Jack Ahern

Massachussetts has required licensing since 5/01/01. I'm an ASHI member and a former gratefull student of the Scaduto Family School of Home Inspections. In Mass. this profession is moving from a technical trade to a profession. These are my observations and are probably not endorsed by the more vocal societies. It is very difficult to become a quality licensed inspector.There are large multi-inspector firms that will train (sponser) people to inspect houses. Most of the card carring licensed professional inspectors operate from very small firms. These inspectors are not interested in training thier competion. It is counterproductive-costs money-takes time. I did not train to be a teacher of inspectors or babysitter of newbies. It takes me 4+ hours to complete an inspection-without explaining my every move to a newbie. I'm sure my customers are will not tolerate an 8 hour inspection. At this point,there are enough inspectors in Mass. but with natural attrition there may be a shortage.We have lots of card carrying AARP members in our chapter. Short run, that is goooooood!!-long run??? In my area they are bulldozing 400M houses for the lots. Much money being passed around for the priveledge of living in Taxachussetts. We got bigger and faster sharks in our RE Industry and Litigation Industry. As a profession, we need to be thoroughly & properly trained and adequatly insured. ASHI training helps-license requirements helps-continueing education helps. This area is active, but it isn't the wild west--"we gots lots of rules". Sorry to vent -this stuff has been on my mind for a while. Go Pats Jack Ahern from Needham on the Charles

Nice stuff-I'm a long time lurker at ASHI and at your pub. One of these days I'll step up to the plate. Please assure me you can serve Guinness in an appropriate pint glass. Congrats on your launch--looks great