Jim Morrison

Kurt, Mike, What you say about pricing makes sense but, if companies like the one at this link are already out there doing full inspections including IR at these prices, it's unlikely you'll ever be able to justify those kinds of fees.

Guys like Cramer and Mitenbuler make me proud to be a home inspector. They are a contrast in styles, but neither is capable of saying something that is untrue. If I ever grow up, I want to be more like them. Branding is a set of tools that ASHI bought with members' money. Some of us are unhappy about that, but it's history now. If you don't use the tools, you'll build nothing. I think most HI's can understand that. If you use them poorly, you'll build poorly, I think most HI's can understand that. If you use them well, you'll build something useful and profitable, I think most HI's can understand that. I didn't like the concept and I hated the way is was rolled out, but I have spoken with too many people who are profitting from it to see it as anything other than an opportunity now. I predict that the ASHI Experience success will crescendo for the foreseeable future -especially since the board is now loaded with some super smart, member-minded folks and the consultants have been fired. Better days are coming,

ASHI members reading this thread should know that your Board of Directors is currently deliberating 2006 dues. If you want input on this issue, contact a Board member and talk to them about it. Or at the very least, you should contact your Council Rep, if you belong to a chapter that has one.

Brian, Once the novelty of indoor plumbing wears off, you'll find yourself wondering how you ever got along without it. Wait'll Columbus gets electric lights,

That was my first visit to Texas, and I loved it. Austin was fun and I went out into the hill country one night to visit an old buddy and loved that too. The thing you gotta love about Texas is the Texans. Full of pride and funny Texasisms about their state. As my buddy told me: "You've left America, boy. You're in the United State of Texas, now." Sorry to disappoint readers who expected more content on cigars and lovely ladies. I'm sure there were plenty of both in Austin last week, but predictably, I didn't get my hands on either... There was a fair bit of Guinness about, but there isn't much I could say about it that hasn't already been said. Did the guy who edited that article actually post: "Actually, Jim did right the review"? Good heavens, Jimmy

In MA, a sheetrock or plaster ceiling used to be required over oil fired boilers, furnaces, and water heaters. Newer installations do not require them because there is something in the burner (a thermal switch?) that shuts them down if they catch fire. If an oil burner has a yellow Energy Efficiency sticker, the sheetrock ceiling is redundant.

I've never seen a Code reference, but I think Brian's about 6'.

Yes, because other systems like the telephone or cable TV may be bonded to the water pipe after the meter and the jumper cable ensures a continuous path to ground.

Shit, Kurt -that comparison aint fair. In 1950's Chicago they were pouring basement floors over an 18 inch layer of compacted teamsters.

Hey Guys, FWIW, I'd never buy or use a ladder I didn't trust 100%. Inspecting roofs, chimneys, and attics just isn't worth a fall. Like autombobile tires and brakes, it's one of those items that isn't worth trying to save money on. I spent about $1000 replacing all my ladders this summer which seems like a lot of money until you go out shopping for wheelchairs.

Terry, It's tough to find an uncracked concrete floor slab in my area, regardless of when it was placed. Chances are good that your client is just a bit nervous over nothing. Bring a camera along and post some pics if you like, but my guess is, it's nothing. Unless control joints are cut strategically into the floor, they'll all crack. Most people just seal 'em and forget 'em -or just forget 'em. Good Luck,

None.

Jim, your's is the first comment I've seen on that. It rubs me the wrong way too. Did you read Steve Gladstone's idiotic rationalization in the current ASHI Reporter? "We know the testing is seen by many as threatening and expensive," said Gladstone. "Others feel they have already proven their knowledge and business acumen." Well, lah de freakin' da! Joe Hancaviz Joe, I did read Steve's column and while I think Steve is a smart guy, I was disappointed with his stance. Someone before me said HI orgs are not one-size-fits-all and it's true. There are plenty of orgs out there that want to be the biggest, and I'd be happier if ASHI kept focused on just being the best. Here's hoping next years crop of leaders can shift the emphasis back.

Gerry, At least your American has progressed to the point that you use Webster's as a refernce and not that silly OED. My compliments. The difference between "industry" and "profession" is a matter of semantics. Both are accurate, but profession sounds more professional. That's why I refer to my home inspection "practice" and not my home inspection "company". It's why we say decay instead of rot or a hundred other examples. Communication is what we do, folks, why not do it as well as you can? People don't seem to mind parting with big, fat checks when they are handing them over to someone who sounds like he knows what he's doing. Nobody is wrong who calls what we do an industry, but it would be mo' better if we all referred to it as a profession. All Mike is trying to do is improve the profession for everyone, and I support it. There are plenty of folks trying to dilute our ranks, I'm all for anything that makes us look, sound, or work better.

I like the Monoxor II from Bacharach, but it's the only one I've ever used. Easy to use and calibrate. No problems in the 7 years I've had it.

I know nothing about the CREIA test and don't care a lot about how tough it is since I don't belong. I am an ASHI member and have been promoting the meaning of ASHI membership for most of my life. Being a member of ASHI used to mean passing a certain test (although the test has changed considerably over the years). Now it's a little more nebulous and the reasons behind the softening of the rules bother me more than anything. Maybe the CREIA test is harder today. Maybe it won't be tomorrow. The point is: ASHI created a loophole and loopholes get exploited early and often. I think it was a mistake and I still do.

Paul, My point is that ASHI shouldn't allow anyone to be a member until they have passed the NHIE and granting membership to TAREI and CREIA folks creates a loophole that rubs me wrong.

Hey Kurt, Are there gutters on the house? Are they clogged? How close are surrounding trees and shrubs? Get that relative humidity down below 70% consistently and it's "game over".

Not only was Kurt the crash test dummy for that presentation, but I was sitting next to him when we swore a pact to buy the Suretest immediately. Reminds me of the time my high school buddy and I planned to streak across a backyard pool party. I believed him too. I bought the 61-155 and liked it at first, but am no longer happy with it. Lately, it has been giving me false "no ground" readings about 50% of the time. I haven't sent it back to Ideal, yet, but I'm going to. I've heard other inspectors had the same trouble with it. I think I remember The Honorable Mr. Hansen complaining that he doesn't like the 61-155 either, though I don't recall exactly why, I believe he said he preferred an older model.

Sounds bombproof to me.

Ditto Brother Prickett

Darren, Arnie Green, who is a retired oil dealer, legendary home inspector, and about the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet taught me that the smokepipe connecting a heating system to a chimney can be as long as 2/3 the height of the chimney. This has always struck me as an odd rule of thumb because chimneys work on equal parts science and magic. Why 2/3? Why not 1/2? Why not 3/4? It is safe to say shorter is always better. For me, it boils down to common sense. If it looks longer than about 2/3 the height of the chimney, if there are signs that it hasn't been drafting properly in the past, if it puffs back when I'm inspecting it, then I say so and tell my clients to get it checked out. Especially, as you point out if there is no barometric damper. Best,

You certainly have my sympathies. May that realtor develop an incurable, festering, burning itch in her most sensitive regions. No doubt the buyer got what he paid for,

Konrad, I was bummed when I came home from one of the best vacations of my life this summer to find my well had been victimized by a lightning bolt. That was nothing compared to your loss (though my insurance company bailed on me, too). Thank Clapton the guitars survived...

My 6 brothers and sisters and I grew up in a 100+ year old house with UFFI-stuffed exterior walls. All athletes, almost all graduated from college, and most have advanced degrees. My brother, my Dad, and I replaced nearly all of the siding on the house with backprimed cedar clapboards and painted it in 1986-7. Because Mom complained the color was fading, Dad finally had it repainted last summer. There was virtually no peeling after 15+ years. From the annals of science,