Thread: Home Inspection Organizations

I'm looking for information on the various HI organizations. How many, when they were established, their requirements etc. I know I've seen the information scatted on different boards but now I can't locate it.

I'm working on a very brief presentation for a small group and would like this information for a brief history of home inspections.

Is there a single source or sources where I can find the material. Thanks.

Similar Threads:

• FHA home inspection sure to raise eyebrows - Upstate House
• HWA Launches First National, Licensed Home Inspection Warranty Program - RisMedia.com
• How To Do A Home Inspection - Black Enterprise
• County officials to review home inspection program - Fredericksburg.com
• Inspection vital when selling second home - Mortage 101

Sooner or later, you'll need this...

Good luck.

Dom.

Someone here can help you out:

fastreply@nachi.org

Established the same year ASHI (1976) CREIA continues to be an excellent association. ASHI and CREIA have several joint chapters in California and reciprocal agreement crediting each other's CECs to their membership. Next year CREIA will be holding its annual conference in Arizona in a joint venture with Arizona ASHI.

The California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) is a voluntary, nonprofit public-benefit organization of real estate inspectors. Founded in 1976, CREIA provides education, training and support services to its members and the real estate community. CREIA's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice are recognized by the California Business and Professions Codes and are considered the standard of care by the real estate industry and legal profession in the state. CREIA Inspector Members have successfully passed the proctored comprehensive written California Home Inspector Exam on the myriad of systems and components in the construction and maintenance of residential dwellings.

CREIA's educational mission is to expand the technical knowledge of its members through continuing education. Certified CREIA Inspectors (CCI), Master CREIA Inspectors (MCI) and CREIA New Construction Specialist (CNCS) members must complete a minimum 30 hours of continuing education annually. Educational credits are obtained through monthly chapter educational meetings, chapter toolbox seminars, CREIA Advanced Mentoring Program (CAMP), state conferences in the spring and fall, and other CREIA approved sources. CREIA membership activities and programs encourage the sharing of experience and knowledge resulting in betterment of the real estate profession and the consumer public, which it serves.

Thank you Jerry; Four down. ??? to go.

Here is INACHI's as of today.

I think they started in 1995



Become Certified! Join InterNACHI today.
Benefits of membership.
Join Now.
Requirements to apply for membership (working member):
You must have passed InterNACHI's Online Inspector Examination (free) with a score of 80 or better.
You must have completed InterNACHI's Ethics Obstacle Course (free).
You must have taken InterNACHI's Standards of Practice Quiz (free).
You must mail, fax, or submit online InterNACHI's Affidavit.
You must agree to adhere to the Standards of Practice.
You must agree to abide by the Code of Ethics.
You must agree to continue learning (24 hours/year) as per the Continuing Education Policy.
You must agree to maintain your member Online Continuing Education Log (free) as per the Continuing Education Policy.
You must agree that (after you join) if you have never performed a home inspection for a fee you will submit 4 mock inspections to InterNACHI's Report Review Committee (free) before performing your first home inspection for a client.
You must agree that within your first 10 days after joining, you will login to NACHIs educational message board.
You must agree that within your first 30 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Standards of Practice course (free).
You must agree that before or within your first 30 days after joining you will complete InterNACHI's online Structural course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 45 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Plumbing course (free) including all the quizzes and pass its final exam.
You must agree that within your first 45 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Electrical course (free) including all the quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that before or within your first 45 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Safety Practices course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 60 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Roofing course (free) including all the quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that within your first 3 months after joining, you will apply for a membership photo I.D. (free).
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Vermiculite Insulation mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Polybutylene Plumbing mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Water Heater TPR Valve Discharge Piping mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Emergency Exit mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first year of membership you will re-take and pass InterNACHI's Online Inspector Examination again (free) with a score of 80 or better.
You must agree that before or within your first 18 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Log Home course (free) including all quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that before or within your first 18 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Green Building course (free) including all quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that before joining or within your first 2 years after joining you will take at least 8 hours of advanced or beyond Standards of Practice coursework (reasonable exceptions apply).
You must agree that within your first 2 years of membership you will attend at least one chapter meeting or educational seminar (reasonable exceptions apply).
You must be actively working towards attaining a "Full" Membership.
All members get all membership benefits. Fee is $289/year... not a penny more.
Join Now.

Requirements to maintain membership after you apply/join:
You must adhere to the Standards of Practice.
You must abide by the Code of Ethics.
You must continue learning (24 hours/year) as per the Continuing Education Policy.
You must maintain your member Online Continuing Education Log (free) as per the Continuing Education Policy.
If you have never performed a home inspection for a fee you must submit 4 mock inspections to InterNACHI's Report Review Committee (free) before performing your first home inspection for a client.
You must agree that within your first 10 days after joining, you will login to NACHIs educational message board.
You must agree that within your first 30 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Standards of Practice course (free).
You must agree that before or within your first 30 days after joining you will complete InterNACHI's online Structural course (free).
You must agree that within your first 45 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Plumbing course (free) including all the quizzes and pass its final exam.
You must agree that within your first 45 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Electrical course (free) including all the quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that before or within your first 45 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Safety Practices course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 60 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Roofing course (free) including all the quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that within your first 3 months of membership you will apply for a membership photo I.D. (free).
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Vermiculite Insulation mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Polybutylene Plumbing mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Water Heater TPR Valve Discharge Piping mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Emergency Exit mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
Every year of membership you must re-take and pass InterNACHI's Online Inspector Examination again (free).
You must agree that before or within your first 18 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Log Home course (free) including all quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that before or within your first 18 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Green Building Course (free) including all quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that before joining or within your first 2 years after joining you will take at least 8 hours of advanced or beyond Standards of Practice coursework (reasonable exceptions apply).
Within your first 2 years of membership you must attend at least one chapter meeting or educational seminar (reasonable exceptions apply).
And coming in 2007: InterNACHI's Occupant Hazard Recognition Primer.
Requirements for full membership:
You must have performed or participated in more than 100 home inspections.
You must have passed InterNACHI's Online Inspector Examination (free).
You must have completed InterNACHI's Ethics Obstacle Course (free).
You must have taken InterNACHI's Standards of Practice Quiz (free).
You must mail, fax, or submit online InterNACHI's Affidavit.
You must adhere to the Standards of Practice.
You must abide by the Code of Ethics.
You must continue learning (24 hours/year)as per the Continuing Education Policy.
You must maintain your member Online Continuing Education Log (free) as per the Continuing Education Policy.
You must agree that within your first 10 days after joining, you will login to NACHIs educational message board.
You must agree that within your first 30 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Standards of Practice course (free).
You must agree that before or within your first 30 days after joining you will complete InterNACHI's online Structural course (free).
You must agree that within your first 45 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Plumbing course (free) including all the quizzes and pass its final exam.
You must agree that within your first 45 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Electrical course (free) including all the quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that before or within your first 45 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Safety Practices course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 60 days after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's comprehensive online Roofing course (free) including all the quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that within your first 3 months of membership you will apply for a membership photo I.D. (free).
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Vermiculite Insulation mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Polybutylene Plumbing mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Water Heater TPR Valve Discharge Piping mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
You must agree that within your first 6 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Emergency Exit mini-course (free) including all the quizzes within.
Every year of membership you must re-take and pass InterNACHI's Online Inspector Examination (free).
You must agree that before or within your first 18 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Log Home course (free) including all quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that before or within your first 18 months after joining, you will complete InterNACHI's online Green Building Course (free) including all quizzes within and pass its final exam.
You must agree that before joining or within your first 2 years after joining you will take at least 8 hours of advanced or beyond Standards of Practice coursework (reasonable exceptions apply).
Within your first 2 years of membership you must attend at least one chapter meeting or educational seminar (reasonable exceptions apply).
If required by your state, you must have the proper E&O insurance.
And coming in 2007: InterNACHI's Occupant Hazard Recognition Primer.
Join Now.

Warning to Consumers:

Unlike other home inspection associations, InterNACHI front-ends many of its membership requirements. In other words, all of our members must fulfill membership requirements before they can apply for membership. Other associations have little or no entrance requirements and encourage their members and associates to go out and perform hundreds of unqualified inspections for poor, unsuspecting consumers. Warning! Is your inspector blind? Click here.

CE Autolog
InterNACHI's autolog records completion of each required course automatically in each member's online continuing education log.
Note to members of other associations:
Members of other associations are welcome to join InterNACHI but a requirement of membership is that InterNACHI must be given equal prominence in your marketing (brochures and websites) as other associations you belong to.

Note to New Inspectors:

InterNACHI does not make a public distinction between these two levels of membership. No law requires you to publicly announce what your InterNACHI member level is so you are simply a "Member." This is true for many other professions. For instance, a lawyer is not required to warn his first client about his lack of experience. Also, no law recognizes experience and knowledge gained outside the performance of inspections (many inspectors were once involved in construction). Since every inspector's experience is different there is likely no correlation between real experience and level of membership. Furthermore, since no law requires a public disclosure of an inspector's experience (or lack of it), InterNACHI does not require it either. If you are only a new working member you need not alarm your clients. If you are a full member there is nothing preventing you from touting it. You must be one or the other though. InterNACHI does not "brand" new inspectors with derogatory terms such as "Associate" or "Candidate" because InterNACHI has entrance requirements. Many agents blacklist associates and candidates. If you are a member you may call yourself a "Certified Member" or a "Certified Home Inspector."

Strange thing is that in all my years of business, I've never had (1) client ask me if I belong to any HI organizations.

Does it really matter?

rick

Rick

Never has a Client or Realtor asked me if I belonged to an association. The only thing I am ever asked since I got to Texas is if I am state certified or state licensed.

Only a couple of customers in the 4 years since I have been in Texas have asked me if I am insured.

I agree, the association does not make a good inspector.

A good message board or two sure helps though.

Just like all lines of work there are A+ performers all the way to D performers.

Click on the link that says Associations on the right side of this websites menu.

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Strange thing is that in all my years of business, I've never had (1) client ask me if I belong to any HI organizations.

Does it really matter?

rick

As VP & Membership Chairman of a local association I believe it matters greatly. You must not have any local associations marketing in your area, here in Tampa, ASHI has been direct marketing for over a decade. We print 50K brochures and have them delivered to every real estate office in the tri-county area which helps provide the opportunity for clients to ask... Do you belong to ASHI?

It is not going to happen otherwise, national & state organizations don't have the resources to drive branding everywhere but a small group inspectors who are willing to pool marketing funds can get the job done, of course don't expect miracles overnight... Suncoast ASHI has been doing this long before the housing boom and hopefully we will be able to continue our marketing campaign.

This year we are planning a new Internet campaign to drive prospective clients to our website and hopefully provide more leads for our members. Listed below are the benefits which set us apart.

Anticipated ASHI Suncoast Chapter participation benefits for the upcoming year include the following:

1. Regular monthly meetings with presentations of interest to the Home Inspection Profession ($15)
2. Professional fellowship and exchange of ideas
3. In-depth technical presentations that earn MRC’s
4. Certified Inspectors participate in our Home Inspection brochure distributed to the Tampa Bay Area Real Estate offices
5. Public Relations Committee working for you to increase awareness of ASHI® in the Tampa Bay area
6. Publication of your business on our professional chapter web site
7. ASHI® Suncoast Chapter plan to promote the placement of our website with major internet search engines to garner more hits
8. Suncoast Chapter Affiliate Membership in several Tampa Bay Area Realtor Boards

The amazing thing is we do all this for less than $500 per member, not to get too far off topic we also provide a 3-day seminar which allows our members to obtain all of their MRC's for the entire year at a very low cost... this year we did it for $150 per member. Think global but act local.

And who keeps track of all those Nachi requirements? No one I suspect but the individual. All those tests/quizzes are not proctored, its the honour system. Just look at the CMI designation, its all hype and bull.

Inspecting since 1991. My client questionnaires indicate membership in association is irrelevant. 95% of respondents indicate they relied on a friend, relative, agent, lawyer in obtaining an inspector, membership affiliation had no bearing on choosing.

As a matter of fact when I was an ASHI member I never received any referrals, ditto Nachi, ditto OAHI.

Who needs home inspector associations, especially if you are etablished? Nooooobody.

Every once in a while, I'll get a caller who wants to know if I am ASHI certified. They either read an article on choosing an HI or their realtor told them to get an ASHI inspector. This was much more prevalent when I started inspecting but it has died off for the most part.

Personally I've never felt an association is there for getting its members work, but rather a place to add to one's education and share experiences with others in the same field thereby helping to raise the standards of the that particular industry. Sort of like this BB with the exception of providing some food, and of course with food one must have a beverage.

Originally Posted by Joseph Burkeson

As VP & Membership Chairman of a local association I believe it matters greatly. You must not have any local associations marketing in your area, here in Tampa, ASHI has been direct marketing for over a decade. We print 50K brochures and have them delivered to every real estate office in the tri-county area which helps provide the opportunity for clients to ask... Do you belong to ASHI?

It is not going to happen otherwise, national & state organizations don't have the resources to drive branding everywhere but a small group inspectors who are willing to pool marketing funds can get the job done, of course don't expect miracles overnight... Suncoast ASHI has been doing this long before the housing boom and hopefully we will be able to continue our marketing campaign.

This year we are planning a new Internet campaign to drive prospective clients to our website and hopefully provide more leads for our members. Listed below are the benefits which set us apart.

Anticipated ASHI Suncoast Chapter participation benefits for the upcoming year include the following:

1. Regular monthly meetings with presentations of interest to the Home Inspection Profession ($15)
2. Professional fellowship and exchange of ideas
3. In-depth technical presentations that earn MRC’s
4. Certified Inspectors participate in our Home Inspection brochure distributed to the Tampa Bay Area Real Estate offices
5. Public Relations Committee working for you to increase awareness of ASHI® in the Tampa Bay area
6. Publication of your business on our professional chapter web site
7. ASHI® Suncoast Chapter plan to promote the placement of our website with major internet search engines to garner more hits
8. Suncoast Chapter Affiliate Membership in several Tampa Bay Area Realtor Boards

The amazing thing is we do all this for less than $500 per member, not to get too far off topic we also provide a 3-day seminar which allows our members to obtain all of their MRC's for the entire year at a very low cost... this year we did it for $150 per member. Think global but act local.

I have seen the NACHI adds to Realtors (Actually have kind of a membership with them) and I have seen the adds to Realtors from ASHI (use to kind of be a member with them)

Neither inspection organization ever did a thing for me when it came to getting any inspections.

It is actually really sad. Both organizations pretty much tell everyone that if you are not associated with them you a a pretty crappy inspector. Say what you will, its true.

An Association can only help you in a non licensed state as far as credibility. For any association to put out that if you are not one of them you are crap is about as disgusting as it gets. One company may be a little more blunt in saying it but it comes from both.

Raymond

"And who keeps track of all those Nachi requirements? No one I suspect but the individual. All those tests/quizzes are not proctored, its the honour system. Just look at the CMI designation, its all hype and bull."

Do you really think there is a mass conspiracy with the NACHI members that there is a group of others sitting there with them to take these tests. I am not defending them but really. I here that from so many about the non proctored tests. I know this may come as a surprise to some folks but most (or just about all folks) are pretty honest.

Joseph

Whether you wish to admit it or not ASHI does no more for *their* inspectors than anyone else. Every man achieves his own knowledge. Every man takes his own test. Everyman decides and takes their continuing eds as needed. Mass marketing to Realtors! Come on. Oh yeah. The Realtors (some) actually fall for this.

You actually make the Realtors say to inspectors, "Are you an ASHI member? Well if you are not an ASHI member you are not worth a pile of crap and I am not going to refer you"

Do you hear the sickening ridiculousness of that. What a pile of waste of human intelligence. Mass ridiculous brain washing. ASHI is no better than NACHI or any other association.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

Joseph

Whether you wish to admit it or not ASHI does no more for *their* inspectors than anyone else. Every man achieves his own knowledge. Every man takes his own test. Everyman decides and takes their continuing eds as needed. Mass marketing to Realtors! Come on. Oh yeah. The Realtors (some) actually fall for this.

You actually make the Realtors say to inspectors, "Are you an ASHI member? Well if you are not an ASHI member you are not worth a pile of crap and I am not going to refer you"

Do you hear the sickening ridiculousness of that. What a pile of waste of human intelligence. Mass ridiculous brain washing. ASHI is no better than NACHI or any other association.

I don't have a clue what is bugging you, but you might want to up your meds, I never said ASHI was better than NACHI or visa-versa, as I happen to belong to both and support both associations.

All I did was to share what a group of local home inspectors are doing in the Tampa Bay area. Furthermore, I agree that the particular organization is of little concern (if ASHI were to go tango uniform tomorrow we would no doubt continue under another name), except... Here in Tampa where the local ASHI chapter has been delivering the same message for over ten years, and that kind of continuous marketing does work.

Because of the efforts of a small group of dedicated home inspectors working together over many years there now exists real estate offices in the Greater Tampa Bay area where only ASHI members are referred. The simple truth is this type of marketing works regardless of whether or not you believe or agree with it and nothing anyone says here is apt to turn the tide of success for Suncoast ASHI.

Sorry Mr Joseph

I just wrote a book for a response and then deleted it

I am not attacking you or any other individual.

Associations have their use and good benefits.

One thing I don't like is the I am better than the other guy advertising they do to Realtors. I guess that is it in a nut shell. The whole thing with "if you don't belong to this association then I can't refer you", well, is bull, plain and simple.

At least the 2 major associations do this mass brain washing to Realtors. They might as well just say that the other association has no credibility (gee, they are) outright and get it over with.

Pretty sad

Just my opinion Joe. Local associations I can see for the betterment of the inspection trade. Huge multi million dollar companies, national (or international for that matter), well, do they have a place, maybe. What is really needed is a nation wide SOP and ethics (most are fairly close anyway) and that would cancel out all this ridiculousness.

My daddy is better than yours !

Sorry for possibly offending or attacking anyone.

I repeat. No one ever asks me what association I belong to when they call for an inspection. Licensing and time in business is all they care about and what do I inspect at a home inspection. Oh yeah, "How much do you charge for a home inspection"

Quick edit here. I upped my meds before responding!!!!!!!!!!!! Good things those meds.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

I repeat. No one ever asks me what association I belong to when they call for an inspection. Licensing and time in business is all they care about and what do I inspect at a home inspection. Oh yeah, "How much do you charge for a home inspection"

Quick edit here. I upped my meds before responding!!!!!!!!!!!! Good things those meds.

The association thingy can be a stumbling block for new guys just entering the business, been there, done that and own the tee shirt. Anyway thank God for pharmaceuticals.

Originally Posted by Jerry McCarthy

Personally I've never felt an association is there for getting its members work, but rather a place to add to one's education and share experiences with others in the same field thereby helping to raise the standards of the that particular industry. Sort of like this BB with the exception of providing some food, and of course with food one must have a beverage.

Jerry, I'm with you on this.

In my market, it certainly appears that ASHI has the upper hand. Realtors associate qualified inspectors as ASHI in this area mainly because there is no state requirements as of yet. To them, ASHI is used almost as generically as the word kleenex is to describe any kind of tissue. Its all they know because its the first and largest. Right or wrong, if thats the organization that seems to be the most popular and most respected in your area, then why wouldnt you team up with them? Same as if NAHI or NACHI were the big ones in your area.

I have no opinion on this myself quite yet but talking to alot of different inspectors in my market and other areas, it seems as if NACHI has the least amount of credibility in this industry. Im not saying its true, but its the general vibe that I have gotten. Maybe some of the NACHI folks on here can debunk that myth for me.

Originally Posted by Brian Thomas

In my market, it certainly appears that ASHI has the upper hand. Realtors associate qualified inspectors as ASHI in this area mainly because there is no state requirements as of yet. To them, ASHI is used almost as generically as the word kleenex is to describe any kind of tissue. Its all they know because its the first and largest. Right or wrong, if thats the organization that seems to be the most popular and most respected in your area, then why wouldnt you team up with them? Same as if NAHI or NACHI were the big ones in your area.

I have no opinion on this myself quite yet but talking to alot of different inspectors in my market and other areas, it seems as if NACHI has the least amount of credibility in this industry. Im not saying its true, but its the general vibe that I have gotten. Maybe some of the NACHI folks on here can debunk that myth for me.

Brian that is a good observation. It all depends on what it popular in your area. What is going to work for you and what are you looking for. All three of the major organizations offer different things to their members, some are useful and some are just smoke and mirrors. Only you can decide what is good for you and your business. Some folks like to join multiple organizations, and some don't join any. Some even join one organization at first then when they can meet the qualifications of another, they switch and join them.

Been a member of ASHI, NACHI and OAHI. From what I have seen they are all self regulating bodies reporting only to themselves, therein lies the problem. No outside accountability and anything goes.

In my opinion Nachi and CMI are designations that exist only to ensure the marketers have someone to ply their goods on all the periphal goods are just hype and marketing.

But alas like many things in life there are the good, the bad and the ugly of inspection associations as there are good and bad inspectors, non of which relates to which association one belongs too.

On second thought, may be I had better stay out of this one ... oh well ... personally, I can't say that there is any one association that is truly working to unite home inspectors, and increase knowledge and professionalism over any thing else. And for licensing, I have yet to see it work effectively for any profession.

Originally Posted by Randy Aldering

I can't say that there is any one association that is truly working to unite home inspectors

I'm not too sure what you are expecting, unless an association can rally the majority of home inspectors under one association banner it would make more sense for each association to emphasize their differences which would allow the inspector pool to decide how they want their profession to progress and that seems to be the flavor of the month.

When I look into my crystal ball the future doesn't bode well for national associations and I expect state associations will also take a back seat to licensing and government control. The simple fact is consolidation of our profession is progressing, soon things like reports & Standards of Practice will be uniform across states and even the whole country. Someday soon the whole profession will be using the same report and single-inspector enterprises will be as rare as hens teeth. In the next wave large multi-inspector corporations will wrest control of the market from powerless associations and the mom & pop home inspection companies will be pushed out of business, you can count on it. Unfortunately this paradigm shift of standardization and centralization will be traced directly back to the push for home inspector licensing and at this time I can see nothing that will reverse the trend.

Originally Posted by Joseph Burkeson

I'm not too sure what you are expecting, unless an association can rally the majority of home inspectors under one association banner it would make more sense for each association to emphasize their differences which would allow the inspector pool to decide how they want their profession to progress and that seems to be the flavor of the month.

When I look into my crystal ball the future doesn't bode well for national associations and I expect state associations will also take a back seat to licensing and government control. The simple fact is consolidation of our profession is progressing, soon things like reports & Standards of Practice will be uniform across states and even the whole country. Someday soon the whole profession will be using the same report and single-inspector enterprises will be as rare as hens teeth. In the next wave large multi-inspector corporations will wrest control of the market from powerless associations and the mom & pop home inspection companies will be pushed out of business, you can count on it. Unfortunately this paradigm shift of standardization and centralization will be traced directly back to the push for home inspector licensing and at this time I can see nothing that will reverse the trend.

I read what you said several times Joe.

I almost disagreed with several items until I read your post again.

One thing I am still thinking about is your favorite subject so I won't raise hairs there.

One thing I do strongly believe in is the standards and ethics part. There should be no argument about the standards or ethics.

In Texas, if you are a school teacher, nurse, home inspector or Real Estate Broker and just about anything else, you have to test and prove yourself before getting your license to practise.

In this great *United* States you would think that professional standards should be the same professional standard as in every other state. I should be able to move to, say, Nebraska and perform my trade after showing past experience and obtain a license to do such (if they have licensing).

ASHI, NACHI and such would love to be the national standard for home inspectors.

The IRC is close to being the standard (with exceptions of some adopted, or not, components) for what building inspectors follow. of course many more could be named.

Why is it that in these United States a nurse cannot cross the state line and go to work. For Gosh sakes, teachers. If anything should be standardised it should be the teaching of our children.

Why is it when I came to Texas I had to class and Test (a lot of time and money involved) and get my TREC license before I could even start making a living even though I was Incorporated before I got here as a home inspector.

Just some tired old thoughts Joe. I have a habit (maybe good or bad) of speaking or writing my thoughts To gain a better understanding of particular subject matter.

[quote=Joseph Burkeson;52955] In the next wave large multi-inspector corporations will wrest control of the market from powerless associations and the mom & pop home inspection companies will be pushed out of business, you can count on it. quote]

It happens with just about every industry joe. It happened with small town retail being pushed out by the wal marts and big time chain restaurants. It also happened with real estate companies which used to be mom and pop type shops. Then the giants like century 21 and RE/max came on the scene and pushed out most of the small 1-2 agent firms and now those are mostly a thing of the past. So I see that as a real possiblity in the home inspection industry as well. The question is...when?

Originally Posted by Brian Thomas

So I see that as a real possiblity in the home inspection industry as well. The question is...when?

I think it is much easier to do now than when the housing market was booming so I would expect the trend to be firmly in place sometime during the next uptick whenever that occures... My crystal ball is a bit fuzzy on when, but you'll know it when you see it.

Nope, won't happen.

Most of the public is too smart to start hiring large companies to send out hourly paid/commission employees to inspect their new home.


Many people are now taking the agents list of inspectors and using that as the list of who not to hire.


Even if the flyby companies low ball, their work product will be so bad that they won't last.

Originally Posted by Bruce King

Nope, won't happen.

Well one can hope.

Any private association for HI's is for one thing and one thing only...to make money for the person who started it. Since profit is the bottom line the organizations goals shifts as needed to stay in the profit mode. The test are created by folks who mean for you to pass so they can collect more money from you.

I have four NC State license and they reap me more benefit than any HI certification...such as the ICC stuff.

Try to take out a permit with a ICC certification. You will be laughed out of City Hall!

I love my state license! It keeps out the rif-raf!