I decided to charge for looking at my profile.

This is my reason why.

"Your profile has been viewed 5390 times." As of 17 Oct. 2009.

If I charged just $10.00 per view that would have made me $53,900.00.

Not to bad for just pecking on the computer.

Just think how much that I would have made if they paid me my hourly rate?

Most advertising for Home Inspections in Ohio is very misleading.

Some facts about Ohio licenses and certifications that you may want to consider when getting a Home Inspection or recommend a Home Inspector to you clients. 

Ohio does not regulate Home Inspectors. This law is still pending, and pending and pending. 

To do residential 1, 2, and 3 family electric, plumbing, HVAC, etc. work there is no license available or required in The State of Ohio. Some registration may be required. WE DO NOT LICENSE RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS NOR DO WE LICENSE GENERAL CONTRACTORS. 

The State of Ohio only licenses Commercial Specialty Contractors.

http://www.com.state.oh.us/dico/OCILB.aspx

Regarding Electrical Inspectors you can find a certified inspector here:

https://www.comapps.ohio.gov/dic/dico_apps/bbst/ElectricalSafetyInspectors/

Regarding Professional Engineers go here:

http://www.peps.ohio.gov/

Regarding Architects go here:

http://www.arc.ohio.gov/ 

Regarding Well and Septic go here:

http://www.odh.ohio.gov/localHealthDistricts/localHealthDistricts.aspx 

Some municipalities do license contractors. General, remodeling, roofing, etc.

Some areas require permits and inspections and some do not.

Before you buy do your homework. Ask to see that Certification.

How many of you use craigslist to find contractors?

Here is one that I found in Columbus Ohio: http://columbus.craigslist.org/sks/1422816285.html

"I do all types of residential, service changes, remodel work, room additions
ceiling fans, add lights and outlets
-code violations corrected
-phone,cable,computer wiring
-no job to small
-Best rates in town!
-call (614)XXX-XXXX or XXX-XXXX

• Location: all of central ohio
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
• License info: OH #6338739"

What is wrong or misleading in this post is that Ohio license #'s are 5 digits. And they have to be as follows: OH.Lic. #XXXXX. Any real contractor would know this.

How is this handled in your state?

You may want to tell your clients after they buy a home to get good (qualified) references from you and not settle for a good deal.

When do you use a Professional Engineer rather than a Home Inspector?

Here is an email that I just recieved:

"Hello I was wondering how much you charge for home inspections?  I am refinancing my home and I need an inspection of the foundation.  Could you let me know?"

Here is what I said:

"Inspections start at $XXX.00 (whole house). If you think that you have a problem with your foundation then you need a P.E. (professional engineer)."

That same thing holds true for an Electrical Inspection. You need a ESI (Electrical Safety Inspector).

You need to know who to call or who to recommend for specific inspections in your state.

I just ran across this post that I received from Google Alerts: http://www.nachi.org/forum/f19/federal-pacific-definitive-answer-44106/ 

There is no good information there yet (Saturday, October 10th)  but I thought that everyone might want to watch this post.

Hopefully it will produce some good information and facts regarding Federal Pacific Panels.

This is what I received from Google:

Federal Pacific - The definitive answer - InterNACHI Message Board
By jfarsetta
By having insurance companies demand a inspection that identifies the problem. Then the insurance company sends a letter to the homeowner demanding that they upgrade or lose their coverage. ...I hate coming across a FP panel. I called out one and the electrician told the homeowner nothing was wrong with it. So now I'm hesitant. The home owner was not happy having to pay a electrician when according to the electrician nothing was wrong with it. ...
InterNACHI Message Board - http://www.nachi.org/forum/

Until then what do you say about FPE panels?

I just ran across this article and would like to share with those of you that are in states that do not require the licensing of Home Inspectors.

Here is the link: http://www.canada.com/life/inspect+your+home+inspector/2050469/story.html

Again this is for the states that have no regulations. Not for those who have qualified Home Inspectors.

Is Mike Holmes out of line in what he says or does he bring up good points?

Anyone who knows me knows my opinions.

I would like to here your opinions.

Recently updated-Are you sure? 

An inspection that I did Tuesday night made me think, what a concept!!!!!

When Realtor ® advertises a home that has been updated do they verify that this is true? 

On this, the Tuesday night inspection, I found that the electrical and the plumbing systems had been ‘replaced'. It only took me a moment to know that none of the work had been permitted or inspected, as required in this jurisdiction. It all (the work performed) needed to be repaired or replaced.

 Good news for the buyers was that they were not inheriting a $5,000.00 fix. Bad news for the seller was that he did not have this work performed. It was performed, in my estimate at least 6 years prior. He has only been in this home about two years and the previous owner about the same. So now this is his problem.

 I doubt if the current owner would have purchased this property had he know of these defects.

1. Was this advertised as updated?
2. Did he have a Home Inspection?
3. If not why?
4. Is the Home Inspector or the Realtor® on the ‘hook'?
5. Should a Realtor® verify what is advertised?

 Would like to know if you verify what is advertised.

Have any of you read HB # 145?

This appears to have to do with a "Land installment contract". 

One of the conditions in this bill is "(2) A copy of an inspection of the residential structure conducted by a home inspector who is a member of the American society of home inspectors."

Kind of limits who you can use for an inspection.

Would like to here some of your thoughts about this bill.

Will this make your real estate deals more difficult?

Will you be allowed to write these contracts?

I am not an attorney so any help in understanding this would be appreciated.

What is your credibility worth? 

Have you ever thought about the home inspector (his credentials) that you recommend? 

I do not believe that all inspectors are bad, just enough are to be problematic. I happen to work in a state with no regulations. Most are incompetent yet I know a handful that I WOULD use for a home that I was purchasing. 

If he, the home inspector, calls out things that he has read on the internet, that may or may not be correct, then puts this information in his report how do you ‘un-plant' that seed? 

It does not matter that you bring in a real expert, one who has state certifications or licenses; the bad info is still in the buyer's head. 

Again what is your credibility worth? 

Here is an example of an inspection report (only a small part of the report is posted here) that I was asked to review:  http://activerain.com/blogsview/1225687/bad-home-inspection-info-electrical 

Notice how I am attacked so what I have said has no credibility? Please read the whole post and you will not find any credible information that contradicts me. 

When those who do not know what they are doing hurt your deals how do you respond?

I am often asked why I am so concerned about individuals removing the cover from an energized electrical panel.

I have seen what an arc flash can do. I also know that most people think that it will never happen to them.

This includes Electrical Inspector, Electricians, Home Inspectors and homeowners.

Take the time to watch a video from Square D. http://www.schneider-electric.us/products-services/services/square-d-services/solving-the-puzzle-of-electrical-safety-compliance/

I hope that this will safe someones life someday. If you like this please pass it on.