I found something very strange in the FL HI licensing law.

[David Sorge]

Originally Posted by gromicko

The legislation is education-centric (not experience). Get used to it.

No surprise. Apparently some organization that provides education to Realtors in FL has lobbied heavily. It wouldn't surprise me if they were the provider of choice.

[Nick Gromicko]

The education required is readily available, online (so you don't have to take 3 weeks away from your inspection business)... and free.

InterNACHI, the most accredited inspection school in the world! (scroll down right column of www.nachi.org/education)

[David Sorge]

Originally Posted by gromicko

The education required is readily available, online (so you don't have to take 3 weeks away from your inspection business)... and free.

InterNACHI, the most accredited inspection school in the world! (scroll down right column of www.nachi.org/education)

What's required has yet to be defined. I'm sure FL HI's will dance in the streets if your training is approved.

I don't have much confidence that the state will use common sense in its approach though.

[Greg Bell]

Our newest member here shows what the future of this business is in Florida.

http://www.arminspections.com/ARM_IN...t._of_Use.html

This sentence says it all.

I truly enjoy helping people with all there real estate needs. If they like the services as a home inspector they will love us as contractors.

[wsiegel]

Great. And this guy is in my area

[Bruce M. Graham, III]

Well at least he clearly discloses that he has a conflict of interest
"We have a sister company could perform repairs at a discount price. Contact A R M Structural for a consult."

[wsiegel]

Did you see this guys report. Here are some of his statements:

From report #1

Total square footage: 1800. Total living area:2296

This is a three year old house. He has the plumbing and AC listed as Fair. He says the AC coils are dirty, the shrubs need to be trimmed around the Condenser unit, and a mercury thermostat is in use.

He lists exposed or unsafe wiring:garage door button is damaged and there is a loose receptacle in the bathroom.

He lists PCVB as the waste line material.

Report #2:

He has the roof reported as a Hip. It is a Gable roof. Says the roof is 3 years old with a 1-5 year life expectancy.

He never mention there is a flat roof but makes this comment: Roof is water tight at time of inspection. There are some minor issues with the flat area drip metal, but that will be taken care of when the roof is replaced.

FYI - both of these look like four point inspections

[Greg Bell]

Hi Bill,

I see that FABI has an approved four point form. Would you please send me a copy of it? I would like to compare it too the NACHI one. Which form do you use?

Thanks

[Greg Bell]

Here is anther great example.

Again if I was about to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars I would prefer that someone who knows about the industry like a contractor who is licensed, who must undergo continuing education to keep their licenses as a contractor to perform these inspections.

[wsiegel]

you have an email

[Greg Bell]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the e-mail. I like the form. It appears to have less liability than the NACHI form.

[wsiegel]

I have heard through the grapevine that the insurance companies may be setting new standard for the 4-point inspection. We will just have to wait and see.

[Nick Gromicko]

You heard right.

[Brian C. Hoagland]

No hurricane in florida for the fourth year, you better bet they want a more involved inspection protocol and higher premiums. After all, every year that goes by when we don't have one gets us closer to the year we will. Where did all those wind damage premiums disappear to? The ones that were collected and not paid out on I mean. This scam is amazing, you can buy insurance that pays off when you die, and assuming you continue to pay the premium the payoff will go to your estate. We all know we will die eventually and the insurance cos. do too. The funds generated by the premiums cover the payout and the cos. make money. We pay it forward. The way it works with hurricane insurance is completely different. They reinsure themselves with the funds we pay them. In the end if they pay out they make a profit on the reinsurance and can not lose.

[Brian C. Hoagland]

Originally Posted by gbell

Here is anther great example.

Again if I was about to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars I would prefer that someone who knows about the industry like a contractor who is licensed, who must undergo continuing education to keep their licenses as a contractor to perform these inspections.

I have always been amazed that the public perception is that licensed contractors make for better home inspectors. I am not condemning contractors, the knowledge base they have attained is an asset in becoming a good home inspector. Many of the best I know have been contractors but that in and of itself is not a prerequesite of or a qualification of quality in the inspection field. The ONLY way to conduct a thourough inspection for the buyers of a home is to take the time and have the knowledge gained through the experience of having done it repeatedly. I have contractors who have had me perform several inspections on properties for them. Not because they couldn't do it or lacked the expertise but because it is what I do and they believe my experience will benefit them. They supervise construction and rely on the subcontractors they hire to perform properly. Some not all will double check to reassure themselves. They rarely if ever posess the accross the board knowledge of all the trades that home inspectors have acquired through years of experience, observation of defects and continueing education in home inspection.