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On a home inspector forum I brought this topic up in response to some inspectors saying they wouldn't go inside an attic unless it had a walkway.
I thought i would ask Real Estate professionals about how many times they had seen or heard about a home inspector stepping through a ceiling.
IN almost 20 years of inspecting I have made a mis-step ONCE. I consider myself lucky, however, I don't think my numbers are that far off. Most inspectors I know have done it once or twice. But that's in their career, not per month or even year.
Since we as a group probably don't like to admit to our peers that we messed up, I figured that another view might be more accurate.
Thanks
I have never had it happen. and I have never had an inspector refuse to go up in an attic. If they did, that would be last time they worked for my clients, as I would tell my clients. You need to see if there is any active leaking, how are the rafters, and so much more!!!
The only think I have seen an inspector refuse to do, is mess with a gas fireplace..... and I can't blame them for that!!
Thanks for the responses.
Re: gas appliances. I used to light pilot lights all the time, UNTIL a water heater exploded and burned the cr_p out of me. Seems there was a problem with the gas valve that no one said they knew about. NEW POLICY....we do not light pilot lights or turn gas valves that are OFF. We don't know WHY they are off.
I've never had an inspector refuse to go into an attic either but most homes have the walkway since it's code. I can only think of 2 instances where there was no attic walkway and both times the inspectors went in anyway.
Different but similar, most home inspectors I've met won't walk on the roof which I completely understand and have no problem with. Same with lighting pilot lights.
I haven't done this yet, but not for lack of trying. I can see where an inspector might be leery, especially with blown-in insulation so you couldn't see the joists. Especially a skinny inspector with the ceiling joists or trusses spaced wide apart. Especially over a stairwell. I can picture it: express elevator going DOWN...
Brandon, it is only code to have a walkway in the attic if there is mechanical equipment in there, and then it only has to go from the access to the equipment. BY the way, in CA and TN there is rarely a walkway.
Scone, pretty much the maximum spacing for trusses or ceiling joists is 24". Almost anyone can step 24". It's not that hard.
I use the three point method, similar to rock climbing. Always have 3 contact points (hands and feet) before moving.
I walk on roofs unless the slope is over 8/12, then it's just too steep to safely walk (for me anyway).
Scone, pretty much the maximum spacing for trusses or ceiling joists is 24". Almost anyone can step 24". It's not that hard.
I know. However, when I was talking to Oswego Drywall a few weeks ago, the guy tells me he gets a "leg through the ceiling" call about once a month. Says it's a bread and butter part of the business. Insulation and HVAC guys are the usual suspects...
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I can see where an inspector might be leery, especially with blown-in insulation so you couldn't see the joists. Especially a skinny inspector with the ceiling joists or trusses spaced wide apart. Especially over a stairwell. I can picture it: express elevator going DOWN... 
