He could likely answer technical questions all day. But then where would InterNACHI be?
We’d be on your message board trying to drum up attendance for our meetings. LOL
Kinda sounds like your saying the membership isn’t that important to be bothered with, what other issues besides the support and education of your membership could be taking up the time of the official “internachi educator”?
That appears to be his main role, so you say…
It’s simply too inefficient to have our Director of Education do that.
Ben does a webinar every month that has between 1,000 and 3,500 attendees… every month. Just one of his webinars is equivalent to a year of all inspection events in our entire industry, combined. The online inspection courses he is constantly improving are taken millions of times. Yes, I said “millions.” Those courses have received 1,400+ governmental approvals: www.nachi.org/approved.htm And soon we’ll be able to issue an actual accredited college degree in inspection.
InterNACHI is on a totally different scale when it comes to inspector education.
It’s not working.
The reason we come to your board promoting the meetings is because your membership has so many questions they can’t get answered here, unless I or another code versed individual answers them. On one hand I can count the number of Home Inspectors commenting on and using building codes in their home inspection reports. I’m one of only 3 I know of in my state.
I had one of your members call me today looking for information on impact rated assemblies, and I get 3-4 calls a week like that from your membership. Your courses are watered-down versions of the same old information inspectors have been sharing for years, it’s outdated by centuries and useless in our state.
We don’t come on your board to “drum up attendance”, we come here because we know the wanting need for information exists…and it can’t be satisfied here. Like you said, you are nothing more than a “business consultant”, nothing wrong with that. But, when you assume the position of self proclaiming your qualifications to teach others in a practice that commands a background in the industry, and not realty, that is where I take issue.
Building codes are a minimum, it’s the least a contractor can do without being arrested. When you perform to those standards, you are at the bottom of the barrel. Now, as a licensed certified construction professional (HI) you are going to walk into a structure and say “I’m not even going to perform to those standards because this is just a home inspection”, what the heck are you looking for, missing toilet paper?
Try this one on for size: Go apply for a job, any job…even McDonald’s, walk in and ask them what’s the least you could get away with doing and still have a job? Tell me if you get hired…
This is what a home inspector does when he performs to the state standards, which are more stringent than yours.
I suspect there is a reason there are only 3 of you in the entire state doing that. But hey… knock yourself out.
That’s it, “free carpet cleaning” is your response?
One of the three is Jeff Hooper, you know him…right? The inspector you said was one of the “best in the country”, I still have the link if you would like it?
Checking for code compliance is similar to cleaning carpets in that they are both outside the scope of a home inspection. I hate cleaning carpets.
Again though, if that is what you want to provide with your home inspections… feel free to knock yourself out.
John, forgive my ignorance, but I thought in order to get the ICC Building Code Inspector designation that you had to be a Florida Licensed Building Code Inspector as a prerequisite. At least I though I read that somewhere on the application. I did not think if you were merely licensed as a Florida HI that you could “genuinely” qualified for the ICC Building Code Inspector Designation, nor, legitimately qualify to take the test for (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural). Again, this is just the impression that I was under. Maybe you can clear that up. Any input would be appreciated.
Just out of curiosity what do you do when you state something, like the AC condenser unit needs to be secured to the pad and you get challenged on it. How are you going to prove your point without referencing the code. This has happened many times. You look like a fool if you can’t back up your statement
Hiya Bill, not sure if that is directed at me or Nick. However, I am fairly well versed in code. I own the code books and studied them extensively. I qualified for, took, and passed the GC exams a few years ago but decided not to take it all the way as I really had no desire to become a GC. I did it for the education and challenge. I have been interested in taking the ICC Building Inspector course, however, didn’t because of the reason I stated a few posts ago. Please clarify if I may have been wrong in my translation of that, it has been a few years since I looked into it.
I just don’t see many incidents of home inspectors being challenged on some issue related to a code violation such that they have to find the actual code. It happens, but it is so rare that it makes message board news.
Furthermore, if I called out the issue you spoke of in my report, I would not reference the actual code that requires it. I would just say “AC condenser unit was not secured to the pad” and move on.
I generally try to report what I observe and not the course of action that should be take to rectify something. In other words, even though these two statements mean the same thing, I would use the former:
“AC condenser unit was not secured to the pad.”
“AC condenser unit needs to be secured to the pad.”
The former is an observation. The latter is a recommendation.
It is difficult for me to be “challenged” when all I do is report what I observed.
Guys, I know you are chomping at the bit to slam nick on his last post, however, please take a moment to give me your input and opinion on posts #47 & 49 relating to ICC. I am interested in taking them. You can continue the back and forth with Nick in a few minutes. Thanks
Ed,
So was the GC test fun and challenging enough for you? F that man get a hobby 
Anyone can take the test for ICC certification.
That’s an easy one. What does it matter what the age or code compliance is. What is the purpose for securing to begin with??? Why would code matter if you report that strapping your unit down will prevent it from flying away in the event of a storm.
In this situation, strapping serves a purpose, more than just code compliance.
Actually: M1307.2.1 Wind resistance.
Mechanical equipment, appliances and supports that are exposed to wind shall be designed and installed to resist the wind pressures on the equipment and the supports as determined in accordance with the *Florida Building Code, Building.*
Robert, your reply to Sean’s question is perplexing. Are you saying that something can’t be an issue on a home inspection unless it is also a code violation that you can reference? That’s the nuttiness your answer implies.
LOL…what?
Ask Ben, he should know…
How would Ben know what point you are trying to make. Sean asked a great question and you came back with a code reference. What point are you trying to make with such a reply? Are you saying that something can’t be an issue on a home inspection unless it is also a code violation that you can reference?
Like what?
I have met Sean, he knows I was being sarcastic…