The reason licensing is the issue in Florida is simple. It is way too easy for thousands to grandfather in and the license gave them an instant or asumed level of comptence and creditabilty that they should not have recieved. Add to that the iinsurance inspection, which can be a big business. This has create price lowering pressures in many markets.
To many broke a§§ inspectors with nothing to do but try and be the cheapest inspector in the septic tank. :twisted:
Typical calls today…How much for a home inspection? Next question…Does that include “the” Wind Mitigation? The inspectors who have been giving away the store have caused a major paradigm shift so that NOW customers, realtors, mortgage companies expect all the various insurance inspections to be “part” of the Home Inspection. THAT is what many of us have been trying to tell people who keep insisting that “their service is superior” because they do this, that and everything for one low price. If you are one of those people, YOU are slowing killing your own business and what you do effects ALL of us.
I do my best to explain to people that the insurance inspections are totally different and NOT part of the home inspection (even by law) but their minds are made up in many cases because they have either been told or their friend, cousin, etc. got it all for one cheap price. I also explain the insurance inspections can be and often “at odds” with the home inspection. When I ask them, "What if I find there is something major in the home inspection that will keep you from buying the home? Now you have bought and paid for an insurance inspection you DO NOT need. Mortgage companies are getting in on this; insisting ALL those things be upgraded BEFORE they will issue the loans. I have been caught up on that merry go round several times. Now you have two agents, the insurance company, the mortgage company, the sellers, the buyers AND the appraiser all trapped in a Mexican standoff. Lots of desperate people all wanting the other to do something so the sale can go through. THAT is why I do not like to get caught in the middle of their pissing contests.
The low ball guys will eventually go out of business due to burn out from being overworked and underpaid or their business plan will eventually fail because they will actually spend more than they make trying to keep their Low Budget operation alive. Seen it too many times always with the same results. Meanwhile, the movers and shakers will have to hold on, keep their prices constant or as suggested, raise them to stand apart from the budget inspectors…You are gonna lose some jobs. I get LOTS of calls and all they are interested in is price and following their 23 yrs agents advice. Those that can will survive, many others will follow suit and lower their prices and end up going around the bowl a few times before they disappear into the septic tank of mediocrity.
its all about education and credentials. have them and you will prosper. nothing but a HI license and you will compete with the $200 inspector. the professional inspector will add credentials to perform higher level and ancilliary work. want to inspect a 28,000sf home - you may want mold, fire inspector, hvac tech license, etc. most of the newer Florida HI’s can’t qualify for other licenses as they have no experience or knowledge - sold hearing aids or once painted a house. subpar homes with subpar buyers and subpar agents - what a lifestyle.
I don’t know who told you all it was was a twenty minute test. You must be one of those grandfathered inspectors that just put up a shingle and started advertising.
#1. Proof of 120 hrs training by a certified training program. (incl. 4 insp. with reports)
#2. Background check so you are not a child malester.
#3. 6 hour exam that if experianced you can do it in 3.
So if you think this is what is driving down prices you are just dead wrong.
I think the key word in what you said is grandfathering, they were already working as an inspector. The licensing is adding an element of proven knowledge by exam, required continuing education and the risk of loosing your license. This will be good for the profession in the long run.
Last time I checked it was still America. (Land of the free)
You are right Gary, that the post grandfathering procedures are better. But, it’s not the newly licensed inspectors that are the problem. It’s the bad inspectors that just happen to be newly licensed that are the problem. Guys like you are a benifit to our profession. I hope my comment didn’t offend. The were not intended to.
For the record, I was an established Home Inspector long before licensing.
-The test took me 28 minutes from the time they handed it to me and the time it was graded. It was the nachi entrance exam. However, I personally witnessed othes taking it over and over again untill the passed.
-Bonner says their is a sex offender who is a home inspector down south. I know there is a former realtor who lost his real estate license for fraud. He is now a licensed HI in our area.
Those are some of the challenges our industry will have to face.
That is also a big part of the problem with licensing.
Agreed. I don’t believe anyone is knocking new inspectors for being new inspectors. Licensed Contractors have a great deal to offer our profession and those that try to exclude them are silly. But everyone should be required to complete a certain level of education as a prerequisit.
I agree with you on all points. Competent contractors have an excellent background to enter into the home inspection profession. Trying to exclude them is silly and counterproductive. However, contractors entering the profession need to play by the same set of rules as professional inspectors. There lies the issue for many on both sides of the issue.
A lot of it is politics and perception. And the contractors have a much larger voice in Florida than the home inspectors do right now.
Yes, they do.
If this message board is any indication of things, HI’s will have to wait a long time for a larger voice. Too much disagreement, too much self interest… 
The future appears to be discounted.
I am working on a full SoP compliant NACHI check-list inspection report… $99
Trying to get it down to five pages, figure I can do four a day… Wish me luck. 
[quote=“grussell, post:20, topic:69357”]
I have heard over and over how licensing allows for soft cheap inspections. Could someone explain to me how not having licensing makes for better inspectors? I don’t get it. No licensing allows for the same soft cheap reports does it not?[/QUOh. TE]
Simple, befpre licensing you basically needed to document and prove your expierence, education and the professional organization standards you adhered to, in order to get in the door. Licensing has lowered the bar as far as I can tell. Now all most care about is if you are licensed. Now it’s license number and how much.
[quote=“rthurman, post:35, topic:69357”]
Exactly correct Sir. Especially with insurance inspections.
Actually, as of lately I am finding more clients looking for non realtor referred home inspectors. Its almost like the word is out that cheaper might no be better. Have booked last six inspections for $500.00 or more. Hope this trend keeps up.
nice! 
Simple, befpre licensing you basically needed to document and prove your expierence, education and the professional organization standards you adhered to, in order to get in the door.
And no background check!
I can see both sides of the argument. I know two “former” inspectors who had to give it up after licensing. They were good at it and just do some remodel work now but both have felony records and look like bums. They are nice enough but are outdated.
Change happens so you either adapt or get out. With change comes an adjustment period and other inspectors are saying here that they are winning more inspections now because of lowballers. I know I am not doing a home,wind and 4 pt for 199.00 if somebody gets it or does it for that good for them. Other professions face some kind of issues we are no different.