Jeffrey, you may want to contact some CMIs or CPIs within 40 to 50 miles, or closer, to 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 $.
I am in the process of joining and finishing my first class now. I used to live in Fort Mill SC and Ballantyne which are just south of Charlotte about 15 - 20 minutes. Charlotte’s a wonderful place. I’m now in Alpharetta, GA and studying for the NHIE.
It’s not the first time I’ve heard this sentiment, so don’t take it personally. I think it’s just something that gets repeated without much thought. You suggested that some inspectors are “in it for the money”, implying that other inspectors have other motives.
I highly suggest that every home inspector be primarily concerned about the $. Any other concern is some silly crap. (Unless, of course, you’re doing something like Habitat for Humanity )
And I’m not simply trying to be argumentative. It relates to OP’s question. It’s not “some” inspectors that care about money… it’s almost all of them. And yes, training new inspectors is very much training your competition. I would never in a million years do that out of the goodness of my heart, besides with family/friends who are interested in HI.
What I would do is what other people did for me in the first couple years of my career- hire new licensed inspectors as contractors and oversee their work. Everyone benefits.
Welcome Greg and good luck on your studies. Just curious if you are studying for the NHIE for your personal and extended knowledge? Awesome if so, but you do realize Georgia is an unregulated state that requires nada, no certification at all. Sad but true. Good luck in your studies and hope you do well in the inspection business.
Btw, I lived in Alpharetta and Roswell for a few years before I “escaped” to higher grounds…
Most people do dangerous jobs “for the money.” It’s the trend, not the exception. OP would be wise to understand this before they start calling business owners asking for a teacher. Make yourself valuable by getting your license asap and offering to help other inspectors.
I’m pretty sure all three of my earlier supervisors also enjoy helping people when they have the resources to do so. But I doubt I would’ve had much luck if I just called around looking for mentors to teach me their tricks.
OP should expect others to “be in it for the money” just as much as he is. Thats really my only point. Make yourself valuable and leverage the reality that most people do what they do because of money.
I was long winded, sorry. I just thought I’d add something about how I continued to learn many things after licensure/certification, since OP asked. Which is pretty much what Larry suggested, I’m kinda splitting hairs. But still, the “being in it for the money” part will probably be part of why someone would help out OP, right? Because it’s financially beneficial for both parties in some way?