Hello to all who read this. Just need to vent a little.
Until recently, I had been a member of Internachi for the last 5yrs. When I first joined, I was really excited. I was looking for something new to pursue. I’ve been an HVAC tech for the last 32yrs. 10yrs in the new construction end. That got me interested in doing home inspections.
The first year I was a member of Internachi, I completed over a hundred hours of continued education even though I didn’t have to. Like I said, I was excited. As a member, I got my logo designed (which came out awesome by the way). A really great job. I got business cards made. I was getting messages from potential clients but, I couldn’t accept any of them.
In VA., They require proof of 25 supervised inspections before they will issue a license. And that is where I ran into a wall. No one wants to assist possible new inspectors because they see them as competition. Unless you have family or friends in the business to help you out, your chances are slim. I heard most Inspectors were grandfathered a licence in 2017 when VA became a licensed state which makes sense as to why they will not help others. I’m just completely frustrated!!
I would go way, way, way outside your area to get these. Then make an offer they can’t refuse. I’ve heard about $100 per a supervised inspection is the norm. But consider bumping that up a bit to get them done as quick as possible.
What part of VA are you located? If willing to travel to Harford County Maryland, send me a message.
I have helped dozens of Internachi members get in their inspections. One guy has done almost 50 inspections with me. Another guy was a student for a while until I hired him. I met my best friend in my first year of mentoring.
These people are not my competition, they are my friends. Even after the ride-alongs end, they still call for advice or to hang out.
I don’t know what part of Virginia you are in, but you are welcome to make the drive down to the VA/TN border and get in 1 or 2 inspections a day with me.
Have you looked into the InterNachi list of Mentors? There may be someone close to you who can share their experience with you.
Home Inspector Mentoring - InterNACHI®
How far away are you looking for someone to supervise your inspections? If it’s within an hour or two, you are probably not going to have much luck. You are also looking for help at a time that is the slowest it’s in 15 years. Most are not willing to teach their competition.
Seems to me that limiting your search area to a two hour drive is the biggest factor for your lack of luck!
Looking at Google Maps, your search area is a very low population area! IMO, if you’re not searching the big cities (100K+ pop.).
Expand your search area, plan a move to a more populated area, or ???
Question… What does VA require for your Supervised Inspections? Must they be in Virginia, or will other States be accepted? This is very important information to know!
Hang in there Mark, it’s been very slow the last few months, at least in my area, but things are starting to pick back up and by the spring it should be somewhat back to normal, at least that’s what I’m hearing and already seeing.
As others have already mentioned, go way outside of your area so you’re not asking your competition to train you, offer to pay them a fee and carry their ladders.
Keep pushing and don’t give up.
I wish you the best moving forward.
Mark, as others have said, you need to go way outside your area. I would see if I could hook up with a firm some hours away and tell them you will stay at a hotel for a week or so in their area if they could have you tag along. Kick in some bucks if you have to. (Sometimes inspectors are hesitant with mentoring guys a few hours away because they do not show up or show late. This has happened to be me couple of times.)
It is a slow market now but it will rebound.
Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress!
Mark, you may want to contact some CMIs or CPIs within 40 to 50 miles, or farther, from your area and communicate with them. Maybe one, or more, will help you. Some inspectors feel as though they are training their competition by ride-alongs or mentoring or hiring and some are into it just for the $.
Here is the link for CMIs: Find a Certified Master Inspector®
And the link for CPIs: https://www.nachi.org/certified-inspectors
And Mentors: Home Inspector Mentoring - InterNACHI® and InterNACHI® - International Association of Certified Home Inspectors and Commercial Property Inspector Mentoring - CCPIA
Hang in there brother. You’ll get what you need. (Good offers above also.)
Hi Mark,
I am located in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and inspect in my surrounding counties, Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire and sometimes Hardy and Mineral. I have mentored many of my competitors and hopefully sent them out with experience and tips of the trade to do a good inspection. If you can get this far, you are welcome to tag along. My thought is a new inspector will get some of my clients and I will get some of theirs down the line, but I would rather you did not give the business a bad name by making a rookie mistake that will make us all look bad. onsightinspector@gmail.com
I will sign you off if they’ll take it from a florida inspector and florida certified contractor.
Seems to me that if the state mandates that you have to have so many supervised inspections, they would have to provide the supervisors.
Thank you guys for all the feedback. It’s really appreciated.
Roy, the sign off would be greatly appreciated. Va doesn’t state that the supervised inspections have to be in state. Thank you again for offering
Virginia simply states…25 inspections with a licensed inspector. You provide the inspector.
I strongly recommend that “assumption” is validated with the State of VA before delving further into it.
Even though it should be plainly stated in writing, it likely is deemed as being ‘inferred’.
NEVER assume anything the government requires. Are you really willing to travel to another State, spend your time and money, and it is NOT accepted when submitted?
Again…
Good Morning Mark, I too am having a hard time fulfilling this requirement, I have been calling multiple home inspection companies and have had no luck, I live in the Danville Virginia area where it seems to be a pretty busy time due to the new casino opening but it seems that current home inspectors do not have any interest in mentoring,
I wish you luck and stay positive, it’s gonna happen for both of us
For any home inspectors relatively close to the Danville reading this and can help an upcoming inspector please let me know
Dan
Wow… you guys just aren’t paying attention, or just plain ignoring the advice being shared!
Time will tell.
Question is… can you survive until then??
Well then! Mail me the form and I will sign it off.
Mail me the form and I will sign your off as well!