So…how did you qualify for your Florida Home Inspectors license?
The same way one would today. I went to an approved home inspection school, passed an approved exam, had a background check done, had my fingerprints taken, bought insurance, paid a fee to the state, and applied for my license.
So you didn’t use the grandfathering clause…are you sure?
So you have performed a home inspection, even taken home inspection courses, in the last 5 or so years. You are also a licensed home inspector in Florida, that requires CEU’s every renewal cycle.
And you are a CMI, a “master” inspector. To add, you are in Florida working on your house of horrors, that’s just a stones throw away from where I am.
Can’t see what the issue is…seems like it’s destiny.
There is a lot of great info here Nick you can not argue that.
I’ve performed a grand total of zero home inspections in the past 5 years. I’m not a home inspector. I’ve taken hundreds of hours of inspection courses though.
Yes, I’m a Certified Master Inspector.
Come visit me. I’ll be working there the entire month of May non-stop, every day. Grand Opening of House of Horrors® 2 - InterNACHI®
Well, I’m not sure if it was destiny but I think there aren’t many guys built to run an international trade association, one with operations all over the world. There might be about six of us who are good at it (the other five are in other industries and we all know each other). I’m not saying it’s a skill set that requires brains (it doesn’t), but is is a very rare skill set.
Robert, I told the other Sheppard (Kenton Sheppard) to contact you about the House of Horrors. Maybe he already did, if not, what is your email address?
I don’t get it, Nick. You say you haven’t done a home inspection in 20 in one post and 5 years in another post. I believe the 20 years. So why would you want a home inspection license. Doesn’t make sense, unless its only for bragging rights.
As for training, your own counsel stood up at FABI and stated that no home inspector should do any more than the minimum required on an inspection. That contradicts what you said earlier.
You used to call ASHI a diploma mill. I guess if it was good enough for them it is good enough for you. I know multiple inspectors that ran though your system, are now licensed, and don’t know crap. Don’t believe me, just look at the elementary questions being asked on the Facebook pages.
And in three months (maybe a little more) you have bought back three properties in Florida. What does that say about how your inspectors are inspecting? They have no fear, because they pay you a fee on every inspection they do, and give out worthless warranties for a short period of time. What is their incentive to raise the bar?
Unfortunately you have watered the inspection business down and turned it into a marketing game. This used to be an honorable business where we made money. Now it is a race to the bottom with little skill set
That’s because Robert asked me the number of home inspections I’ve performed in the past 5 years. I’ve done zero in the past 5 years.
How does having a license give one “bragging rights?” That’s nothing to brag about.
I instruct him to give little dinky associations bad legal advice . 
I still do. Unlike InterNACHI, you can join ASHI in under 30 seconds online with no courses, no quizzes, no exam, no nothing. Just a valid credit card. This link is under the “Join ASHI” tab on their site: https://www.homeinspector.org/Join/Application . I can’t make this stuff up folks. LOL.
No one tries to “lower the bar” just because they know we’ll buy the home back if their client isn’t happy. That’s just plain dumb. It is true that InterNACHI members who participate in www.nachi.org/buy “Have no fear.” That’s because the program removes almost all the liability out of inspecting and it protects the consumer at the same time. That’s a good thing for both parties. But think about how dumb your theory is. You are basically claiming that no one does good work unless they are afraid. You can’t get your shoes shined at the airport unless the shoe shiner works in fear of getting sued. That’s pretty close to the dumbest theory ever proffered on this message board. Not the dumbest, but pretty close to being the dumbest. Anyway, InterNACHI bought back 10 homes, three in Florida. You may think that is a lot. But think about this. InterNACHI members perform almost 20,000 inspections a day. Let me repeat that. We perform almost 20,000 inspections a day. I didn’t say a year, I said a day.
I don’t know what industry you were in before InterNACHI but I was there and dude… we had nothing. No online courses, no articles, no online training videos, no House of Horrors, no technical webinars, no decent textbooks, no image galleries, no emergency help, no system and component forums, no nothing. And finding a course on something specific like meth or trees or fire doors… forgetaboutit. All we had back then was some fat instructor telling jokes in front of a powerpoint being periodically interrupted by some loudmouth in the front row telling us all about how he found some over obvious defect or some other war story. This industry was crap before InterNACHI. www.nachi.org/benefits changed everything… for the better.
How does having a license give one “bragging rights?” That’s nothing to brag about. According to you, you have not done an inspection in 20 years. The purpose of having your license is what? With all of you knowledge both Robert and I have asked you to come down and do an inspection (I asked you about 1-2 years ago). I would have thought with all of you knowledge you would have jumped at the chance, but you refused.
I instruct him to give little dinky associations bad legal advice. Why would a lawyer give bad advise. Seems like that would only set him up for a law suit. And not too long ago you said everyone in Florida should join FABI. You have waffled on whether you know or like the association for sometime. Recently you just welcomed the president to your association. So which is it, or does your opinion change to suit your situation.
I still do. Unlike InterNACHI, you can join ASHI in under 30 seconds online with no courses, no quizzes, no exam, no nothing. Just a valid credit card. This link is under the “Join ASHI” tab on their site: https://www.homeinspector.org/Join/Application . I can’t make this stuff up folks. LOL.
nothing more than being a student in your association. Cant wait for the feedback on this one.
No one tries to “lower the bar” just because they know we’ll buy the home back if their client isn’t happy. That’s just plain dumb. It is true that InterNACHI members who participate in www.nachi.org/buy “Have no fear.” That’s because the program removes almost all the liability out of inspecting and it protects the consumer at the same time. That’s a good thing for both parties. But think about how dumb your theory is. You are basically claiming that no one does good work unless they are afraid. You can’t get your shoes shined at the airport unless the shoe shiner works in fear of getting sued. That’s pretty close to the dumbest theory ever proffered on this message board. Not the dumbest, but pretty close to being the dumbest. Anyway, InterNACHI bought back 10 homes, three in Florida. You may think that is a lot. But think about this. InterNACHI members perform almost 20,000 inspections a day. Let me repeat that. We perform almost 20,000 inspections a day. I didn’t say a year, I said a day.
That program only works if the defect is caught within the first three months. I never said no one does good work unless they are afraid. I said they have no fear because, if they miss something, they can just call you and use the program, if it will work depending on the circumstances. IF they are tired one day, so what - just rush though the inspection and if they miss, who cares. Actually you have a pretty nice thing going there. If 50% of the inspectors buy into that program you are collecting $50,000.00 per day. And I am curious, how many more claims have been put in that were denied. I am sure I will not get an honest answer to that one.
I don’t know what industry you were in before InterNACHI but I was there and dude… we had nothing. No online courses, no articles, no online training videos, no House of Horrors, no technical webinars, no decent textbooks, no image galleries, no emergency help, no system and component forums, no nothing. And finding a course on something specific like meth or trees or fire doors… forgetaboutit. All we had back then was some fat instructor telling jokes in front of a powerpoint being periodically interrupted by some loudmouth in the front row telling us all about how he found some over obvious defect or some other war story. This industry was crap before InterNACHI. www.nachi.org/benefits changed everything… for the better. Its obvious you were not in Florida back then. Education was taught in the classroom where things were discussed and good speakers were brought in. Nothing was taught to the minimum, as is is now. You like online classes because that is your business. I learn much more in a classroom situation. With the evolution of technology things have changed, but that doesn’t mean we all have to agree with it. I teach one of those classes you do not like. I also get students who only take online classes and then sign up for the field work. The ones who take the online classes are like looking at a deer in the headlights. When we go out they have not a clue as to what they are looking at or for. These are the types of inspectors you are flooding the market with. The client winds up paying in the beginning because for first two or three years they are learning on the job instead of apprenticing with someone to teach them how to do it correctly. The whole system is set up wrong because it has become all about money and not integrity any more, and you have found a way to exploit that, and get rich off of it. For that I commend you.
I disagree. Nothing about the buy-back program protects the buyer, it only protects the home inspector. The program will do absolutely nothing to prevent a buyer from receiving a poor home inspection, it only protects the home inspector from being sued. That process (suing the home inspector) is a system of checks and balances for the industry, for any industry. You have removed that.
This means that lesser educated home inspectors, one’s with absolutely ZERO experience in the industry, are now on a level playing field with more experienced inspectors who have put in their time to build their business. What’s next, uniform reports?
We (you and me) have a fundamental difference in ideology when it comes to this industry. I believe we are here to protect families and present them with information on how they can make their homes safer. I also believe that the gap between home inspectors and the trade industry needs to be closed. Essentially, that home inspectors need to work with, not against, other professions in the industry…this includes the use of building codes to support report findings.
I do have one challenge for you, please provide me with one instance where a home inspector was sued for using building codes in a home inspection report. I have searched for years and come up with nothing. Because it doesn’t exist.
The problem for you is that teaching home inspectors the building code is a long and arduous process that actually takes experience and building knowledge. Hands-on building knowledge which a majority of inspectors do not have. And experience they will not get at a house of horrors. There may be over 10,000 ways to install something incorrectly, but only 3 ways to install it properly.
But, the house of horrors will work because home inspectors don’t really care about the quality of their inspections, they care more about gimmicks and revenue. This will only change when they stop getting their training from other home inspectors and start getting it from people who actually know what they are talking about.
Mr Sheppard I personally take offence to your statement …“But, the house of horrors will work because home inspectors don’t really care about the quality of their inspections, they care more about gimmicks and revenue.” and " This will only change when they stop getting their training from other home inspectors and start getting it from people who actually know what they are talking about."
Frankly Yes I care about revenue it is after all what ultimately drives anyone to be in business, and while you might subscribe to the theory CMI is a gimmick, I know it is a marketing tool but one that is earned as well.
I have over forty years in building and renovation from complete ground up builds and that includes years in custom cabinet making and installations. I learned through hands on experience but also needed the online training in areas I felt I needed more information. I very much care about the work I put out.
As for people who actually know what they are talking about: I have yet to find a teacher in a home inspection course in any classroom I have attended that isn’t a failed business person or someone who simply received a general teaching certificate, picked up the course notebooks and started teaching. There is a truism for you here:those who can, do, those who can’t, teach.
I reviewed the sample report from your website…now I’m offended 
Tell that to this buyer: https://youtu.be/5pQpMt8_zx8 .
Thank you for endorsing www.nachi.org/buy program.
Who is the largest provider of International Code Council (ICC) courses in the world? Let me give you a hint: It starts with the letter “I” and ends with “I.” https://www.nachi.org/icc-safe-international-code-council-training-educational-courses.htm
I have nothing against building codes. Our House of Horrors homes are full of building code violations: https://www.nachi.org/school/internachi-university/house/
The problem with you is that you fail to recognize that a 30-year old roof installed absolutely perfectly to code will likely have a ton of issues that a home inspector has to discover and report. Most defects aren’t the result of code violations. Some are, but most aren’t. Stuff in the Universe just breaks, wears out, blows away, gets stolen, gets damaged, gets hit by hail, fails, outlives it’s useful life, etc.
I don’t think I have waffled on my opinion of FABI. The reason is that I don’t know anything about them. I may have glanced at their website three times in my lifetime and I’ve never been to any of their events. People who’s opinion I respect say they are a decent local association. That’s all I know of them.
Again, I’m not a home inspector. I’m an inspection association founder. Would you insist that the Commissioner of the National Football League go kick field goals with you?
A report is a snapshot of the day of the inspection. Our Buy Back program isn’t good for just 90 days after the inspection. It’s good for 90 days after closing.
None.
Yep. But then the attendees went and did real inspections and discovered that when they pulled up the driveway to their inspection job… there wasn’t a chair sitting there for them (like the ones in your classroom). There was a freaking full house sitting there at the end of the driveway. Hence: https://youtu.be/HofJaZIx6OM
Join me in my campaign to make home inspection training better by outlawing chairs.
InterNACHI recently and graciously donated all it’s chairs and power-point presentations to the ASHI School.
I’m pretty sure the International Code Council is the largest provider of ICC courses…ya think?
Also, unless you added some courses since Lisa made that same exact claim a few months back, you are not the largest provider of ICC approved courses…the American Wood Council is.
As for the last paragraph…the reason you think that is because you don’t know anything about our building codes (Florida).
How about a test…give me an example of a deficiency you find on a 30 year old roof covering in Florida where I would not be able to use the building code to verify it as a deficiency.
LOL…that one gave me a chuckle. You know the members of that association very well, the reason I know this is because a few of them helped you get this association started.
Nope. Not even close. We have 4 times the approved hours they offer. We also got our live courses recently approved bringing our total up to 78 approved courses: https://www.nachi.org/icc-safe-international-code-council-training-educational-courses.htm
InterNACHI is by far, the largest provider of ICC-approved courses in the world.
Exactly. That’s always what the “naysayers” say, about not reporting or intentionally not finding stuff :roll: Yawn. Gimme a break.
It’s all about the “scary”, “alarming”, or “nit-picky” way of talking/reporting.
No matter how much house and “business” training you find here, you’ll never find any training or education about what this business really is about or what it takes to “succeed”
This is a horrible thread for someone looking into getting in the home inspection business… and that guy is me. I want to make money and be trusted in my community. And you keep throwing around statements like that the new guys are gonna be on the same playing field as the veterans that have put in time in this field. What the hell do u think I’m gonna do…