Philip Pugh

Thanks Scott, I appreciate your honesty and candor. Your perception about why some HI's don't take the test is the same as mine.I thought that it was important for me to tackle the test as both a confidence builder and sort of a personal skill level gauge. Thanks again

I recently took the NHIE and passed big on the first try. It really was not that difficult even though I created my own stress and anxiety prior to taking the thing.I took it with only 102 inspections under my belt, roofing as a background and a desire to join one of the nationally recognized orginizations to legitimize my business. It seems to me that my competitors in my farming area all poo-poo the test because Maryland currently does not have a licensing criteria. Any thoughts from you inspectors that live in states that require a passing score to be licensed? In some forums I've even read language from inspectors that seem to blow off the test or maybe a fear that they would'nt pass. Feedback welcome

We all know that you can test a heatpump in the cooling mode if our temp is 65 degrees or higher for the last 12 or so hours. When our temperature is around 72 degrees plus is it protocal or even wise to also run the unit in the heat mode ?

There's more. While surveying the exterior of this place I noticed several stair type cracks leadind up and vertically away from the lintels above 3 of the windows located in close proximity of this new concrete pour.Then the client says, "It looks like they did a pretty good job at cutting down that tree". Tree? Well it turns out that a severed tree stump was protruding about 3" above this new concrete and pressed against the foundation which by the way is directly opposed to that shiny new drywall and paint that I chose not to probe with my protimeter.Where do you think that those roots might be? There was also an incomplete heavy up without the meters in place and the power company unaware of the work. Also 1 heatpump and 1 a/c unit, neither respond to the thermostats. There were 2,200 amp panels that were missing a total of 8 twist outs, 2 40 gal water htrs with no grounds, exposed wiring and no tpr pipes,and oh mold seeping through the new paint job. When she bailed I was more than happy to take a short check for travel/cancellation, grab the versaladder, tools and get out. Would you guys have given a short summary on what was inspected or cut your losses and move on?

I attempted to inspect a home which was recently renovated,an inner city victorian built in 1917.First the buyer doesn't want to sign the arbitration clause in my contract but eventually does after I further explained it's purpose. Once inside the basement I find new drywall and paint throughout the place.Then she asks me if I thought that the foundation wall was wet behind the newly finished drywall because a week earlier the drywall,paint and carpeting were not there. She then tells me that when she last saw the house the foundation wall was exposed and it was wet and covered w/mold.I only had a Protimeter pin type meter and was not about to start poking holes in this contractors work.Long story short, she chose to abort the inspection if I couldn't determine the effectiveness of the newly poured concrete as moisture control around the exterior of the home and the possibilty of the basement becoming wet again. What would you have done or said?

Good morning all,I am preparing for the coveted NHIE after completing my 84th solo, fee paid inspection. I would like some info from you inspectors that may have taken this test in the past 2 years. How many building code questions are there? What is the level of difficulty that I can expect? Any and all help will be appreciated. Oh, here's a pic that you guys might like. Download Attachment: Home inspections 014.jpg 337.9 KB