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Code of Dress has got to be shorts

By Jerome Cartier

Home Inspector with Cartier Fine Home Inspections, LLC

July 01, 2007 03:19 PM

My truck themometer was 101. The dress code in LA (Lower Alabama) has now become shorts. "Well, my wife thinks I have great looking legs?" Anyway, I inspected a 100 hundred year old house with a stairway leading into the attic. My Infrared Themometer read 146 degrees and this was a cloudy day. My fellow Inspectors, this is not a place for the faint of heart. We do not have to enter if it is to hot, especially if we are in the residence alone. In LA, cool basements are few and far between but HOT ATTICS are everywhere.

Don't forget your water and an extra shirt.

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Deborah Ryman

Santa Cruz, CA

M.A. Feng Shui Services, Santa Cruz County

Thank God for Santa Cruz, CA where the weather is almost always "mild."

How can you breathe, let alone work?

Jul 01, 2007 03:23 PM

ARDELL DellaLoggia

Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA

Here in Seattle, my partner puts on shorts as soon as it hits 65. No one seems to care, clearly not our clients. They love it! Makes them feel more relaxed.

Jul 01, 2007 03:24 PM

Susan Trombley

Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC

Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs

I thought getting in and out of my vehicle looking at homes was bad, but 146 beats that.

Jul 01, 2007 03:28 PM

Joe Zapata

Keller Williams Realty Media World - Burbank, CA

Your Burbank Real Estate Expert

wow, reminds me of the summers at Ft. Polk. I was complaining today about 105 out here in LA(los angeles) but this is dry heat. More power to you.

Jul 01, 2007 03:57 PM

Fred Duemig

Division Home Inspections - Massapequa, NY

Sorry Jerome,

My dress code will never be shorts, (I guess I should never say never). We don't typically hit those temps here on LI but we do see some very hot attics. My dress code is a collared shirt and long pants, (no jeans). No offense to anyone else's thinking, just my philosophy of professionalism.

You are so right about the water and extra shirt. Always have them in my truck.

Fred

Jul 02, 2007 03:17 AM

Vicki Watzlawick

CORE Realty (The Watz Team) - Algonquin, IL

Illinois Foreclosure Expert, The Watz Team

I have to agree with Fred You will always find me in career apparel. A short sleeved suit even in 101 degrees. But I guess for a Home Inspector, nice shorts and a polo wouldn't bother me. Dress For Success!

Jul 02, 2007 03:24 AM

Jerome Cartier

Cartier Fine Home Inspections, LLC - Fairhope, AL

Cartier Fine Home Inspections

When I checked my Email this morning, there were comments showing from everywhere. Yes, it is Very Hot this time of year around here. I guess we have to adapt to where ever we have to live and work. I'd rather work in the heat than in the cold.

As far as dress attire goes, being clean neat and looking professional is always a Number One Priority. I love the Columbia products and have incorporated the Fishing/Beach look in my uniform which carries my Logo.

Thanks for your comments----Stay Cool!

Jerome Cartier

Jul 02, 2007 03:45 AM

Chris Duphily

A2Z Home Inspections - Stroudsburg, PA

Stroudsburg PA Home Inspector

Wow 130 deg. is the worst i've seen in a long time. Stay cool and hydrated!

Jul 02, 2007 11:12 AM

Erby Crofutt

B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY

The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

This is a good time of year to carry a case of bottled water in your vehicle to keep yourself hydrated.

I don't cool mine. I want to get it in me quick. Ice water is for drinking. Room temperature water is for hydrating after one of those hot attics.

Jul 02, 2007 12:35 PM

Jerome Cartier

Cartier Fine Home Inspections, LLC - Fairhope, AL

Cartier Fine Home Inspections

A bottle of water and a bottle of Gator Aid, preferably orange, are in my tool bag when I enter a house.

A Watermelon in the Fridge would be even better. Us Southern Boys love our Watermelon. Don't forget ice cold Sweet Tea.

The Best way to prepare for an Inspection is a good cup of Perkalated Coffee, fresh off the stove. Grits and Eggs, a Slab of Bacon and some of my wife's good ole Home maid Bis-kits with a heaping pool of Sugarcane surp. Don't forgit the home made butter, fresh from the churn. What a way to start a day in LA (Lower Alabama.)

Jerome Cartier

Jul 02, 2007 01:49 PM

Mitchell Captain

AllSpec Professional Property Inspections Inc - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Home inspections in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach

For me it's the slurpee du jour.

Jul 03, 2007 12:28 AM

David Helm

Helm Home Inspections - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp

The problem with shorts is the knee pain when crawling around in the crawl space. Of course, most houses in LA (I like your abbreviation) are probably built on slabs. Not the case here, and the temp hit 100 yesterday (weird for here). Tomorrow it is supposed to be back down to a normal 70.

Jul 12, 2007 04:48 AM

Jerome Cartier

Cartier Fine Home Inspections, LLC - Fairhope, AL

Cartier Fine Home Inspections

I carry disposable coveralls for such an occasion as crawlspaces.

Monday afternoon inspection delivered a 154 degree Attic temperature here in LA ( Lower Alabama).

Jerome Cartier

Cartier Fine Home Inspections, LLC

Daphne, Alabama (251) 490-3212

Jul 12, 2007 05:05 AM

Jerome Cartier

Cartier Fine Home Inspections, LLC - Fairhope, AL

Cartier Fine Home Inspections

Tim, sounds like you're my neighbor. One set of clothes for each job. Columbia makes some great "light and cool" shorts and shirts. Just add your Logo and go.

Jul 13, 2007 02:05 AM

David Helm

Helm Home Inspections - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp

For me, a kneepad phobic, the sweat caused by kneepads is worse than the sweat caused by long pants. Bare legs also exposes one to more spider bites, etc. You guys go ahead and wear shorts thow. Each persons comfort is an individual thing.

Jul 13, 2007 02:17 AM

Bob Elliott

Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL

Chicago Property Inspection

I wear pants year round.

Just never feel right in shorts unless I am swimming.

Jul 13, 2007 03:45 AM

Jerome Cartier

Cartier Fine Home Inspections, LLC - Fairhope, AL

Cartier Fine Home Inspections

Shorts are almost year round attir, for everyone, around here. We wear shorts to church. It gets hot here and stays hot for a long time. Humidity keeps you soaked. Shorts are my choice. I do not know what other Inspectors wear. I never see them.

Jul 13, 2007 03:59 AM

Bob Elliott

Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL

Chicago Property Inspection

Jerome if I lived in your climate I would change my mind.

I would never subject my customers to my pasty white boy legs.I might blind them.

Jul 13, 2007 04:20 AM