You guys should check out What's New.

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1

Originally Posted By: gromicko
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New income source for NACHI members. Why should we be paying for leads??? Now we can GET PAID for them. See What’s New section.


Nick

PS I got the CertainTeed deal done too, I just havn't had time to post it. Onwards and upwards!

2

Originally Posted By: jremas
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I notice the Tips were also updated today. The problem with the tips is I could never find where you updated them. I have to go through the whole thing and often cannot find what was added, same thing today. Thanks for the hard work, I hope this will work out for all of us.

–



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

570-362-1598
3

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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Jeff:


Good point. Perhaps you or Chris can suggest a solution. Date them?

Nick

PS I just got the CertainTeed deal done. Thanks for your help on that.

4

Originally Posted By: chorne
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Hey Nick,


That sounds like a good idea, with tri-state.

Do they offer any brochures or marketing material for us to hand out?

Carla

5

Originally Posted By: jhagarty
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Deleted

–
Joseph Hagarty


HouseMaster / Main Line, PA
joseph.hagarty@housemaster.com
www.householdinspector.com

Phone: 610-399-9864
Fax : 610-399-9865

HouseMaster. Home inspections. Done right.
6

Originally Posted By: ismetaniuk
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This membership was a big waste of my time!

–
Igor


Top To Bottom Inspections


Glen Spey, NY

7

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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I view pest control and alarm security evaluations differently than Nabisco in that often a home buyer is suprised to learn that we (as home inspectors) don’t typically include pest and alarm systems.


I never added a security evaluation on top of a home inspection, but was often asked about it during the home inspection. I used to add wood infestation though. I think it might be similar, and who is to say what your client wants, or more importantly with securtiy...needs.

I think inspectors will have to do a couple things though:

1. When your client calls to schedule a home inspection, ask them if they want this free securtiy evaluation.

2. Disclose that you may get paid by the alarm company for arranging this (I think this is in our new Code of Ethics).

3. Do not charge you client for this security evaluation.

Nick

8

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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#6 in the new Code of Ethics (a committe which I do not sit on) says that inspectors will not accept any UNDISCLOSED commissions, rebates, profits, or other benefit.


To me, this means that we are free to accept disclosed ones.

No?

Nick

PS The real estate industry lives on disclosed commissions and fees from everything from selling the house to arranging mortgages and title work. How will we look bad to an industry that already does this? Just thinking outloud.

9

Originally Posted By: Robert Patterson
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Nick,


Remember that we are not real estate agents. I have nothing against a businessman making a decision that his company will do the TriState thing (as long as it is disclosed). I do have a problem with it being associated with NACHI. This is going to bring discredit upon the organization. TriState is not going to send in inspectors without the hope of financially benefitting from it, these guys are salesman, not matter how you label it. It is not the same as a pest inspection, the pest inspection is a matter of structural integrity of the home, the alarm system is an option. Also, out here, a HI must be a licensed pest inspector to inspect for any moisture, ventilation, leak or conducive conditions, so many of us do pest with the home inspection as a matter of economics and law. This is a time bomb waiting to explode in our faces and when it does, every NACHI member will be associated with the fallout, regardless of their use of TriState or not.

Bob

10

Originally Posted By: Chris Morrell
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I think that each inspector should be able to decide whether or not they want to use this service. It seems like a great opportunity for inspectors that would like that extra cash from their inspections. As long as you don’t simply bring the TriState rep in with you, your clients should be ok with it. When someone calls for an appointment, say something like:


I do not provide alarm system inspections, but if you'd like I can have TriState Alarm company provide a courtesy security evaluation for you. TriState commissions me to offer this service.

The people who choose to have this evaluation will probably be interested in home security, and be quite pleased with the offer. Those who don't choose to have the evaluation won't be affected.

If you don't want to participate in this program, you don't have to. It's simply a service that a company is willing to offer NACHI members.

That's where I stand. What do you guys think?

--
Chris Morrell
Director of Information Technology
http://www.nachi.org/

![](upload://6OGae4GmnMP9n04UzWcxyqYCL1b.html)

11

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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Bob:


Hm. What do you think we should do?

With regard to #6 of the COE, what would be an acceptable disclosed fee? Do you have an example of one?

When you sub-out a pest inspector and charge more than he charges you, is that not an undisclosed profit?

Would this script sound O.K. or terrible ( I have trouble being objective):

"We, like most home inspectors, do not inspect alarm systems. We work with an alarm expert who I can bring to the inspection. This expert will give you a free security evaluation. It won't cost you anything. He will probably try to sell you an alarm monitoring service though, however you don't have to sign up with them if you don't want to. I get paid from the alarm company for arranging this, I just wanted you to know that. Anyway, would you like me to arrange to have this security evaluation done during your home inspection or would you prefer we skip the security evaluation? Either way is O.K. with me. "

I've used similar scripts when subing-out add-on inspections like septic and termite.

Bob, help me with this. Have I gone over the top? We should decide now.
I was so sickened with Cendant's (coldwell banker, ERA, Century 21) charging inspectors advertising or else they wouldn't refer them, that I am working on flipping the tables on Cendant, making them pay us inspectors for referrals. We should decide now if we are going to enjoy them.

Nick

12

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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Perhaps NACHI members should be required to make the disclosure at the time of scheduling, not at the inspection?


Code of Ethics committee...what say you?

Nick

13

Originally Posted By: Robert Patterson
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Nick,


I don't sub pest inspections, I'm licensed and do it as part of a HI.

It's a real fine line, but, a private business person should have the right to decide to use this service (as long as it is disclosed), this is a business decision and none of my concern (although I will not utilize it). My problem is the appearance it brings when NACHI promotes the service. It looks like we're promoting the use of a service that is there to allow salespeople access to a potential client/customer. No matter how you state it, the "Inspectors" that TriState send out will be salespeople, they are in business to make a profit and will not give a whole bunch of free services unless they get a financial return. They are using NACHI to generate leads. From their standpoint it is not wrong and good business, and, although not really a code violation if disclosed, the appearance alone will reflect badly on us. If TriState wants to solicit the inspectors listed, then so be it, nothing wrong there, but for NACHI as an organization to promote it is asking for a black eye to the organization. NACHI has, IMHO, some of the finest and most ethical HI's around, we all need to very vigilant to protect our name. Read Hannigan's site about the P2P TV giveaway and the folks in TX who worked with alarm folks. We are asking for trouble. Okay, I'm rambling.

In a nutshell;
1. Allow TriState to solicit HI's on the website and offer them the opportunity
2. NACHI should not be involved in anyway
3. I strongly agree with you about the agencies charging to advertise, but that doesn't mean we need to lower ourselves
4. What you did is secure an opportunity for those HI's who don't have a problem with it, to earn extra money, it is a private business decision as long as disclosed. Once again, you have shown your zeal to help the HI and are listening to us (even those who disagree with me ![icon_rolleyes.gif](upload://iqxt7ABYC2TEBomNkCmZARIrQr6.gif) )
5. If NACHI promotes it, it will end up embarrassing us

JMVSPO (Just My Very Strong Personal Opinion)

Bob

14

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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I am under the direction of the Code of Ethics Committee. I am requesting that the Committee issue an opinion on this. Your COE isn’t etched in stone, so if you think I’ve created a situation which isn’t directly addressed in the COE, perhaps a modification to the COE should be made.


I keep going back to #6 of COE. If we can't accept a disclosed fee in this situation where we have 9 things going for us...

1. We ask the client if they want the service.
2. We disclose to the client that we may earn a fee for arranging.
3. We don't typically (as inspectors) perform this service.
4. The service is somewhat inspection related.
5. The service could save lives or property.
6. The service (security evaluation) is given even if the client doesn't buy a monitoring contract.
7. The alarm company is discounting the price for our clients.
8. Some clients may want, expect, or need a security evaluation.
9. We are not charging our clients for it.

when can we accept a disclosed fee???????

Or put another way, since #6 permits disclosed fees, what hypothetical situation would a disclosed fee be more ethical than the one we've arranged with the security company?

Perhaps #6 should be re-visited. I don't know.

I am not on the Code of Ethics Committee, but like all members, are bound by it. Let us know.

Nick

15

Originally Posted By: Chris Morrell
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It’s really not an issue of the COE – it’s an issue of whether or not NACHI should promote it. I see where Bob’s coming from and I think he has a good point. I also feel that any service that could benefit our members should be promoted by NACHI. If any company is willing to offer NACHI members a special service that can benefit their business or their inspection practices, we should promote it. That’s not to say that each service will be particularly right for each inspector, but as an association we should try to offer benefits if they aren’t unlawful or against the SOP and COE. Maybe only a few members will use TriState, but having the option is just another benefit of being a NACHI member. ServiceMagic might’ve not worked out for some inspectors, and might have for others, but being a NACHI inspector saved them $50 no matter what. We weren’t saying - “Go use ServiceMagic” but if one of our members wanted to try them out, they could save $50 as a NACHI member. Hopefully over time NACHI will build many strong relationships with various service providers to the point that NACHI members can use there membership status as a discount for most inspection-related purchases.

–
Chris Morrell


Director of Information Technology


http://www.nachi.org/


![](upload://6OGae4GmnMP9n04UzWcxyqYCL1b.html)
16

Originally Posted By: Robert Patterson
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Nick,


We're already addressing it in the committee, but I don't think it's a COE issue except for the disclosure.

Chris says a little better what I'm trying say the problem is, although he recommends (if I read it right) and I don't. There should be a way for us to make these opportunities available to those who want to use them without outright promoting them. If the individual HI wishes to associate himself with this, then that is his right, but to have NACHI promoting it is a problem. Any ideas?

Bob

17

Originally Posted By: jmyers
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This is a tough one. While on the one hand it would be a value added service to the client. On the other hand this is the only thing that makes us stand out from the other associations…I think that it is going to be door number two for me…


Joe Myers

18

Originally Posted By: Chris Morrell
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Suppose we set up a page specifically for offers like this… then it wouldn’t feel like this is a special case, but just another service offered to NACHI members by outside companies?

–
Chris Morrell


Director of Information Technology


http://www.nachi.org/


![](upload://6OGae4GmnMP9n04UzWcxyqYCL1b.html)
19

Originally Posted By: Robert Patterson
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I think Chris may be onto something. Probably a good idea and label it as services offered by affiliates or some such. Put some kind of disclaimer that the services are offered but NACHI does not …(can’t think of the right words). That way it’s out there for the guys and gals who want to use it, but NACHI is not promoting it but allowing access to members.


Bob

20

Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Now we now why Chris gets paid the big bucks!


Good idea!

Joe Myers