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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
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    2,797

    Default Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Shouldering my 28" ladder for a walk to a back yard yesterday, I found myself wondering, at 67, how many inspectors my age or older are still working full time...

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    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    28,032

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Thomas View Post
    Shouldering my 28" ladder ...
    You are working too hard is you have to shoulder a 28" ladder ...

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    869

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    What I do requires alot of ladder, so I understand your pain. While I am a a mere 60, carrying the ladder is not why I am there. Get a helper, it will make you 10 years younger.

    Steven Turetsky, UID #16000002314
    homeinspectionsnewyork.com
    eifsinspectionsnewyork.com

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    2,560

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    I'm 65 and still working full time.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    4,982

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Make yourself a pole camera. I just made one with a 21 foot window washing pole with a Coolpix Wifi camera that I can zoom in/out/shutter control using an app on my iPad mini or iPod.

    There is no god damn way at 57 I am climbing up any bloody 28 foot ladder!


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    3,154

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    One of my local CREIA chapter members retired a couple of years back. He was 82. No 28 foot ladder though.

    Department of Redundancy Department
    Supreme Emperor of Hyperbole
    http://www.FullCircleInspect.com/

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    NY Finger Lakes Area
    Posts
    206

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    ..........65 this week - and still at it FT...........Greg


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Bennett (Denver metro), Colorado
    Posts
    1,461

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Unfortunately, I'm on the work til I drop plan. As I close in on 61, I'm busier than ever, but if my 17' Little Giant doesn't reach it, it doesn't get reached.

    My wife commented "You never get sick" and I replied that I can't afford to get sick. That's my health plan.

    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    39 and feeling great

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lon Henderson View Post
    Unfortunately, I'm on the work til I drop plan. As I close in on 61, I'm busier than ever, but if my 17' Little Giant doesn't reach it, it doesn't get reached.

    My wife commented "You never get sick" and I replied that I can't afford to get sick. That's my health plan.
    Lon,

    Sounds like the retirement plan I hear about now and then: "I've got enough money to last until I die ... as long as I die by next Wednesday. "

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    This is 2014. I must be 64.
    The physical part of the job is not hard and I go home with clean fingernails.

    The acrobatics of climbing through attics will get to be challenging at some point.
    I'll have a trained monkey with a helmet cam by then.

    Last edited by John Kogel; 05-08-2014 at 07:34 PM.
    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,365

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    39 and feeling great
    Thank God.... at 42 I was starting to think I was the only one around here under 60


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Fellman View Post
    Thank God.... at 42 I was starting to think I was the only one around here under 60
    Sometimes when I tell someone that I'm 39 they look at me and say "39 ?"
    I tell them, "I'm older than I look".

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  14. #14
    Bill Miller's Avatar
    Bill Miller Guest

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Turned 75 Feb 1. Thinking about being more selective of Inspections I book.
    Nothing older then 20 years. Will only get two or three a week but that's still $800 - 1000. I use my drone for roof pics. All one story where I work.


  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Charlotte NC
    Posts
    2,304

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Sixty-three in fourteen days; eighty push-ups every morning, first thing out of bed.

    The beatings will continue until morale has improved. mgt.

  16. #16
    Marshall Brown's Avatar
    Marshall Brown Guest

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Thus far it looks as if I may be the oldest. I beat Bill Miller out by a few weeks turning 75 on January 16th. I do some inspections by my self but work a lot in tandem with my older son and he does most of the "heavy" stuff.

    I am still enjoying the work and still learning after nearly 15 years as a home inspector and I suspect the undertaker will be the one to inform me of my retirement date.


  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Quote Originally Posted by Marshall Brown View Post
    T 75 on January 16th.
    Quote Originally Posted by Vern Heiler View Post
    Sixty-three in fourteen days; eighty push-ups every morning, first thing out of bed.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Miller View Post
    Turned 75 Feb 1.
    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    This is 2014. I must be 64..
    Quote Originally Posted by Gregory Booth View Post
    ..........65 this week - and still at it FT...........Greg
    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist View Post
    One of my local CREIA chapter members retired a couple of years back. He was 82.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann View Post
    I'm 65 and still working full time.
    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Thomas View Post
    67, .
    Wow, 60's, 70's, even 80.
    You guys are to be commended (or pitied).
    You all have my admiration.
    BTW I'm not really 39, I only look it.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    St. Thomas Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    59

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    73 and I use a Little Giant. Only go to the eaves. Did one yesterday, shingles only covering the old chimney opening! Walk all the roofs you want, just check the attic first

    - - - Updated - - -

    73 and I use a Little Giant. Only go to the eaves. Did one yesterday, shingles only covering the old chimney opening! Walk all the roofs you want, just check the attic first

    Bryce Jeffrey
    Jeffrey Home Inspection
    St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Anacortes, Washington
    Posts
    415

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    I am 57 and will only climb as high as my LG 22 allows me. I admire the guys who use the 28' ladder and will climb the 5 in 12 pitched roof. Unfortunately one slip at that height and its guaranteed automatic retirement. One of the things I do like about the LG is that the spread feet help stabilize the ladder getting on and off it.

    //Rick

    Rick Bunzel
    WWW.PacCrestInspections.com
    360-588-6956

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Bennett (Denver metro), Colorado
    Posts
    1,461

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Bunzel View Post
    I am 57 and will only climb as high as my LG 22 allows me. I admire the guys who use the 28' ladder and will climb the 5 in 12 pitched roof. Unfortunately one slip at that height and its guaranteed automatic retirement. One of the things I do like about the LG is that the spread feet help stabilize the ladder getting on and off it.

    //Rick
    I still walk most 8/12 pitches but I've always been pretty nimble on roofs. Still, I do think about your admonition about "one slip." On Saturday, I crossed over the ridge of an 8/12 to see the north side that I couldn't see from the ground or reach the eave with the ladder and shor' nuff, found some blown off shingle tabs.

    Does anyone use Cougar Paws?

    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    2,797

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lon Henderson View Post
    Does anyone use Cougar Paws?
    Love em... BUT... I have learned that they make it WAY to easy to get to places it's REALLY scary to get back down from!

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    44 but damn I feel older some days.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  23. #23

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Use two LGs one is 26 feet but still light, Cougar Paws and still walk most roofs. 59

    Jeff Zehnder - Home Inspector, Raleigh, NC
    http://www.jjeffzehnder.com/
    http://carolinahomeinspections.com/

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    North Las Vegas Nv 89081
    Posts
    37

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    I'll be 62 in October & no plans of retiring. Still carry my ladders


  25. #25
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    1,352

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    45 and planning on hanging it up at 55. If I'm still on here in 10 years, then it looks like my plans fell through. If I became more selective in what houses I did, I could probably work later, but hopefully that won't be necessary.

    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

  26. #26
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Thomas View Post
    Shouldering my 28" ladder for a walk to a back yard yesterday, I found myself wondering, at 67, how many inspectors my age or older are still working full time...
    Keep it up! I am 77 and still carry the 28' ladder. I also use the cougar paws. I do slightly less than full time, but make it up doing other stuff, still Licensed Master Electrician and still work on old equipment like incinerators and other old stuff most people don't even know what it is. People ask why, I say the day I stop doing it, the next day I won't be able to. I occasionally work with kids in their forties who can't keep up. Keep interested, pay attention, learn something new every day.


  27. #27
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    WESTMINSTER CO
    Posts
    1,152

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    HEY GUYS--66 now and collecting for the first time ss payment of $2200 a month--so cutting back a bit and with a bad knee. i love doing this job and educating young folks. will carry on because i love my job, and besides the knee in great shape. do one inspection a day and maybe five a week at most but thats still $7000 a month--and then have time in afternoon to play 18 holes or ride my mountain bike. living the dream-- that $2200 a month is 6 less inspection a month--cvf


  28. #28
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: Same old, same old... and older and older.

    I'm still carrying my 32' extension ladder. It's not particularly heavy, just cumbersome.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

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