First Fundamentals Course Available In Washington State

[Steven L. Smith]

Jeff,

Think what you want. I will reiterate again, the community college -- where I teach two weeks a year average, is the only one that has TAKEN THE EFFORT TO APPLY. If another college, or private school, would put a course together that meets the guidelines then they would be approved too. BTC has no monopoly. There is no way on earth any one else's class is going to be approved -- if nobody applies! What do you think, that I am out there threatening schools to stay out of this market. I cannot put together a team to write their courses for them.

I was not on the education committee. I did not write the education requirements for the state. There were three other board members on there. The school, which is a state institution where I am adjunct faculty a couple times a year, is the only one that submitted a course so far. I certainly would never say that nobody else will submit one. It does take a lot of work and many schools are not interested enough in the field to start from scratch as they had no such program before.

Would the state have been better off to reject the BTC offering that met their guidelines and then, as of this date, to have no courses ready to go? That makes big sense in the practical world.

[James H. Bushart]

Steve -- You have supported those who inflicted this law on home inspectors in your state and, accordingly, you have profited by it. Please don't ask us to believe that you regret it, did not expect it, or did not prepare yourself for it.

You represent the proponent of legislation who plans to profit by it. You are hearing the objections from those who do not. The consumer, who also does not profit from your law, is still oblivious to the fact that it has been passed.

Anyway, you have played your part and have assisted those pushing this bill with their agenda. Now...man up to it and stop pretending that you did it for anyone other than yourself.

[dharris]

What about the inspector, whose truck can barely make it to his next inspection, let alone all the way to Bellingham?

Government intervention is a MUST!! The Obama stimulas package should fund the school cost for those in need of job training (it a job stimulas, and is a hell a lot cheaper than saving an auto worker job).

The state and local charities should chip in. Free bus passes to Bellinghan, and Share Wheel could provide a tent city!

And when you drag your fat a** out of the Marriot, you could even help serve the soup at tent city.

For those of you who are forced into a new profession, PLEASE. do not ask me if I want frys with that order!!!

I guess there are some that still want to believe the Home Inspection Profession is still in the stone age, per this person, that claims to be a current Washington State Home Inspector, it's acceptable to practice our profession by simply claim to know it all, then hang his shingle claiming to be a Professional HI.
Considering this is coming from a person that claims to be a HI, then claims he cannot afford to pay membership dues to a HI org, and thinks it's acceptable for a HI to drive a truck that can barely make it to the next inspection. This is a perfect example why licensing is needed and coming to your state or a state near you.

[Steven L. Smith]

James,

I am manning up to it, I supported licensing. However, the least money I make professionally comes from teaching. As Charlie said, I like it. It is a diversion. The money is peanuts.

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Let me see if I understand your post.....

You start by saying that you lack the time to read the entire thread, yet you agree with your fellow instructors. What an interesting remark for someone...especially an educator...to make. In other words, you are able to draw a conclusion without observing all of the facts. Is this something you instruct others to do in your course?

You follow up on this interesting confession with the observation that there is "no course, etc" that can adequately train a home inspector, yet you are willing to take tuition from would-be home inspectors who come to you for training.

Then...you end your observation that providing people who pay you to provide them with less than they need to be "adequate" is something you love to do.

And those who learn from you...as inadequate as you claim your training to be....will be presenting themselves to consumers in your state as "licensed" professionals.

You guys were much better off lying to newbies about their being required to get SPI licenses to inspect homes, IMO. While it was complete nonsense, it was still more believable than anything your licensing board has come up with.

JAMES

Is this a case of the BLIND leading the BLIND???

An intersting observation JUST HOW/WHERE did this crack "teaching" team gain their vast knowledge they will be sharing with clueless dolts paying for a quality education??

Another curious question. They state this "course" has been offered at BTC for years and at what price was that course offered during that time??? What was the drop out, pass/failure rate?

What are the pass or fail standards, or does everyone who puts up their $3,500 get their "frame ready, gold stamped" certificate? And is the final exam that $300 NHIE exam? If the student fails his "final" does he get his money back?
What is your "gurantee"

"No course can adequatly train", if that be the case, all of our higher education schools should be immediatly shut down.

It is the teachers "job" to not only teach, but to inspire the students to learn!!!!!

If your attitude is negative as to the success of your students, I doubt you have ths skills and the passion to be a quality teacher.

Where is the ACLU on this, I assume it will also be taught in Spanish!!??

SO MANY QUESTIONS, SO FEW "HONEST" ANSWERS!!!!

The more the licensing proponants post, the more they bury themselves, and the closer we get to the truth. Licensing solves nothing!!!

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by ssmith

James,

I am manning up to it, I supported licensing. However, the least money I make professionally comes from teaching. As Charlie said, I like it. It is a diversion. The money is peanuts.

Confession is good for the soul!!

If it's diversion you want, take up golf.

Or, like this mandated, costly course that provides you with some diversion, should I also be forced to pay your green fees?

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by cbuell

Man, I sure wish I had the time to read through all of this. Of course I agree with all that David Helm and Steve Smith have said. As another one of the four teachers of this course I would also like to add that there is no course, no method of training, no inspector, no online course, no book that can adequately train a home inspector. That said BTC has a darn good track record of producing capable home inspectors that are capable of adding to what we teach them (on their own with continuing education) to become acceptable home inspectors by current standards. Until we start to see courses at least a year or two long with appropriate college level degrees attached, existing inspectors will continue to be "right" that training is inadequate. It still far exceeds anything that has been offered to date. It is a starting point. Some day we will be a profession. State licensing is just a starting point. In 20 years I suspect the field will look very different and people entering the field will be much better educated about the field than they are now. I have a really hard time understanding the seeming negative attitude toward everything "licensing" that Mr Bushart goes on and on about here at NACHI and elsewhere. To all those that have their panties all in a bunch about BTC being the only provider of education right now I say just go ahead and put together your own program wherever you want----you may find that is not so easy----especially when you find that not only will you not be paid to put it together, but the amount you will make will be substantially less than you will make teaching it. I think I can safely speak for all four of us that teach at BTC when I say that we do so because we LOVE to----there is NO money in it---period.

You agree with ALL that Steve Smith and Dave Helm have to say?

Is that due to selective reading, OR a closed mind?

As a teacher, I guess expanding your knowledge (pro and con) is not high on your priority list. We can (must) learn from you, however you can not (refuse) to learn from us!!??

FYI; Teachers not only teach, a good one, continualy "learns" and even from their students. A concept, with your closed mind, eludes you.

Tragic, maybe a "non professional" teacher certification law is in order! Being that you believe licensing solves everything, maybe you would want to "save the consumer" from unqualified teachers. It's "working" so well in the HI business!!

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jbushart

You represent the proponent of legislation who plans to profit by it. You are hearing the objections from those who do not. T.

So far there have been two objections, that is a big so what. And then there is you James with your Populist BS Rhetoric, another big so what.

Steven I believe you deserve some credit for at least getting some HI education in place.

James, go sell your friends book.

[Steven L. Smith]

Gentlemen,

Many inspectors had asked to be made aware of it, if training became available. I decided that a good place to post that was at Nachi. I have done that. I think it is of no benefit to me, or others, to participate in rants. None of you know anything about the class but, just for the record, the class was the same price before the law. It has been for four or five years. BTC tries to offer a good class that teaches the basics. I think Charlie's point is that any professional has to keep on learning. The class teaches basics and establishes a foundation. We would hope that a year later the person would add to that foundation.

Steven, I hope that, if you decide to stay in the field, you can find a class that suits you and fits your needs so you can fulfill the requirements. At BTC we are doing the best we can do, and that might not suit you, even though you have no clue what we do.

[Harold E. Miller]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

So far there have been two objections, that is a big so what. And then there is you James with your Populist BS Rhetoric, another big so what.

Steven I believe you deserve some credit for at least getting some HI education in place.

James, go sell your friends book.

Now Brian...there you go counting.

With only one objection from someone with what appears to be a legitimate Washington State home inspection company,
.....and the second says he is an inspector here,..... but no proof of which even exists. Elusive Wa / Ca address ? Who knows?

You are right, Steve Smith does deserve credit for being a part of the the only training that is currently available to home inspectors. ITA won't be providing it, and I don't know of any other institutions that even offers a home inspection course of any kind, in this State.

If it was not for Steve, Charles, and the other instructors, everyone needing this education would be SOL.

And Steve Smith.....You could have saved yourself some grief by putting this under the education tab instead of the licensing/ legal issues tab.

The anti-licensing folks would have never thought to look there.

Keep up the good work Steve!

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by dharris

I guess there are some that still want to believe the Home Inspection Profession is still in the stone age, per this person, that claims to be a current Washington State Home Inspector, it's acceptable to practice our profession by simply claim to know it all, then hang his shingle claiming to be a Professional HI.
Considering this is coming from a person that claims to be a HI, then claims he cannot afford to pay membership dues to a HI org, and thinks it's acceptable for a HI to drive a truck that can barely make it to the next inspection. This is a perfect example why licensing is needed and coming to your state or a state near you.

DANNY BOY you are so predicable, spouting off with out any thing to back your self up. Claim to be a know it all and hang up a shingle, Quit braging about yourself. NO, it's not a profession, it is a service, which requires a minimum IQ to do. Your very existence, proves any bozo can be an inspector. Hate to bust your big head bubble, but your statement "Our profession", I don't believe you have an exclusive ownership of the "club membership"!!

Kindly advise us all, what minimum year, brand, color, style, model of truck is acceptable to you! You are what you drive, and in your case, you're probably behind in payments.

Yes, home inspection still is in the stone age, not much has changed in basic construction since then.

YOU, my BOY, ARE a PERFECT EXAMPLE of why we don't need licensing, With out the protection of licensing, it's doubtful you could make it on your own.

AND, where did you ever get the idea I couldn't afford a membership, has it occured to you, that I am just CHEAP.
Kinda a religon with me.

Have a nice day, in the socialist country of your choice!

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

So far there have been two objections, that is a big so what. And then there is you James with your Populist BS Rhetoric, another big so what.

Steven I believe you deserve some credit for at least getting some HI education in place.

James, go sell your friends book.

I would surmise there are many in this state that agree, we are the silent majorty, but becoming vocal, which drives you liberal whack jobs nuts, the era of "can't we all just get along" is over! Live with it.

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by hmiller

Now Brian...there you go counting.

With only one objection from someone with what appears to be a legitimate Washington State home inspection company,
.....and the second says he is an inspector here,..... but no proof of which even exists. Elusive Wa / Ca address ? Who knows?

You are right, Steve Smith does deserve credit for being a part of the the only training that is currently available to home inspectors. ITA won't be providing it, and I don't know of any other institutions that even offers a home inspection course of any kind, in this State.

If it was not for Steve, Charles, and the other instructors, everyone needing this education would be SOL.

And Steve Smith.....You could have saved yourself some grief by putting this under the education tab instead of the licensing/ legal issues tab.

The anti-licensing folks would have never thought to look there.

Keep up the good work Steve!

GEE. I was unaware that Brian could count to two!!

Steve Smith?? A standup guy, he has been pounded (I am guilty), but he has stood his ground for what he believes, I respect that!

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by Steven C. Meyer

I would surmise there are many in this state that agree, we are the silent majorty, but becoming vocal, which drives you liberal whack jobs nuts, the era of "can't we all just get along" is over! Live with it.

Do us all a favor, and be more silent.

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Do us all a favor, and be more silent.

Maybe you should take a little of your own advice!

So typical of your kind, silence the opposition, because you can not win your arguement on its merits.

Now go to your room, and not another word out of you.