as well?

You act like it's outrageous that a homeowner actually have a safe way to access THEIR own scuttle attic. Really?

I do what is expected of me. I inform my contact (borrower or realtor) well in advance that I will need access to the attic area and that means there needs to be a safe and sufficient ladder for me to do my visual inspection. If providing me access to their attic is too much trouble maybe an FHA loan is not for them.

 

[Delta85]

I would NEVER depend on someone else's ladder. Do the realtors or homeowners ask you in advance for your height and weight so they can calculate what size ladder is needed to get you that head and shoulders inspection of the attic?

I have this conversation with the borrower or realtor when I schedule the inspection. I let them know I need a SAFE and SUFFICIENT ladder to access THEIR attic area.

If I get to the inspection and the ladder looks 100 years old, rusty, and ready to fall to pieces I do not attempt to access the area, remind them of our conversation, and another inspection will have to be scheduled.

As I said, if providing me access to their attic area is too much trouble maybe an FHA loan is not for them. I'm an appraiser, not a contractor with ladders and a tool belt.