2015 - Fall-Winter - Newsletter

OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL
HOME INSPECTION
CHAPTER OFFICERS
T HE P R ES IDE N T’ S CO R NE R
President
George Basista
330-544-8827
GeorgeBasista@yahoo.com
Vice-President
David Argabright
614-801-9444
davidinspects@sbcglobal.net
Executive Director
Howard Snyder
Ohashi@neo.rr.com
330-929-5239
Treasurer
Tim Buell
614-777-7922
Tim.buell@sbcglobal.net
Secretary
Larry Milbry
lmilbry@gmail.com
330-780-6412
Hello Members
I hope everyone had a great summer, both in
your business and in your personal time. The
chapter has been growing in leaps and bounds
thanks to you and also the hard work of the
board of directors and the officers of the Ohio
Chapter of ASHI.
It has been our goal to offer the following opportunities to assist the ACI's and the Associate inspectors with becoming the best and most successful inspectors in the state!
Immediate Past President
Ken Harrington
614-507-1061
Inspectorken@rrohio.com
•
Educational Seminars
•
ASHI on the Road
•
Peer Inspections
•
Mentoring Program
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Argabright
614-801-9444
davidinspects@sbcglobal.net
John Cordell
513-617-4511
Inspectionplus.john@gmail.com
Mark Garland
330-565–9022
mark@garlandhomeinspection.com
Roger Gerhardt
330-687-6331
GerhardtHomeInspec@att.net
Chris Green
513-939-4036
chris@inspectorchris.com
B.K. Thompson
216-533-2812
Thompsonbk@king-home-inspection.com
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
Associate Mentoring — David Christopher
Education — George Basista
Finance — Tim Buell
Membership — Mark Garland
Newsletter — David Argabright
Public Relations/Realtor Relations
Special Projects Chairman
George Basista
Please check out the “Events" page on our website (www.ohioashi.com) to
read about the upcoming events in your area. If you would like to see specific events in your area, please contact any of the Board members or our Executive Director — Howard Snyder.
Our December Seminar will be held on the 6th in Columbus and will include a 4-hour seminar and lunch. Please save the date and plan to attend.
The 2016 March Expo will be held on 4th, 5th, and 6th in Columbus . If
you cannot attend January’s IW in San Diego, please be sure to attend the
Expo which promises to be a great event with top notch presenters.
President,
NAT. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
George Basista
Ken Harrington
John Cordell, Dave Haught
FALL/WINTER 2015
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OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
WHO’S THE BEST?
By: David Argabright—Vice-President
I thought
you were
a GENIUS!
Albert Einstein said “Everyone is a genius in their area. But if you judge
a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its entire life believing that
it is stupid.” No one is a genius in all areas. Come and learn from peers
at the conferences.
Last issue I asked for an answer to a most perplexing question. All professional home inspectors have wrestled with this question at one point
or another in their careers, “Who’s the best?” I extend my thanks to
those I spoke to as well as those who emailed me their answers and
thoughts. When I posed the question I thought of several members of
the Ohio chapters of A.S.H.I. and N.A.H.I. Even some members in other states came to mind.
To be completely honest — it was a trick question. I realize I’m nowhere close to the best. If you took my vibrato in the first paragraph of the question in the last issue as a honest statement you’d be sorely wrong.
Some of us have a God-given gift of getting along with people. Some have the ability to discover and then
clearly state the implications of their findings. Some have a mastery of business concepts and finance. Some
have devoted their time to extensive research concerning one or maybe two issues. But the question I asked
myself was “What makes these inspectors worthy of consideration?” They are willing to share the knowledge
they have obtained in their fields. These folks should be considered experts in those areas. All of us as individuals are lacking in one or more areas — but none I’ve met have a mastery of all.
In Ohio there are over 150 members of A.S.H.I. National who are not members of the Ohio chapter. I encourage you to join our chapter. We will be able to obtain even better presenters for your education and you will
benefit; not only from the seminars, but perhaps more importantly from the fellowship and referrals of the
members of the chapter. I personally can attest to this fact. Because I’ve been a member of the chapter my
costs to attend the sessions and pay my membership dues have essentially been free. The referrals I’ve received from other inspectors that are too busy or too far away more than cover the lost work and fees involved in being a member of the chapter. In return, I refer work to others if I can’t do it or if it requires expertise in an area I’m not comfortable with. Your presence will be beneficial to all of us. If you want additional
proof, ask the inspector who will be or has already contacted you. We are striving to be the best and biggest
chapter in the nation and with you help we can achieve that goal.
Newer inspectors who diligently strive to make it in this profession and let their desires known at these conferences, are always offered a helping hand and referrals to boot. It’s a winning combination. Online education is
helpful and A.S.H.I. has that — but we have much more. The personal touch and guidance of seasoned professionals is critical to new inspectors. The Ohio chapter has a mentoring program which has been mentioned
before. If you reach out you will be connected to a member who is capable and willing to take you under their
wing. No one else offers this one-on-one on the job training. It’s here if you want it so don’t be timid about
asking.
So “Who Is the Best?” The answer is “WE.” Collectively “WE” are the best. I’m a strong believer in attending
our conferences and being an involved member of a local chapter. If you aren’t taking advantage of these opportunities I strongly encourage you to do so. You’re hurting your bottom line if you don’t. In lean times the
best inspectors will survive while the rest will fall to the wayside or be forced to lower their prices just to get
the bottom feeders. “We” collectively and united are the best, and with the addition of YOU we will only get
better. 1) Designate the Ohio chapter as your home chapter. This will give us even more prestige and power
to make changes we feel are needed. 2) Join the chapter. Take advantage of the Find An Inspector designation on our website and get more calls. 3) Attend the conferences and get involved. Do it today. Don't be a
fish trying to climb a tree.
W O R K I N G TO GE T H E R — W E CA N M A K E A N AW E S O M E T E A M!
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OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
YOUR CHAPTER NEEDS YOU!
By: Howard R Snyder, Executive Director
I hope the word ‘Needs’ in the title triggered the question “What
need?” No, it’s not about money. It’s about each of you volunteering your time and talents in service to the Ohio Chapter. The
chapter has achieved excellent growth over recent years; however, the leadership team that’s been the driving force for that
growth is in serious need of rest and/or relief. Doing the same
things repetitively gets old and allows complacency to creep in
and sub-consciously erode enthusiasm and attitude. Some current leaders are burned out and need relief. Others are tired and
need recharging with a change in their area of chapter work.
I assume all members realize the Board of Directors and chapter officers serve without compensation. They
give so all can receive the benefits of membership, but it’s no more their chapter than yours. Doing what’s
necessary should be shared fairly, with all giving of their time and talents according to their capability. Getting new chapter members is not automatic, requiring varied recruiting and retention efforts. Quality education events don’t just happen. There are many tasks involved that occur continuously throughout the year,
not just in the weeks before events. Membership and Education are the two committee areas that usually get
first attention, simply to continue to exist as a viable chapter.
But what doesn’t get sufficient attention? Answering that question would undoubtedly bring forth a stimulating
discussion. But why have such a discussion without sufficient resources to do anything further after priorities
were developed? Identifying needs and/or deficiencies is a waste of time and effort if identified needs cannot
be adequately addressed.
In my mind, the areas that would most benefit chapter members are Realtor Relations and Public Relations.
Those two areas would have the greatest positive impact by indirectly helping members get more inspections,
and elevating the public image of Ohio ASHI as the #1 professional home inspection organization because
its’ members are the best. With that in mind, I encourage every member to volunteer for service to the chapter.
I feel this writing will have been worthwhile if a minimum of
12 to 15 of the best home inspectors in Ohio step-up and
get more involved on the chapter’s leadership team. Be a
contributor! The Ohio Chapter is YOUR chapter. Its’ value
is individually determined by the extent of your personal
participation.
To volunteer, or get additional information in the activity
area you prefer to serve, contact any of the current leadership team listed on page one.
If you’ve benefitted from chapter membership in
the past, I encourage you to give back. In my
opinion, the gratification from giving far exceeds
the pleasure of receiving. Try it — you may like
it!
PAGE 4
OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
SO YOUR HOME INSPECTOR
GRADUATED FROM
MIDDLE SCHOOL?!
By: Charles Buell
Every once in a while, I will hear comments to the effect that home
inspectors are poorly trained or inadequately trained. The blame is
placed on the inspection schools. The thing people should keep in
mind is that the mandate for training of home inspectors, whether in
licensed states or in states relying on the various associations to
train home inspectors, sets a “minimum standard.”
As an instructor in the State of Washington, I will be the first to agree that most students are not adequately
prepared to be home inspectors right out of school. They typically have no trouble passing the National Home
Inspector Exam, because again, the test is geared to a “minimum standard” of knowledge.
Training in Washington State consists of 120 hrs (3 weeks, 8 hrs a day) plus a fourth week of 40 hrs of field
training. Most students come into the class feeling like they already know everything they need to know and
cannot comprehend why they need to spend “so much” money and have to sit in class for three weeks.
At the end of the three weeks, with their brain looking like Monty Python’s Mr. Creosote, most students are
painfully aware of how inadequate their knowledge was coming in and how woefully inadequate it still is even
after all those hours. It will take time before there is room for one more thin wafer of information, and much of
the information will have to be eaten over and over and over—before it truly sinks in.
Some of the things they learned will be remembered incorrectly and many other things will not be remembered at all. Hopefully it will have created a little voice in the back of their heads that warns them something is
amiss even if they cannot remember exactly what. It is akin to graduation from middle school.
We do not expect middle school graduates to be adequately prepared for the fast lane of life and nor should
we expect home inspectors to be ready to inspect homes after meeting the minimum standards of preparation
to become a home inspector – at least not as well as more experienced inspectors.
The way it is set up now, the inspector will have to complete the rest of his or her schooling on their own.
Perhaps one day, home inspectors will at least come out of training as high school graduates, and maybe
down the road with even a college degree. Until that day, this is the way it is. Every inspection is the home
inspector’s classroom.
The new inspector needs to ride along with experienced inspectors, ever wary the experienced inspector may never have completed their training as well. They need to be
mentored by experienced inspectors, ever wary that the mentor may not know what they
are talking about.
They need to do continuing education, ever wary that not all presenters will be fully educated themselves. They need to learn how to look up and interpret codes as necessary
to support opinions they might have, even though those codes might not be applicable
to what they are inspecting.
Most of all they need to learn to think, to observe, to come to the correct conclusions.
They need to learn to ask for help when they do not know the answers. They need to
learn to tell the difference between what is correct and what is bull-shit.
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OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
This all takes way more time than is currently possible in today’s educational system and quite frankly is not likely
possible at all. Even the best and brightest of inspectors are learning all the time (hopefully). Does that mean they
were previously inadequate? Most likely it does not. No other profession expects any student to know all they need
to know when they get their license, and home inspectors should not be an exception.
Home inspectors coming out of the inspection schools will likely be prepared to catch the bigger issues present in
the home and fall short on the many nuances of construction beyond the bigger things. It is akin to the middle
school graduate that knows how to cross the street, tie their shoes, put on a rain coat when it is raining, and how to
be excited about what they are doing. There is still so much more to know and so off they go to high school, college, and post college. To Middle School and Beyond!
THE LENDING LIBRARY SYSTEM
The Ohio Chapter of ASHI owns a complete set of:
• ASHI @ HOME TRAINING SYSTEM
• CODE CHECK – A Field Guide to Building a Safe House Video Series
• 2003 International Residential Code Video Series (DVD)
• Video Series from the BRICK INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
These volumes and videos are available to all current OHIO CHAPTER ASHI Certified Members and Associates. This represents a tremendous investment on the part of your chapter. We encourage each and every Associate and Member to take advantage of this program. These are great training aids to
help you become a better and more knowledgeable Inspector or as a refresher to study for the NHIE. Check out:
www.ohioashi.com/library
STORE: MERCHANDISE
http://www.ohioashi.com/store#!/Merchandise
You must be an ASHI Certified Inspector in order to purchase shirts, hats, patches or
decals containing the gold ASHI logo. Those having attained ASHI Inspector status
may purchase those items containing the black ASHI logo.
Educational merchandise not intended for public display, such as the Building Envelope Reference Manual and the Book of Phrases & Comments, can be purchased by
all inspectors or any other interested party.
OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
Three Presidents of the
Ohio Chapter:
(Back
row, left to right:): Tim
Buell, George Basista
and Ken Harrington attend the National Leadership Training Conference in Chicago, along
with two new members
to the Ohio Chapter. —
Blaine Swann from Ontario, Canada and Bryck
Gabor from Arizona,
ATTENTION ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
OF THE OHIO ASHI CHAPTER
OPEN TO NEW IDEAS
By Roger Gerhardt—Board Member
I would like to hear from the Associate members on what the Ohio Chapter could
do better to assist you — to make you successful.
The Ohio Chapter is always open to new and better ideas to help our membership — this includes everyone,
including the ACIs. The Ohio Chapter would be nothing without our members and we need to help each other
to make us all successful. Let me hear from you about any ideas or improvements that you have and send
them to: gerhardthomeinspec@att.net
Just a reminder for the Associates of Ohio Chapter of ASHI who have not taken the National Home Inspector
Exam (NHIE). Bruce Barker who has written a book on preparing and passing the NHIE will be at the Associate day next spring at the Ohio ASHI Chapter MARCH EXPO. This will be a great learning opportunity for all
the Associates.
Save the date for next spring’s
MARCH EXPO — March 4, 5 and 6, 2016
PAGE 7
OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
The Ohio Chapter of ASHI® Thanks the Following Affiliate
Supporters and Encourages You To Use Their Services
Carson Dunlop US Office
932 Lee Street, Suite 101
Des Plaines, Illinois 60016
Phone: 800800-268268-7070
Email: info@carsondunlop.com
www.liftmaster.com
Radalink.com
PAGE 8
OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
Contact:
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The Inspection Support Network™ is the leading online business management
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Questions?
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Fax:
Mon. – Fri. 8:30AM to 5PM PST
3979 Northside Circle
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PAGE 9
OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
InspectionPRO Insurance Program — 826 East State Road, Suite 100, American Fork, UT 84003
Questions or Concerns:
MRF
FINANCIALS
Margaret & Rich Feldmaier
D. Goldstein or Joe Dennelin
1200 Rt. 130
Robbinsville, NJ 08691
609.443.0700
Accounting & Payroll
5755 Blendon Place Dr.
Columbus, OH 43230
PALM-TECH INSPECTOR
BY PDmB, INC.
9600 Colerain Ave, Suite 110
Cincinnati, OH 45251
Building Relationships — One Client at a Time
PAGE 10
OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
The Ohio Chapter of ASHI®
Thanks the Following Affiliate
Supporters and Encourages
You To Use Their Services
As Much As Possible
David Jones—licensed radon mitigation specialist and has pass- ed the
required training and testing. In addition, David is registered architect in the state
of Ohio with more than 27 years of experience.
Jerry Goode—Jerry has installed more than 2500 radon reduction systems
in the past with Eco Radon Solutions and other local radon mitigation contractors.
Email:
Phone:
PAGE 11
OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSI ONAL HOME INSPECTION
Tom Flood
President
Chris Flood
Sales & Business Manager chris@wegetthemoldout.com
tom@wegetthemoldout.com
Phone (614) 771-9099 Fax: (614) 573-7105
4181 Lyman Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026
Analytical testing services to support Environmental investigations on: asbestos, microbiology,
lead paint, environmental chemistry, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene and food testing.
Peter Frasca - PhD - President
East Coast
800.220.3675
Email: emsl.com
888.958.8170
N8W28892 Shepherds Way
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: 262.303.4884
Fax:
262.303.4883
http://misterfix-it.com
We’re Nation-Wide
www.rtca.com
OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION
PAGE 12
REMINDER: Changes in contact information (phone, fax, email or address)
should be sent to:
OHASHI@neo.rr.com.
CHA PT ER STORE AC CEPT S PAY PAL :
Your chapter store accepts Pay Pal for your convenience. Not only can you order and purchase shirts, jackets, hats, decals, and study materials — you can also pay for seminars. If you haven’t taken a recent look at your chapter’s offerings,
be sure to do so soon. We are continually adding new items to help promote you and your business. If you have any
questions, contact George Basista.
A MENTOR: Teaches — Motivates — Leads — Inspires
The following men are available to answer any questions that you may have:
Ray Kershaw, Philip Wells, David Argabright, Michael Duncan, Frank Kishel,
Rick Szeles, Mark Garland, Ken Harrington, Tim Buell, and Tony Tilenni.
LEARNING — KNOWLEDGE — CONFIDENCE — GROWTH — SUCCESS!
THE STRENGTH OF ASHI LIES
IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF ITS MEMBERS
A complete list of Ohio Chapter members is available at: www.ohioashi.com
I f y o u n e e d a n a n s w e r t o a s p ec i f i c i s s u e , u s e
t h i s v a l u a b l e r es o u r c e t o r e s o l v e y o u r p ro b l e m
Use the information at ohioashi.com to contact a member or use contact information on the front of this cover.
THE OHIO JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL HOME
INSPECTION is an official publication of the Ohio Chapter of
the American Society of Home Inspectors (OHASHI). It is published quarterly solely for the information of its members, affiliates and interested parties. OHASHI is a non-profit, voluntary
professional society. ASHI® National headquarters is located
at 932 Lee Street, Suite 100, Des Plaines, IL 60016.
OHIO ASHI
Educating
P.O. Box 13294
and
Fairlawn, OH 44334
Assisting Home Phone: 330.929.5239
Inspectors
Email: OHASHI@neo.rr.com