Originally Posted By: jfarsetta
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Joe Kelly, everytime you open your mouth, more venom spews. Problem is, no one is listening.
As to your point about "the PE or architect's license on the line"... it already is. In fact, it is on every architects design, resolution, or engineering report they file. They are the responsible party. This is why an architect has an official seal, as does a licensed PE. The seal designates that they are responsible. If a PE says a home is structurally sound, it had BETTER be. Their words carry far more weight than any inspector. Sorry to dissapoint you.
Now, I'm not insulting home inspectors, as I am one, and am not a PE or architect. I just cant understand why guys like you object to them being exempt from your ridiculous law. The laws which govern the practice of architecture or engineering make our legislation look like a joke. When a PE performs a home inspection, it is an engineering report. For him, the stakes are automatically higher, as he has special knowledge. Every time he uses the line "I'm a licensed PE" in his advertising or sales pitch, the understanding is that he's performing more than an average inspection. By default, if a PE performs a home inspection, he's automatically qualified to offer engineering recommendations or judgements, whereas WE cannot legally so. Funny, cause many PEs believe that home inspections are the unlicensed practice of professional engineering. Judging from the way some home inspectors think and act, I can almost believe them! They are required by law to carry E&O insurance in every state in the land. They always have. Unlike a bunch of inspectors who hate the notion of having to carry this insurance, it is the norm for these "other" professionals. So, while your buds up here in NY don't want E&O in their "model" bill, we once again show how many of us are not on par as far as mannerisms, common respect, and certainly not educational requirements, as the typical architect or PE.
As to already passed legislation... hey Joe, wake up... Just about every version of ASHI's bullsh*t model legislation which has been enacted, exempts architects and engineers from the licensing requirement, which in my opinion it should. The requirement for them to join some HI organization is laughable. While we discuss the merits or 3-tab roofing shingles, they perform load calculations in their heads. While we discuss the importance or gutters and downspouts extending 6' frm the home, they are qualified to calculate the proper deflection in a roof rafter, or perhaps evaluate the effectivness of an LVL which is cantilevered on a bouncy 2nd floor floating platform. Join one of OUR orgs as a requirement of membership into the HI inspection? The idea behind the requirement is to help ensure that members receiv the required number of CEUs, or perform under a full member. BY default, the average architect or PE is WAY past us. I know that this pisses on your parade. But I don't believe its right that you try and control a profession so far out of your league.
So, are you stating that inspectors are on-par with the educational and legal requirements associated with either of those two professions. Remember, we are the ones who referr the clients to consult a PE or Architect for significant structural problems. Think they cant handle a home inspection? Are we quantum physicists. Do we design rockets. We are generalists. Just because you are a specialist in one field, doesnt mean that you arent also a generalist. And speaking of pissing on your parade, your analogy is like saying that a urologist isnt also an internist, and cant be a general practicioner. Once again, your argument is without merit. No surprise there...
If you put the question to the general public, I'll bet that the MAJORITY of buyers would preferr inspections performed by licensed architects or engineers, to most home inspectors. Maybe this is the reason so many PEs detest us. Our smug attitude, as illustrated by PHICs position relative to this pending legislation, is unbelievable. Let's just hope that the tide never turns in that total direction, or a lot of HIs will be out of business. So, there you have it... You still don't get it. But then again, you don't understand a lot of things...
As to affilliations, and for the record, maybe its time that folks start questioning ASHIs and NAHIs affiliation with YOU. You give both of those orgs a bad name. Were you always this self-serving, jealous, and irrelevent?
IMHO, a good working relationship with a qualified PE is a really handy thing to have. Why piss them off?
