I'm off to Philly to the "We're a relevant assoc. too!!!" ASTM meeting.

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

The turnout was quite impressive as many traveled from California, Utah, Missouri, Florida, Illinois, etc....

The turnout was predominantly ASHI.

[James H. Bushart]

About now, there is a woman flying home from Philiadelphia wondering why she ever left the penile implant business...

[John Cahill]

The entire ASTM SoP thing is a joke. The first meeting was held at a NAHI seminar where of course NAHI would have the majority vote. The second meeting was held in Philly where ASHI would have the majority vote (90 I believe). Its all so stupid.



IF ASTM saw money in writing an SOP it would be done and it does not make a rats rear end what NACHI, ASHI or NAHI thinks about it.


A SoP is something that theoretically sets a trade association apart (but it does not). That is why each group wants their own SoP and each group believes theirs is superior.


The fact is NACHI, ASHI or NAHI SoP do not mean squat in regulated states like Texas, North Carolina or Oklahoma. In a regulated state with an adopted SoP the trade group SoP is dust in the wind; tissue for the toilet.


Do not dismay, any good expert could sue under any trade association SoP. All SoP have holes a lawyer can drive a truck through, including NACHI.


The fact is the home inspection industry is a microcosm relative to other businesses. It simply does not deserve the time to unify the SoP.


Just make it easy to get a license; promote or require insurance and voila you got consumer protection via the courts. The disposable inspector theory.


An SoP never will and never has assured quality.


ASTM voted down? Baloney. If there is money in it ASTM will run the trade association rear end over like a Mac truck in a bug storm.


And don’t forget NAR. They are more powerful than all the groups put together. As long as you keep assuming property condition liability and keep the agent off the litigation hook they will let you run free. Assuming liability is why home inspection exists. Step on the TAR toe however and the Mac truck will look like a Tonka toy. TAR will squash everyone flat.


This meeting was not victory for the trade associations. It was a victory for ASTM to dump a non-profitable project. They are laughing their *** off at us.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Originally Posted by jbushart

About now, there is a woman flying home from Philiadelphia wondering why she ever left the penile implant business...

I guess you could say she is going to "take her balls and go home?"

[Nick Gromicko]

Bill Mullen, thank you for the congrats from up North.

NACHI, ASHI, IAC2, AII, and CREIA along with several state associations won!

The "we're relevant too, and do big important things" association lost.

You should all be pleased to know that we won't be under the thumbs of REALTORs or builders who can afford to buy tens of thousands of seats on ASTM's inspection committee (yes, they sell the seats for cash).

You should also be pleased that you are once again free to use the SOP of your chosen association at absolutley no cost and without having to pay a copyright royalty to ASTM every time you do an inspection.

ASHI's President elect and I calculated that the whole thing cost our 2 associations over $100,000.00 in expenses and lost inspections to fight this battle.... and it was a battle worth fighting.

[John Cahill]

Originally Posted by gromicko

You should also be pleased that you are once again free to use the SOP of your chosen association at absolutley no cost and without having to pay a copyright royalty to ASTM every time you do an inspection.

It would be hilarious to see ASTM try and collect money from home inspectors. We are such a cottage industry; their efforts would be like a dog chasing its tail.

In a regulated State you are free to use NACHI only if you comply with that State as well. Texas and North Carolina are examples. So in manner of speaking your freedom is controlled by the States requirements. That trend will expand.