Ride Along

Originally Posted By: gmathias
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Is there anyone in the central PA area that would be willing to allow me to accompany them for an inspection?


Originally Posted By: W. HAIRSTON
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I am requesting the same in NJ. These guys just aren’t willing to mentor or allow ride alongs. This whole profession disgusts me!


Originally Posted By: Scotty Lee
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When I started in this business many years ago in Hawaii, I had to go over to San Diego for about a month(I rented an apartment and bought a cheap car for that period of time, just to get the experience) to shadow or ride-a-long with a seasoned inspector. If I had to have a number of ride-a-along inspections to meet a state requirement or to just get my feet wet I would try looking at an area that is 4-6 hours away so you would not be considered a threat or an increase in competition.


Another thing I would not do is to use this website to locate an inspector for a mentor. I would bet that the percent of inspectors who have been in this business longer than 4 years and belong to NACHI is under 15% and less than 2% can be found on this message board. Just not a good place to go fishing.

Just put yourself in the experienced inspectors shoes. Why would you want to train your future competition, good will goes only so far. Travel far away from your area and you will not pose a threat.


Originally Posted By: ssmith3
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Gentlemen, If you wish a ride along from someone here don’t insult or beat them.


I for one asked for a ride when I started and received one for an inspector in the next town up from me.

For many of us we are busy making final arrangements for the convention and inspecting like crazy. We don't always have time to come onto the board and check the latest posts. I have been away from the board before for more than 2 weeks due to work.

May I suggest that you use the findandinspector and personally contact some just outside the area that you are willing to cover. Sometimes the personal phone call goes farther than a post.



Just my 2.3 cents.



Scott Smith


Marinspection


Vice President NorCal NACHI Chapter


I graduated from collage. Now my life is all mixed up.

Originally Posted By: dharris
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W. HAIRSTON wrote:
I am requesting the same in NJ. These guys just aren't willing to mentor or allow ride alongs. This whole profession disgusts me!


If your disgused now, wait untill you try to get your own inspections, not mention enough to make a living, it WILL take far more effort


Originally Posted By: gmathias
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The point is well made that asking assistance from a competitor is extremely optimistic and perhaps I’m being unrealistic, but I thought I would ask. I would expect to pay a fee for the inconvenience, of course.


Originally Posted By: gwells
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The problem you will likely encounter is that most inspectors will see you as a new competitor. That’s something that most inspectors don’t want.


Try contacting inspectors who are not in your immediate area but are a reasonable driving distance away. Telephone contact works best; it is much more personable than e-mail or message boards.


Originally Posted By: gmathias
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Goog suggestions, George. Thanks


Originally Posted By: ccoombs
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I went to a local NACHI meeting and the subject of ride alongs came up. The person running the meeting stated that he was getting lots of calls for ride alongs. He wanted know if anyone was interesting in doing ride alongs, he would pass on their number. No one was interested. He charged for his time and felt it was a good way to make money with no liability. I guess he did walks of homes owned by family and friends…no actual walks.


Originally Posted By: W. HAIRSTON
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Gentlemen - though your responses are filled with good advice it does not account for the lack of brotherhood in this profession. First of all, I’ve tried phoning, emailing, and posting inspectors for ride alongs. Secondly, I have tried outside of my local area. I have told people I am willing to drive anywhere for the mentor experience, hours and hours away. Lastly, yes no one wants to train their competition but as stated, if I’m not in your immediate area I shouldn’t pose as a threat. This new law was created to protect consumers but the home inspectors are just protecting themselves. I’ve looked at the amount of home inspectors - err should I say licensed home inspectors that are in my immediate area. Let me tell you, there aren’t many at all. One man can’t cover an entire county when you can’t hold real estate for longer than a week. And responded to another comment on bashing, so to speak, well I’m glad I’m an American, this allows me to speak my mind. Don’t confuse bashing with truth.


Originally Posted By: scieslewicz
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Mr. Hairston,


Sorry to hear that you are having a problem finding someone that will allow you to ride along.

Don't know if it would even interest you but I had the same problem when I started out a few years ago. Home inspectors viewed me as a threat. Some were downright rude!!! Anyway, long story short, I tried a different twist....I started to build a rapport with a building inspector where I currently live. He was the head of the county building dept. for 30 years. Now (he's 72 years old), he has "semi-retired" and works for one town. I rode along with him on many types of inspection (residential and commercial) and starting picking his brain!!

Now I myself am a municipal building inspector (and maintain my HI license and education as well). Take it from me, you can learn quite a bit from any type of inspection that you go on. I have taken probably a dozen HIs on building inspections with me and they all have had vast amounts of experience (and all said they learned new things!!).

Perhaps try a different approach???

Best of luck to you.

Sue Cieslewicz


Originally Posted By: gwells
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I don’t agree with, nor do I understand, the inspectors who are worried about training a new competitor. The way I see it is that if they are determined to get into the business, then that’s what they are going to do; with or without help from other inspectors. I’d much rather have a friendly competitor than an unfriendly one. What better way to get to know new competitors than to have them ride along with you.


We are coming into the slow season in my part of the world (Great Lakes). I'd be willing to travel to different locations teach new inspectors in the field. I'll do it here if anyone wants to come up this way. I have already offered to let several inspectors go along with me on inspections. Some are willing to drive a couple of hundred miles because they can't find anyone local to them who will allow them to ride along.


--
George

Store: http://stores.ebay.com/Clearview-Services-MSI

Originally Posted By: jremas
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You can ride along with me with the following rules:


You must carry E&O insurance through someone other than Western Heritage, there is a problem with their coverage that is why I dumped them. You probably already have E&O because you are listed on NACHI's website.

You must sign a non-compete agreement for a 50 mile air radius of my location.

You must provide your own transportation to each inspection.

You are there of your own free will and release me from any liability. You are not allowed on ladders or roofs but you will work.

I do not charge for ride alongs but I do need to eat lunch.

The last guy I mentored only took 3 months to get 100 inspections in and he missed a couple per week every week. If you want it bad enough you will travel.

This is not an all inclusive list, just a few key items.


--


Jeff Remas
REMAS Inspections, Inc.
Northeastern PA & the Poconos
www.NEPAinspector.com

570-362-1598

Originally Posted By: jmurray
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jremas wrote:
You can ride along with me with the following rules:

You must carry E&O insurance through someone other than Western Heritage, there is a problem with their coverage that is why I dumped them. You probably already have E&O because you are listed on NACHI's website.

You must sign a non-compete agreement for a 50 mile air radius of my location.

You must provide your own transportation to each inspection.

You are there of your own free will and release me from any liability. You are not allowed on ladders or roofs but you will work.

I do not charge for ride alongs but I do need to eat lunch.

The last guy I mentored only took 3 months to get 100 inspections in and he missed a couple per week every week. If you want it bad enough you will travel.

This is not an all inclusive list, just a few key items.


Don't forget the weekend beer bubble! ![icon_wink.gif](upload://ssT9V5t45yjlgXqiFRXL04eXtqw.gif)


--
"A little less conversation and a little more action"!