Hey daniel, call me sometime tomorrow and i will explain my comments. Im generally out in the field at around 8:oo. Id be happy to share some of my experiences with you. I rarely post on the forum because it tends to run negative. Best of luck 662-312-6241. I would say that the best thing you could do is go spend time with your friend. spent the money to travel up there and get those rides with someone who you have a relationship with. come back take the test and be done like you say. the experience would be with the cost.
You couldn’t do the ride alongs with your friend in Montana and use those inspections for your AZ certification unless he’s also licensed in AZ for at least 3 years and has done 250 fee-paid home inspections in AZ. They need to sign the log sheet of parallels that’s included in the state licensing application and include their AZ license number for them to count towards your parallels. They also need to give you a signed affidavit (included in the application packet) that they meet the requirements to be a parallel inspector in AZ.
Doing parallel inspections isn’t really assisting the parallel inspector, they definitely won’t need your help to get their inspections done. You basically do your own inspection alongside them and then turn it in to them to be ‘graded.’ They’ll make any needed corrections on them to help your reports meet the state standards. They’ll give tips along the way throughout the jobs while you’re on site, but the money you pay is really for the extra time they spend evaluating your completed inspections and giving feedback and advice to help you succeed.
The state test is just the NHIE, and you can take that one right now if you want to. Unless something has changed since I got licensed, you don’t have to wait until after your parallels are all done. I took the test before I did any parallels.
I would suggest that you take a look at the Arizona BTR website to see exactly what the requirements are to get licensed before proceeding to make sure that you don’t waste more time and money getting experience that they won’t accept towards your application.
Whatever you decide to do I’m sure it will be right for you, good luck with whatever that is…
This is an example of how a newbie inspector assumes he will be assisting an experienced inspector. There’s something called an apprenticeship. You may think you are assisting the inspector who does not need your help. In reality you’ll be dragging down his inspection and costing him time. This is why he will charge you a fee to be your teacher. You won’t see it as that, you’ll see it as cheap labor for him.
All education comes with a price. You joined two days ago you probably know more than anybody else.
Would like to see a few mockup reports by this guru, TYVMIA
Dan - Arizona is maybe not the best place for a home inspection career. I say this because I know a realtor here in Maryland who is also a realtor in AZ. He was telling me that only about 18% of the property in AZ is privately owned, which is a very small percentage compared to other states. Most is owned by the federal government. This realtor flies back and forth for real estate transactions in AZ every so often. The market there is weak from what I understand. There just isn’t a high demand there. Maybe you should seriously consider going to work with your friend in Montana?
That was my point.
Good sour grapes attitude.
I predict you will never be a licensed inspector
This sounds like a business opportunity.
Thank you to those with the positive comments and info,
I really appreciate it.
I did reach out to the school again that I completed course with, one way or the other I’ll get this done, not one to give up.
Just btw I did research Az. requirements, and knew about the 30 visits, what I didnt discover is that guys are charging for this, my fault.
To the negative comments, thank you to, I could go off on how wrong you are but I’ll at least say this,
I’ve had 2 parallel professions for the last 40 yrs, I understand full well the value of paying for education, in fact my one professions revolves entirely around people paying me good money for my knowledge, which I paid good money to receive.
I also understand the value of giving back, not slways charging back. Over the years I’ve donated thousands of hours to clubs and organizations.
Hands down, most of the best clients I’ve had, came to me after watching me donating a day long clinic/seminar that I worked my ass off at.
I understand well the moral and financial gain of giving back.
If I did a ride a long, or shadow visit I would stay out the way, keep quiet, carry a notepad for any questions later, when the person is not so busy doing there job, thats what observing means.
Once again, thank you all for the schooling!
You THINK you would not be a burden and that you have nothing to learn from them. And that you are entitled to their experience and time.
But between the lines I think something else is going on. It is possible you are frustrated with the state system. You know you are qualified and you hate the administrative hoop.
Do not turn that frustration against inspectors who place a value on their time and energy. They owe you nothing.
I don’t envy your situation. I am lucky in that my state isn’t licensed so we have one less hoop to jump through. As far as ride-alongs go, it is my understanding from your post that you have to do parallel inspections. As someone above already mentioned, this means extra work for the mentor. And at the end of it the mentor has one more competitor. That is why many suggest traveling outside of your future service area to find someone willing to help. It may be less than $100 per inspection. Try offering $2000 for all 30. Sometimes one lump sum sounds better than $100 per.
Payable in advance, and forfeit balance if YOU fail to show for all 30 as scheduled. No excuses!
This shows that you are serious, and won’t drop out after 3 inspections and waste the Mentors time and energy!!