some tools for sale

[gkoehl]

Tiff
Moisture meter
and combustion analizer

all in good shape and working order


and who said mandatory E$O wouldn't effect the HI industry

[cduphily]

Sorry to hear that George, Good luck in your future endeavors.

[Barry Adair]

George,

Really am sorry to hear our industry and the consumers are loosing you.

Our loss will be some other industry's gain.

Best wishes for you and your family.

Always gave me a sense of pride when I saw your posts and logo.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by gkoehl

Tiff
Moisture meter
and combustion analizer

all in good shape and working order


and who said mandatory E$O wouldn't effect the HI industry

I'm sad to hear the bad news. We need good inspectors like yourself.

I noted on your web site a comment that TREC is going to start
taking disciplinary action now, even without complaints. Can you,
or anyone reading this post, provide more information about this
new TREC positron. Thanks much.

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Gentlemen, all signs that after thirty-plus years our industry has come of age, hence the incursion by ASTM, which will have the support of rich lobbying groups. Money talks, and no doubt we'll soon be paying a $75.00 registration fee to ASTM and a $1.00 per report fee to use their standards.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

I noted on your web site a comment that TREC is going to start taking disciplinary action now, even without complaints. Can you,
or anyone reading this post, provide more information about this
new TREC positron. Thanks much.

John, SB914, that included the infamous E&O provision also includes a myriad of other provisions such as:

SECTION 13. Amends Section 1101.204, Occupations Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (h), as follows:

(a) Authorizes the commission or commission staff to file a complaint and conduct an investigation as necessary to enforce this chapter, Chapter 1102, or a rule adopted under those chapters, rather than on its own motion investigate the actions and records of a license holder.

(h) Requires the commission to ensure that the commission gives priority to the investigation of a complaint filed by a consumer and an enforcement case resulting from the consumer complaint. Requires the commission to assign priorities and investigate complaints using a risk-based approach based on certain criteria. Sets forth the criteria.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by mboyett

John, SB914, that included the infamous E&O provision also includes a myriad of other provisions such as:

What does this mean, in the real world?

I don't like the words that the "staff" can file a complaint.
Is this going to be the TREC "Gestapo" clause?

[Michael R. Boyett]

Some think it is. I take it to mean that if one of the staff attorney's is told of an issue of any kind with an HI then they can instigate an investigation on their own and not have to wait for a private citizen to complain formally and officially. My guess is that this will open the flood gates for inspectors to start tattling, via e-mails and phone calls, on their competition hoping that TREC will get involved.

Do you also know that SB914 removed most of the caps on fees that TREC may charge? The cost of keeping our licenses will surely increase dramatically over the next couple of years. Do you know that this also will allow TREC to more easily migrate to the NHIE? The cost to administer and take the NHIE is much more than the current proprietary proctored exam and the fee that could be charged an applicant was one of the reasons that was keeping TREC from going to the NHIE. Personally, I don't really care which one is given but several Inspector Committee members favored the NHIE.

[John McKenna]

Is there a law in place that enables the TREC "staff" to arbitrarily go
after real estate agents? appraisers? or just home inspectors?

[Michael R. Boyett]

TREC is the state's regulatory agency for the following:

• Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
• Real Estate Inspectors
• Education Providers for Real Estate and Inspection Courses
• Residential Service Companies
• Timeshare Developers
• Easement Or Right-of-Way (ERW) agents

Appraisers are licensed and governed by a separate board: http://www.talcb.state.tx.us/AgencyInfo/default.asp

[gkoehl]

Thanks guys –
Here is a little update-
I am now in Illinois, my birth state and am currently an apprentice Electrician,
So all my study and involvement in the HI industry was not a total waste and has already been of use in my new occupation (hopefully my last occupation change).

I will really miss the North Texas NACHI meetings; the guys there were great.
Best of luck

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by gkoehl

Thanks guys –
Here is a little update-
I am now in Illinois, my birth state and am currently an apprentice Electrician,
So all my study and involvement in the HI industry was not a total waste and has already been of use in my new occupation (hopefully my last occupation change).

I will really miss the North Texas NACHI meetings; the guys there were great.
Best of luck

Good Luck George! Stay in touch with us.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by gkoehl

Thanks guys –
Here is a little update-
I am now in Illinois, my birth state and am currently an apprentice Electrician,
So all my study and involvement in the HI industry was not a total waste and has already been of use in my new occupation (hopefully my last occupation change).

I will really miss the North Texas NACHI meetings; the guys there were great.
Best of luck

George, give me a call.

[James H. Bushart]

Licensing solves nothing.

This is the conclusion made by the Ohio Real Estate Commission after having reviewed the work of the Texas Real Estate Commission (and others) who tried to improve the quality of inspections and inspectors through legislative efforts, and failed.

Real estate salesmen need to limit themselves to real estate sales and stay out of the inspection business. Texas, a state whose inspectors have been under the control of the commissioned real estate salesmen longer than any other, is proof.

You folks should begin to organize a counter effort, in my opinion, and show your public the need to separate you from TREC by repeal.

[Michael R. Boyett]

JB, we will get right on that. But, before we do, I think it prudent to point out that we have debated the merits of that Ohio study here on the board at least once before. I personally can't get too worked up over the ASHI-fied, junior college white paper. Also, it's funny how different folks can read the same thing and come to different conclusions isn't it? The last paragraph of the paper's conclusion statement says:

With these benefits in mind, the extent of the regulation becomes the issue. Given that the data do not support the notion that an extensive licensing program directly affects home inspectors’ qualifications, a program with minimal components may be all that is necessary. While this is a potentially viable option, in order to fully address the more extensive issues between real estate agents, home inspectors, and consumers, a full home inspection licensing program on par with the real estate licensing program is necessary.

I'm confused, how does that statement not support licensing?