Certified Master Inspectors (CMIs) in a dozen states & provinces, many NACHI members.

[rwand1]

Actually I attended the Toronto Nachi Conference and took in Mr. Cohens presentation on Risk Reduction.

He was quite clear in stating that it would be very foolish for any inspector to purposely overstate their qualifications or mislead the public, to do so leaves you wide open for a suit, and would most likely void any E and O policy.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Actually I attended the Toronto Nachi Conference and took in Mr. Cohens presentation on Risk Reduction.

He was quite clear in stating that it would be very foolish for any inspector to purposely overstate their qualifications or mislead the public, to do so leaves you wide open for a suit, and would most likely void any E and O policy.

Absolutely.

So many folks fail to understand that their "marketing" is a sword that --- in the hands of their enemy --- can cut their legs off. If you cannot provide the documentation to prove it...you better not say it.

The statement "I exceed NACHI standards" by itself, is a killer. If you do not specifically state exactly which standard it is you are exceeding and by how much, the Plaintiff's attorney can (and will) take the position that you exceed NACHI standards in EVERY point. Thus, the Plaintiff had cause to believe that you would find the hidden and latent defects...in spite of your contradictory disclaimer to the contrary.

Say only what you do....and do exactly what you say.

[Henry Valenzano, CMI]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Absolutely.

So many folks fail to understand that their "marketing" is a sword that --- in the hands of their enemy --- can cut their legs off. If you cannot provide the documentation to prove it...you better not say it.

The statement "I exceed NACHI standards" by itself, is a killer. If you do not specifically state exactly which standard it is you are exceeding and by how much, the Plaintiff's attorney can (and will) take the position that you exceed NACHI standards in EVERY point. Thus, the Plaintiff had cause to believe that you would find the hidden and latent defects...in spite of your contradictory disclaimer to the contrary.

Say only what you do....and do exactly what you say.

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!! That statement says it all.

[Charley L. Bottger]

[quote=mcyr]

Originally Posted by cbottger

I would be careful about that self esteemed knowledge. We are only Generalists as far as Home Inspections go. Experience is defined by a whole lot of mistakes.
Don't appear as you made to many. ha. ha.

My stance on Time in Grade would be more defined as School of Hard Knox.
Lawyers can and will put you down in a Heart Beat, before you can say boo.

Better be ready to show some sort of License or Professional Certification on whatever you are trying to defend in whatever case. The defending Lawyers are very well versed on Construction Law and can and will tear you apart if need be.
The CMI Certification will enhance one's ability to prove to the Courts that you have gone the extra mile to achieve and will and should be respected for whatever it is worth. It is not an achievement nor a Certificate of Achievement given to any sidewalk Inspectors and will in no doubt be perceive in that manner.
The CMI Designation is something that one should be Proud of and is not a piece of paper like one may think. Hard work and Experience is there to back it up and this Association is there also to enforce that.



Marcel
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Marcel time in grade and school of hard knocks in my book goes hand in hand

Mistakes will end you up in court in this business and sometimes even when you don't make a mistake.

If I lived in an area that I had to compete for business it would be a different story.

My first trip to the court house involved the buyer VS the seller and I testified in response to my report in behalf of the buyer. I had to inform the Judge and Both attorneys that the State Of Ok had a Licensing requirement they were totally unaware of it.

Sorry guys experience is what gets me my inspections nothing else matters.
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[rwand1]

Charley,

No one is questioning your experience, we are questioning your reason to justify using a title that has no substance and is not defendable.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Absolutely.

So many folks fail to understand that their "marketing" is a sword that --- in the hands of their enemy --- can cut their legs off. If you cannot provide the documentation to prove it...you better not say it.

The statement "I exceed NACHI standards" by itself, is a killer. If you do not specifically state exactly which standard it is you are exceeding and by how much, the Plaintiff's attorney can (and will) take the position that you exceed NACHI standards in EVERY point. Thus, the Plaintiff had cause to believe that you would find the hidden and latent defects...in spite of your contradictory disclaimer to the contrary.

Say only what you do....and do exactly what you say.

This is the same thing that has been said many times by the older more experienced Inspector from day one.
Those who set the system up many years ago new how protective we must be .
Many over the years have gone far past the SOP and when told about it they disagree.
I am from the old way and all my tools fit in my pocket except for spare flash light, mask and sheet.
Write hard talk soft miss nothing .
Do not do more then you should . It might come back to bite you.

[Charley L. Bottger]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Charley,

No one is questioning your experience, we are questioning your reason to justify using a title that has no substance and is not defendable.

Just trying to make a point about titles.

I have never used the words Senior Master Inspector in any advertising or any nature and never would. Just saying that I could based on my experience I could advertise and be defendable in court if I stated that I was the senior master inspector of Freedom Express Home Inspections perfectly legal and defendable. I could also call myself CEO, Chief Operating Officer, Director or any other title that I choose within the limits of a business organization. What are titles I am also the janitor.

[Russell Spriggs]

Originally Posted by gromicko

A home inspector, a certified home inspector, a master inspector, a certified master inspector, a certified residential inspector, an ASHI member, a NACHI member, a profesional home inspector, bla bla bla... ALL DO THE SAME THING AND ALL HAVE A DUTY TO DO A GOOD INSPECTION!!!! THEY ALL STAY WITHIN SOP! NONE CAN DO LESS, NONE SHOULD DO MORE!

Get it through your heads already!

Well said.

I believe that staying within SOP is the greatest challenge of the majority of inspectors, and the main reason why some get in "trouble".
Even much of the HI software, in my opinion, directs inspectors away from it, & into areas where they are sticking their necks out.

SOP is the reason I have a minimal amount of tools and no fancy gizmos to "impress" my clients. Even a gas-sniffer, IMO, opens one to liability.

[Charley L. Bottger]

[quote=rwand1]
He was quite clear in stating that it would be very foolish for any inspector to purposely overstate their qualifications or mislead the public, to do so leaves you wide open for a suit quote]

Of all of the crap that comes across this BB this statement is probally the most true statement that I have read in some time, and this can bring up another point is CMI a true gage of ones ability; are they really a master inspector or is it just a piece of paper. I am not judging just asking a question.

I have spent most of my adult life working with or in Corp. America and have observed many many times titles or promotions given out simply because of who you were rather than ones ability to perform. This is sad but happens all the time.

Take a test earn a title, buy a title; it makes no difference if you can not perform to the level of performance that your title declares that you have earned you are misleading the the public.

For those CMI's out there that truly are master inspectors I congratulate you Well done and for those that have bought a piece of paper and hold a piece of paper only. Time will tell

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

[quote=cbottger]

Originally Posted by rwand1

He was quite clear in stating that it would be very foolish for any inspector to purposely overstate their qualifications or mislead the public, to do so leaves you wide open for a suit quote]

Of all of the crap that comes across this BB this statement is probally the most true statement that I have read in some time, and this can bring up another point is CMI a true gage of ones ability; are they really a master inspector or is it just a piece of paper. I am not judging just asking a question.
Why would you ask this question . I have not seen you ask if a person is qualified to be a CHI....

I have spent most of my adult life working with or in Corp. America and have observed many many times titles or promotions given out simply because of who you were rather than ones ability to perform. This is sad but happens all the time.

Take a test earn a title, buy a title; it makes no difference if you can not perform to the level of performance that your title declares that you have earned you are misleading the the public.

For those CMI's out there that truly are master inspectors I congratulate you Well done and for those that have bought a piece of paper and hold a piece of paper only. Time will tell

....No we have proved that we are qualified to use the CMI and have joined a group who are proud to use this information to show we have done the training hours and the amount of inspections to be able to call out selves Certified Master Inspectors

[Charley L. Bottger]

[quote=rcooke]

Originally Posted by cbottger

....No we have proved that we are qualified to use the CMI and have joined a group who are proud to use this information to show we have done the training hours and the amount of inspections to be able to call out selves Certified Master Inspectors

If the shoe fits by all means wear it; if it does not time will be the judge not me.