InterNACHI getting this contract would be huge and a real boost for all certified (and soon to be licensed) home inspectors. InterNACHI would, I believe based on current performance, legitimize the process by implementing an ethical process supported by requisite education and training.
Insurance inspections are currently crazy in this state and a real mess. 4 Points are more under control, in my opinion, due to InterNACHI having their form approved by Citizens. Wit Mitigations, however, have been a mess and have become worse. Not only can home inspectors (who are not licensed contractors, engineers ect. ) not perform them, but the new 4 page form was designed to confuse what is really going on: a ‘take back’ on premium reductions and liability shift, after an ‘out of control’ My Safe Florida Homes implementation in the first place.
The insurance inspection market also confuses our customers. Home buyers call home inspectors, only to learn that many of them cannot provide the Wind Mitigation Verification service. Even if we can provide reference to licensed contractors who can do the Wind Mitigation, we often lose the job to those who give it away for free or lowball the inspection. Also, our insurance rates are very high, so when smart buyers get their insurance quotes prior to buying, they are shocked by the premiums. The insurance agencies tell them “well, if you get a wind mitigation we MAY be able to reduce your rates up to 45%”…all they hear is 45%, not realizing that many resale homes qualify for nothing!
I had a client this week who told me she had a quote from a local home inspector for $150…sick!. She really wanted me so I had the job for $325, until she spoke her insurance agent about insurance who said she could get ‘up to’ 45% off the $2700 insurance quote. Since I’m unable to currently perform Wind Mitigations, I said I could refer her to an excellent licensed contractor for the Wind Mit (fellow InterNACHI member), but there would be an additional cost. Needless to say, my inspection scheduled for today was cancelled. I’m saddest for the consumer. Her house was a 1267 sq ft concrete block home, built in 1961 with no upgrades, jealousy windows, gable roof and was in rough shape (great potential tho). She’ll get a crap checkbox inspection and a wind mit form checked ‘unknown or undetermined’ and be shocked when she gets no insurance reduction.
This is a recurring story in the current Florida home inspection / insurance market. It sucks.
But, I still love inspecting homes. I don’t reduce my fees. I give the highest quality inspections, reports and value to my clients. Lowballers, scammers, special interest groups exist in all professions. You have to stay true to yourself, love what you do, market yourself and provide as much value to your clients as possible.
InterNACHI wining this service contract would be great for the home inspectors in Florida . I’ll cross my fingers, but won’t hold my breath. Thank you Nick, we all appreciate all of what you and InterNACHI do for it’s members.
[FONT=Verdana]Jeff Tatlock
BEACHSIDE Home Inspection
Serving Brevard County FL. Areas include Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Viera, Melbourne.
www.beachsideinspection.com/why_beachside
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