Doesn’t that conflict with your earlier statement?
Michael, you conveniently copied only a portion of my post leaving out this line which appeared in the very same post:
I’m not out to get you Nick.
Wednesday is irrelevant, no?
Wednesday is very relevant because it shows that Jim’s claim that I’ve been interfering with the Bill is hogwash. With the exception of the molly letter, I only got involved 2 days ago.
So much for Jim’s theory.
LOL…When he was hyping THEN about how NACHI takes care of its members, the “Cohen Letter” was published in a thread entitled “InterNACHI Protecting Members’ Interests in Kansas.”
Since he abandoned it and decided to team up with Jeff Barnes, ASHI president of the fake coalition called KAREI whose dog belongs to Nick’s association, it is simply referred to as the “Cohen Letter”.
You are certainly proving, with every post, how nothing you have ever done or said means anything to anyone. You can pivot on a f’ing dime.
You sent the letter to help NACHI members in Kansas…now you are teaming up with Barnes for the NACHI members in Kansas. So far, you are the only one benefitting from all that you do (and don’t do) for the NACHI members in Kansas.
Things changed in a big way early Wednesday morning.
Would you care to elaborate on that statement??
Yes. Early Wednesday morning I received information, to my dismay, and despite my efforts to prevent it, that Jeff Barnes was appointed to the Board.
Big deal, that was a given from day one
Your poll is misleading. The question is not whether inspectors want to be “governed” by the state, but to be licensed (regulated) by the state.
Please fix the poll so it is not misleading.
You have some very valid points here, Jim.
Different groups, beit associations, private vendors or others (like marketing consultants or web site designers) have a stake and hope that they will increase their income if the states license HIs.
ASHI hoped to increase their membership, and their income and (most importantly) power when they went for licensing in Illinois.
But, I would hope to inform you, it did not work in Illinois. Please, I know that we disagree a great deal, but lets look at some facts.
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ASHI pushed licensing in Illinois, its home state. They worked with the state legislators (along with NAHI) and got the ASHI SOP in place as the state SOP. They even got a version of the NHIE put in as the state exam (but modified and administered by a private, third party, psychometric exam company (AMP).
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ASHI assumed that this would put them in the driver seat. But that didn’t happen. Why?
a) ASHI wanted all the “full members” (i.e., NHIE and 250+ inspections guys) to be grandfathered. That did not happen. These full members did not have to take the coursework, but only had to pass the “exam”. Many of these guys, with many years of experience, took the exam, thinking it was a snap ahd having been provided with the questions and answers, which were easily available ot ASHI members.
Guess what?
Only 41% passed!!!
The state pulled a fast one. They changed the exam!
That is why so many of the older ASHI guys either quit, or stared doing “illegal” inspections.
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ASHI thought that it would clean up by running schools. But, the state gave great help to the large community college system. When I was looking to get into HI, the private vendors were charging around $2000 (for a week long course) while the community colleges were charging under $400 (including books. REAL BOOKS, not just hand outs.) Most of the smart guys went the community college route.
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ASHI (and NAHI) thought they would clean up on state required CE. When I was first licensed, I went to these joke courses. Open bar, know nothing instructors and tests that were a joke. (people talking and openly comparing answers, no proctor and questions so easy that even Nick’s dog could pass).
Then, NACHI, the local chapter and the local members came forth.
Original cost of the required 12 hours of state approved CE, given by the lowest cost “vendor” (i.e., NAHI), $420 (two, 8 hour Saturday courses, given at a brewry!)
Now (given by the same vendor), 4, 3 hour courses. $360.00
Now (provided by the Chicago Chapter of iNACHI, non-NACHI member rate (NACHI members pay way less). $180. No one gets rich and no one gets paid (incorporated 501 (c) (6), federally audited not for profit).
So, there are increased costs, but they are a lot lower than the the “vendor” or ASHI or NAHI rates.
Besides, the NACHI courses are a LOT harder, a LOT more challanging.
So, I agree with you on most points, but I also would challage you that, in order to better our profession, chages have to be made.
Will all the old NACHI guys survive? No. But dead wood can be old or young.
Will all the ASHI and NAHI guys survive? Also no. Same reasons.
That’s my position.
Good post Will.
A couple of thoughts on licensing:
I stay pretty quiet, but have had some thoughts on licensing.
I’ve been and still am a licensed Contractor in California for a long time. I would say licensing is a dual edged sword.
Pro’s
Licensing gives a bit of recognition
I generally did better financially licensed
Here’s a BIG PRO
I think I get my background checked and a Sex Offender check once a year, If I become a criminal, my license is ***gone!! ***
How many criminals are competing for your business right now?
This is one of the few pluses I agree with, as a businessperson AND a parent, a minimal set of laws to verify that some A-hole who can’t get a job somewhere or anywhere… why not be a home inspector. There’s no laws about licensing…“who will know?”
After all, where I live now, there are SO MANY inspectors here that will inspect for $140 or so… I’ve almost said “why bother” - I would imagine a thourough background check, posting a bond and insurance would elimate a good portion of the competition here. Not that worried about it, unlike a lot of you, I’ve always had inspections as a side line for the last decade or so. I really enjoy doing inspections, wouldn’t want to give that up. Altough at times it does get busy.
Certified quite honestly, what the heck does it mean? Are we certifying our reports? Did we certify a house? Are we certified? Oh, NACHI certified me… That should make my client feel better? You get the drift…
I think as a whole, consumers are protected by licensing.
CON’S
I think my main concern with licensing laws would be the standards of practice possibly being mandated to inspectors on how to do their job. - That’s still good and bad. Depending on who/how something like that is written.
Is there really going to be experience necessary, or just a check book? Meaning, is this really going to be something that a state or municipality does something about or just collects a check. I think there is enough of that now. I had to have 5 Years experiece signed off by another contractor and/or building inspector vouching for me.
More government in one’s life. There is enough of that too.
Anyone have any other thoughts?
Yes, I’d like to comment on your post. Your post is sums up what I’ve been saying all along and why InterNACHI doesn’t officially take a pro-licensing or anti-licensing stand.
Shall I post your email where you asked me to draft one?
No one in Kansas or Missouri agree that you have the right to interfere with our fight against licensing. What people in Illinois or Colorado think is irrelevant as it applies to this case.
But I can certainly see why you need to reward approval where ever you can find it.
OK, who then at NACHI determines what is fair and unfair? Who at NACHI looks into the legal aspects of pending legislation? Did any one of the NACHI legal beagles even look at the Bill prior to it being signed into LAW? Or is that something that an individual should be responsible for??
I did. Other members did here on this very forum. None of us saw anything in the Bill that was anti-InterNACHI in particular. Looked association neutral. Which is why we didn’t interfere. Did you see something we didn’t? Where in the law do you see it?
You see, folks, if someone were to suggest a bill to pour poison into the water that would kill all home inspectors…Nick would call that a good bill, and would silently let the inspectors drink of the water and die.
But…if someone were to suggest a bill to pour poison into the water that would only kill NACHI members…his market, his source of income…that would require his intervention.
Do we all understand, now? Gosh…I don’t know about you but I sure feel a lot better.
I hate to admit it, but you are technically correct.
Are you suggesting that InterNACHI should become anti-legislation officially?
As you know, I’m personally anti-licensing and credit myself for continually arguing that licensing harms inspectors and consumers, and admiting that licensing helps only the association (you can find my posts all over this mb) so you’d have my support for such a movement.