A number of Home Inspector certification services
exist and each home inspection certification has its own
requirements. The following suggestions area provide by the National
Association of Certified Home Inspectors
Buying a home? It is probably the most expensive purchase you will
ever make. This is no time to shop for a cheap inspection. The
cost of a home inspection is very small relative to the home
being inspected. The additional cost of hiring a
National Association of Certified
Home Inspectors (NACHI)
certified home inspector is almost insignificant.
You have recently been crunching the numbers, negotiating offers,
adding up closing costs, shopping for mortgages and trying to get
the best deals. Do not stop now. Do not let your real estate
agent, a patty-cake inspector or anyone else talk you into skimping
here. NACHI certified inspectors perform the best inspections by
far.
NACHI certified inspectors earn their fees many times over. They
do more, they deserve more and, yes, they generally charge a little
more. Do yourself a favor...and pay a little more for the quality
inspection you deserve.
Licensing of home inspectors only sets a minimum standard.
Much like being up to code, any less would be
illegal. Imaginary people, children, psychics (who claim to "sense"
if a house is OK) and even pets can be home inspectors. NACHI, the
National Association of Certified Home Inspectors front-ends
its membership requirements.
NACHI inspectors:
-
Have to pass NACHI's
Online Inspector Examination every year. (This general, not
association-specific exam is open and free to all).
-
Have to complete
NACHI's online Ethics Obstacle Course. (This open book Ethics course
is open and free to all).
-
Have to take NACHI's
online Standards of Practice Quiz (This open book Standards of
Practice quiz is open and free to all).
-
Have to sign and
submit an Affidavit.
-
Have to adhere to
NACHI's Standards of Practice.
-
Have to abide by
NACHI's Code of Ethics.
-
Have to continue
learning (24 hours/year) as per NACHI's Continuing Education Policy.
-
Have to maintain a
member Online Continuing Education Log (free) as per NACHI's
Continuing Education Policy.
-
Have to (if never
performed a home inspection for a fee) submit 4 mock inspections to
NACHI's Report Review Committee (free) before performing their first
home inspection for a client.
-
Have to (within 30
days after joining) successfully complete NACHI's comprehensive
online Standards of Practice course (free).
-
Have to (within first
60 days after joining) complete NACHI's comprehensive online Roofing
course (free) including all the quizzes within and pass it's final
exam.
-
Have
to (within first 3 months of membership) apply for a membership
photo I.D. (free).
-
Have to re-take and
pass NACHI's Online Inspector Examination again, every year (free).
-
Have to attend at
least one chapter meetings or educational seminars every two years
(reasonable exceptions apply).
-
Have access to
Inspector's Quarterly, delivered to their doorstep.
-
Have access to
NACHI's free visual aid inspection frames to help them learn.
-
Have access to
NACHI's free library for improving their inspection skills.
-
Have access to
NACHI's message board for exchanging information and tips.
-
Have access to
NACHI's What's New section so they can keep up with the industry.
-
Have access to
NACHI's specific-topic advisory boards.
-
Have access to Dear
NACHI for detailed advice.
-
Have access to a
time-tested Agreement which keeps them (and you) away from lawsuits.
-
Have access to
NACHI's Report Review/Mentoring service.
-
Have to submit
passport photos for their membership I.D.
-
Have access to
NACHI's free online inspection courses.
-
Have to have mock
inspections reviewed before performing their first fee paid
inspection.
-
Have to carry E&O
insurance (if their state requires it).
-
Have access to a real
estate agent hold harmless clause.
-
Have access to NACHI
University.
-
Have access to The
NACHI Mall.
-
Have a consumer
hot-line for their clients.
-
Have access to an
Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Service.
-
Have access to a
Client Satisfaction Survey.
So the next time you need to refer your clients to home inspectors,
make sure they are members of
NACHI.
|
Nick Gromicko, Author of this article
is:
Founder, National Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
www.nachi.org
Executive Director, Master Inspector Certification Board,
www.certifiedmasterinspector.org
Executive Director, International Association of Certified
Indoor Air Consultants,
www.IAC2.org
Author, Sell Your Home For More,
http://www.nachi.org/sellyourhome.htm
President, Reports, Inc,
www.neighborhoodenvironmental.com |
|
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