Why the CMI Designation Will Fail

[James H. Bushart]

CMI was introduced as a means of raising fees, which have been held at a relatively low level for several years.

This designation was to be the means for an inspector to develop and market, for a higher fee, his higher levels of learning and experience.

It's not happening.

Instead, CMIs are envisioning themselves as "helpers" for the "newer" inspectors while they use their designation to compete against others for $275 inspections.

This leaves others with no choice but to point out the weaknesses of the CMI program and the truth that CMIs are not better inspectors than non-CMIs.

I would prefer to see this designation start to move back toward its original objective and get the fee schedule moving upwards and spend less time "helping" us.
Or else....

[Henry Valenzano, CMI]

Originally Posted by jbushart

CMI was introduced as a means of raising fees, which have been held at a relatively low level for several years.

This designation was to be the means for an inspector to develop and market, for a higher fee, his higher levels of learning and experience.

It's not happening.

Instead, CMIs are envisioning themselves as "helpers" for the "newer" inspectors while they use their designation to compete against others for $275 inspections.

This leaves others with no choice but to point out the weaknesses of the CMI program and the truth that CMIs are not better inspectors than non-CMIs.

I would prefer to see this designation start to move back toward its original objective and get the fee schedule moving upwards and spend less time "helping" us.
Or else....

Incase you missed it on the other thread The COE letter 2-a Sayes it best and nothing about fees

• • 2. Duty to the Profession and to other Certified Master Inspectors®

a. The Certified Master Inspector® will strive to improve the Inspection Industry by sharing his/her lessons and/or experiences for the benefit of all. This does not preclude the Certified Master Inspector® from copyrighting or marketing his/her expertise to other inspectors or the public in any manner permitted by law.
b. The Certified Master Inspector® shall assist in disseminating and publicizing the benefits of hiring Certified Master Inspectors®.
c. The Certified Master Inspector® will not engage in any act or practice that could be deemed damaging, seditious or destructive to fellow Certified Master Inspectors®.
d. The Certified Master Inspector® will dress professionally when acting in the capacity of his/her profession.

[lkrausz]

Jim if that happens all who signed up from the very 1st. with the lowest requirement to become a CMI, to the last with the most requirments that had to be obtained will lose all their money and who wins?

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by lkrausz

Jim if that happens all who signed up from the very 1st. with the lowest requirement to become a CMI, to the last with the most requirments that had to be obtained will lose all their money and who wins?

I don't understand your question, Larry.

The designation was created for the purpose of raising fees. Period. No other reason.

When CMIs raise their fees, other inspectors raise theirs....and so on...and so on. By this, we all win.

If CMIs create this designation to do nothing more than dupe the public into thinking they will get more bang for the buck at $275 to $350 - we all lose.

What is your question?

[James H. Bushart]

Is any home inspector less qualified to inspect a home than a CMI? Of course not.

I am not a CMI and my basic fee is $350. A CMI will use the same SOP and write the same report that I will. The idea is that he will charge more for his level of skill and expertise.

Do they plan to beat me out for the $350 inspection because of their designation? If so, they leave me with no other choice than to use my communication skills to educate the public that they are NOT more qualified...and why they are not more qualified.

With the thousands of us who are NOT CMIs educating the public in this regard, the designation has no chance of catching on. It is easy to sabotage its growth in any market. I would not want to do that if they were raising fees...but I will totally destroy it if it is being touted as a "standard".

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Instead, CMIs are envisioning themselves as "helpers" for the "newer" inspectors while they use their designation to compete against others for $275 inspections.

They seem to be doing inspections for less than $275.00 in AZ and MO according to the prices listed on websites for the individuals in these two states just as an example.

I better stick with Commercial Master Inspector for now Jim.......

[James H. Bushart]

...and they want to help us.

Help us what?

I guess we should ALL be CMIs doing $275 (or less) inspections? Jeez.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jbushart

...and they want to help us.

Help us what?

I guess we should ALL be CMIs doing $275 (or less) inspections? Jeez.

I gave you a "Greenie" too Jim......!!!!

[lkrausz]

I didn't understand what you were referring to when you said it was designed to raise prices. I thought you meant to increase the annual due of NACHI.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by lkrausz

I didn't understand what you were referring to when you said it was designed to raise prices. I thought you meant to increase the annual due of NACHI.

Sorry for not making that more clear, Larry.

We can all benefit from the fee increase, which is (was) behind my support for the CMI program. I have been told that this is not the case.

Now, all we have are equally qualified inspectors purchasing initials to put next to their names to appear more qualified than us to inspect a house. This is nuts.

[John Onofrey]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Now, all we have are equally qualified inspectors purchasing initials to put next to their names to appear more qualified than us to inspect a house. This is nuts.

ROTFLMAO

Well Duhhhh!

[lkrausz]

If you can't make money off it why purchase it. Sooner or later someone will take one of them to court and it will be very expense to try to explain it was just to generate more business and not that they are any more qualified.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by jbushart

CMI was introduced as a means of raising fees, which have been held at a relatively low level for several years.

Not the only reason, Jimmy. Do your research.

This designation was to be the means for an inspector to develop and market, for a higher fee, his higher levels of learning and experience.

Do you have this "Higher Level of Learning and Experience", Jim?

It's not happening.

Instead, CMIs are envisioning themselves as "helpers" for the "newer" inspectors while they use their designation to compete against others for $275 inspections.

One duty, at least as I see it (and I am not, as of yet, a CMI) is that the more blessed should help out the lesser. If one has recieved a gift and has worked hard to nurture and cultivate what G-d has given, one has a duty to spread the blessing around. Check out the Parable of the Talents in the Bible. It's all there.

This leaves others with no choice but to point out the weaknesses of the CMI program and the truth that CMIs are not better inspectors than non-CMIs.

Define "Better". Get more business? Do a better inspection? Use the latest tools and techniques? Spend 2 to 3 hours actually writing a report instead of just a 'cut and paste' job or a NCR paper checklist? Do free pre-closing walkthoughs? Provide free phone support to past clients? Spend time getting to know the client. Protect the clientby having E&O insurance and G/L? You have just defined my whole business plan.

What is your business plan, Jim?

I would prefer to see this designation start to move back toward its original objective and get the fee schedule moving upwards and spend less time "helping" us.
Or else....

I am sure that you would like to see your fee schedule go up, Jim. But just getting a CMI designation won't do it all by itself. Are you a CMI, Jim?

Do you go out of your way to help and serve your clients, your fellow inspectors and the industry?

Masters are deemed masters well before some simple "Certification Board" says they are.

When I was studying martial arts, I learned that one does not call themself a "master", one waits until others start calling them "master".

All I see you do (and I may be wrong. I don;t live in your area and have not seen your work) is to spout off on this board about licensing and attempt to play the great ethics guru.

Maybe is you helped out a few other people, you would see it differently.

The learning is in the doing and the serving.

Hope this helps;

[John Onofrey]

If James raises his prices more he will have even more time to post.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by lkrausz

If you can't make money off it why purchase it. Sooner or later someone will take one of them to court and it will be very expense to try to explain it was just to generate more business and not that they are any more qualified.

Yep.