New changes to Wind Mitigation Inspection rules in Florida.

[William E. Siegel]

$50 or $75 bucks hell. I just lost a bid because some jack*** is doing a 3000 square foot home for $275.00 including termite and wind mitigation. Lets just give them away for free now.

[Joseph T. Burkeson, CMI]

Originally Posted by wsiegel

$50 or $75 bucks hell. I just lost a bid because some jack*** is doing a 3000 square foot home for $275.00 including termite and wind mitigation. Lets just give them away for free now.

You ain't seen nothing yet, insurance inspections & licensing will drive standardization into our profession with that comes lower prices, much lower prices, count on it.

[Bruce M. Graham, III]

Originally Posted by gbell

Here is a link to the new form that was approved on 8-18-09.

http://www.floir.com/pdf/OIR-B1-1802_Rev_8-5-09.pdf

Greg have you seen the final 1802 without all the strike outs? if so how about a link? When can we start using the new form?

[Bruce M. Graham, III]

bump

[Greg Bell]

No I have not seen it. I have no idea when it will be released.

[Brian C. Hoagland]

I especially like #2 now. On every inspection the homeowner will need to provide the inspector with either the permit application date or the date of installation AND the FBC approval # for the product. There is no room for expertise or judgement or experience built into this form. Without these required fields of information the answer will have to be C. NO DISCOUNT exactly who does OIR work for.
Look how they have butchered #10. Instead of simply stating wether the structure meets the code for the location and wind zone they have broken it into a dozen stupid sections. I don't even have a clue why 4.5lb missiles are broken out as another large missile catagory. Must be something they decided NOT to tell us about or just invented. Why does 10A talk about garage doors but 10B doesn't? Are we to assume something?
I'll assume this, the OIR is listening to the wrong people and acting on bad advise. I really don't see any profit potential in this type of inspection in the near future unless something changes for the better.

[Jose F. uz]

I can tell you one of the BIGGEST clowns giving everything away is a Hialeah company Florida Building Engineering and Inspections, there web-site makes you think they've been around for decades when they actually incorporated December 2006, they also claim to have performed (get this) 1,000,000 inspections (false advertising) they are nothing but X$#@&^%$ if you know what I mean.

I ran into a Mitigation done by them on a 1947 frame home with asbestos siding--they gave it 100% re-enforced masonry.

[Jose F. uz]

By-the-way nothing has been finalized with the 1802 Mit form, nothing happened on the 18th of August.

Originally Posted by juz

I can tell you one of the BIGGEST clowns giving everything away is a Hialeah company Florida Building Engineering and Inspections, there web-site makes you think they've been around for decades when they actually incorporated December 2006, they also claim to have performed (get this) 1,000,000 inspections (false advertising) they are nothing but X$#@&^%$ if you know what I mean.

I ran into a Mitigation done by them on a 1947 frame home with asbestos siding--they gave it 100% re-enforced masonry.

[Darius H. Grimes]

Nick,

I am part of a workgroup made up of key stakeholders that are making recommendations to the Office of Insurance Regulation. Members need to be aware of s.627.711(3)(b) that makes filing a false or fraudulent form a misdemeanor of the third degree. There was a move by industry attorneys, during the public hearing on the form, to expand this to include language dealing with an application for insurance, this would make it a felony of the third degree with a much higher fine.

We do not know when the new form will go into effect, it is still being reviewed by OIR legal. As to the signature block there is a change added to allow insurers to accept inspection from other "approved entities" or individuals that do not meet the current licensing requirements. This does mean NACHI will need to go directly to insurers to seek approval for members to sign the forms if they are currently unlicensed.

I have not reviewed your mitigation course yet but I would be glad to assist members in addressing common problems and mistakes made using the currents form. Unfortunately the MSFH Training program did not address teh OIR form and inspectors who received only this training could be making mistakes when filling out the OIR form.

There are 2 documents that are available to anyone interested in learning more about these issues. The new 2008 Loss Relativities Study is out and while it is not incorporated into the new form yet, it probably will be worked in over the next year or so. the link is: http://www.floir.com/pdf/ARALossMitigationStudy.pdf

Another document inspectors need to read is the Florida Assoc of Independent Agents White Paper on Mitigation Fraud and Abuse. This is a fairly well written article outlining the time line and issues creating the mitigation discounts and problems in todays industry driving the requirement for all inspectors to be licensed with stiffer penalties for those making mistakes due to lack of training or industry knowledge. The link is: http://www.faia.com/core/contentmana...ust%202009.pdf


We have recommended that OIR consider an instruction sheet or training manual to accompany the new form to insure inspectors are all working with the same interpretations and understanding of qualifying mitigation features, not sure they will do that but there are several of us that work as technical advisors that are willing to do the work on this.

Sincerely,

Darius H Grimes CSI, CDT, CWMS
President- Disaster-Smart Consulting Inc
CRC 1327100
InterNACHI Member

[Virgil A. Wagner]

That news is great! Will InterNACHI be sending out a general email once the form gets approved (assuming it does) by OIR?

[Nick Gromicko]

Thanks!

Our new wind mit course is completed and waiting for the form.

[Joseph T. Burkeson, CMI]

Originally Posted by gromicko

Thanks!

Our new wind mit course is completed and waiting for the form.

The future is so bright I gotta wear sunglasses.

[Harry V. McBride, III]

Originally Posted by jburkeson1

You ain't seen nothing yet, insurance inspections & licensing will drive standardization into our profession with that comes lower prices, much lower prices, count on it.

I have to disagree with you Joseph. My prices will be going up. Probably alot. If I have a license and I have to complete CEU's to continue to have that license those fees will be pasted on to my clients. Do not think for one second that standardization is going to drive prices down it will do the opposite. This law will eliminate the bozos out there that can't afford to do the 120 hours of training and the continuing education.

[Steve Taylor]

Mr. McBride,
I respectfully disagree with you. Once licensing goes live and standardization comes in, Home inspections will become a commodity. Once they become a commodity, Price will always win. You raising your prices when the general contractors are giving away home inspections to gain the work on the back end will make for very little work for you. Licensing will actually allow more bozos into the profession while giving the appearance of legitimacy by obtaining the "coveted" state license. I sincerely hope that you are correct and that I am wrong. Time will tell.

Steve Taylor
Taylor Inspection Services, Inc.
Atlantic Beach Florida 32233
www.taylorinspectionservices.com

[Michael J. Vanek]

Guys nobody needs to charge less than $150 for a 4-point or wind. Now I didnt do the wind since the company I signed up with didnt get the bid and there was no inspection up in Ocala till the money was gone. There are guys here doing it that are not inspectors just using some company in miamis name to do them. The company sends them the lead and it pays 25 to 50 per home. No training needed just a camera. haha I cant wait to see a huricane come through and see all these half *** wind inspectors freek out. Tired of guys doing drive by inspections. I cant wait for the law to be here.