I have received comments from some of my clients lately (buyers) that when they sold their homes, the HIs showed up in shorts and tank tops. I know its physically demanding and you will work up a sweat, but do others see this very often? I had some dish network guys show up at my house for an install, and you would swear they just got off the corner holding the "will work for food" sign.

For me, a pair of khakis and a button down with logo (thanks Queensboro and all that recommended them). Its pretty comfortable and the khakis are cheaper than levis. Also a good pair of leather shoes.

Doesnt seem like their clients were impressed with them or their inspections. Maybe the clothes set the tone?

I agree. I do wear Jeans though, with the embroidered polo shirt and leather shoes. Tennis shoes and shorts and tee shirts just don't cut it with me.

I keep a spare shirt in the truck for days like yesterday when I was sopping wet from the rain, heat or sprinklers. I try to present myself as I would expect of others in a similar capacity.

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Jim Luttrall
Mr. Inspector.net, Inc.
Allen, Texas 75002

Comfort, comfort, comfort.

Shorts and a polo or Hawaiian shirt during the summer, jeans and a polo or Hawaiian during the winter. Not raggedy or anything. I see nothing unprofessional about shorts and have received no complaints. Clean and don't smell bad, that's my motto.

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The apostrophe troll.

I'm in the jeans and polo shirt group. When I started I use to sometimes wear shorts but I just decided I don't like the way it looks.

I usally just wear a plain polo type shirt. I've always just worn plain clothes with no writing or logos or anything else on them. You just never know who you are going to offend.

I've thought about company logo shirts but I think it takes away from the professionalism and makes me look like a robot... but there is the positive side of logo shirts for marketing and brand recognition so I can see both sides. It's just not for me.

I agree that how you present is a HUGE part of this profession... visually, verbally, etc.

Same type of clothes I've worn for the last 20 years to work. Jeans and a pullover Polo type shirt.

I've had some with embroidered with the company logo and name, but I quit doing so.

Learned to carry 2-3 extra shirts and pants in the truck in case I need a change.

Tank top and shorts? Did they come from the beach to the job? Might can get by with that in Cali.

rick

Jeans, Polo, Leather shoes (good roof climbing but leather shoes)

I did the Logos a long time ago and also did the logos when I first came to Texas. Stopped doing that altogether. Kneeling in the wet around the AC. crawling around in attics. Jeans and Polo's look better getting a little wet and dirty that button down shirts or Khakis.

I will say that when I inspect a large high dollar home I dress a bit. Nothing to crazy. Probably foolish using a double standard but I just think it looks better for that. Bigger dollars, better clothes.

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Ted Menelly
"Castle"
Home Inspection Services

The embroidered shirts have a plus, people know who you are. I have actually picked up business by people seeing me getting out of the truck and walking around a house, coming up and talking with me and seeing I was an HI. Advertising is usually a good thing if done tastefully.

Also, we had an issue a while back with Joe Horn in Pasadena. He was right, but I feel a lot better if I can prove Im not a crook when somebody walks up on me when Im looking through a window, especially if they are carrying a shotgun.

Before I got into this circus of a profession I had a guy ring my doorbell - he had the wrong address - and announce that he was a home inspector. He was quite disheveled and wearing overalls that looked like he'd been wrestling a pig in.
I wear khaki type pants, usually some quick-drying fabric. Polo shirt, usually with NAHI logo. Casual leather shoes that I picked out for their roof holding soles. And, because I can get sunburned in five minutes, a baseball type cap, usually with NAHI logo. I'm too lazy to come up with my own logo.
I suspect it's a regional thing. I don't know anyone who inspects in jeans. Except for that guy I mentioned above.

Ted, with this in mind, what do you wear to the low-end beaters?

Boxer shorts and high top timberline boots No Polo

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Ted Menelly
"Castle"
Home Inspection Services

Ted and buddy on a low end inspection.

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Where is the beer ?

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Ted Menelly
"Castle"
Home Inspection Services

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It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.

I wear jeans, a plain pocket t-shirt, and leather shoes. I try to look clean cut and well groomed. I used to wear some button up shirts with my company name on them. I should probably have some more made up to look a little more professional. I think that it's important to look like a home inspector not a banker, after all we do crawl around in some dirty places.

I wear the same color every day - blue pants and a red shirt. Long sleeve in winter, short sleeve in summer. Company logo on the front. Mine are polo shirts with a pocket.
My pants are dressy work pants. Look good, and are very durable. I buy them from a uniform place, since they are made for working in.
The dark blue pants look good even when dirty.

I also carry an extra shirt and pair of pants, but rarely use them.

I also wear a ball cap with company logo on it. I need to wear a hat in the sun to protect my head. The problem I have with them, is they really get sweaty, then stained, then thrown out.

If I know I'm going to be by myself, and the houses are POS's. then I will wear jeans.

I dress according to the inspection. When the temps hit the 90's I break out the nice shorts. I always wear a non-faded polo shirt, some have an ASHI logo with my company name, but most of the time I just wear one with out any logos.

If I know I will be in a rural setting that might have overgrown shrubs, etc., I will wear non-faded jeans.. I buy about 3 pairs of jeans a year, that is about as long as they last without getting faded.

If I will be inspecting in town I will wear nice khaki pants.

In the winter I change to long sleeves and put the shorts on the top shelf in the closet.

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Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

I always wore casual slacks and a pullover shirt with 3/4 sleeves (to the elbow), a collar, and a pocket. I would pick up the shirts on sale a Dillard's, JC Penny, etc., and have my company name embroidered on the pocket. Typical cost for the shirt was $30-40 at half price and $20 for the embroidery for about $40 each average.

I wore sneaker, had three pair, one for crawlspaces (dirty one), ones for the roof (not as dirty ones, although the soles were dirty from the tile colors) and one for other places. When my main pair started getting worn looking, they became my roof shoes and my roof shoes became my crawlspace shoes.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Black slacks - a quick dusting and little from the outside or attic shows - except for cellulose insulation

Logo button down shirt - short sleeve year round - pressed and starched

Dark tennis shoes for outside and roof

Smooth sole leather on the inside - looks good and does not pick up insulation

Tyvek for the crawlspace

Always carry spare clothes - it's hot and humid

Mouth Wash - eat what I want for lunch

I treat them all the same. Big, small, cheap or overpriced. What I deliver is the same. Everone's money is the same so what they buy is the same.

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Charlie Sessums www.alphainspection.com
The greatest ideas are often met with violent opposition from mediocre minds. Albert Einstein

Khakis, collared pullover, black shoes. If I'm at the inspection alone with no buyer, jeans with collared pullover and black boots.

Oh, I forgot to add that this past spring I started to wear those funny rubber shoes called Crocs when I need to to take my shoes off for going inside a home. I wear