International Association of Certified Home Inspectors

Jerame Schueler · #1 6/24/07, 11:39 AM

Hi all.
I'm a newbie thinking about getting into home inspections on my days off from the fire station. I've been around building and construction all my life and am pretty well mechanically inclined. Live in Green bay, WI, and as far as i know the state requirement is to take the state test and apply for a license.
My question is, are all of these online courses "legit" and worth the money. Or should i practice up on my own with the help of free online data bases and some text books. Also whats a good way to get hands on training and practice, Id feel a little out of place trying to talk with a future competetor for a couple of "ride alongs" to see what its really like in the field.
Any and all replays are much appreciated.

Thanks and have a great day,
Jerame

~~rcooke~~ · #2 6/24/07, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerame Schueler

Hi all.
I'm a newbie thinking about getting into home inspections on my days off from the fire station. I've been around building and construction all my life and am pretty well mechanically inclined. Live in Green bay, WI, and as far as i know the state requirement is to take the state test and apply for a license.
My question is, are all of these online courses "legit" and worth the money. Or should i practice up on my own with the help of free online data bases and some text books. Also whats a good way to get hands on training and practice, Id feel a little out of place trying to talk with a future competetor for a couple of "ride alongs" to see what its really like in the field.
Any and all replays are much appreciated.

Thanks and have a great day,
Jerame

Sorry Jerame you are just one of many who want to do this same thing .
Please look at how long that most on this BB have been in business. 90% or more who start into home inspections do not last three years.
It is costly and very time consuming to get into ..
I have been in it for 8 years and have seen many many invest up too $10,000:00 and a lot of time to see that the light at the end of the tunnel and it is a train comming.
You will see many who want you to take there course or use their reporting system. You will see there are some who like me tell it like it is .
If you or others want to communicate off the BB please do not hesitate . Roycooke@sympatico.ca

Jerame Schueler · #3 6/25/07, 4:37 PM

Sorry, I didnt specify enough....
I am an optimistic.
Any positive feedback that wont completely crush my interest in this profession would be greatly appreciated.

My cup is still half full......

Jerame

ccurrins · #4 6/26/07, 1:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerame Schueler

Sorry, I didn't specify enough....
I am an optimistic.
Any positive feedback that wont completely crush my interest in this profession would be greatly appreciated.

My cup is still half full......

Jerame

That is what it takes, optimism and dedication. I have only been an inspector for less than a year, though i have been in the remodeling and complete home renovation bus. for over 20. It is like any profession, there are people that succeed and those that fail. As far as courses, first find out which ones are approved by your state, if it is a licensed state. In my opinion on-line courses are better than a 6 day crash course and are far less expensive than any school. You can take your time and read through all of the books and learn. How much you already know about building construction,electricity,etc. does make a lot of difference. The biggest hurdle is marketing and building a client base. It takes time and persistence. Take the NACHI on-line examination to help you know where you stand.

Nick Gromicko · #5 6/26/07, 1:58 PM

http://www.nachi.org/education.htm

Kenneth Lott · #6 6/26/07, 4:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerame Schueler

Sorry, I didnt specify enough....
I am an optimistic.
Any positive feedback that wont completely crush my interest in this profession would be greatly appreciated.

My cup is still half full......

Jerame

there you go jerame, you can do anything you set your mind too, don't let the inspectors who are afraid of competition discourage you, you came to the right place for info, if you can't find it on nachi.org then it is not there. godspeed

Kenneth Lott · #7 6/26/07, 5:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcooke

Sorry Jerame you are just one of many who want to do this same thing .
Please look at how long that most on this BB have been in business. 90% or more who start into home inspections do not last three years.
It is costly and very time consuming to get into ..
I have been in it for 8 years and have seen many many invest up too $10,000:00 and a lot of time to see that the light at the end of the tunnel and it is a train comming.
You will see many who want you to take there course or use their reporting system. You will see there are some who like me tell it like it is .
If you or others want to communicate off the BB please do not hesitate . Roycooke@sympatico.ca

what's up with this roy are you trying to privately steer people away from nachi now.

Larry D. Kage · #8 6/26/07, 5:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klott

what's up with this roy are you trying to privately steer people away from nachi now.

Jeez, Ken, it looks to me like Roy was offering help personally if someone wanted.

I hope your health hasn't affected your mental state negatively.

Godspeed.

Jerame Schueler · #9 6/26/07, 5:57 PM

well thanks for your input guys. didnt mean to turn this into a debate. Im sure everyone was just being supportive in there own, maybe middle twisted, way. XD I'll keep on probing this question. As i stated before im a full time firefighter. And am still debating if this will be worth the time and effort in the long run for something to do on my days off. thanks all for your help.

Jerame

Matthew M. Berman · #10 6/27/07, 10:23 PM

Just go for it , dont let any nay sayers get you down.I have been inspecting for 16 years and i love every minuite of it. There are good days and bad days and days when you still learn something new.Learn all you can prior to starting. Practice on friends and family till you get a good routine.You had to be a rookie fireman first and you still learn all the time right.Study all the courses nachi has to offer and ask a lot of questions on this bb,Matt

Adam Veitenheimer · #11 12/14/07, 4:36 PM

damn cooke, you been downsizing poeple and your own industry for some time now, what is wrong with you, there are so many grreat people on here, and so many people tryin to become or join this great thing and all i ever see is you down sizing everyone and everything...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcooke

Sorry Jerame you are just one of many who want to do this same thing .
Please look at how long that most on this BB have been in business. 90% or more who start into home inspections do not last three years.
It is costly and very time consuming to get into ..
I have been in it for 8 years and have seen many many invest up too $10,000:00 and a lot of time to see that the light at the end of the tunnel and it is a train comming.
You will see many who want you to take there course or use their reporting system. You will see there are some who like me tell it like it is .
If you or others want to communicate off the BB please do not hesitate . Roycooke@sympatico.ca

bschumacher · #12 12/14/07, 5:03 PM

This industry does take a lot of time and effort plus a thick skin because many people will try and give you all the negatives which is very helpful if you have the ability to pick through it. But if you have the drive, knowledge and sticktuitiveness you may survive. Oh and be realistic with goals and expected success levels it does take time!

As far as education I would DEFINITELY recommend it. There is always something to be learned even if its not required. Personally I liked the AHIT (based out of New Berlin, WI) at home course it was very informative most I already knew but there was a lot of information I didn't also IL requires 8hrs of lab time so i did two inspection walk-throughs with the instructor here and met with other students and bounced ideas off them as well. Just do your research in selecting your educational institution to verify they are not some fly by nighter.

Good Luck

~~rcooke~~ · #13 12/14/07, 5:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Veitenheimer

damn cooke, you been downsizing poeple and your own industry for some time now, what is wrong with you, there are so many grreat people on here, and so many people tryin to become or join this great thing and all i ever see is you down sizing everyone and everything...

Adam all I can say is shame on you .
You have exactly no idea what you are talking about .
I have been doing Home inspections for some time .
Why would you want me to lie to some one when they need to be told the truth .
I have no idea what you know but my advice is to read just a little more before you put your other foot in your mouth .
Now Thats of my Chest .

I have given My phone number out to help many Home Inspectors .
I am at this time mentoring two home inspectors on a regular basis.
I have from the get go been positive but I also tell it like it is .
With your attitude unless you change drastically you will have a tough time making it as a home inspector .
For starts go here and read
http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthrea...ghlight=Mentor
If and when you want help I will do what I can to give it to you.

.... Cookie

phinsperger · #14 12/14/07, 5:38 PM

James E. Braun, CMI · #15 12/14/07, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerame Schueler

Sorry, I didnt specify enough....
I am an optimistic.
Any positive feedback that wont completely crush my interest in this profession would be greatly appreciated.

My cup is still half full......

Jerame

Good for you. LOL
Do not quite your day job right away and you should do fine.
NACHI is the place to join to get affordable education.

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