Licensing Helps HIs/Yes or No?

[Gary Farnsworth]

I agree. With cheap inspectors doing soft reports, and full time inspectors seeking separate designations, we need something more. Even CMI's are getting the brush-off from RE's, because they do not want us doing the inspections for fear we will find defects that the cheap inspectors do not. We need to report on ALL accessible visual areas/items of a home, not just a select few that SOP's and state laws allow.

I may state your point, Brian, to a few state lawmakers if that is OK. Systems have changed. This is the only industry that you must know just about everything about a home and all of it's systems. Show me another person or industry that can do this. Home builders cannot, because they do not do the work. They hire hundreds of contractors to do various system construction. Engineers cannot, because they are only educated in one area. Contractors only know their area that they work or are trained in. One educational provider cannot teach anyone about all home related areas. Go to a seminar, and note the number of teachers there are. RE's and lawmakers, and their attorney buddies just do not get it.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

I agree. With cheap inspectors doing soft reports, and full time inspectors seeking separate designations, we need something more. Even CMI's are getting the brush-off from RE's, because they do not want us doing the inspections for fear we will find defects that the cheap inspectors do not. We need to report on ALL accessible visual areas/items of a home, not just a select few that SOP's and state laws allow.

I may state your point, Brian, to a few state lawmakers if that is OK. Systems have changed. This is the only industry that you must know just about everything about a home and all of it's systems. Show me another person or industry that can do this. Home builders cannot, because they do not do the work. They hire hundreds of contractors to do various system construction. Engineers cannot, because they are only educated in one area. Contractors only know their area that they work or are trained in. One educational provider cannot teach anyone about all home related areas. Go to a seminar, and note the number of teachers there are. RE's and lawmakers, and their attorney buddies just do not get it.

Go right ahead, Gary.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

You make a great observation Brian MacN. about new building practices.
How many of those new building practices will be tweaked before a standard is set.
Also how many homes are as you describe?
Energy efficient homes started being built when, and how many are there as compared to the rest of the residential buildings that make up a majority of the homes being inspected.
That is the question that should be asked before you start writing up a new SOP.
You are in a rush to make new standards.
Those new building practices have to catch up to education and traing.
They ( new building practices ) are being tweaked and studied as we speak .
It will take time and so should we.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by ryoung7

You make a great observation Brian MacN. about new building practices.
How many of those new building practices will be tweaked before a standard is set.
Also how many homes are as you describe?
Energy efficient homes started being built when, and how many are there as compared to the rest of the residential buildings that make up a majority of the homes being inspected.
That is the question that should be asked before you start writing up a new SOP.
You are in a rush to make new standards.
Those new building practices have to catch up to education and traing.
They ( new building practices ) are being tweaked and studied as we speak .
It will take time and so should we.

Robert:

Some of those standards have already been set in the NBC; your jurisdiction may or may not have adopted the particular part of the model code.

For example: a fresh air distribution/exhaust air system has been required in homes since 1995. In my area, I was installing HRV's for homes/small commercial in 1981. Before the code requirement, many new homes had duct systems roughed in for an HRV/air exchanger; it was up to the buyer to decide if their lifestyle/family size & habits actually required the unit.

I started working in residential energy efficiency/heating in 1977. It is frustrating to see it took 30+ years for it to begin to take hold!!