Experience Only! ? ! ?

[Blaine Wiley]

In and of itself, no.

However, if one has the experience, he/she has seen more potential issues, has written more about potential issues, if they are in an association has more CE hours (hopefully), and has simply seen more.

Is a driver better after 10 years and a million miles, or is the driver with 1 year and 10,000 miles better. Insurance companies bet on the driver with experience. (until they move to FL and do 35 in the left lane with their turn signal on )

My point is, you won't get 25 years of experience by being a bad inspector. I'm sure we could find a 25 year inspector who isn't as good as someone who has only done 100, but that would be a rare beast. Experience is certainly and indication as to the quality of the inspector, but no, it's not the only one.

That better?

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by JohnDavid

As a newbie to the challenging business of making home inspection my career it is somewhat disheartening to ALWAYS hear/read people stating;

"Make sure the home inspector you choose is an experienced inspector."

This is all fine and yep, jim dandy, however like anything in life one needs to build practical experience based upon learned theory,,,,one needs to walk before they become a gold medal runner.
So why put down before anyone can put out ?
We all need to start at the beginning to build the experience that is required. Where might I purchase that 'instant' experience to accommodate the home owners mantra?
Just a general question people.
In advance thanks for your input.
John Byrne
Mt Forest
ON, Canada

Play up the life experience that you have aquired to date John, you must have some experience doing something.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by bwiley

Experience is certainly and indication as to the quality of the inspector, but no, it's not the only one.

That better?

Yes.

[Blaine Wiley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Yes.

Good, but I'll also bet every one of you who haven't done very many....When you get into the thousands, you'll be advertising your experience in a Large Fashion!!

You'd be foolish not to.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Experience is a factor that, if you have it, you should flaunt it for marketing purposes. It is also a factor that those pushing for legislation who are looking to eliminate competition will pick the year below their level as a minimum qualifier. These can be expected.

But I am reminded of the younger man in the suit and tie who argued that his generation is smarter because they have the computer and the experience of using it. The man of my generation agreed that we did not have it, or the experience....which is why we had to invent it.

It's all relative.

Was that the Atanasoff-Berry, or the ENIAC computer James?
Man you are old.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by bwiley

Good, but I'll also bet every one of you who haven't done very many....When you get into the thousands, you'll be advertising your experience in a Large Fashion!!

You'd be foolish not to.

As a marketing tool, it is priceless.

As a measurement for use by the state in determining a "grandfathering clause" it is stupid.

[Blaine Wiley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

As a measurement for use by the state in determining a "grandfathering clause" it is stupid.

And most without experience would agree with that!!

However, I do too.

In the end, for most people, it's about protecting their interests, and self preservation.

[wforsyth]

Originally Posted by bwiley

Is the thread not downplaying or somewhat disparaging experience.

"And the hungry, more careful, "newbie" inspector". This thought is what I refer to. You won't get to be a 25 year inspector unless you are careful. The more you learn, the more you realize how much more you need to learn.

Sorry, one of my hot buttons

Again, I think it will be fun to see the change in mindset as those who haven't done 100 yet approach 5 or 6 thousand, if they get there.

That's NOT what I was referring to at all. It was mentioned earlier that some of the older, more experienced inspectors can get comfortable and in bed with the realtors. However, I was not implying that at all.

[Herman F. Guzman]

Dear new fellow Inspector
As some of my other fellow nachi inspectors have already stated experince is a relative term !!! My self, I just recently recieved my Career Diploma and have passed all my nachi exams. Now I tell all my clients the truth this is very important, because in this business honest is always the best policy besides, It could come back to huant you. I rely on the facts. I have 27 yrs of carpentry and construction exp., 12 yrs as a residential and commerical contractor, 7 yrs building custom homes, 5 yrs as a project manager, that I have a dregree in home inspection, That I am a CERTIFIED member of NACHI, and that I also am a member of another Inspection assoc. The biggest thing to remember is that you have to sell yourself and most important is BELIEVE in yourself !!!!!! And others will believe in YOU.
I have been doing Inspections for just over a year. Practice and Paid

Lots of luck in the years

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by bwiley

And most without experience would agree with that!!

However, I do too.

In the end, for most people, it's about protecting their interests, and self preservation.

You see, your (their) argument regarding experience is shattered with each new state law.

If I have over 250 inspections, I am grandfathered. If I have less, then I take the NHIE and a 120 hour course. What does that say? That the NHIE and a 120 hour course is the equivalant of 250 inspections, which is what the newbies have been arguing that pissed you off.

Experienced inspectors should be required, in addition to their experience, to meet all other criteria if they - indeed - wish for their experience to set them apart. "Grandfathering" is an admission on their part that the minimum standards established by the state are the equivalant of their experience.

[wforsyth]

Originally Posted by bwiley

In and of itself, no.

However, if one has the experience, he/she has seen more potential issues, has written more about potential issues, if they are in an association has more CE hours (hopefully), and has simply seen more.

Is a driver better after 10 years and a million miles, or is the driver with 1 year and 10,000 miles better. Insurance companies bet on the driver with experience. (until they move to FL and do 35 in the left lane with their turn signal on )

My point is, you won't get 25 years of experience by being a bad inspector. I'm sure we could find a 25 year inspector who isn't as good as someone who has only done 100, but that would be a rare beast. Experience is certainly and indication as to the quality of the inspector, but no, it's not the only one.

That better?

I think ABSOLUTELY you could find an inspector who had been around for 25 years and be a bad inspector.

I mentioned one in my area a few months ago.

I "ran" into this inspector by way of his "damage" through many ex-clients and realtors, as well as friends. This inspector charged $400 for his inspections and what he gave was two pages of very large "chicken-scratch" handwriting that was completely illegible and more importantly, completely off-base. I was looking at one house he inspected because I was interested in purchasing it. It had extensive termite damage, probably $40-$50,000 worth of damage as it was what the whole structure of the house was resting on. This inspector wrote it up in a very diminuitive way that did not in the least imply the seriousness of the nature of the damage and the costs to fix it if purchased "as is", which is how the owner's were selling it.

[Blaine Wiley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

You see, your (their) argument regarding experience is shattered with each new state law.

If I have over 250 inspections, I am grandfathered. If I have less, then I take the NHIE and a 120 hour class. What does that say? That the NHIE and a 120 hour course is the equivalant of 250 inspections, which is what the newbies have been arguing that pissed you off.

Experienced inspectors should be required, in addition to their experience, to meet all other criteria if they - indeed - wish for their experience to set them apart. "Grandfathering" is an admission on their part that the minimum standards established by the state are the equivalant of their experience.

I speak not of licensing, because I'm licensed. We had no grandfathering, and only the newer inspectors had trouble. All us old guys passed the test, and got our license.

You know that licensing isn't about consumer protection, or getting qualified inspectors, or anything like that. But, that is a discussion for another thread.

[Charley L. Bottger]

Originally Posted by bwiley

I speak not of licensing, because I'm licensed. We had no grandfathering, and only the newer inspectors had trouble. All us old guys passed the test, and got our license.

You know that licensing isn't about consumer protection, or getting qualified inspectors, or anything like that. But, that is a discussion for another thread.

Blaine;

I don't normally par take in these little debates but this one found my HOT button also.

I have spent 40 years learning my trade and was still learning the day I retired. It is just a individual choice I have observed lazy no good plumbers, electricans, HVAC guys that had been in the business many many years and were lazy the first day on the job and were that way 40 years later.

I spent roughly 25 years working in Corporate America and the large Corporations have this experience thing figured out to a NAT's Butt. When they hire a new engineer right out of school do you think corporate America places that engineer in charge of an expensive job. I think Not. One of my favorite sayings about engineers and experience. (Don't let them have a pencil until they have been in the field for a least 5 years.)

My personnel opinion about home inspectors and experience runs along the lines of the State Appraisal license in this state you have to work under a licensed appraiser for a set amount of time before you are turned loose on your own. I think home inspectors should have to qualify the same way.

I base that opinion on what I observe right here on this BB. some of the quesions asked are just to elementary and to give an example there was the question come up (what side of a faucet is the hot water supply suppose to be connected to) I almost fell out of my chair when I read that post. I started to go get my 9 year old grand daughter to answer that question. I think what amazed me the most was the thread went on for about 5 pages.

So does experience count for something YOU Da** RIGHT

[JohnDavid]

You guys have given me new faith in the 'newbie' category and I truly thank you for your feedback. I have the professional attitude required and have been given the resources from you all to put into practice my true convictions of being the best damn home inspector in my sector. Again thank you all and hope to see you at the upcoming Conference in Toronto Canada. I'll be the guy with an open eye and mind to this career/industry!
I now plod forward to the end of my studies and then of course the on-line exam. Any hints there,,,wink nod, say no more!!!

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by JohnDavid

,,,wink nod, say no more!!!

Ah, a Monty Python fan.