Thread: It pays not to bad mouth your fellow inspector

Over the years I've probley had 5 or 6 customers state they hired me over another inspector due to the other inspector bashing me or another inspector.


This week I had two hire me for the same reason, and believe it or not I found out it was the same inspector bashed me and a couple other inspectors in both cases.
The second inspection was a new home one year warranty, after completing this inspection, two neighbors booked inspections for after the 1st of the year.

In this case the guy is known to have an ego and acts like he thinks the inspection world will fail if he doesn't control it. Considering he's been in business 5 or 6 years he may need to figure out that selling himself , opposed to telling clients what he thinks the others are not, may be the best way to be successful

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Some of the more professional inspectors on this forum will now and then warn everyone to curb their language or their bullying because civilians do visit this site. I too found this out.

I got a call for a job three months ago from some buyers after they did some online research about me. I didn't realize that my very first posting on this site from three years ago was still out there. This was where I was eviserated, beheaded, drawn and quartered because I mentioned that I marketed to Realtors. The buyers said they would never consider the other inspectors who attacked me.

Good post Dan. The a professional approach should be across the board - slamming anyone is in bad taste. It can actually reflect more poorly on the slammer than the slammed.

Good post Dan!

Now if we could just stop the same from an owner of a particular home inspection association about the members of another association and just the overall bashing between them all!

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

Good post Dan!

Now if we could just stop the same from an owner of a particular home inspection association about the members of another association!

So true. The sad thing is his association does seem to have some good members bennies.
I'm guessing there are a few hundred experienced inspectors that refuse to join his association soley due to his childish open to the public BS.

I am unaware of any other inspector ever bad-mouthing me, except of course here, where that is common.

Earlier this year I found a major mold issue in the attic of a tri-plex. I then learned that another inspector had inspected it a month earlier and hadn't mentioned this and was asked how he could have missed such an obvious problem. I just said I didn't know. Later, I learned that the inspector is an excellent inspector and friend of mine. When, he had looked at the place, access to the attic was blocked by the tenant's stored items.

He'll never know that I passed on the chance to throw him under the bus, but I feel better that I didn't. While, I don't believe in karma nonsense, there is truth in boomerang theory. Throw crap at other people and some will come back.

Footnote: While, I didn't see how much stuff blocked the attic during the previous inspection, I likely wouldn't have viewed it either. I normally don't move stuff around, either. But it does point to why we should do a little extra when possible to inspect as many features as we can. Yesterday, a Realtor convinced the bank on a foreclosure to let me roll up the basement carpet to find the hatch to the sub floor crawlspace and sure enough. We had a moisture problem that needed remedial work.

Correction

Its not an association, it's a private corporation run by an individual. Nor is it an accrediting body, there has been no outside review by a third party such as ICE.

Calling it an association is a blasphemy!

Originally Posted by Frank Adame

Some of the more professional inspectors on this forum will now and then warn everyone to curb their language or their bullying because civilians do visit this site. I too found this out.

I got a call for a job three months ago from some buyers after they did some online research about me. I didn't realize that my very first posting on this site from three years ago was still out there. This was where I was eviserated, beheaded, drawn and quartered because I mentioned that I marketed to Realtors. The buyers said they would never consider the other inspectors who attacked me.

If your referring to your 1st post, I'll agree it was a brutal welcoming.
Good to see that you hung in there and are taking advantage of the valuable information from this site.

Frank
I read you first post.
Looked petty much like a regular good ol boy Texas welcome too me.

Moved to a different state about 4 months ago. Client calls and books an inspection requesting me specifically. Not thru an agent, but called the inspection firm directly and asked for me to inspect.

During the inspection he asked me if I was curious how he selected me. He found me thru an association Locate An Inspector page. Then he went Goggling to see if I had any presence. Found a number of replies on this and other home inspector related forums. Found a specific reply I wrote that touched a hot button of his. He decided I was the one he wanted.

The internet is forever and anyone, anytime can read what you post. I have always taken the view that everything I post on the web can and will be seen by a potential client. If I wouldn't say it in front of a client, I probably shouldn't post it on the web.

If an inspector is saying something bad about one inspector, he is likely saying bad things about most other inspectors. We see enough stuff here to know that unless you were in the house at the same time, under the same conditions, it is possible to overlook stuff. Think about the times you were doing a re-inspection and found stuff you missed. Fresh perspective under different conditions.

Originally Posted by Frank Adame

Some of the more professional inspectors on this forum will now and then warn everyone to curb their language or their bullying because civilians do visit this site. I too found this out.

I got a call for a job three months ago from some buyers after they did some online research about me. I didn't realize that my very first posting on this site from three years ago was still out there. This was where I was eviscerated, beheaded, drawn and quartered because I mentioned that I marketed to Realtors. The buyers said they would never consider the other inspectors who attacked me.

Wow Frank. All those idiots that posted after your first thread. All I can say is I love ya man and dam them all.

Just kidding Frank. Not just me but I am sure anyone that got on you did not do it maliciously. If you noticed that all added great constructive criticism. Even that guy Ted....what ever his name is.

They actually all meant well Frank. As you have added from some postings since then you have made almost a 100% turn around and I for one commend you and if it means anything I am a bit, well anyway, just a bit....for coming down so bluntly.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Yes is my answer to receiving inspections from or thru inspection news. Yeah yeah, even me. Some folks like the idea that I am going to tell them like it is....no matter what.

Frank,
Like Rick I went back and looked at your perceived disembowelment. What you had there were some straight forward and truthful comments. Though you may have perceived those comments and challenges as harsh they did seem to be offered from the position of experience. What you found was a group that would not massage your ego. A group that have no problem in challenging any concept or position on any topic. There are times that comments become emotional and that is a human factor that at times flares up. Most of the active people on this forum are here because they are dedicated to improving/expanding the knowledge of others and are service oriented individuals.

Glad you had the fortitude to not run away and expand with the forum group,

If a client selected you based on the postings by others on your first forum encounter, I am quite sure they really had no Idea what really was being said. There is always those that will select based on the pity factor.

Yeah, some guys were pretty hard on Frank following his first post here. I wonder how many of those guys who replied to Frank and lambasted him from the comfort of their keyboards would say the same things if they were face-to-face with him. My guess is not many.

Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski

Yeah, some guys were pretty hard on Frank following his first post here. I wonder how many of those guys who replied to Frank and lambasted him from the comfort of their keyboards would say the same things if they were face-to-face with him. My guess is not many.

I think most would just snicker, shake their head and a few might just say "Bless you're heart" .......

My first posting here was my first posting anywhere. My first experience with you guys shouldn't have been my internet shock of my life if had only lurked for a long while before I posted. Then I would have learned the general nature of the good guys and the bad guys. But there is a great difference between constructive criticism even when it comes down heavy-handed and de-contructive name-calling and personal attacks. There is a difference between townhall shouting, fiery banter, spit wad shooting concerning technical issues and a back alley trash dumping on someone's face concerning unresolved personal issues.

But out of something bad came something good. I got constructive messages on the side from several inspectors but the best was Nolan. He reached out to discuss my report writing. He spent about 3 hours with me at a local Dallas eatery and more time through emails. I have since reciprocated.

Thank you Ted for the nice sentiments. I had a feeling that below your hard plastic keyboard there was some "thin skin".

I hope the fires never go out on this forum. It's this heat that keeps things interesting and highly educational that no inspection school can compete with. Let's just restrain ourselves from lobbing fireballs into someone's front yard. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Originally Posted by Frank Adame

My first posting here was my first posting anywhere. My first experience with you guys shouldn't have been my internet shock of my life if had only lurked for a long while before I posted. Then I would have learned the general nature of the good guys and the bad guys. But there is a great difference between constructive criticism even when it comes down heavy-handed and de-contructive name-calling and personal attacks. There is a difference between townhall shouting, fiery banter, spit wad shooting concerning technical issues and a back alley trash dumping on someone's face concerning unresolved personal issues.

But out of something bad came something good. I got constructive messages on the side from several inspectors but the best was Nolan. He reached out to discuss my report writing. He spent about 3 hours with me at a local Dallas eatery and more time through emails. I have since reciprocated.

Thank you Ted for the nice sentiments. I had a feeling that below your hard plastic keyboard there was some "thin skin".

I hope the fires never go out on this forum. It's this heat that keeps things interesting and highly educational that no inspection school can compete with. Let's just restrain ourselves from lobbing fireballs into someone's front yard. Happy Holidays to everyone!

I don't have a hard plastic keyboard. It s an understanding learned tool that passes what it may to help others. Now whether one thinks it helpful or not or if I even have the ability to be helpful matters not. The true intent of me and all others was not malicious as I have already said. For all that have the understanding that it was malicious just does not get it. For those that think it is bullying or any other word besides caring and understanding just does not get it

For all those that believe that one would say something on here and not to ones face are the ones that hide behind keyboards. The ones that gave yo wonderful constructive advise have no need to hide behind a keyboard and would have told you the exact same words standing in front of you.

Life lessons are not always the "well gee mister thanks so much for your oh so pleasant commentary and wonderfully learned advise". Sometime the best one can do for the other is straight forward bold direct advise.

Mom never said life was going to be a bed of roses. Mom taught most children that "life is a bit brutally honest at times and so it should be. It may be the best lessons you ever learn".

This society we live in today where all the Johnys should get a trophy even if they do not even show up for practice is one of the biggest problems with society today.

As I said. Truly, have Wonderful Christmas night and a Very Happy New Year.I mean it!