Originally Posted By: gbell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
It is a shame that our efforts here were tainted with the “is your inspector blind” and the bashing of ASHI.
Some positive events did occur from this endeavor. We helped a family that was faced with high unexpected expenses. Considering the costs they were faced with our support was minimal.
Florida is going to lead if it doesn't all ready the nation in the number of NACHI members. I wonder if all the media attention we received from this helped in any way?
The last update I have is about 3 months old. The family was offered a settlement that was not acceptable to them. The case is still working through the legal system. I will post when there is news.
Originally Posted By: Brian A. Goodman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Our entrance exam is not difficult, but it isn’t designed to be. It is an entrance exam.
But it's held out to be meaningful in some way?
I did not find the NHIE all that difficult either. I was told that it was sooooo difficult that I walked in somewhat nervous, but I got over it.
How hard the NHIE will be for any particular person will depend on how much knowledge/ experience / training they've already had. If you're just moving into the profession and must take it gain the right to work, it's tough. If you have significant experience it helps a lot.
I want to understand something about ASHI. Is it true that I could pay money to ASHI without having ever performed and inspection, become a "candidate" then do my first inspection as a candidate without ever taking any test or providing proof of passing a class?
Yes. However, there are two levels for candidates. You would only be a C-1 in that case; not able to use the ASHI name or logo at all, not listed in the online inspector search, etc. All you get up front is the right to start climbing the ladder and access to the organization resources (message board, technical documents, other members, etc.). To gain those other privileges you would have to complete 50 inspections, have them reviewed and verified by headquarters as complying with the SOP, pass the NHIE, and pass the SOP / COE exam. Then you would be a C-2, needing another 200 inspections (verified again at the end) to become a full member (the status one gets here for passing the entry exam).
So Blaine, let me ask you to be perfectly honest. If you were a well-informed consumer (which admittedly many are not) with no prior notions, would you choose a NACHI certfied inspector over a full member of ASHI?
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Since I am not a consumer and I am in the trade, I can not answer that question.
I can tell you that I was not affiliated with any association for the first 7 years I did this. I had friends that were ASHI members, and to a man when I asked them about joining they said, don't bother. ASHI wants your money, but they don't want you. I know at least two of them have left and come over here, the other two I'm not sure of, they may not even still be in the business.
I don't know of anyone, an ASHI candidate or someone who passes the NACHI exam who is a top notch inspector after their first inspection, their first 50 or even their first 250. I hope and would like to think that I am a better inspector now than I was even at my 2500th inspection, and want to continue to get better. But then, I would hope that all of us feel that way.
Originally Posted By: Brian A. Goodman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Since I am not a consumer and I am in the trade, I can not answer that question.
As you wish, but I think the answer is self-evident.
I can tell you that I was not affiliated with any association for the first 7 years I did this.
Ah-so. And at what point did you take the not-all-that-difficult NHIE?
I had friends that were ASHI members, and to a man when I asked them about joining they said, don't bother. ASHI wants your money, but they don't want you.
So why were they members, if membership had no value? Purely rhetorical, I don't expect you to answer for them.
I know at least two of them have left and come over here, the other two I'm not sure of, they may not even still be in the business.
I've noticed a growing tend towards dual membership from the ASHI side myself, don't know about what's running the other way.
I don't know of anyone, an ASHI candidate or someone who passes the NACHI exam who is a top notch inspector after their first inspection, their first 50 or even their first 250.
"Top notch" is highly subjective, but I understand what you're saying. I think a person can become reasonably competent in 50 inspections, but it takes a lot of various pieces coming together (training, construction trade experience, writing and people skills, hard work, CE, etc.).
Advertising hype of both groups aside:
NACHI has only a 1 rung ladder, and the first / only rung is close to the ground.
ASHI has a 4 rung ladder, but the first rung is ON the ground.
Both have thier weaknesses.
I hope and would like to think that I am a better inspector now than I was even at my 2500th inspection, and want to continue to get better. But then, I would hope that all of us feel that way.
Originally Posted By: Joel Corwith This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
bwiley wrote:
Quote:
Most notably the NHIE, required by AZ for state certification (as well as ASHI?).
Our entrance exam is not difficult, but it isn't designed to be. It is an entrance exam. I did not find the NHIE all that difficult either. I was told that it was sooooo difficult that I walked in somewhat nervous, but I got over it. 
I did not ask if either exam was difficult (they're not), what I asked is justification for the statement that the NACHI exam is superior to 'other exams'. The question still stands.
I want to understand something about ASHI Is it true that I could pay money to ASHI without having ever performed and inspection, become a "candidate" then do my first inspection as a candidate without ever taking any test or providing proof of passing a class?
I see nothing wrong with a non-""certified"" member receiving benefits without branding. Do you and if so why?
Again, what ~specifically~ makes the NACHI entrance exam superior to "other exams", namely the NHIE?
Uh, if that's the entrance exam, could you name one of the inferior ones for me?
I have treated this huge volume of information as a nuclear weapon and not publicized it (though many of these victims beg me to).
And so long as no other association or exam administering organization bothers NACHI... I will continue to restrain myself.
Gee Nick, that's awfully generous of you considering the 2-way blood bath that would ensue if either side ever really opened up on the other in the press. Two big losers, no winners...admirable restraint indeed. 
Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I am in Ft. Lauderdale tonight looking out my hotel window from the Westin (where tomorrow night's NACHI Chapter meeting will be held) looking across at the Hampton (where I was a speaker at an ASHI Chapter meeting a few months ago).
A year ago it would have felt like the Berlin wall was between us, but I think the Cold War is nearing an end. The ASHI meeting I attended had about 18 inspectors, NACHI's tomorrow will likely top 200.
The Kremilin even conceeded tonight... it's time for a V-Day parade.
Originally Posted By: Brian A. Goodman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
A year ago it would have felt like the Berlin wall was between us, but I think the Cold War is nearing an end.
There are signs...
The ASHI meeting I attended had about 18 inspectors, NACHI's tomorrow will likely top 200.
Call me crazy, but I think you might be more popular with the NACHI crowd to start with.
The Kremilin even conceeded tonight... it's time for a V-Day parade.
Uh, conceeded what exactly? A V-Day parade, as in "victory"? You just can't help it Nick, you're a hype fountain, freely flowing. 