Inspector qualifications - or what does "CERTIFIED" really mean?

There are plenty of certifications and designations you can obtain without any real life experience.  Luckily some of the big Realtor designations like ABR, CRS, and CRB require proof of being involved in multiple transactions.

Jack, first off - nice to see a post from someone out of Knoxville, Tennessee (where my dad is from - several family members still there, beautiful mountain area). Certified in my opinion, is earned after completing a required amount of hours or testing in a field, also known as obtaining a designation. Certified does not mean "experienced" - which is what the public doesn't fully understand, and can be misleading. And being qualified doesn't always go hand in hand with certified either. Good post - Carla

Jack, my take is even a 'certified' professional still has to prove their worth.  While I understand everyone must start somewhere, I do not want my clients to be the first inspection.  Their choice, however, we give them the names of three in the area that we have worked with and trust.

Jack,

the home inspectors leave a lot to be desired as Realtors we have certain guidelines we must

work within but they don't.

It would be good if somehow they could be held to some kind of standard that they all must

adhere to.

Jack, not to stir apot that has already been "over-cooked" in so many ways previously....BUT....the bottom line regardless the abbreviations and "credentials" after ones name is what the inspection and report by the inspectorlooks like.  I am a "certified" member of ASHI----have been a member of InterNACHI-----and have taken both the National Home Inspector Exam and the NACHI exam.  I can tell you that neither exam qualifies anyone to be "certified"----and I see very little difference in how difficult they are.  The main thing that the NHIE has going for it is that it is proctored----which has always been one of my beefs with NACHI.  I have an equal beef with ASHI that we are allowed to be out there inspecting until we get our 250 inspections without anything.  No testing, no schooling, no nothing. Granted, you can't use th ASHI logo or call yourself certified but you can be out there inspecting nonetheless.

All of this makes it extremely difficult for the public to have any clue of what they are getting in an inspector-----affiliation with an Association is not necessarily going to help them.  Anyone that wants to hire an inspector should be checking many different things, but especially talking to friends that have had inspections done----word of mouth.  Even years of experience is no "guarantee."  I personally know a lot of inspectors that just plain haven't kept up with changes in the industry----that still think owning a moisture meter goes beyond the standards of practice.

Jack, all I am trying to say is that "relying" on any one Association's credentials as the only means of choosing an inspector is probably not a good idea, and espousing that membership in any of the associations is any more or less valid than another is equally absurd----they all establish "minimum" standards of performance.  So what is the answer?  There is no answer currently in my opinion.  However if the buyer looks at several criteria----including Association membership---- they at the very least will be protected to some degree.

Thought I would check in with a short statement.  When I joined a national organization (I am an InterNACHI member) I thought it was like most professional organizations.  You join to become part of a group of like professionals that are searching for ideas, education, and benefits for the member, not to get certified.  I have been a member of two other national professional organizations and it wasn't the org. that certified the member, it was the membership that certified the organization.  My expertise, qualifications, or experience are neither enhanced or inhibited by my membership in any organization.

I think that each inspector should join an association based on what benefits they acquire from that association. I don't judge a inspector based on what association they belong to. I have seen terrible ASHI, FABI and NACHI members. I have also had the pleasure of meeting very good inspectors from each. Three instructors come to mind Jeff Hooper (FABI), Mark Cramer (ASHI) and Gerry Beaumont (NACHI). I have attended training from all of them and found their experience and knowledge beneficial for my career. Any inspector or consumer that basis their opinion about a inspector simply because of the association they belong to is limiting their choices.

Everyone has to start somewhere. I will tell you guys to think a little bit and go back to when you first started out in the business. You have to start somewhere.

I am in my second year now, and when I first started I was a member of 5 organizations and hadn't even done an inspection. Most of these organizations make you take some type of test in order to become a member, so like I said, everyone has to start somewhere, you just can't start doing home inspections with nothing to back you up, it's all a horse and Monkey show in the beginning as you try to get your feet wet.

I am licensed here in Indiana, and Indiana actually makes you join an association before you can obtain your license...so there you have it.

I think it's all just whining because someone thinks "their" association is better, primarily because they're a member.

EVERYBODY had to do a first inspection somewhere.  Think back to yours.  Go back and read the report.  Doesn't it just make you cringe.  I know mine does.

For some of the old timers, think back to how you got started.  I'd best most of you did the same thing the new guys are doing. BS your way into a job, get it done, BS into another one, get it done and keep it up until you really knew what you were doing.

Some of the "old-timers" are the worst inspectors I know.  An hour on site and they're done, the clients got a couple of pages of scribbling, and doesn't know how bad it was.  They'll learn though.

Ditto what Greg said:)

Jack, I don't condone or even suggest lying about it.  But it does gripe me when I see "old-timers" complaining about the new guys doing the same thing the old-timers did to get business.

It's not about the associations, it's about the individual inspectors ethics.

I'm currently an InterNACHI home inspector. Judge the inspector on the inspectors worth, not the organization he's chosen to belong to.

I've met some awful InterNACHI inspectors who shouldn't be inspecting a tin can and I can say the same thing for some NAHI and some ASHI inspectors. I know one NAHI inspector that spends more of his money paying to have contractors repair the defects he fails to catch during his inspections than I've spent on my last 48 CEU's. This guy has belong to both NAHI and ASHI. He went to school, passed the proctored test submitted 100 fee paid inspections, then he submitted his 250 fee paid inspections for the CRI, he took the continuing required amount of CEU's.

I guess what I'm saying is that it's not the association that makes the inspector, the inspector chooses what to make of himself.

Have a Happy 2009