Official Report on Florida Licensing

[Joseph Burkeson, CMI]

Originally Posted by dedwards

FAPHI has never changed its position on licensing. If anything FAPHI has been the only one sticking to its original opinion and hasn't waivers one inch.

Doug,

I agree, FAPHI has been resolute in their position on home inspector licensing and their approach has garnered much support within the profession, but they are not the only group to be steadfast with their position. FABI has also held fast to their vision of licensing too, and no one knows how this will end up, but this is a given... home inspectors in Florida will one day be licensed.

I have said it before and I will say it until licensing arrives... get involved and be prepared so that no matter what happens you will not suffer from the pending legislation. Get the accredited training, pass the proctored tests, acquire the verifiable CEU's; should licensing be delayed the worst that can happen is that you become a better, more respected home inspector who is able to charge a higher fee for your service.

[Richard L. Bennett]

Doug

I am not trying to re-light an old fire here BUT

1. Posting on this BB does not get the message to many FL inspectors
2. Most don't have the time or money to get involved
3. Most don't know what to do when they do get involved
4. A bill to regulate about 5000 people (my guess) in Florida sort of an over kill UNLESS it is a good bill
5. A good bill protects the public not HI's
6. A good bill does not have requirements that have little or nothing to do with protecting the public
7. A good bill looks at all HI's not just the new person
8. A good bill asks for a test of knowledge to get started and for RENEWAL additional knowledge and experience
9. A good bill does not require a lot of $$ to enter the profession and to maintain same

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Doug

I feel that many feel that past bills were very good or at least good enough to work with. And failed for not one but many reasons

My question is NOW what??

I AM NOT ONE TO JUST TRUST A SMALL GROUP TO TELL ME HOW MY PROFESSION IS GOING TO BE REGULATED.

If Domino is one of the keys Ok.

-----------

As a real short note if a draft bill were to be presented with signature support of 3000 plus HI's it sure would help to get it passed. Better that 500 plus sending emails against a bill.

So thank for you and Jay for posting of the results of the workgroup. Keep up the good work.

Now what?? Sure don't like the idea of just siting around waiting for information to hit the BB

rlb

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

Richard,
Its always been my belief if you want answers go to the source. Anyone smart enough to start their own home inspection company has enough gray matter to talk to their reps. You would be surprised just how easy it is. Many of them are just working people. Unlike our reps in Washington our State reps actually have to have real jobs in order to live. Call them up and make an appointment. Send an email, or a letter. I call them on the phone. I always ask who I am talking to. Take notes, better yet write down the questions you intend to ask before you call. Right now its just a matter of finding out what the Reps are doing and what the bill contains. Thats how we got information last year and all the years before. By asking questions. You made one comment I need to touch on. A good bill HAS to protect both or all parties equally. At least in the State of Florida it does. No law or bill can favor one of the effected parties over another. There are valid reasons for licensing, no argument there. HOW and WHO gets to determine this has always been the sore spot for most. When you see people pushing something and those same people stand to make the most money from it to the exclusion of others than it is wrong. Should there be standards, absolutely! FAPHI's position paper even states this not just once but many times. Too many other States have had HI bills rushed thru only to regret it later because everything was not thought out or considered. A couple of workshops conducted by folks who don't know a home inspector from home plate may not be the answer. The workshops gathered a lot of information but only because there were HI who made themselves available to explain some the nuances. Even then if you read the outcome it appears at least to me that they came away with just as many or more new questions about Home inspectors and Mold Assessors than they began with. Face it. This is a very unique profession we are in. Nothing ordinary about it and yet too many want to shove us into a square hole. I suspect from listening in here to people over the country that Home Inspections in say Washington State may not be the same as here in Florida. Heck, for that matter I saw trucks in Orlando that said this Inspector would come out and catch a damn snake if you needed him to. I don't know about you but I don't do SNAKE! I would really like to see Florida take the time and the effort to really do it right but first has to determine does it need to be done at all. Has there been a demand from the public for HI licensing? Not around here. Maybe in south Florida, I do not know. Ive looked high and low and can not find any public outcry on the subject. That is one of the criteria in Florida. Is the bill fair to all parties? Many of these same questions were not answered at the workshops.

[gporter]

Wow this is why contractor are getting a bye on training.

Look at Bennett's bio

[Richard L. Bennett]

Doug

I now have some more answers as well as more questions

Tis a little late tonite to do much thinking but trust me I for one am not going to just sit around.

Have a good tomorrow

rlb

[Richard L. Bennett]

Gary

Which Bennett's bio??

rlb

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

http://www.flsenate.gov/Legislators/...chamber=Senate

[gporter]

Thinking about filing a little ethic's complaint since he is sponsoring a bill with grandfathering that could benefit his business. Someone has to ask me to first. Florida HI only.

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

Think about this first. Is what he is doing unethical? And if you did file an ethics complaint how long would it take to get anywhere to do anything? You and I could old gray men before anything was done about it if ever. One you would have to prove there was unethical behavior and at this point there really isn't any. Remember, this bill was on the Governor's desk last year so there was already plenty of time for anyone who had any doubts about the ethics involved to have already thought of it. It is important to always keep your eye on the ball especially when dealing with politics. I would be more inclined to approach his office in a manner that will gather helpful information and not in an adversarial role. Offer input rather than look for the booger behind the tree. I have read through the bill several times and I can't see where the bill even remotely looks like what Gov. Bush asked for so he could sign it. That may be where the bill gets to again this year. who knows? Go back and read last years bill and compare it to this years so when you do write or talk to your reps you can point out the deficiencies or the unanswered questions. What about the licensing board makeup? What about the required insurance? The training? How can the bill require something that is not even available to those who may want to get into the business. Is the bill going to put some out of business or curtail some of their ancillary inspections, lost revenue, lost jobs. NO politician can stand to hear those words. It creeps them out cause they know if they are part to losing jobs it will come back to bite them. Artful negociations is pointing out the benefits to the party you are trying to influence. Threats rarely work. Americans just do not respond well to threats. We want to bow up.

[Jay Schwartz]

Originally Posted by gporter

Thinking about filing a little ethic's complaint since he is sponsoring a bill with grandfathering that could benefit his business. Someone has to ask me to first. Florida HI only.

Expand Gary??

[gporter]

He is a contractor and they have grandfathered contractor's in to the mold testing. I am going to make them think about the bill. He is painting his own wagon

[John M. Acaron]

Oustanding job Jay. It shows the quality, experience and knowledge of our leadership within the NACHI organization. You have my support 100%. On behalf of our staff at HOMEINSPECTORUSA, LLC we congratulate you for a job well done! Success breeds success!

Regards,
John M. Acaron, CHI

[Wilfred O. Hellner]

thank you jay for all your support in this issue!!!!! and for NACHI

[Jay Schwartz]

Hi to all:

On 3/22 the HI Bill was moved to the criminal justice commitee for review. We anticipate the Bill to be attached to the current mold bill SB 1046.

Please note that both proposed bills is not what the Governor asked for in His veto letter.

I have received and keep receiving emails from concerned individuals and companies that are in favor and opposed to the Legislation as written.

Thanks for the feedback.
Email FLORIDANACHI@Bellsouth.net

[rglenn]

Will there be a background check added to the bill ? I know that when the Jessica Lundsford Act went into affect there was a sudden shortage of sports officials for high school across the state. Lots of felonies and sexual predators that were on the High School fields over the years.