Brian G

The photo is so small that I can't make out much. The wires coming out of the weatherhead look spindley though. As a disappointed bride might say, "Can't you make it bigger?!". [-crzwom] [:-indifferent] Brian G. [}] No, I Don't Know From Experience, Dammit [!]

Interesting quotes. I'll be honest with you.

Most of us newbies would love to reach the point where we could forget about realtors, but for most of us that's a point on the mountain that must be climbed to since we don't come in with helicopters (big money or a big customer base). [:-tophat] If IHINA is to ever reach the large numbers in membership to create real wide-spread influence, they will need more appeal towards those large numbers who are engaged in the climb, not just the relatively few already at that point. When the leader makes extreme and offensive statements like "If you solicit realtors you are a turd!", its hurts the entire cause. How many members never, ever solicited a single realtor? If IHINA intends to stick to that sort of line, they may survive, but they will never really matter in the larger picture. Since no one else is trying to do much about the status quo, that would be a shame. Brian G. Climbing That Mountain Now

I'm not opposed to part-timers Dan, assuming they are required to meet the same high standards and make the same financial investment I am. Technically, I'm still part-time myself. I'm in a small market, and we have lulls in the action here. I haven't inspected anything but the wife since the 2nd week of December, so carpentry it is. What good any law does or does not do depends on how it is written and enforced. With any licensing law, if the bar is set high less people will make it over. Can we agree on this much? Brian G. Seeking Common Ground

Unfortunately it's almost impossible to have a discussion on this subject without it deteriorating into the verbal equivalent of a hockey brawl. Like I said, I truly dread what's coming soon over at the ASHI Forum. [:-crazy] [xx(] [:-fight] [:-gnasher] [:-grumpy] [:-irked] [:-nonono] [:-ouch] [:-scared] [:-taped] [:-timebm] [:-banghead] [:-boggled] [:-censored] [V] [:-headache] Brian G. If I Just Close My Eyes Really Tight, Will It All Go Away? [:-blindfold]

I guess I've been lucky, the handful of times I've run across K&T it was already abandoned. I double-checked that all over the place, noted it for the report, and forgot about it. Everyone has to measure thier own risks in this business every day. But I've said it before and I'll say it again...Electrical is a very bad place to stick your neck out. [:-wiltel] Brian G. Electrical-Problem Scaredy-Cat [:-skull] [:-shake] [:-skull]

Like many hundreds (if not thousands) of ASHI folk, I still have not seen the emperors' new clothes, and therefore cannot render a fair and complete judgement of it [:-blindfold]. Until such time as I have reason to feel differently, I have been and continue to be opposed by default. Frankly I'm reluctant to go very far into this topic off of the ASHI website. For now, I will say this: I believe leadership mishandled the entire affair from the word go, and badly so. I really dread the coming weeks of turmoil and venom spitting that are sure to come between the big unvieling in 2 weeks and the time when all have either paid -up or dropped-out [:-headache]. Brian G. Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop [:-scared]

I'm not sure Dan and I are that different on E&O as a solo issue. I only favor it as part of an overall licensing package. He says HI's shouldn't have to have it if no other professionals do, and I can't argue with that. Dan, are you saying that doctors there don't have malpractice insurance (the E&O equivalent)? [:-bigeyes] I also don't agree with having licensing where anyone can just pay a fee for a piece of paper saying they can inspect (state cash cows). What licensing does depends entirely on how the law is written, and to what standards. On Dan's list of "left-field comments", all became true here after licensing except #3 (nothing will ever stop that). Set the bar high and you will get the same effect anywhere else (IMHO). I also don't advertise or market my E&O as an asset. That ain't smart. All I say is "licensed, bonded, and insured". I think (& hope) that says "I'm not an amatuer" to most people. Brian G. AccuSpec, LLC

I never would have gone into this business if there had been no licensing here (Mississippi). It made going into business more expensive, but at least I don't have to compete with every jackass with an extension ladder and a box of cards. Before licensing there was a guy in the next town who was a hairdresser / home inspector...seriously. If nothing else, it filters out morons like that. [:-dunce] Frankly I was really surprized when I joined ASHI and found that they fought licensing at every turn. Since they had a huge influence on the legislation passed to govern home inspection here, I assumed they were in favor of professionalizing the industry across the board. Not so. Licensing is not a cure for all that's wrong with home inspection, but I believe the industry would be significantly advanced if all states had the same tough laws and regulations we do. In ASHI's first ranking of states with regulation, Mississippi tied for #1 with Connecticut. The SOP and COE are law here, you must have training, you must pass the NHIE, and you must have both general liability and E&O...all before you can perform a single inspection. If you live in an unregulated state, ask yourself how many of your competitors would be able or willing to clear those hurdles. I think the NHIE alone would thin the ranks noticeably. Brian G. Mississippi ASHI