Originally Posted By: John Stone This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi,
I am just now finishing my home training in Home Inspection through Better School of Building Inspection out of Utah. I am excited to get started on my own business, but have been feeling a whole lot nervous and unsure of myself about this business. With all of the liability and the fact that you have someone relying on you to help them make a decision to invest in a house, I am just plain nervous.
I have been reading my arse off when it comes to anything home inspection related. I figured the more I can learn before I start the better. So, I took the NACHI entrance exam and passed with a score of 88 and did it in 24 minutes. Unless you guys tell me otherwise, I feel a little bit better about what I have been learning. I still know that I am by no means an expert and won't be even close until I get a few hundred or thousand inspections under my belt.
Now if I can only figure out how to afford E&O insurance and write a business plan, I will be on my way. A name for my business would be a good start also.
Originally Posted By: rmoore This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
you have someone relying on you to help them make a decision to invest in a house
John...As long as you keep that responsibility in mind and don't look at this as a "get rich quick" business you are on the right track.
If I had a name as "solid" as John Stone, I think I would simply name my company that. John Stone Inspections sounds like a name you could trust. No need to get cute like I did. Now in my second year I'm getting a lot of my work from referrals from previous clients. They almost always ask for me by name and I doubt that any care what my company is called (within reason...Really Crappy Home Inspections would be a bad choice!)
Anyway, welcome and best wishes.
-- Richard Moore
Rest Assured Inspection Services
Seattle, WA
www.rainspect.com
Originally Posted By: Chris Norman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
John,
Hang in here with this forum, check it out EVERY day, you will learn alot from guys and gals that have been inspecting for years.
As mentioned in other posts, find an inspector from NACHI in your area and do some ride alongs, you will learn much there. Also, do full inspections for family members and friends charging one dollar (to log paid inspections) under your belt. That will give you confidence and experience. With each one you will better form a game plan and method of inspecting that works for you.
Richard was right on about not needing to get cute. The client is hiring YOU not the name of your company. I too think that with a name like "Stone" that is a rock solid begging.
Take care and remember the folks here are your brothers and sisters, more than willing to help. NACHI is a great organization.
Originally Posted By: dfrend This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Welcome, just stick to it. It can be rough going. I am still in my first year and have been in a slump recently. But as long as you are prepared for that it’ll be ok. There is lot of advice here, read it all. Some good, some not so good, but listen toall sides, make your decision and do your best.
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
John,
Welcome and keep your chin up! This Saturday will mark the end of my first year here in FL (after 8 in VA), and the first six months in business just plain stink. With everything done I'll end the first year up at 238 inspections, and that is after only 43 the first six months.
E&O will be your largest ongoing expense, but at least it is a fixed expense for each year. Go out and Market, Market, Market and you'll soon be able to afford it.
Join NACHI and FREA gives a discount on the E&O, which is about equal to your membership dues. You will reap many benefits by belonging to NACHI. Read this board often and everything else you can get your hands on about inspecting.
Originally Posted By: Vince Santos This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I have learned as a new inspector that the most important thing you can do is not to rush into it. Make sure you know what you are doing before just going out and completing an inspection. I have wanted to just go and do it so I can start to make money. This of course would be a huge mistake because I would be doing a disservice to my client and myself.
Be patient, this won’t happen overnight. Someone said to me realizing what you don’t know is just as important as what you do know.
Educate yourself..
BTW
The NACHI exam can be passed by my six year old 
P.S. Don't quit your day job.
-- Desire is half of life, indifference is half of death.
--Kahlil Gibran
Originally Posted By: ekartal This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Vince quoted: Someone said to me realizing what you don’t know is just as important as what you do know.
How true. It takes strength to admit your weakness. I have a sparky friend who I ask to tag along with me for electrical help. I'd rather do this for a while than pretend I know what I'm doing.
Originally Posted By: ekartal This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Most NACHI members didn’t join because the test was easy. There are many members here who get 10-15 inspections a year just from the search engine. That’s just for starters. Do the math…
Originally Posted By: tallen This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
John,
Earl is absolutely correct I booked 2 inspection today both found me and thus my web site on find an inspector  
The math: 2 jobs = $ 465.00 - NACHI Membership $289.00=== +$176.00
Not a bad deal
GO NACHI !!!!  
-- I have put the past behind me,
where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.
Originally Posted By: lwilliams This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
John Stone wrote:
The NACHI exam can be passed by my six year old
So does this mean that the NACHI membership and certification doesn't carry as much weight as I was thinking?
Why should I join NACHI instead of ASHI or the others out there?
John,
People do not join NACHI because it is easy, they join because of the amazing benefits they get daily! Before you even join you can see that. As for your six year old passing the exam, it isn't that easy, your statement is offesive. One of the beauties of the exam is you can take it as many times as you like, each time seeing questions a little different gives you more understanding and confidence. The first time I took the exam I got 88, now I am consistanly in the 90's. It never hurts to see something over and over to make it sink in... Once you see the value of NACHI you will be wondering why would you join any other group?
Originally Posted By: psisler This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
John,
There are a lot of great posts here from NACHI members. The benefits totally outweigh the the cost to join. I researched every association that I could find on the net for what seemed like months before I decided to join NACHI, the best decision I have made since becoming a Home Inspector. Just on the message board alone there is a wealth of information. We have professionals from all over the world contributing to NACHI every single day, in myriad of avenues to help one in their business. Take the exams, find any areas you may need more help in and ask these pro's the questions you have. They all help. Take the time you need to choose the association that will be right for you. I'm sure you will come up with NACHI. Good luck in your business. Hope to see your posts as a member soon.
Originally Posted By: lwilliams This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
My apology John,
by your post I didn't see that you were quoting Vince, looking further up the line I can see that my statement should have been directed at him instead. Please accept my apology about your six year old. I did direct the rest of the post to you and anyone else just discovering NACHI 
Originally Posted By: dfrend This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Lisa, I think Vince is one who has been a critic of the exam since he actually had his six year old take it and pass. Not sure if it was him, but there was somebody that made that claim. Course my dog might be able to click some buttons and pass it, doesn’t mean anything. For that matter, my high SAT score in HS was mostly guesses, so what?
Originally Posted By: Vince Santos This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Not a member? I didn’t know you had to be a member to have a valid point.
Actually I saw that post about a teenager taking the exam by just selecting the first answer to each question and passing. I was not trying to be offensive however I am not interested in sugar coating my posts. The exam is exceedingly easy. This comment is not an attack on the benefits of NACHI but a comment on the test in particular. In fact I spoke with a NACHI member on the phone and they said the test is in fact easy and NACHI is working on it.
– Desire is half of life, indifference is half of death.
