Originally Posted By: ecrofutt
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Wow, I’m surprised that 30 people have seen this and no one has welcomed you or responded yet. Usually pretty prompt responses on the boards. Welcome to the NACHI message board. I’m in Kentucky so not completely familiar with PA issues, but I’ll give it a stab.
First thing I'd do is change the nick. Grumpy?? Smile once or twice, I promise it won't kill you.
What kind of injury forces you out of the trades that will still let you climb thru attics and crawl thru crawl spaces?
If you've not already signed up for your course, I'd get some more input from the guys before doing so. Remember, most of us only attended one, if any, so tend to favor the one we went to. If we went to two it was because the first one stunk. I went to the Midwest Inspectors Institute in Leavenworth, KS, price included hotel room and all meals.
http://www.midwestinsp.com Class for 9 days from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, then homework. Another 6 or 7 days of field training. Not much time for
s#!t. You pay to learn, they teach you good.
In PA, I believe membership in a NATIONAL organization is not only essential, but required by law. NACHI, NAHI, ASHI and others meet that requirement. As a new Inspector in Pennsylvania, I think you'll probably get the most help out of NACHI. There are some issues between NACHI and Pennsylvania ASHI so don't expect to hear to much good about Pennsylvania ASHI from there or much good about NACHI from the ASHI Pennsylvania guys. Search this board and
www.inspectionnews.com message board about it. A lot has been written. Use search terms like "NACHI" and "PHIC" (Pennsylvania Home Inspector's Coalition)
http://phic.info . Research the fray before jumping into the argument, there's good and bad on both sides of the issue.
NACHI is growing and getting better all the time. Well worth the cost. However, I've also gotten a lot out of ASHI National. The ASHI Message Board for learning and support is far superior to any of the other message boards I've found. I'd pay twice the ASHI fee just for access to the helpful guys on that board and their years of wisdom.
Two or three hundred dollars a year for association membership is very well worth it if it's the right organization. Continuing education, sharing of information and experience, etc, are all very handy to have access to. My preference is for non-profit, member owned organization. Beware of the diploma, certification for a check, alphabet soup mills. Send them a check and they'll give you initials to put behind your name. NOT WORTH IT! They may sound good in the short term, but aren't worth the money in the long run.
If you really want an education about the home inspection business, take the time, (and it will take you some dedicated time) to read every message available on this message board and
www.inspectionnews.com message board. I did, it took over a week to do so, but damn did I learn a lot and saved myself many many many many many mis-steps in getting started.
The very best advice I can give you is NOT TO MAKE ANY COMMITTMENTS TO ANYTHING: TOOLS, SCHOOLS, OR ORGANIZATIONS until you've followed the advice in the paragraph above. You'll get real life advice (along with opinions and you remember what those are like) and there is no shortcut to it. Read those boards. Every stinking message.
Good Luck and Welcome
Erby Crofutt
B4U Close Home Inspections
Georgetown, KY
www.b4uclose.com
guys sorry I din’t write to each individualy but I’m kinda busy