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mark Worley
06-09-2008, 05:23 AM
As the system suggested I have never posted to the forums, and should make a post. I look to you folks to keep me informed, on the straight and narrow. I recently had a chance to buy a home for myself. I have dealt with Commercial for the last 27 years and realized just how quickly the rules change with the AHJ and how they interpret the rules. The discussions past and present have allowed me to make better decisions at home and allowed me to do my job better in the commercial world. Thanks. Mark Chief Engineer in Kansas

John Arnold
06-09-2008, 07:13 AM
As the system suggested I have never posted to the forums, and should make a post. I look to you folks to keep me informed, on the straight and narrow. I recently had a chance to buy a home for myself. I have dealt with Commercial for the last 27 years and realized just how quickly the rules change with the AHJ and how they interpret the rules. The discussions past and present have allowed me to make better decisions at home and allowed me to do my job better in the commercial world. Thanks. Mark Chief Engineer in Kansas

Welcome Mark, from a fellow Kansan!
Sort of. Born in Emporia, but family moved soon after. But my parents were both from Kansas.
There is a searchable archive from the previous incarnation of this board at
InspectionNews.com - Home Inspection Home Inspector Inspection Report (http://www.inspectionnews.com/cgi-bin/ubb-cgi/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro&category=1)
which has tons of info.

Ted Menelly
06-09-2008, 07:30 AM
Hi Mark

I recently started on this site as well. I also had many decades in commercial building and residential building as well as inspecting (most residential). I did find myself slipping somewhat by avoiding direct explanation about my findings other than just what I found wrong in a home with a brief explanation. I still will do not quote specifics about code other than what it has to do with my findings and then directing them to a specialist in the field for further technically exhaustive evaluation of that concern. My explanations started to become so simplistic that it was bothering me. I lived in 2 states that did not require licensing. Upon moving to Texas where there is licensing and particular guidelines we must follow and continuing ed that one must have I lost serious touch with going into the code books and keeping up with any association. Saying to myself, why do I need an association if all the rules and educational requirements are the same in my state.

I am now opening those books back up and also going on sites like this and getting back in touch with a slightly more technical report. No matter how much you are trying to maintain exactly what you are, a generalist and wish to stay a generalist as a home inspector you still have to be able to back your self up with the technical end of home inspection. When I first came on here (and even now) when I answer a question someone posted I will answer it like they are the happy home buyer client instead of a technical answer and admittedly sounding like an idiot. Most home buyers need an explanation they can grasp. I was finding just how simplistic I became. After hundreds of inspections a year since I moved to Texas and talking with so many home buyers I was loosing touch with my back ground verbally.

I find my head swimming at night trying to get to sleep after going on sites like this and literally looking up answers as if being tested. Most of the time I just read particular threads to see exactly what these folks are asking and then reading them later to see the answers given. I guess I am just recharging the brain cells. In fact I do know the answer to most of the posts but I hold back until I am sure I completely know the answer and feel comfortable that I could explain that answer to a home owner. Trying to find that happy medium between generalist, technical, legal protected and simplistic.

54 years old and untold, countless inspections over the years and being back in school. I guess the moral of this story is I should have never left school. Both myself and clients can only benefit from it.

Nice talking to you

Ted