Gov Christ signed SB2234 this evening

[lcapaul]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Whatever the actual numbers are, Lewis (although I used the words "Official count" I am only estimating from the many posts from this New York school that advertises its classes being "full" on a regular basis) the fact is that in states where licensing laws are passed....in a matter of weeks....HI schools spring up and begin recruiting students to fill these classes. In turn, after these schools begin pumping hundreds of home inspectors into the market.

The ASHI president interviewed in Maryland when that law recently took effect mentioned how in Illinois, before the licensing law, they had a total of 450 inspectors. In the year following the law, they had over 3,500 licensed inspectors and they happened to have many schools cranking them out, as well.

These are the facts and they are there for anyone to discern on their own.

HI Schools spring up in Unlicensed States also, along with Internet schools and "educational opportunities" offered everyday by email.

My question, which I've asked you before pertains to where you get the "numbers" of inspectors in a State prior to regulation, you said that Illinois had only 450 or so Home Inspectors prior to Licensing and then jumped to 3000+, where did the 450 come from, how do you estimate the number of Home Inspectors if they are never required to register or be counted. Contractors, carpenters, electricians, Pest Inspectors, and many other trades perform Home Inspections in unlicensed States, they are counted as Home Inspectors until they register.

If there is no requirement to be a Home Inspector in a State, it's reasonable to assume that HI Schools will not flock there, why would anyone pay thousands of $$$$$ to attend a school they don't need to, it's a lot cheaper to just buy a flashlight, a ladder, a screwdriver, and some business cards. If there is no need for a school within a State, then enrollment would be pretty low wouldn't it?

[Joseph Burkeson, CMI]

Originally Posted by lcapaul

If there is no requirement to be a Home Inspector in a State, it's reasonable to assume that HI Schools will not flock there, why would anyone pay thousands of $$$$$ to attend a school they don't need to, it's a lot cheaper to just buy a flashlight, a ladder, a screwdriver, and some business cards. If there is no need for a school within a State, then enrollment would be pretty low wouldn't it?

Because the notion of being able to enter into a business like home inspection with just a flashlight, ladder, screwdriver, and some business cards is at best an urban legend and at worse just plain nonsense.

Florida has since 2001 had at least three HI schools that I know of transforming a slew of last weeks burger-flippers into this weeks home inspectors. As we all know, the home inspection business is a referral business, the schools provide a source of instant creditability that allows the would-be home inspector neophyte a foot in the door of the real estate offices, hence their purpose, growth & success.

Things were hit & miss though until about 2004 that is when the good-&-cheap home inspection software hit the streets which allowed newbies to pump out professional looking reports just like the guys who were in business for a decade, ain't technology grand?

[Joe Farsetta]

With regard to NY and our licensing law, and more importantly the fine folks at the NY State Dept of State, Division of Licensing... I will repeat what I have said on this message board several times previous to this:

Despite all the bumps, trials, and tribulations... inspectors, educators, and wanna-bees alike, here in the Empire State, were very fortunate to have the folks we have at the State level implementing the plan. They implemented licensing in as fair and equitable and compassionate manner as possible. They were given a task, and a short timeline. They performed well.

As licensng moves forward, they continue to exhibit professionalism at every turn. I thank them, and applaud them.

I hope other states take a queue from our DOS in NY.

As far as Bill Merrell's school goes, I do not have any "official" or "unofficial" number of students who have passed through its doors, nor does NACHI; only Bill knows.

I do know that Bill operates a well run school, which has been in business for several years prior to HI licensing. He is approved by the DOS and DOE, and educates those interested in other licensed professions (such as Real Estate, Appraisals, and ParaLegals), in addition to Home Inspectors.

His school is both compliant and tremendously successful. His HI courses are state approved for CE credits, as well as for qualifying credits. From what I have personally observed, he crosses all "t"s and dots all "i"s. He has to...

It matters not what the numbers may or may not be. The fact is that his students become licensed. He's doing something right, and his school is no hole in the wall, either...

As far as this thread is concerned, and any numbers which have been bandied about, it's NOT a NY Licensing thread. It's a FLorida thread. I believe Jim was trying to make the point that licensing solves nothing.

These laws can be called the "be careful what you wish for" laws. Once licensing is in place, a minimum level of competency is established by the state involved, and schools providing needed education open their doors. Remember, licensing must be INCLUSIONARY, not EXCLUSIONARY.

So, with a path established to licensure, the mystery is removed, and everyone can learn to be an inspector by attending sanctioned classes.

Unfortunately, Bill was used as THE example, because he operates a very successful training facility for HIs, he supports NACHI by bringing in new members, is widely advertised (on the Internet and via print media), and is widely known.

Bill, looks like you're damned if you do, and damned of you dont.

[James H. Bushart]

The states who are presently unlicensed are being heavily lobbied by certain education providers who are pushing for laws that will mandate attendance in their classes. They promise teaching positions to ASHI leaders who assist them with this endeavor.

The result, after they are successful, results in unwanted legislation providing a large influx of new competition in an already saturated market.

[lcapaul]

Because the notion of being able to enter into a business like home inspection with just a flashlight, ladder, screwdriver, and some business cards is at best an urban legend and at worse just plain nonsense.

Other than a $6 receptacle tester what else would an Inspector need to perform a Home Inspection in accordance with the NACHI SOP, let alone independent inspectors who have their own, or no SOP at all? There are many Inspectors out there that have nothing more than what the "urban Legend" says they need.

I know of 4 schools in Washington State that "cranking out new Home Inspectors", and Washington is still unregulated, it's my understanding that Florida will require Schools to be approved by the State, the same as in the Washington proposal, wouldn't having Schools that are Accredited by the State and who actually teach a curriculum approved by the State be better than the "hole in the wall" fly by night schools that are allowed now? There will probably be some pi$$ poor schools approved by any State, due to the nature of the politicians we elect, but those could be brought to the attention of the same politicians, the public, and other Home Inspectors through message boards such as this one.

As far as software, I believe it has helped everyone to provide better reports to their clients. You and James also seem to forget that many of these "New Students" are, as Bill M. pointed out, already Home Inspectors or members of various Trades involved in Home Construction, most are not probably Burher Flippers.

You guys keep talking about licensing making everyone "equal" in the eyes of consumers, again, that's only true for those consumers who are fools. Take a 16 year old kid who gets his drivers license for the first time, is he "equal" to say a 35 to 45 year old who has been driving for 20 or 30 years? They may be equal in the eyes of the Law, but they certainly aren't equal in the eyes of Insurance Companies. When the Florida Law takes effect Joe, you won't be "equal" to those who are entering the Home Inspection Business for the first time, you will still have all your years of experience and all your years of establishing your business behind you, but those Newbies will at least have to meet some kind of minimum standard, more than they need now.

[pmenendez]

FYI, take a look at the changes we recently experienced to the original bill for the My Safe Florida Wind Mitigation or whatever it's called. The present Gov decided he wanted to change it. Probably to move some of the moneys to those areas such as schools being cut due to the cut real estate tax. It's politics guys and gals and you might as well sit back and watch it unfold. Basically, I would say we now need to get to the Gov to make changes that work for us all to include the Grandfather clause for starts. Shouldn't we get credit for the jobs, CEU and original classes we were involved in? As for the Real Estate agents lobbying for the HI license... we all know plenty of them that regardless of the license they have... there's plenty of air in them there heads...

[Mathew Hawley]

All in business should meet the grandfather clause. There are changes in the works for this bill. As NACH members we must be involved with the changes to help ensure the bill protects BOTH consumers and inspectors and is fair to all in business.

FL NACHI must get organized and be involved every step of the way with the changes.

[gporter]

Yes. Lets do it.

[Mathew Hawley]

Hey Gary,

I'm not sure where to start. Maybe Jay or Greg can point us in the right direction. I'm pretty sure they are going to have workshops to fine tune the bill and make changes. Maybe DBPR will have this information we should look in to it. It seams like everytime i'm on the phone with the state I get the run around and am on hold for 20 min, only to find out I was transfered to the wrong dept.

I will make some calls this week and see if I can get any info. I hope all is well. Talk to you soon.

[gporter]

Guess what. Lou Pearlman is in the area that I supervise. He said hi the other night. Thats Chuckles buddy. Should I sing a tune for him called the Home Inspector Blues? or Chuckles stuck it to us.

[Bill C. Merrell, CMI]

Thanks Joe for the kind words.

Still cannot understand how my name was mentioned in a Florida licensing posting with no real facts or figures, other than an assumption.

For the record, I have been teaching since 1983 in NYS and have no plans on relocating to Florida. We were the first ce school for appraisers in NYS, the first ce school for Home Inspectors ce on LI (2nd in the state) 3rd for Licensing for Home Inspectors, and we have been successful at our present Long Island facility which we have been at for 2 decades. We have been teaching licensing for real estate and appraisers for over 20 years.

NYS approved me to teach in the 1980's when I was actively working in the field. Yes, my background is as a Real Estate Broker, A General Certified Appraiser and Home Inspector. Currently, I am busy enough with educational matters and investing, that I am pleased to assist others to meet educational goals set forth in NYS.

If anyone needs assistance in writing proposals, courses, etc., I do have experience and may be able to help fellow educators in Florida as I have with many programs in NY, which have been accepted in other professions in Florida.

Much luck and success to Florida Home Inspectors.