Florida Wind mitigation inspections, who can do?

[jplecki]

I would like to be able to add wind mitigation inspections to my list but I am having questions regarding licensure and certified signatures. Based on knowledge I am more than qualified to do the inspection however I do not have a GC license yet. I am planning on getting my GC License but it is a monetary issue right now. The form also allows a building code inspector to sign off on the form. Do you have to work for a municipality in order to be a licensed building inspector? Or, can I take the required tests and prove my eligibility requirements to become a licensed Florida building inspector? I know this sounds like simple questions, but I just can't get a straight answer from the State. Hopefully the certification from InterNACHI will get approved!! As a homeowner I would much rather a focused certified inspector that has been trained in this particular facet review my home.

[Michael J. Meeker]

I am not sure about the building inspector license issue but if you want to offer the Wind Mitigation inspections to your customers I would be glad to help. I can have them done for you at a rate where we could both make a little money. My inspector would work for you and not pursue any of your clients. I have similar arrangements with many inspectors who by the State mandated standards are not qualified. To any other Home Inspectors in South Florida I offer you the same deal. Feel free to contact me anytime and we will work something out. The form is going from 2 pages to 4 and we will have to do a lot more work on them very soon. Does anyone know when we will have to start using the sorry new form?

[Jose F. Uz]

Originally Posted by jplecki

I would like to be able to add wind mitigation inspections to my list but I am having questions regarding licensure and certified signatures. Based on knowledge I am more than qualified to do the inspection however I do not have a GC license yet. I am planning on getting my GC License but it is a monetary issue right now. The form also allows a building code inspector to sign off on the form. Do you have to work for a municipality in order to be a licensed building inspector? Or, can I take the required tests and prove my eligibility requirements to become a licensed Florida building inspector? I know this sounds like simple questions, but I just can't get a straight answer from the State. Hopefully the certification from InterNACHI will get approved!! As a homeowner I would much rather a focused certified inspector that has been trained in this particular facet review my home.

Dear Mr. Plecki,

The truthful answer will not be found on marketing or sales pitches; I have been involved in most aspects of the construction sciences field including education of Engineers, Architects and all construction trade specialties for a couple of decades now. I have also been extremely involved in the wind mitigation industry and issues since it's inception to include lecturing Engineers, Architects and Contractors State wide on the science of inspecting, retrofitting, and how to properly fill out the form (All approved for 7 hrs including 1 core continuing education for all building professionals in Florida).

Another one of the courses I teach is construction administrative law and I can tell you that a General Contractor CAN NOT SIGN for inspections across the board on sub-contracted bases for non-licensed individuals. A GC can only sign for his W-2 employees covered by his workers comp insurance. The ONLY construction professional that can supervise and sign for multiple non-licensed individual is a PE (Professional Engineers) under chapter 471 of the Florida statues, behavior by others not licensed as a PE in a manner similar to that of a PE can be interpreted as practicing engineering without a license (3rd degree felony).

My advice for now is to seek out a PE that can help you with supervision and qualification while Mr. Nick Gromicko irons out some pending issues in our State that hopefully will allow the inclusion of InterNachi members as qualified Wind Mitigation inspectors.

Jose’ F. Uz, Ph.D., CRC, CPO, CHI, CHC, M-NFPA, NACHI Certified, IAC2 Certified, FHA INSP., Fellow of theABI
President

CaribbeanRealty Support Services, Inc.
Toll Free 866-261-2242
Serving 15 Florida Counties
Inspections, Surveys & Engineering Services

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent their government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

Thomas Jefferson 1787

[Richard A. Thurman]

It appears that if the current version of Senate Bill 648 barcode 834342 passes none of the listed license types will be able to sign off on any wind mitigation inspection they did not personallt perform, once it becomes law. There are also two pages of warnings and possible penalties for lincesed persons performing the inspections.

[mflemming]

"Based on knowledge I am more than qualified to do the inspection however I do not have a GC license yet. I am planning on getting my GC License but it is a monetary issue right now."

I know a lot of people who "haven't had time, or the money to get their GC License".
The GC license is the highest level of state builder's licensing, and most people do not qualify for that license without extensive supervisory experience in large scale commercial construction over 3 stories in height.
Most people enter contracting at the CRC (Certified Residential Contractor) level, then get their CBC (Certified Building Contractor, residential and commercial ) license next, then the CGC (General Contractor, residential, commercial, greater than 3 stories) last. Many people spent 10-15 years graduating up the license levels.
Different levels of training, requisite experience are needed for each level, as well as Contractor affidavits, then of course, studying the 14 books and manuals required, and passing the 19-hour state board exam, for each level.
No offense to anyone- Im saying these things to add clarity to the issue for those who need to know the facts about the contractor licence requirements.

In any case the requirements to do the Florida wind mitigation inspections as per the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form developed by Citizens Property of Florida are: (must be one of any category)

1) Hurricane mitigation inspector certified by the My Safe Florida Home Program.
2) Building code inspector certified under Section 468.607, FL statutes
3) Florida State Certified General, Building and Residential contractor
4) Professional Architect
5) Professional Engineer, with add'l building code training
6) Other individual or entity recognized by the insurer as possessing the necessary qualifications to properly complete the form pursuant to Section 627.711(2)(f) FL statutes.

[Steve Taylor]

Technically, Anyone can do a wind mitigation inspection and sign the form. Unfortunately, the insurance industry is not obligated to accept the report unless you are one of the licensed entities specifically enumerated in FS 627.711.

[Nick Gromicko]

Florida is always a battle.