FL Department of Business and Professional Regulation adds us to Stakeholder list.

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

What historically has happened is if there is a test, there will be all kinds of classes and schoolhouses pop up and they will "teach the test" so anyone who has the bucks can go in, take the course, take the test (this just generates more money for someone else), it won't be a test on anyone's ability, nor can it be. You will be bumping into home inspectors for about 3-5 years afterwards. Those who are in business now and have been will still be in business only they will have to compete with each new batch of HI the schools pump out, who in turn will last one to three years if that in this economy. Most Home Inspectors will simply have to adjust their fees to compete with all the $99 guys who will falling out of the trees. This whole thing has simply been a political football for Crist to kick around for some favors from those who stand to gain the most from it. Customers will lose, the HI will lose, the State will lose. This keeps repeating itself with every State that does it.

[Nick Gromicko]

Make sure you come to the next meeting with me.

[John M. Acaron]

You are absolutely correct. Another business will make lots of money (schools) and private lectures. What a rip off. It is already happening with Thermal imaging and then what. Business will be so competitive that Nick will have to lower his membership rates in order to have a large quota. If you look at the statistics the state of Florida has more InterNachi inspectors than any other state in the union. The other day I quote an inspection at $815.00 a multimillion dollar property on the beach, 5 hours away from my home base round trip. You figure 3 to 4 hours doing the field work + 4 hours the report + gas ($60.00/gas) and you get $ 58.00/hour. Not worth it. The whole day shot. Another inspector that is starving and does not know his *****$ from a hole in the ground got the job for $325.00 = $22.00/hr I guess that beats minimum wages.

Now with this licensing can you imagine....... Dam I might go back to built houses or do some Engineering work.

[Mathew Hawley]

Licensing solves nothing. There are good and bad in every industry, licensed or not. We find defects and poor workmanship everyday from licensed tradesmen.

I can't imagine why anyone would push for licensing when things are fine the way they are. It will be interesting to see how things turn out.

[Nick Gromicko]

Instead, let's meet the night before and have a group marketing meeting.

[John M. Acaron]

Lets doit Nick. Call the day and time in Tallahassee and will assure we will be there to support you 100%. You have done great things for the industry, lets put a lid on this non sense. Inspected Once, Inspected Right. Anyone Else, Is Just Looking Around! Belive me there are a lot of inspectors just looking around. So, let the consumer make their choice not the state.

[Nick Gromicko]

I can't wait to see you all. I have a plan.

[Brian C. Hoagland]

20 years as a home inspector, ICC certified building inspector, member of this national organization and a state organization,FHA fee compliance inspector, Aplus rating and member of the BBB and over 7500 inspections in the county I live in and operate out of. I love to learn more about this trade and take every opportunity to educate myself regarding this proffession. My question is quite simply exactly what do they expect to teach me in this 120hr course and who is this expert that will develope and enlighten me with their knowledge and instruction?

[Michael Larson]

Brian,

I wouldn't like it either but I understand it.

Do you know any inspectors that have been inspecting for a while but don't get it right?

[William S. Edmonds, Jr.]

Nick,

In order to be truly effective, a unified voice will have to be obtained from NACHI. It would be counter productive to have several different NACHI members at the stakeholder meeting itself. Lobbying reps and senators to pressure the DBPR is another story entirely. There should be a huge presence and lots of NACHI activity the day before and day after the stakeholders initial meeting. There will be several meetings and the first one and the last ones are the only ones that are really going to count.

"This governor is not wanting to put current inspectors out of business, a meaningful grandfather clause will be acheived." is what DBPR told me in our last conversation.

[John M. Acaron]

What we need to do is inspect Christ home and see what he is up to. Maybe he will recognize that the certified home inspectors from InterNACHI do not need a license. They do know what they are doing. Just keep out of the industry. We are doing ok! Nick I'll see you in Tallahassee. Licensee will just screw the business and will create more unemployment, just what Florida needs. Our customers are happy with our services; we do not need more government. Stay out!!!!!!

When is the meeting we will be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dennis J. Bonner]

I think certification is a good thing and will definitely weed out more scammers. I dont think the rates will go down either as the state should have insurance requirements, and make inspectors adhere to workers comp laws as well. Anyone with a flashlight and a business card can charge 200-300$ to perform a bootwax half-*** inspection, with no insurance, and flee back up north when the season ends. All other professions require regulation and home inspections can now be a legitimate industry. I'm sure experienced nachi inspectors will benefit from these changes.

[Gary Farnsworth]

Agents know who are tough inspectors, and who write soft reports. Licensing will only level the playing field. Wether you have done 50 inspections or 8,000, everyone will have to abide by rules, regulations, education, insurance, and stupid state laws. Licensing just dumbs-down our profession, and let's the newbies and the veterans play on the same level. RE's want licensing to restrict veterans from writing detailed reports, and limit what we can and cannot do. Get it?

Same cheap low prices, same limited reporting.

[ldapkus]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

Agents know who are tough inspectors, and who write soft reports. Licensing will only level the playing field. Wether you have done 50 inspections or 8,000, everyone will have to abide by rules, regulations, education, insurance, and stupid state laws. Licensing just dumbs-down our profession, and let's the newbies and the veterans play on the same level. RE's want licensing to restrict veterans from writing detailed reports, and limit what we can and cannot do. Get it?

Same cheap low prices, same limited reporting.

Don't you think veterans write soft reports?? I know of one (who is a CMI and on the "preferred vendor list")that has told me he has had to correct his reports because they were too detailed. He golfs and boozes with his realtor buddies and does well.

[William S. Edmonds, Jr.]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

Agents know who are tough inspectors, and who write soft reports. Licensing will only level the playing field. Wether you have done 50 inspections or 8,000, everyone will have to abide by rules, regulations, education, insurance, and stupid state laws. Licensing just dumbs-down our profession, and let's the newbies and the veterans play on the same level. RE's want licensing to restrict veterans from writing detailed reports, and limit what we can and cannot do. Get it?

Same cheap low prices, same limited reporting.

Gary,

The reason I started inspecting is because a seasoned veteran with this organization, ASHI, FABI and twenty years experience charged me a mere $250 and got my plumbing wrong. He didnot tell me it was PB2110 or the problems associated with it.The "newbie"/ veteran fight distracts from what needs to be done.Florida is doing this no matter how much everyone pisses and moans on this message board. Personally, I have no problem with regulation so long as it does not increase my current bottom line. I already carry insurance and operate a professional business so as long as we hold the rule makers hands it should be beneficial. A simple solution that I understand is already proposed is grandfathering anyone with 3 years, existing insurance, and current membership with a major organization that requires continuing education.

Once that occurs the market price should be controlled by the professionals and limited reporting should go away.