Few questions for certified home inspectors.
In older homes like these, the main remodeling goal is often a more welcoming, more social, and more functional kitchen.
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#3 - http://www.hometechonline.com/
#4 - your contract agreement stipulates that you WILL miss something and that there is no extra charge for missing it, LOL
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That home tech site you sent me to is only forms. I need software to streamline the process. They want 6.95 per form when a 1000 or more are ordered which is 20,000 sheets of paper i would much rather fill everything out on a computer so everybody can read the writing.man found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!
Now that I've answered part of your queries, I wonder if I may have done the world harm, by foisting on it one more partly trained fill in the blanks home inspector?
Get training, get experience
Then get going
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
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Go ask Bob, Bob, bob ,where are you, question asle 1
I have been a contractor for more than 15 years and my partner has been in the business for more than 20 doing custom, spec, commercial and a ton of remodeling over the past 15 to 20 years so the experience is there just something new to try.man found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!
That's fine with me but???????????????????you might want to update your age in profile. It says you are only 28YO. That means you must have started contracting when you were thirteen?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I started in working full time for my dad at age 14. Summers and school vacation days in the field the rest in the office taking care of lien waivers and such.man found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!
I have been a contractor for more than 15 years
Blueshound, I'm going to sound an alarm here, since you are in here asking for advice.
If you are 28, and you utter that statement, you immediately lose credibility. Understand, that you will lose a lot of business and you won't know why, but once you compromise your credibility in an interview, everything you say becomes suspect.
No matter how you rationalize it, you could not possibly have been a contractor for 15 years is you are 28. Even if you were to establish that you were building your buddies bunk beds in middle school, most rational people would not equate that with the common understood defintition of the word "contractor".
Your dad was the contractor. You didn't sit down the first day on the job and become the contractor...you were an employee.
As an interviewer, I immediatly dismiss the idea of hiring anyone that trys to use their dad's experience for their own. I used to tell them, well send my your dad..but now I don't do that...I don't need to amuse myself about this issue any more.
Last: anytime someone tells me that they have 10 years experience as a carpenter, because they worked for their daddy's partime, I get offended. I'm offended because they cheapen the effort that I've been through. You see...I've really been out there in the mud, cold and rain at 7 am every day, working 40, 50, 60 , 70 , 80 or more hours per week while you were sitting in the commons ogling the high school girls with their short skirts.
Do your self a favor and update your internal experience memory banks...the more you tell others that you were a contractor since puberty, the more you'll believe it. Believing something like that cannot be of value to you.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
I can say beyound any doubt that I have more than 15 years experience in the building contracting field. During high school I worked all of 40 hours a week build and remodeling homes. I was never sick from work till i had walking pnuemonia and was foced in to a bed. I have seen and experienced all the ins and outs, ups and downs of the business in the past 15 years. Going to meet with clients with my dad at a very young age.
At 18 we lost all of our experienced forman (all 3 went out on there own) and I was pushed from the role of carpenters helper to carpenter and forman. I know I made mistakes but i learned through the schoool of hard knocks how to manage and run remodeling and new construction projects. I had men 3 times my age under my supervision on jobsites. I dont' even want to get in to how much that sucked How much can a carpenter/forman have at 20 little and none. YOur only here cauese your old man owns the company. I worked circles around everyone who gave me the slightest amount of crap, working almost every saturday and half the sundays. because i lived and died for construction work.
when I turned 27 I started doing estimating and by 29 I was doing 80 % of the estimating. Later that year I started another business focusing on the small job. with this business I plan on adding home inspection services, mainly in part of legislation that nearly made it through our state legislature this year. In this bill all homes sold in the state would have to be inspected. I want to be the first in my town to offer Home Inspection Services, so in the next year or 2 I will have a corner on the market and it will make my company grow.
Most people in this town prefer to work with a business that is tried and true.
(I had no idea women existed till I was 20 I was all work and no play)man found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!
I can say beyound any doubt that I have more than 15 years experience in the building contracting field.
Well, at least you've downgraded your story from "15 years as a contractor" to 15 years of experience in the building contracting field. Your story is getting a little closer to believeable...
IF you think that adding the words contracting is important, fine, just be warned that even if it's true, in order for it to be believeable, you're going to have to spend a lot of energy explaining yourself. In the end, all you do is spend a lot of your energy being defensive. If you don't do all the unnecessary explaining, your credibility is questionable.
You seem hell bent on proving your worth because of years. I always brag that I have a partner that learned more in 4 years than most guys learn in 40. We all have accomplished things that are hard to believe. I've learned to keep them to myself unless there is a very specific goal to be achieved by outing them. In the words of Dr Phil, "whats your payoff?"
I didn't think you'd understand my point.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
"Last: anytime someone tells me that they have 10 years experience as a carpenter, because they worked for their daddy's partime, I get offended. I'm offended because they cheapen the effort that I've been through. You see...I've really been out there in the mud, cold and rain at 7 am every day, working 40, 50, 60 , 70 , 80 or more hours per week while you were sitting in the commons ogling the high school girls with their short skirts."
Blue Eye,
Just a question...Would working for 4 years PT @ 20/week equate to you as the same as 80/week for one year full?
Who do you think would have SEEN and EXPERIENCED more. they both worked the same amount....
WSJ
Jon, the question that you are framing serves no purpose if posed within the context of the message I posted.
I could rephrase your question like this: If a man works one day per year, for forty years doing carpentry, does he have forty years experience?
The answer is yes...he has forty years experience...or no, he does not have forty years experience...he has forty hours experience.
The only point I was making was that all claims should be credible and easily believable. I've been on the interviewing end of at least 300 carpenters that claimed that they had more years of experience than they actually did. I've come to the conclusion that carpenters in general, think that the interviewers are dunceheads and cant add. His message insults the intelligence of nondunce heads. I really don't care if he continues to BS his experience mod, but intelligent thinking people will automatically discount his claim, then discount all the rest of his claims. Most people are too polite to call him on the carpet. Since I've happened to call about 300 on their claim, and not a one has ever been able to justify their claim, I took it upon myself to enlighten him.
You can lead a horse to water, but you cant make him drink.
Words are important, choose them wisely when selling yourself.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
put it in terms of ecomonics. The guy has the experience in the field,it sounds like. But by inflating the words, he deflates the message
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
put it in terms of ecomonics. The guy has the experience in the field,it sounds like. But by inflating the words, he deflates the message
Exactly!
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
And for something like this the only thing that he realy has to sell his is integraty.For someone like if I picked him from his resume and then he shows up he would be fired before he gets in the front door.
I agree Bill. We've all been victimized many times. As you can tell, I don't respect anyone that starts counting their work experience during their puberty years.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
"Jon, the question that you are framing serves no purpose if posed within the context of the message I posted. ...The only point I was making was that all claims should be credible and easily believable. "
Blue,
I understand your point, but your response to me was one exaggerated to the point of ridiculous... And you never answered my question .
I was asking a question about what you thought about a concept in a grey area of a continuum, you responded with an example at the two extremes.
Since when was most sales and marketing either "credible and easily believable?"
WSJ
Jon, I didn't answer your question because I don't know the answer. You obviously already know the answer with regards to your point of view.
If you asked me which experience was more valuable, I'd immediately respond and tell you that by being there each day, all day, every day, you would far surpass anyone that was working part time. Why? Because part-timer inevitably are given the routine, easiest jobs. Additionally, the guy that is there all day every day, works a job from start to finish. There are no holes in his experince mod.
I posed the extreme examples because I see your question posed as just an attempt to muddle the point and I was just trying to show you why your question was meaningless.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Jon, I didn't answer your question because I don't know the answer. You obviously already know the answer with regards to your point of view."
Followed by your answer........
"I posed the extreme examples because I see your question posed as just an attempt to muddle the point and I was just trying to show you why your question was meaningless."
Blue, you'd never make it as an attorney. Sorry. Hate to say it, but your posts/aguments often contratic what you proport as fact. Kinda' like how by juristictions that require hurricane clips somehow put YOU at a competitive economic disadvantage compared to your competion who also have to use them. (No, you didn't state that, but you did following your...lack of logic)
BTW, lots of people work part time BECAUSE THEY CAN, because they are that good, and are paid accorrdingly the highest wages, not the lowest.
I asked you that question because I honestly wanted to hear your opnion and you turned it into a flame. You seem real good at that. At least your good at something. LOL
WSJ
I often don't agree with Blue, and sometimes question his logic, but I think he is right on the money on this one.Reread his messages on this subject; reread them slowly and with an open mind. I think you have missed much of what he said and much of value.Yes, there are times when extreme examples distort the issue/question; but there are times when they help illuminate it and focus the attention.It is a type of Reductio Ad Absurdum, a form odf logical argument that is well estabished and often used in the high mountains of philosophy and mathematics.
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Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
Bob,
My point was that I asked and honest question, and Blue became immediately defensive to the extreme. This forum is not a courtroom.
BTW, as a corollary, who would you rather have as a pilot flying the plane you're in? somebody who's logged 120 hrs. in three weeks? or somebody that's done it in hour increments over 120 days?
Blue would have you believe the first guy, I'd say most CFI's would say the last.
Jon
Edited 3/6/2005 8:10 am ET by WorkshopJon
Edited 3/6/2005 8:10 am ET by WorkshopJon
Blue would have you believe the first guy
No, blue wouldn't say either....he doesn't know anything about flying.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
I still agree with Blue on this one.And I'd rather have the first pilot, not the second.
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Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
and another argument might be that a HI(engineer) or an architect for that matter... should never get lisenced till they built houses for X amt of years?
Can a doctor (intern) practice before he's had on hands experiance alongside the pro's?
Thats one reason archy's and builders don't get along half the time.
Its also a reason I got so mad at a HI that killed a deal for me on my last house.
The things he pointed out were moronic and had no bearing on the house's structure or integrity....I think he was looking for brownie points trying to find negatives and also getting the next inspection with those same people that he carged about $500 for a few hours work.
The jerk didnt even have his own ladder and I lent him mine at which point my wife wanted to shoot me saying he could sue us if he fell off of "my" ladder.
I just wanted the potential buyer to know I had nothing to hide.
Be well aware
a...The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
Bob, I had to take you of ignore for purposes of this discussion!
;)Why do you find the report forms worthless? Are they incomplee or inadequate in dealing with liability issues or something else?I have found that each of the reports I've read from others has missed major items and/or misrepresented things in their recommendations.I have read just three inspection reports from others when I was the chosen contractor to deal with the repairs. I noticed that ecah one of them had in the openning paragraph, a line to the effect that this report is prepared for the eyes of the person to whom it is adressed only and sghould not be shared with any other person(s). Any way to enlighten me on that and where I stand when the owner or buyer who paid for the rteport puts it in my hands and says, "Fix all this stuff" or " Tell me what it will cost to fix all this stuff"As for your report that "certified" means nothing, I think that the young blues hound here says that his state is now beginning to require some sort of certification and licensing. Maybe I misunderstiood him or maybe you missed that before you elaborated so strongly on it.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin,I've looked at probably 20-30 different forms over the years.Many of them call for an over-simplistic evaluation: "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory." or the likeWhat does that mean? One buyer's satisfactory is another buyer's nightmare.And many don't give any indication of the nature or importance of the condition: bare live wires being treated the same way as reversed polarity as a leaky valve stem as ....Or of what it might take to fix the condition.Is the lack of GFI's in a 50 year old unmodified house a "defect?" Balusters 6" OC?There are some towns around me whose building code inspectors still allow 2x6s on edge as staircase handrailsHow does one classify that on a "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" checklist.OTOH, one has to be careful about being too specific about how to correct many conditions: often there will be several ways and one contractor will prefer one while another prefers some other way. Or the fix may vary depending on hidden damage which can only be uncovered and accessed during the repairs themselves.As to the "only the initial client may rely on this report" type clause: that is intended to protect the HI when the first deal falls through and the homeowner (or agent) starts handing out the report (or pieces of it) to other potential buyers and either things have changed or the "transferee" doesn't understand the context of the report.In the best of all worlds, every report would be usable by everyone - but things break after an inspection; some buyers are far more savvy than others and one tends to be less descriptive with such a client etc.Personally, for the contractor getting the repot, I'd view it as a rough indication that "there are some problems here that need to be fixed" and I'd do my own full assessment of the situation.It's possible the HI missed something (a common danger is to see a major defect and stop looking, sometimes there is another major defect that the HI might not have seen) Also, our job isn't to fully access each and every problem in complete detail - remember, we only have 3 hours or so to look at the entire house.Lets say I see a bunch of decay in some of the the sill plates and some joists. I'm not going to measure and tell the client "there's 18.5 feet of sill plate that need to be repaired and 6 joists need to be completely sistered and 4 joists need a 4' sister from the sill."I'm going to say "there about 15 -20 feet of sill plate that needs work and a number of joists. Talk to a contractor who does this kind of work and get a complete assessment as to what will be involved and what it will cost. If you call one of the fancy contractors with the really nice showrooms and the latest and coolest in trucks, itcould get expensive. If you call so and so, who I know does this work and generally does it pretty well it'll probably run you somewhere in $500 to $700 range for the damage I saw; but you need to talk to the guy who will do the work for an accurate assessment. If you get Calvin to do it, the price and the work will be right on the mark!"I didn't see mention of certification - I don't recall that any of the states have used that term for "licensing" types of laws, but I haven't followed the licensing thing closely for a few years now.There are still a bunch of 1 week wonder schools which offer "certification" and I'm leery of the term.(And there are a few HI's in my area who call themselves that in lieu of any real credentials. They generally disappear in a year or so.)
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Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
I was looking at a list of hud house online. And many of them had Home Inspector reports. 20 pages of boiler plate and things like the driving directions to the house.It was insteresting that they used generators and air compressors to check the electric and plumbing.As you mentioned 99% of the information that they had in the report was a a check mark for satisfactory, unsatisfacotry, NA, Not observed and a couple of others.I get get as mucn information about the condition of the house driving by with my eyes closed on a moonless night.
"As for your report that "certified" means nothing, I think that the young blues hound here says that his state is now beginning to require some sort of certification and licensing. Maybe I misunderstiood him or maybe you missed that before you elaborated so strongly on it."
To be a home inspector in South Dakota you have to take a class with an accredited company and pass their test before being allowed to take the state liscensing test.
man found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!
Edited 3/7/2005 2:56 pm ET by blues_hound75
Kinda' like how by juristictions that require hurricane clips somehow put YOU at a competitive economic disadvantage
Jon, that's a ridiculous assumption, one that I'd never voice because we ALL have to put them on. My entire argument was based on the fact that we are putting hurricane clips with four nails onto plates that are anchored with foam and staples. I've worked in a tornado disaster area back in the 70's and understand how the damage occurred with rare tornados. The clips we are using would have helped with several roofs, but others had the top plates taken off entirely if there was a direct hit by the tornado.
If you think that my pointing out that you rephrased a question is a "flamefest", then I'd like to suggest that you need to thicken up your skin.
The only reason I bothered to answer your question is because you posed it again. Since you didn't discuss the merits of that question, I'd like to suggest that it is you that is interested in starting a flamefest.
I'm thinking that maybe you're being defensive becauase you, or someone like you have worked part time and you thought I'm belittling that effort...nothing could be farther than the truth. All I was doing was pointing out that kids in middle school aren't "contractors", at least not in the sense of how we routinely define them. To clarify my point, if he was 35, and claimed he was contracting 15 years, and it was discovered that he was only contracting part time for all those entire years, I would accept his word on "years of experience" without question and I never would have bothered to say anything.
So, what was your answer to "the question'?
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
when I was 3 years old someone gave me one of those playskool hammer and peg toys. Does that mean I can claim I been swinging a hammer for 44 years?
Not only that but when I was 8 someone paid me to build them a dog house. So how long have I been a building contractor?
If the price is too high then the story is too short!man found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!
OK, if we eliminate the time you worked for Dear old Dad, and the time you have been under the wing of your well experienced partner, how much time have you actually been a contractor?I'm not going to write off the mentoring experience. That is very valuable and if you have kept your ears and eyes open, you are full of knowledge, but like Blue said, most of thiose I have sen who count that too highly, are more likely full of something else. IO don't know you well enough to say. I do see that you take advice well and have already adjusted your profile somewhat.Now take some more. I know you are talking about software, but please check the site some more. They also have training, books, and forms. You can get a free copy of their building analysis report which is a small book in itself. You cannot crawl in under and around a building with a computer to enter what you observe on the digital form you imagine. Relying on memory and notes will leave you short. You will be impressed with the report form pages
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
As I was hitting the post button, I wondered, "What if they had programs for palms to carry under the bulding on the inspection?"So I looke over the ASHI site. You been there yet?http://www.ashi.org/resources/detail.asp?id=75
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
If they get a palm with a litte bigger screen and a camera that is not crap they would be the perfect tool. Then of course I would want some new gadget on it forever needing an upgrade.
Have you used excell and word type files on your palm? If so how well have they worked on a palm?
I was kind of banking on a laptop so you could fill out the forms and add pictures and such right there at the home, to try to prevent missed items.
If a PDA is the way to go I would do that the expense is less than half.
One more question does a PDA recognize people writing left handed just as well as right handed? I had a few problems to start with but i got used to writing in a way that it accepted.man found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!
I don't have a PDA, but I am pretty sure there has tobe one that combines phone, camera and info base all in oneBut now if you want to do it all at the home while there, you need to lug along a printer. Your do it all - all at once - thought pattern is typical of your generation, but here is a little more wise counsel for you...take a day or three to think about it. I find that my subconscious does me good. I can have a nagging thought percolating that doesn't make it to the top where my conscious brain can make use of it right away. Something I opbserve or hear that only fits the rest of the story the next day. Imight have wriitten the report and a day later find that I have siad the wrong thing or left a part out on some important issue. likw a good stew, it takes time for all th efacts to brew together and render a cogent story
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I don't have a PDA, but I am pretty sure there has tobe one that combines phone, camera and info base all in one"
A company called Comel (here in Columbus) is developing a "web tablet" that is even better than the PDA for this type of application.
It is combining a video camera (with picture capture capability), write-on computer tablet with a 10.4" screen, cellular phone capabilities, hot-spot capability... the features go on and on.
The gist of what they are trying to develop is simply to computerize the old "paper" way of doing things. They have even looked at modified forms to overlay the screen... so that a paper form is generated, but the data input is already done. Combine that with video and audio of the task... and you have a complete record of activities (inspection, in this case).
They were originally developing the thing for the medical field... but have since learned there are MANY more applications. I have been real interested in the thing for estimating purposes and construction management. I could have video and picture capture for the site for reference when I am sitting down to develop a quote or complete my end of day. I would have audio of the discussions we (customer and I) had during visits. I could complete a checklist of items during the visits and have the data input done as I complete the checklist. I could have much better time and cost controls.
Combine all of that with audio recognition and handwriting recognition... it would be a great tool for the trade.
The guys developing it were neighbors of my former business. One of the guys is about 70 yrs old and is more technologically advanced than anyone I know (actually developed "glass write-on/computer interface" technology). The software guys are tech-head types... but real progressive thinkers (think bill gates).
When this stuff hits the market full force (some have already hit the various specialty markets), I think it will be really really big.
Edited 3/5/2005 5:31 pm ET by Rich from Columbus
>>he guys developing it were neighbors of my former business. One of the guys is about 70 yrs old and is more technologically advanced than anyone I know (actually developed "glass write-on/computer interface" technology). The software guys are tech-head types..I hope they have some people involved who actually use the apps and can critically think about them. And that there is at least one programmer involved, and not just some coders.I just looked at a computerized HI reporting system which is very slick but useless.They didn't have anyone think through the user interface or the various purposes and the thing is far too complex because they started out using the intended form and format of the output to dictate the input and user interface.For many reportable items, one has to drill down through 3 or 4 levels of dialogs. Plain stupid.Put together by coders without a programmer. And in talking to the tech guys, they don't even know what athey are and aren't!
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Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
Just a pessimist by nature, Bob? ;)
Ok... if it will make you feel better! Yes, they have some very competent... and two unconsciously talented programmers. And they also have analysts that translate the end-users' words to "puter-head speak".
They attempted to adapt some existing programs with the cooperation of the original developers... but found quickly that the extensive nature of "reworking" another's program was difficult; as the original program had not contemplated the additional functionality.
Now... they work with focus groups of their target to develop the features from scratch. Sure, some of the features are the same ... but a LOT changes.
In the end, however, these programs are nothing more than databases with additional functionality and a few bells and whistles tossed in. Not real rocket science... EXCEPT for the interfaces. THAT is where the real talent shows through.
>>Your do it all - all at once - thought pattern is typical of your generation, but here is a little more wise counsel for you...take a day or three to think about it. I find that my subconscious does me good. I can have a nagging thought percolating that doesn't make it to the top where my conscious brain can make use of it right away. Something I opbserve or hear that only fits the rest of the story the next day. Imight have wriitten the report and a day later find that I have siad the wrong thing or left a part out on some important issue. likw a good stew, it takes time for all th efacts to brew together and render a cogent storyYeap.
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Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
I am an engineer and a professional home inspector. I suggest that you go to http://www.ashi.org and I think your questions are answered there.
My insurance runs over $3000 / year - liability, E & O and auto.
There are numerous "canned" form programs available - we developed our own inspection reports for each type of inspection we perform; regular home inspection, framing inspection, foundation inspection, stucco inspection, radon testing with pulse ionization detector instrument, mold testing, pool inspections, commercial building inspection.
An inspection agreement is mandatory. The client signs the agreement or there is no inspection performed. They agree to arbitration if a dispute arises.
However, if you miss something you can and probably will (depending on the magnitude of the problem) be sued. That's why you carry the E & O insurance.
First, Search this site for "home inspector."
The issues have been discussed at length.
Second. The term "certified home inspector" doesn't mean anything except that one has paid money to some private enterprise for that word.
Third. most states don't't have any requirements for HI's much less E&O. This year, E&) is over $3000, and will most continue to rise in big chunks (Close to a 50% increase last year for me, with no claims ever filed.)
Send me $100 dollars and I'll make you a "Certified Home Inspector" and give you a fancy piece of paper, even. Don't forget getting a good flashlight. (And no, a maglite isn't a good flashlight.)
There are a zillion "fill in the blank" forms and programs. Most are worthless, IMO. Unless you are a speedy typist, the computerized apps don't give sufficient disclosure for everything you will find in the field unless you are in some community where a 40 year old house is "old" and everything you see is pretty standard.
The palm apps are really cool until you try to actually use them.
The best reporting book in my opinion is the HomePro book. It is expensive, but very good.
In most inspections, you can write what the buyer really needs to know on a napkin with a crayon. The report is for you and to cover your ####.
During the inspefction you tell them lots of stuff: e.g., it is a visual inspection and that you can't see inside walls.* You tell them that in the report, too. They won't remember most of what is said, and they won't read the report, either, but you buy a lot of peace with writing it down.
Fourth: "What happens if you miss something on your inspection?"
In every inspection I do, I offer my client a choice: a "standard inspection" priced at the going rate in my area and an "Inspection Plus." The going rate in my area is worth 3 hours of my field time. Of that 3 hours, about (with lots of variation) 1 1/2 will be spent inspecting; about 3/4 will be spent filling out the field notes, and about 3/4 explaining stuff to the client. (Those figures are very loose. After 500 or so inspections you'll be able to do some explaining stuff while actually inspecting.
With the standard inspection I focus primarily on the big stuff and won't get all of the small stuff, and I'll limit my liability accordingly. With the Inspection Plus, I'll lift the limits on liability and increase the costs for the additional time and risk incurred.
Out of about 2,700 inspections (and probably another 25,000 of a company I often work with that takes the same approach) there has only been 1 customer who chose inspection Plus.
IMO, the key to being successful is managing expectations: Make sure the client knows what you can do and, more importantly, what you can do.
Knowledge of people is equally important to building knowledge. At 28, with "15 years as a contractor" (keeping in mind the other posts) I wonder if you have the requisite understanding yet.
Let me repeat: Knowledge of people is equally important to building knowledge. Knowledge of people is equally important to building knowledge. Knowledge of people is equally important to building knowledge.
Industry studies show the average home inspector gets sued every 1,000 inspections. In talking to a lot of HI's about their experiences, in many cases they were sued because the client didn't understand the limitations of an inspection (and often some contractor who didn't have a clue either came in after the fact and, after disassembling, something, announced "your inspector should have seen that.")
I try very hard to have my client with me every step of the way: I want them to see everything I do and look at everything I look at. I try to make them part of the "inspection team:" "If you see anything you have a question about, point it out to me and we'll figure out what is going on."
That way, when they find stuff we didn't see during the inspection(and they will) maybe they'll realize that it wasn't just me who missed it, it was both of us. And maybe they'll remember we couldn't see a lot of the house because of the furniture and storage that was in the way.
That only works for non-technical stuff, of course. I can't expect a client to understand the issues with 10' of waste line at a 45 degree angle, or why we don't double trap, etc.
But I firmly believe that being sure the client has reasonable expectation has kept me out of the court room.
(That, and paying for a few things I should have seen, of course.)
Pictures? Keep them to a minimum, in my opinion.
Clients tend to over-emphasize what is in the pictures and miss the forest for the trees.
When I first started using a camera I loaded my reports with pictures. Now, I usually only include a few in the report, usually of stuff in attics and crawl spaces which the client didn't see directly. Sometimes of stuff which needs some visual explanation with arrows and stuff.
I have lots of pics, of course, but most don't go into the report.
My job is to educate inform the client and give them objective information so that they can make informed decisions.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
*Industry lore is that a fellow couldn't understand why his intended insurer wouldn't write a policy for a company called "X-Ray Inspections"
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Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace