Industry leader from New Jersey joins NACHI.

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1

Originally Posted By: gromicko
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I am pleased to announce that industry leader/ASHI member Michael Del Greco of West Paterson, NJ has joined NACHI.


Welcome aboard Michael!

--
Nick Gromicko
Founder
dues=79cents/day.

I much prefer email to private messages.

2

Originally Posted By: dedwards
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Welcome Mike

3

Originally Posted By: cmccann
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Hey doug,


Do you have any idea who Mike is?

--
NACHI MAB!

4

Originally Posted By: jbushart
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Chuck,


I do. Up until this announcement, he was only Michael Del Greco,a Licensed New Jersey Home Inspector License # GI0121 and a Member of the American Society of Home Inspectors Member # 102273, but now he is a member of the greatest home inspection association in the world. NACHI.

Welcome, Mike.

--
Home Inspection Services of Missouri
www.missourihomeinspection.com

"We're NACHI. Get over it."

www.monachi.org

5

Originally Posted By: dedwards
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Chuck,


Yeah, he is on the NJ State HI Advisory Board plus more stuff than I care to try and type. Been n HI business about 12+years, comes from a construction background. etc. etc.

6

Originally Posted By: cmccann
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Okay, just asking.

–
NACHI MAB!

7

Originally Posted By: rfarruggia
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I know Mike Del Greco, he is an excellent inspector, one of the very few that I have met who puts his clients interests in front of anyones. He is knowledgeable, intelligent and has a sterling reputation in this industry here. When he was named to the Advisory Committee, I lauded the appointment. He is one of the few inspectors who was providing mentoring as required by NJ regulations to aspiring home inspectors. He allowed me to join him on a few inspections of his when I was trying to get licensed. I learned a fair bit from him, especially stuff about how to treat clients.


He has, at least since his appointment to the Advisory Committee (this is the board which licenses inspectors here) used apparently every tool at his disposal to prevent new inspectors from becoming licensed, has repeatedly and publicly stated and written things and generally acted in a manner that is directly antagonistic to the goals of NJNACHI, repeatedly and intentionally ignored and misrepresented facts to support his position.

He is a tool of ASHI.

As anyone who is familiar with the history of home inspection licensure here in NJ knows, ASHI has worked very hard to institute and influence the licensing regulations. In the words of one of the sponsors of the original licensing legislation, ASHI had used deceit and misrepresentation to have regulations written and enacted not as a consumer protection act, but as a legal method to limit the practice of Home Inspection to a few of its members only. Repeated (recorded) testimony at numerous legislative hearings confirms this. I cannot begin to go over the history again in this post, but for those interested in the details, there is no better place than to read the newsletters at HICAG and follow the links contained within to the recorded testimony of the various hearings.

http://www.consumerprotection.ws/newsletters

Since I stopped going to the meetings of the Advisory Committee between November 2004 and July 2005, I personally have little first hand information about how Mike Del Greco has conducted himself as a committee member. But the public pronouncements of his as an indivual
http://nbs.gmnews.com/news/2005/0609/Letters/
to the "official" opinions of the board since his appointment
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/pels/minutehi/hi614.htm
exactly mimic the repeated statements of numerous ASHI members (and only ASHI members/officers) at the recent legislative hearings
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/archive_audio2.asp?KEY=ARP&SESSION=2004
All three of these links repeatedly contain the quote "This new bill would allow an 18-year-old high school graduate to obtain a full New Jersey home inspector license after less than three weeks in a classroom course and one week of field training". I have had conversations with ASHI officers where this direct quote was also used. This alone proves that Mike Del Greco is not fulfilling his obligations as a member of an independent authority, but as a defacto spokesman for ASHI.

At the September 2005 meeting of the advisory committee, Mike Del Greco spoke and acted in a manner incompatible to the intents and directives of the Governor and combined Legislature of the state by failing to immediately entact the provision of chapter 201 (this is the cumulation of what we have been referring to as A3983 on this board). This is a very direct, simple and straightforward piece of legislation that he, as a committee member (and now committee chairman) referred to as confusing. It is my sincere belief that he finds this simple legislation as confusing to avoid implementing it. The committee had the opportunity to immediately implement the provisions of paragraph 11 of chapter 201 with the license application of C___ T___ at the September meeting, but did not.
Mike Del Greco appeared to not be able to differentiate the difference between the enactment date and effective date of this legislation (this is an important point, as this bill was enacted into law on August 18, 2005, effective 180 days after signing. The committee concluded that the enactment date is February 18, 2006, and the effective date is in August 2006. this incorrect interpretation was corrected by at least 3 members of the public at this meeting, but was not acknowledged, at least not publicly, by the committee). Remember, Mike Del Greco and the other members of this committee are intelligent people, this failure to can be seen only as an attempt to delay implementation of the changes in the law that they oppose.
This law provides (among other things) that certain licenses be granted upon application, during 180 days after enactment. C___ T____'s application could have been considered at the September meeting. It was not, and was returned to the applicant to clarify and re-apply under the old regulations. This scenario will likely continue to happen to other applicants that apply in specific compliance to paragraph 11 of chapter 201 until the committee staff issues an application form that can be used. The committee (again, at least not in public) has not directed or authorized it's staff to produce any such form.

Considering that at this time there is an approximately six month delay in the time between applications being submitted to the committee and their consideration, coupled with the attempt of the committee to delay the effective date of implementation to August 2006 (again, they will hopefully correct themselves to change this to February 2006), there is an attempt to delay issuing licenses as directed in chapter 201. Because existing legislation prohibits unlicensed practice after December 31, 2005, this committee (and Mike Del Greco) is attempting to force qualified, insured and licensable inspectors to close operations form December 31, 2005 until they eventually get around to complying with chapter 201.

This specific issue is just one of the many ways that Mike Del Greco, as a member of the advisory committee has apparently conspired with ASHI to limit the number of persons permitted to perform home inspections in New Jersey. There are others, but I have a 9:00 inspection that I am already late for and I don't have time to post them now. I am disappointed with the action of this 3 person committee, and I know that a number of very senior members of our state government are similarly disappointed. Directives may soon be forthcoming.

I cannot welcome Mike Del Greco to NACHI. I know that you will read this Mike, and I invite you to respond here, in the only truly public forum available to this industry.

The information in this post is my opinion, and not necessary represent the opinion of anyone else.

8

Originally Posted By: jbushart
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Ray,


Accepting everything you say as truth, I still welcome Mike to NACHI with the hope that his association with us will help improve his perspective and his ability to better serve our members in New Jersey.

In order to continue his membership, he will be required to comply with our code of ethics - which he has not had to do up to this point. If you read the code in the context of your previous post, particularly in regard to his duty toward his fellow NACHI members, I think you will find that he is now accountable to us in a way that he was not before. I hope this will make a difference.

--
Home Inspection Services of Missouri
www.missourihomeinspection.com

"We're NACHI. Get over it."

www.monachi.org

9

Originally Posted By: jburkeson
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gromicko wrote:
I am pleased to announce that industry leader/ASHI member Michael Del Greco of West Paterson, NJ has joined NACHI.

Welcome aboard Michael!


Nick,

Seems that you you have a special attraction for high-ranking ASHI members named Michael, you are two-four-two in that category. Any Colorado pic's? ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)

BTW, just-sos-you-heard-it-first from the source Michael just so happens to be my Baptismal name, small world, hardly? Kismet!

--
Joseph Burkeson, RPI (Hooperette)

?Anyone who has proclaimed violence his method inexorably must choose lying as his principle.?
~ Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
10

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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icon_lol.gif


Now that is weird and funny!

![icon_lol.gif](upload://zEgbBCXRskkCTwEux7Bi20ZySza.gif)

--
Nick Gromicko
Founder
dues=79cents/day.

I much prefer email to private messages.

11

Originally Posted By: lungar
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Hey! Chuck;


I do believe you asked Doug a question? and low and behold JB answers are they both the same person? I don’t think sooooooo.


Regards Len

12

Originally Posted By: dedwards
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I do have to leave the keyboard on occasion to take of…er…personal matters. When I returned alas the question had already been answered.

13

Originally Posted By: jfarsetta
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Ray F and Phil Hinman lived through the debacle known as NJ HI licensing. It was an absolute nightmare for them. What happened in NJ was a roadmap to disaster, and was watched closely here in NY, so as NOT to make the same mistake.


It was THAT bad.

Like I said, Ray and Phil lived it, and know who the key players are. For the life of me, I cannot understand NACHI's willingness to tout someone like this joining our ranks, when those who's livlihoods were in jeapordy, and fought the good fignt, play second fiddle to those who fought to dsestroy them, and this organizations name in the state of New Jersey.

Follow the links Ray posted. Read it for yourself. Then ask yourself if this individual deserves any positive fanfare.

I say "no"

--
Joe Farsetta

Illigitimi Non Carborundum
"Dont let the bastards grind you down..."

14

Originally Posted By: bkelly1
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jbushart wrote:
Chuck,

I do. Up until this announcement, he was only Michael Del Greco,a Licensed New Jersey Home Inspector License # GI0121 and a Member of the American Society of Home Inspectors Member # 102273, but now he is a member of the greatest home inspection association in the world. NACHI.

Welcome, Mike.


Jim Bushart approves, why should Joe not?
15

Originally Posted By: jhagarty
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With my limited involvement in New Jersey issues, I can say Ray’s description is accurate.


I concur with Joe Farsetta's opinion.

--
Joseph Hagarty

HouseMaster / Main Line, PA
joseph.hagarty@housemaster.com
www.householdinspector.com

Phone: 610-399-9864
Fax : 610-399-9865

HouseMaster. Home inspections. Done right.

16

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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Joe Farsetta:


It appears he is not getting much "positive fanfare" as you say.

Face facts... as we become the lone association in this industry... and as more and more ASHI members join NACHI... we will eventually have EVERY inspector in NACHI.

Welcome to success.

--
Nick Gromicko
Founder
dues=79cents/day.

I much prefer email to private messages.

17

Originally Posted By: phinman
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I must say that Michael DelGreco joining NACHI raises a few eyebrows and questions about his motives.


I have had some ongoing email contact with him, some unsolicited and some I started.

A while back when he started his www.njhijobs.com site I asked to be listed on the site and he verbatim recited some of my 2004 Assembly meeting testimony asking why I would want to be placed on his website after investing over 50k in attempting to get a NJ License! He finally put me on the site and then recently removed me saying that he thought I got out of the business after listening to my 2005 Assembly Meeting Testimony! Whew............He could have called me and asked!

I am glad I have saved all of these emails!

On 2 occasions, including one this past week, I have asked to meet with him and he did not respond. He did say however he was going to attend our next NJ NACHI Meeting.

My man Ray F has perfectly described our dilemma here in NJ. We got the bill signed and because of the Board's opposition to A3973/S2503 I KNOW as Ray has stated there will be roadblocks set up and about 100 people who qualify for licensing under the new law will be put out of business on 12/31.

We are working 24/7 to get these issues resolved but the Board has always gotten away with delaying licenses, issues and rules that they do not agree with even when they are a clear as this law appears.

I have written many letters and have many meetings planned to get to the bottom of this.

Bottom line the Board and the Legislators could not be any farther apart, with the Board holding the cards and thumbing their noses at the Assemblymen and Senators.

I thought early in my career that I would belong to all the organizations and try to be a contributing member of the HI business. However, as a staunch believer in fair licensing law I could never become an ASHI Member. I like their rank and file guys and have friends that belong but their leadership's attempt to take over the HI Business in NJ is more than I can deal with. How Michael DelGreco could join NACHI is well beyond my comprehension. A few months ago he was active in a thread and Ray and I with some other's help shot down his defense of the present law and he went away.

Mike, I ask you this- Why do you want to become a NACHI Member when to date you and your people pretend we do not exist in NJ and you obviously have no regard for our efforts?

Take as much space as you like I am anxiously awaiting an answer!

Phillip R. Hinman
President NJ NACHI

18

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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I personally give him the benefit of the doubt and will assume that like all these other ASHI big wigs joining NACHI… he’s simply evolved.


![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)

--
Nick Gromicko
Founder
dues=79cents/day.

I much prefer email to private messages.

19

Originally Posted By: jmichalski
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Quote:
I personally give him the benefit of the doubt and will assume that like all these other ASHI big wigs joining NACHI... he's simply evolved.


This doesn't sound like a simple situation of welcoming with open arms those who may have excercised poor judgement in the past. It seems quite a bit more serious than that to those who are on the front lines, and I - for one - am very disturbed by Nick's nonchalance and casual attitutde towards the effort and pain that the NJ NACHI guys have been going through.

It seems almost a slap in the face at the work they have done - mostly head to head AGAINST this new member - to welcome him in with open arms and fnafare (yes, Nick, posting a thread touting his presence is indeed positive fanfare).

I think in this instance some evidence of attempting to work WITH the NJ NACHI guys to correct the obvious problems would be a good start towards building some goodwill and credibility.

By the way, I would be interested in being included on the NJ NACHI list for updates about meeting times, etc. It is rare that I can attend, but I would like to try if I am able.
20

Originally Posted By: phinman
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The Home Inspection Advisory Committee (“Committee”) is concerned that the proposed bill would cut the 300 hour classroom hours down to 180 hours (amended on May 12, 2005 from not less than 140 hours). The current 300 hours of class room study is already a minimum amount of hours required to cover all aspects in regard to home inspections.


This has been proven to be less than adequate for many who have attended the existing course. Although 300 hours of class time may seem like a lot there is simply no way to cover all the necessary material in less time. We would like to see the classroom hours remain unchanged or as close to 300 hours as possible in order to provide the public with well educated inspectors.

The proposed bill would cut the 50 learning field inspections down to only 40 hours (about 15 inspections). There are far too many combinations of plumbing, heating systems, cooling systems, electrical systems, structural systems and plumbing systems for a student to gain an understanding of how they function during so few training inspections. There is simply no way a student who has only gone out on 15 or so home inspections will have acquired the knowledge or the skills necessary to properly perform their duty to the home buying public. We consider the existing requirement for 50 learning field inspections (about 125 hours) to be the bare minimum necessary for a inspector to achieve proficiency and to become failure with the vast numbers of different components in homes and to experience a wide variety of home types and ages and the different types of structural systems, mechanical systems, heating systems, cooling systems, roofing systems, electrical systems, etc.

The associate home inspector classification was written into the bill in conformance with other professional licenses where an apprentice period is required before full licensure is issued. Having students with only 180 hours of training holding themselves out to the public as "qualified and licensed individuals" is unfair to the public they will "learn from." None of us would like to be the "first" client of an inspector with so little experience. If the associate home inspector requirement is to be removed from the bill it is vital that the quantity of class room and field education be increased in order to avoid a disservice to the home buying public.

The alternate route for licensure where a inspector in training accompanies a licensed inspector on 250 home inspections will not produce fully qualified home inspectors because the inspector in training will lack the necessary class room time and basic understanding of what is being inspected and why. Elimination of this provision of the bill is vital to protecting consumers. An inspector who only has field training with no classroom background is very unlikely to be fully trained or competent. As written a trainee who takes this route would just have followed an inspector around a home and can be granted a license without ever having written a report or achieving any understanding of what the public expects from a home inspector.

Based on the Social Impact Statement in the published version of the regulations for comment, N.J.A.C. 13:40-15, published in the New Jersey Register (NJR 1318, dated May 7, 2001), the Committee determined that about 500 licensed Home Inspectors would be necessary to adequately serve the citizens of New Jersey. As of April 4, 2005 there are 445 licensed home inspectors, approximately 67 home inspector licenses pending (many have not paid their fee because licensing is not required until December 30, 2005), and 35 licensed associate home inspectors.

Testimony provided to the Committee regarding the above information was inaccurate. U.S Census Bureau Profile of Selected Housing Characteristics in 2000 indicated there were:



Total housing units


1-unit, detached 1,794,967


1-unit, attached 285,268


2 units 331,393


3 or 4 units 223,580


Total 2,635,208 (If 5% of homes are sold per year = 131,760 sales)

If each of the 500 (+/-) already licensed or approved for licensure (many have not paid their licensing fee) home inspectors and associate home inspectors performs two inspections per day (500 inspectors * 2 * 250 working days per year) there is a capacity to perform 250,000 home inspections annually. Since there are only about 132,000 home sales in New Jersey and only about 80% get inspected there is only a call for 105,600 home inspections per year.

There simply is no shortage of Licensed Home Inspectors in New Jersey. Given today?s high housing prices New Jersey consumers can not afford to have home inspections by unqualified or less than fully qualified home inspectors.

This new bill would allow an 18 year old high school graduate to obtain a full NJ State home inspector license after just 4 weeks in a classroom course, 1 week of field training and passing a simple test.

Lowering the requirements defeats the entire purpose of what the original bill was written for, to protect the home buying public. This new bill will give the public a false sense of security when hiring a state licensed home inspector. Is this what we want and would you personally feel comfortable hiring a NJ state licensed inspector with these minimal requirements when you are buying a home?

We oppose any postponement of the implementation date of the existing regulations because we feel it is unfair to the consumers of New Jersey and to those who have done the right thing and already become licensed.

We feel the existing system will work well when licensure is required after the end of this year and we feel the law should be left as is until and unless proven otherwise

This is exactly the same language and content that was spoken about at the Assembly and Senate Meetings by ASHI. It is also the same stuff they speak at the meetings.

How he could author the above and be part of NACHI sure befuddles me!

Phillip R. Hinman
NJ NACHI