Originally Posted By: Cj Suter This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
It looks like there aren’t that many female HI’s out there. Am I wrong? I’m 29 and just getting into this field. Ive been a structural estimator for the past few years which is another field with very few women. I would love to hear from any women home inspectors out there about their experiences. I’m also in the market or general info about getting started. Thank you.
Originally Posted By: dvalley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Cj,
Welcome to the NACHI MB.
There are plenty of women in the HI field and I'm sure your gender will not get in the way of your structural knowledge. You go girl.
Let me contact Carla to give you her opinions and past experiences. Stay tuned.
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
CJ,
Your are right in that there are not many. Out of probably 200 inspectors in South Florida, there are probably only about 6 or so who are not men (and some of the men are suspect  ).
At our ASHI Chapter meeting last night we had one female inspector come, she is just getting into the business.
Hope the best for you. If you have the knowledge, you should actually have an advantage over us with the women (not being biased, it's true), but a disadvantage with the men. Sad, but true, in most cases.
Originally Posted By: Susan This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Cj,
Welcome to the profession!!
I'm coming up on three years in the inspection field and have yet to encounter any problems with being female. Currently I hold an active home inspector license and work as a municipal building inspector.
When I first started as a building inspector, I'd arrive at a construction site and feel like I was walking into a barbershop (do ya know that feeling?) 
After the first 30 arrivals at various construction sites, I felt more at ease. It is hysterical to arrive in the car and all heads look when I get out and then a comment like "oh, a woman inspector!!". I only recall one time in the past year where some concrete crew thought they'd get an easily passed inspection on a footing but they had already aggravated me by whistling/cat calling when I got out of the car.
I've got ya beat by a few years as far as age. Most realize when you start talking that you know what you're talking about. Haven't had any problems at all and actually I don't get all rialed up like some men do. I truly enjoy my job. Women (and men to) have requested me for inspections (as opposed to the men inspectors). There is a definite need for women I believe.
I wish you much success and don't ever let being a female stop you from something you feel you'll be good at and can contribute to!!
Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
From an advertising standpoint, women home inspectors have an advantage. The general public assumes that a woman in a predominantly man’s field, (lets say heavy equipment operation for instance), did not get their by luck, accident, nepotism, etc, but rather attained that position through extra hard work and skill.
A woman in a predominantly man's field is presumed to be handicapped by her own sex. In other words it is assumed that she had to be EXTRA good to offset this handicap (if only a perceived handicap). And I'm not so sure this presumption isn't correct.
Originally Posted By: aroden This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
And another positive thing about female inspectors is that when a customer calls 6 months or more after the inspection and you have one of those discussions where they say “But you told me…”, a woman inspector will actually be able to remember every word of that 6 month old conversation and repeat it back verbatim…
Originally Posted By: kpapp This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Welcome Cj,
Don’t let your being a woman slow you or wave your decision on becoming a home inspector. When I was an elecrtican down in Fl I learned more from a woman that was the local building inspector for the county. I can say I failed quite a few of her inspections and she was very good at her job and we all had an incredible respect for her. I think you will have no problem and are more than encouraged to become an inspector…wish there were more woman that would become inspectors.
My 2.5 cents worth anyhow...welcome aboard!
Ken Papp
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If you dont have time to do it right the first time, When will you have the time to go back and fix it?
Originally Posted By: lwilliams This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Welcome CJ,
As another woman inspector I know what it is like to break into this industry. Overall the general public and Realtors have no issues with us as inspectors as long as we do our job, every once in a while you will run into that stereo typical A*hole who thinks women do not belong in the field and well you know how it goes. Just remember they are outdated and no longer relevant, it helps. Breaking in takes time and perserverance and consistantly good work. I am associated with 4 other women in my area, we are currently working on the old girls club…
Originally Posted By: Laura Line This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Cj,
I am from the Baltimore area, and am probably one of the only female inspectors around here, at least that is what I here when I show up. I am with a great company. I have had some realtors say WOW a female inspector, and even and ONE (woman) who demanded the boss re-inspect my work, because I was a female, this was before we started, I found major structural damage from termites and other items which she did not detect. (She called the termite inspector (who had already been out to inspect) and he said, that the house needed a structural certification due to the termite damage and that he would not consider the house safe) I asked her, did I pass your test? she said YES you did....she gave me a raft before we started and beleive me, I was a bit red in the face, and I know that I will have this from time to time. The company I work for has been in business for over 10 years and is very reputable and I don't believe he would of hired me and put me out there without having confidence in me.
Good Luck to you, feel free to contact me as well.
Laura
Originally Posted By: dbowers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Its really weird how women evolved in the HI business. In Kansas City we’ve had at least 1 woman inspector since back in 1987 when a lady HUD Architect started doing them as a part-time income. Then in 1988 or 1989 I met a lady bartender that had been dating a HI and started helping him do inspections - when they split up, she kept doing them.
In about 1992-1993 a local HI just bailed out overnight and the lady that was doing a combination of marketing, helper and scheduler got a couple of local HI's to field train her and she started doing HI's. If I remember correctly she was a band director or teacher before that. Then 2 long time inspectors (1 an engineer) started using their daughters to help them on their inspections and soforth and soforth. We've had women since back when in HI in KC.
Go to St. Louis and they only claim 1 woman inspector (an engineers wife who is an engineer herself). Go to Des Moines, Omaha, Wichita, etc and I've never heard of a woman HI - go figure.
