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Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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Conroe, Texas
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 Well this is interesting
[#2] Posted: May 18 2004 - 7:23:09 PM |  | |
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I'm surprised to hear that about Nick. I thought he only got into trouble with the real estate commission. Silly me. 
Donald
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Columbus, Mississippi
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Well this is interesting
[#3] Posted: May 18 2004 - 10:00:39 PM | | |
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How about that other clown? 31 lawsuits in 10 years and he just treats it as the cost of doing business. Sort of undermines that arguement about the marketplace weeding out bad inspectors, doesn't it. If there had been a state-run board with standards for all of those people to file complaints with, do you think he would still be in business?
Another little black eye for the industry. Thank you sleazy buckethead, and thank you Nick Gromicko. 
Brian G.
Embarrassed For Those Who Cannot Be Embarrassed  rent] 
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Well this is interesting
[#4] Posted: May 19 2004 - 09:57:43 AM | | |
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Based on the history I have witnessed regarding state licensing, if licensing existed in that state, Gromicko would probably have headed the Board and may even be well on his way to achieving Governorship by now. 
On another note it really gripes my (( ! )) that dirtbags like this help the continuance of such gross ignorance of our profession as to give fuel to things like Consumer magazine recommending an architect or engineer over the services of a qualified HI. Of course when qualifying means aligning oneself with a scumbucket like this guy get real  There is no limit to what a properly motivated gypsy can achieve.
I do not generally like to insult people (ok, I lie a liitle) but to any bb members that are aligned with this organization....HOW CAN YOU DO THAT? Good grief has anyone checked out the website. It looks like a newspaper ad for a combination going out of business/fire sale at a used furniture store. Jump ship and let it wither on the vine.
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Columbus, Mississippi
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Well this is interesting
[#5] Posted: May 19 2004 - 11:29:35 AM | | |
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[quote]Originally posted by crusty
Based on the history I have witnessed regarding state licensing, if licensing existed in that state, Gromicko would probably have headed the Board and may even be well on his way to achieving Governorship by now.
It happens, no question, but it's far from universal. There's a thread in here somewhere about just such a case in MA right now. The guy was appointed by an out-going governer for some unknown rea$on. But since his HI sins are becoming known AND there are laws on the books against such things, he stands to lose his position and his right to work.
Nothing is perfect, but something beats nothing. I'd bet my house that no one will ever accumulate 31 complaints in my state, they'll take your license away long before that. Everything depends on the law and the people who are enforcing it.
Brian G.
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Associate Editor - TIJ
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Charlestown, Massachusetts
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Well this is interesting
[#6] Posted: May 19 2004 - 11:42:37 AM | | |
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Quote: Originally posted by crustyBased on the history I have witnessed regarding state licensing, if licensing existed in that state, Sleazoid Gromicko would probably have headed the Board and may even be well on his way to achieving Governorship by now. On another note it really gripes my (( ! )) that dirtbags like this help the continuance of such gross ignorance of our profession as to give fuel to things like Consumer magazine recommending an architect or engineer over the services of a qualified HI. Of course when qualifying means aligning oneself with a scumbucket like this guy get real There is no limit to what a properly motivated gypsy can achieve. I do not generally like to insult people (ok, I lie a liitle) but to any bb members that are aligned with this organization....HOW CAN YOU DO THAT? Good grief has anyone checked out the website. It looks like a newspaper ad for a combination going out of business/fire sale at a used furniture store. Jump ship and let it wither on the vine.
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Jim
www.AlMorrison.com
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West Chester, PA
Posts: 150
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Well this is interesting
[#7] Posted: May 19 2004 - 6:13:54 PM | | |
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The Inspector mentioned in the Pittsburgh article is a member of a Professional Home Inspection Association. He is not a member of NACHI.
Joseph P Hagarty
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Joseph P. Hagarty
Main Line Inspections, Inc.
Main Line, PA
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Well this is interesting
[#8] Posted: May 19 2004 - 6:26:23 PM | | |
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I am all for licensing but every time I get that old yearning I read something like this. I'm in CA. When I first moved here I got to learn all about the termite industry. It seems we have this thing called the Structural Pest Control Board. One must be licensed to do pest inspections and treatments. One obtains a license by going to work for 2 years for someone that is already in the old boy network first. No other options. Then one can apply for a license (hitherto called a license to steal.)
It works this way. The client pays you to inspect their property. It takes about an hour and probably yields a fee equal to what a full home inspection in Miss. yields. You write up and file a report complete with estimates for the work to be done. Depending on the severity of the work needed you will classify it as section I or section II. Lenders require completion of section I work prior to closing escrow.
The quotes are generally marked up 50% above what the subcontractor (usually guys that have trouble keeping their contractor's license for one reason or another) gets paid by the pest company to do the work. The pest companies generally get the work because they get it done more quickly and easily than hiring your own contractor and for the reason in the next paragraph.
Now pay attention here's the good part. The work must be re-inspected and certified by guess who.....you got it. The same company that found the problem (which may or may not have actually existed) which is the same company that did the work in most cases. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture. Believe me, you do not want to be the contractor doing the work if it wasn't awarded to the pest company.
I belong to CREIA, the California Real Estate Inspection Association. We've been dancing with the state for years to get licensing but sure don't want to see anything like this in our profession.
I agree that anything is better than nothing in most cases but it's dirtbags like this gonzo gypsy  and organizations like I described  2]that scare hell outa me.
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Well this is interesting
[#9] Posted: May 19 2004 - 6:30:00 PM | | |
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Former Pittsburgher Nick Gromicko is executive director of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
Is this an inacurate statement then? Bad press for you guys indeed.
For those who care to reach out with a more personal touch I recommend:
Contact NACHI's Executive Director by email:
Nick Gromicko: Nick.Gromicko@nachi.org
Nick Gromicko
Executive Director
Cell phone: (484) 614-8081
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Columbus, Mississippi
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Well this is interesting
[#10] Posted: May 19 2004 - 7:16:43 PM | | |
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[quote]Originally posted by jhagarty
The Inspector mentioned in the Pittsburgh article is a member of a Professional Home Inspection Association. He is not a member of NACHI.
Duely noted Joe.
Brian G.
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Columbus, Mississippi
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Well this is interesting
[#11] Posted: May 19 2004 - 7:22:36 PM | | |
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[quote]Originally posted by crusty
Now pay attention here's the good part. The work must be re-inspected and certified by guess who.....you got it. The same company that found the problem (which may or may not have actually existed) which is the same company that did the work in most cases. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture. Believe me, you do not want to be the contractor doing the work if it wasn't awarded to the pest company.
Jeez, what a slimy arrangement. How do you $uppo$e that law ever made it$ way onto the book$?
Brian G.
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West Chester, PA
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Well this is interesting
[#12] Posted: May 19 2004 - 8:21:37 PM | | |
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The writer of the article by interviewing Nick attempted to associate NACHI with an Inspector. Many posting here reached that same conclusion by only believing what they read and conducting no further research to obtain the truth.
Joseph P Hagarty
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Joseph P. Hagarty
Main Line Inspections, Inc.
Main Line, PA
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Kansas City, Missouri / Kansas
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Well this is interesting
[#13] Posted: May 19 2004 - 9:45:36 PM | | |
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Guys - We really need to quit this bashing. I've got probably 1-12 tapes on HI stings or bozo inspectors that belonged to A$$I.
Shit happens move on.
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Columbus, Mississippi
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Well this is interesting
[#14] Posted: May 19 2004 - 9:46:21 PM | | |
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[quote]Originally posted by jhagarty
The writer of the article by interviewing Nick attempted to associate NACHI with an Inspector. Many posting here reached that same conclusion by only believing what they read and conducting no further research to obtain the truth.
Speaking only for myself, I didn't take it that the inspector in the first half of the article was a NACHI guy. I thought his record and Mr. Gromicko's were individually embarrassing for the industry. But the possiblity for confusion does exist on the first point, so I can understand the clarification.
I always thought too much was made of the fact that NACHI was originally formed to skirt an incoming state law. Exercising loopholes is not solely the province of the dark side, and never has been. But if the statements about Mr. Gromicko in that article are true, I would not want to be associated with him or his organization.
Brian G.
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Well this is interesting
[#15] Posted: May 19 2004 - 9:54:15 PM | | |
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Ditto to Brian. It speaks very poorly of an organization to have a shady character at the helm.
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Associate Editor - TIJ
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Charlestown, Massachusetts
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Well this is interesting
[#16] Posted: May 20 2004 - 3:11:52 PM | | |
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FWIW, I've been critical of NACHI and have nothing good to say about their Exalted Dictator (or Executive Director whatever they call him), but I have to say Joe H. is a true professional and I respect him.
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Jim
www.AlMorrison.com
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West Chester, PA
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Well this is interesting
[#17] Posted: May 20 2004 - 10:10:54 PM | | |
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No offense taken.
Joseph P Hagarty
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Joseph P. Hagarty
Main Line Inspections, Inc.
Main Line, PA
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Starting Member
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Sammamish, Washington
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Well this is interesting
[#18] Posted: May 21 2004 - 01:05:20 AM | | |
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"Well gosh, I read it so it must be true." A basic rule of thumb when dealing with journalists is that they can't get the facts right even when they're trying.
After reading the article, my guess is the author wasn't really after the facts to begin with. Certainly the quotes attributed to Nick Gromicko seem unlikely to be accurate and/or in context. I say this without knowing Mr. Gromicko. For all I know he may be a scumbag, but any adult taking such an apparently biased and implausible account as true is at best ignorant and perhaps dim-witted.
Also, a couple of the responses are either jokes in poor taste or the rantings of people I wouldn't care to meet let alone do an inspection for me.
I'm thinking the contents of this journal are worth even less than the subscription price.
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Editor - TIJ
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Kenmore, WA
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Well this is interesting
[#19] Posted: May 21 2004 - 09:34:33 AM | | |
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Hmmm,
I have to agree with Mike, you do have to take some of these articles with a grain of salt. Whether it is true or not will eventually be revealed if and when the State of Pennsylvania resolves it.
Mike, I understand that as a NACHI member you might be a little miffed because some in this thread are dissing NACHI and/or Nick. Let's be realistic though, even if the article is biased, if the basic facts are true - that he does owe a large fine and hasn't paid it yet - most would see that as a stain on his credibility. He owes it to NACHI to straighten that mess out, instead of allowing it to fester.
As far as the worth of this site - I would hope you wouldn't draw that conclusion based on this post alone. After all, the amount of vitriole that has come off of the NACHI board toward anyone that doesn't agree with NACHI's approach has been lightyears beyond what you've seen here - particularly when it comes to discussions that center around ASHI and news stories where inspectors who are ASHI members screw up. One really can't blame the ASHI guys, who are just as loyal to their own association as you are to yours, for taking a little delight when the shoe is on the other foot.
How much of it is true? Who knows? Hell, even if half of what has been said on the NACHI board about senior ASHI members and others were true, the FBI would be investigating most of the ASHI BOD for fraud, imbezzlement and price fixing. Oh yeah, though I'm not an ASHI member, I'd be wearing a dress, makeup and a little girls smock.
ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!
Mike (Girly-Man) O'Handley
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Well this is interesting
[#20] Posted: May 21 2004 - 09:59:23 AM | | |
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"Let's be realistic though, even if the article is biased, if the basic facts are true - that he does owe a large fine and hasn't paid it yet - most would see that as a stain on his credibility. He owes it to NACHI to straighten that mess out, instead of allowing it to fester."
Unfortunately whether the organization be good or bad one would certainly have to question the credibility of the ethical code of an organization that condones this type of law scoffing behaviour by virtue of the simple fact that they choose to continue to employ this guy. What an underlying attitude his quotes and actions portray. By the way, isn't this an organization that the State has seen fit to credit in lieu of passing industry governing laws and State monitoring?
I don't belong to either organization and have no axe to grind other than the loss of credbility by my entire profession when something like this comes to light.
Just a random thought....If he worked for the spooks he would have disappeared or been dead before the tape hit the air.
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Associate Editor - TIJ
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Charlestown, Massachusetts
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Well this is interesting
[#21] Posted: May 21 2004 - 10:17:11 AM | | |
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Unfortunately, they can't fire him. Members can make NO change there, without his approval. He has total financial and administrative control over everything that happens there. He appointed the President and every committee chair and could change any one of them without notice and there isn't a blessed thing any member could do about it.
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Jim
www.AlMorrison.com
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Editor - TIJ
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Kenmore, WA
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Well this is interesting
[#22] Posted: May 21 2004 - 11:25:01 AM | | |
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Yeah, that is a little odd,
Nick founded NACHI, set up a web presence and then began collecting dues. As time progressed and membership grew he began adding more and more features (member benefits) and I understand various committees have been set up to steer some of the policies. I guess there are also a lot of nifty NACHI marketing gizmos that are sold to "members" and "members" get discounts from companies that have endorsed NACHI. That is sort of the way the other associations do it too, so nothing seems out of the ordinary there.
However, as far as I know, no board of directors controls the purse strings and there wasn't an "election" for President. Nick came onto his forum one day and said that the fight with ASHI had drawn down, so he was soliciting names of those who wanted to volunteer for the post as President. Within about half a dozen or so posts, Joe offered to step in, a couple of guys endorsed him on the forum and he became the instant president. Nothing against Joe, but if NACHI's forum is anything like others, only a small percentage of the membership are on at any given time so it wasn't like there was a popular election or an overwhelming vote of confidence. Perhaps Joe just stepped in to fill the void until they have their first formal election. Still, as President, has Joe taken over supervision of monies and could he and his officers, if there are any, vote to terminate for cause Nick's position as Executive Director, and hire another Director? Hmmm.
I think it is odd that Nick calls it a non-profit. Yet, if he has control of the purse where all of the membership dollars go, pays himself a salary from it, can raise that salary and give himself bonuses and do whatever else he wants with it - without membership having a right to veto his decision - it isn't exactly an "association" so much as clients paying a one-man S corp or LLC, consisting of a high-priced consultant and his subs (lawyer/web guys/etc.), for his expertise and the right to be included on his web site, so how in the world does it qualify as a non-profit. Is there some quirky Pennsylvania law that allows that?
OT - OF!!!
M.
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Sammamish, Washington
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Well this is interesting
[#23] Posted: May 21 2004 - 3:02:41 PM | | |
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Mike,
I know the inter-association bashing stuff goes on from all camps. I find most all of it to be juvenile and often the alleged facts unsupported and implausible. My comments about some of the postings here would certainly also apply to similar comments made by NACHI members or anyone else.
The virulent anger reflected in some of the postings was what my comments about the posters refered to. I have no idea, nor do I care who belongs to what organization. Our customers for the most part don't give a rip either. I would be surprised if more than a few of them could say which organization their current or recent inspector belongs to.
My membership in NACHI reflects a recent marketing decision and my not being a member of any other HI organizations reflects a budgeting constraint (i.e. I choose to spend the rest of my finite marketing resources elsewhere.)
I have no loyalty to NACHI other than the kind I have to any vendor or organization I'm working with. For me, loyalties beyond utilitarian are only to people and ideas.
As I said, I do not know Nick Gromicko and have no loyalty to him or NACHI. If I get to know him and find him a worthy person, he will have my loyalty as would anyone else, regardless of their organizational affiliations.
By default I assume people are good, clean, kind, ... (not perfect though.) I also try to practice the golden rule, "do unto others as you ..." Perhaps I should have included that with my caution about journalists and truth.
All that said, please don't look to my organizational affiliations to find my motives, and I do find value in your journal.
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Editor - TIJ
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Kenmore, WA
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Well this is interesting
[#24] Posted: May 21 2004 - 3:38:30 PM | | |
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Fair 'nuff,
Mike, my apologies if I offended.
Sorry crusty, you may not be treasurer. Using this particular format it is incumbent upon me to shoulder that burden. Send all checks to......
OT - OF!!!
M.
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Madison, Alabama
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Madison, Alabama
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Well this is interesting
[#26] Posted: May 31 2004 - 11:11:14 AM | | |
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Add this to the list:
http://www.radonaway.com/news/...2000.pdf
An associated issue, look at the staff of this company in PA.
http://www.peachinspections.com/
The VP who has a very familar last name was responsible for installing many of the radon mitigation systems for Sunn Radon and now he is certifed and doing it again. Also the site brags that the VP performed 3982 inspections in 5 years. Wow. That is more than 2 a day if he worked 365 days per year. Well there was leap year in there so that will drop the average a bit.
Bill Loden
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Well this is interesting
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