Another home inspector gives the profession a black eye...

[Welmoed Sisson]

Showed up on my news feed today. I'd love to know how these guys manage to fly under the radar.

Licensed home inspector’s claims don’t check out, CBS4 finds | CBS 4 - Indianapolis News, Weather, Traffic and Sports | WTTV (http://cbs4indy.com/2017/06/20/licensed-home-inspectors-claims-dont-check-out-cbs4-finds/)

[Lon Henderson]

Showed up on my news feed today. I'd love to know how these guys manage to fly under the radar.

It's far easier for these bad actors to fly under the radar than most folks appreciate. If there is a government agency involved, they are usually reactive. They don't have the personnel or the inclination to search for bad actors.

I'll kick the bee hive with this declaration...the benefits of licensing professions is mostly an illusion, but folks love their illusions. Most bad actors in any profession are eliminated by market forces, private legal actions, or action on complaints similar to this story.

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Welmoed, Lon, et al, good morning.

Unfortunately licensing does not prohibit such actions from occurring.
Likely a new brand/flavour striking out to make his/her mark in the industry.

Offering business services falls under regulations as to where I think home inspection businesses should fall.
I think the governments would be better equipped at acting upon services not provided and reaching out to the businesses to circumvent such services from being offered or to insure they are legitimate.

As for licensing home inspectors. State and provincial governments would be best to leave associations or colleges to certifying home inspectors and state or provincial real estate regulators to regulate whom they deem as qualified for their state or province.
By doing so leaves the burden of qualifications onto them.
Only makes sense to me.

Thanks for the post, Welmoed. Hope all is working out in your carrier.

Best.
Robert

[Jerry Peck]

Robert,

I disagree with you - in my opinion no home inspector should be allowed to claim being "certified" unless given the title by a state/provincial or federal (country) government and which is based on statutory requirements ... WHICH have strong enforcement powers ...

That SHOULD NOT be left to associations or other inspectors - case in point which proves my point: the association you belong to (and boost of being proud of).

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Jerry, just because a driver is licensed does not mean they are a good driver.
By allowing Real Estate regulators the burden of accepting whom can inspect real estate focuses any shortcomings on them.
They can then be scrutinized by the populus and governments.

You well know the infighting. Pass the liability to them.

[Jerry Peck]

Robert,

I typed a reply addressing all aspects ... and inspectionnews.net crashed my reply in cyberspace someplace ... not worth re-creating the reply.

Just wanted to let you know that a reply was ... keyword "was" ... on its way.

[Gunnar Alquist]

Licensing is a double-edged sword and the gov'mint can get it wrong. i have no real problem with licensing, but it does not always provide a solution. For example, here in CA, some government nimrod is trying to make it so home inspectors cannot inspect a roof that has been inspected and worked-on by a licensed roofing contractor. I don't see how that can protect a home buyer, but what do I know?

On to Welmoed's post...
I particularly liked the "he said he was veteran-friendly" part. I can't say I believe that is a valid reason to hire a home inspector. But... what do I know?