I was speaking with a managing broker this week discussing licensed home inspectors. He pulled out his inspector list and I noticed that he had a name of an unlicensed inspector on his referral. I asked him if he was going to notated who had their license and who didn't. He said that he had spoken to the home inspector in question who had assured him that he carried a number of licenses and certifications. The home inspector implied that with what he already had, he was ok. I did mention the benefits to clients who use licensed home inspectors and said that clients should know who is licensed and who is not on referral lists. I hope this broker does this.
It does bring up the question of why would a practicing inspector (the company above has been around for a number of years) would not get their license? The penalty is that these inspectors have to go back to school for 120 hours or more and then ride along with a licensed inspector for 40 hours. Since September 1st, inspectors who missed the deadline have been popping up like moles. I am sure that the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) is getting every excuse in the book but because these deadlines were written into the law, the DOL hands are tied. Regardless, if these businesspeople are not aware of what happening in the industry, would you want to hire them? Home Inspectors are generalists and need to be knowledgeable in all areas of the home. I network with local inspectors all the time sharing information. Either this inspector kept to himself or decided that he was going to get out of the business before July 2010. Either way would you want to be referring someone like this?
Rick Bunzel, CRI
Pacific Crest Inspections
WASH. HI #312
ASHI Certified #249557
NAHI Member of the Year 2008
NPSAR Affiliate of the Year 2006-2007
WWW.PacCrestInspections.com
360-588-6956
Fax 360-588-6965
Toll Free 866-618-7764
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