December 2016 Reporter

12.16

ASHI

RepoRteR Inspection News & Views from the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc.

Being Frank P6 ‘Tis th e Seas on an d the Re ason

“Success doesn’t come to you. You go to it.” ~ Marva Collins, Chicago Educator and School Founder

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EVERYONE’S A WINNER!

January 22-25 Bally’s Resort Las Vegas A WINNING EXPERIENCE AT IW LAS VEGAS

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Brace Yourself for Winter Weather The Dreaded “B” Word and How to Use It Correctly Smart Inspector Science: Is That Water Safe to Drink?

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Service Philosophy: Strategizing Excellent Service Controlling Moisture Flow in the Building Envelope On My Mind: Get Involved in ASHI

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ASHI Reporter t December 2016

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RepoRteR

December 2016

Features 7

Please Support our Advertisers:

Brace Yourself for Winter Weather With Personal Safety Tips and Home Inspection Tips Compiled by Carol Dikelsky

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The Dreaded “B” Word and How to Use It Corrcetly

By Dave Kogan, ASHI Manager of Marketing and Business Development and Arlene Zapata, ASHI Graphic Design Manager and ASHI Reporter Managing Editor

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Leadership Training Conference

Des Plaines Illinois • October 20-21, 2016

Service Philosophy: Strategizing Excellent Service Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop

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Important Announcement Regarding the ASHI Home Inspection Standard of Practice

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Controlling Moisture Flow in the Building Envelope

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A Winning Experience at IW Las Vegas

Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop Michele George, ASHI Director of Education and Events

Departments 6

Being Frank

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Insider Tips

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Leviton BPG Inspections America’s Call Center The ASHI School Wagner Meters Target Professional Programs ASHI Print-On-Demand How to Operate Your Home Business Risk Partners OREP Allen Insurance Group Fort Reports 3D Inspection System RTCA ASHI Online Learning Center Joe Ferry US Inspect NHIE Study Guide American Home Warranty InspectorPro Sun Nuclear HomeGauge

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leviton.com/eol bpgwi.com AmericasCallCenter.com TheASHISchool.com wagnermeters.com TargetProIns.com ASHIPrintOnDemand.com htoyh.com inspectorinsurance.com www.OREP.org allenins.com fortreports.com 3dinspection.com www.RTCA.com www.ashi.org www.joeferry.com 844-268-2677 NHIEStudyGuide.org ahomewarranty.com InspectorProInsurance.com sunradon.com HomeGauge.com/CRL

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Frank Lesh, ASHI Executive Director Tom Fezia, Mr Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com

Herspective

Nancy Coughlin: Bringing an Entrepreneurial Spirit to Home Inspection

ASHI Community Chapter News, Chapter Listing, New Inspector Status, Chapter Education

Your ASHI Membership, Endorsed Member Programs & Anniversaries

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Postcards From the Field

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On My Mind

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Vol. 33, #12

It’s Wacky Out There Randy Sipe, ASHI President

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ASHI National Officers and Board of Directors Educated. Tested. Verified. Certified.

A SH I M ISSI ON S TATE M ENT To set and promote standards for property inspections and to provide the educational programs needed to achieve excellence in the profession and to meet the needs of our members.

ASHI STAFF Main Phone: 847-759-2820, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon. - Fri., CST Executive Director

Officers Randy Sipe, President Spring Hill, KS, 913-856-4515 randy@familyhomeinspections.com

Tim Buell, Treasurer Marysville, OH, 614-746-7485 tim.buell@gmail.com

Howard Pegelow, President-Elect Gilbert, AZ, 414-379-4186 hpegelow@yahoo.com

Scott Patterson, Secretary Spring Hill, TN, 615-302-1113 scott@traceinspections.com

Robert Walstead, Vice President Sun City Arizona, 623-695-4789 rwalstead@aol.com

Alden Gibson, Immediate Past-President Breslau, ON, 519-648-3963 alden@inspectgib.com

Directors Bruce Barker 2015-2017 Cary, NC, 919-322-4491 bruce@dreamhomeconsultants.com

Donald Lovering 2015-2016 Auburndale, MA, 617-928-1942 lovering@earthlink.net

Shannon E. Cory 2015-2017 Fayetteville, GA, 770-461-3408 Shannon@rainbowhomeinspections.com

Blaine Swan 2016-2018 Columbus, OH 614-506-0647 goodeyeinspections@gmail.com

Ken Harrington 2015-2017 Delaware, OH, 614-507-1061 inspectorken@rrohio.com Richard Hart 2016-2018 Conyers, GA, 770-827-2200 ashi1@comcast.net David Haught 2016-2018 Huntington, WV, 304-417-1247 inspector@wvchi.com Keven Kossler 2015-2017 Huntersville, NC, 704-875-3200 Team@CastleCheck.com Bruce Labell 2015-2017 Scottsdale, AZ, 602-765-2140 inspect@cox.net Mark Londner 2014-2016 Purcellville, VA, 540-668-6339 mark@LBIhome.com Publisher: Frank Lesh Editor: Carol Dikelsky Art Director: Arlene Zapata, Jr. Designer: Kate Laurent American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. 932 Lee Street, Suite 101 Des Plaines, IL 60016

Tony Smith 2015-2017 Cedar Rapids, IA, 319-533-4565 inspecthathouse@netscape.net Mike Wagner 2014-2016 Westfield, IN, 317-867-7688 mwagner@ralis.com John Wessling 2016-2018 St. Louis, MO, 314-520-1103 john@wesslinginspections.com Kevin Westendorf 2014-2016 Mt. Pleasant, SC, 843-881-7842 kevinw@lowcountryhome inspection.com Speaker, Council of Representatives: James Funkhouser 2015-2016 Manassas Park, VA, 703-791-2360 jfunkhousr@aol.com

847-954-3186 Reporter calls only 847-299-2505 (fax) Reporter only E-mail: frankl@ashi.org Advertising: Dave Kogan Phone: 847-954-3187, E-mail: davek@ashi.org

ASHI REPORTER – ISSN 1076-1942 – the official publication of the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. (ASHI), 932 Lee St., Suite 101, Des Plaines IL 60016, is published monthly. Annual subscriptions: $44.95 to non-members. Periodical postage paid at Des Plaines, IL 60016 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ASHI Reporter, 932 Lee Street, Suite 101, Des Plaines, IL 60016-6546.

Copyright© 2016, ASHI. None of the content of this publication may be reproduced, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Inclusion of or specific mention of any proprietary product within does not imply endorsement of, nor does exclusion of any proprietary product imply non-endorsement, by the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. Opinions or statements of authors and advertisers are solely their own, and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of ASHI, its agents or editors. See above for information pertaining to submission of articles, advertising and related materials.

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ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Frank Lesh, Executive Director, 847-954-3182, frankl@ashi.org Jen Gallegos, Executive Assistant, 847-954-3177 jeng@ashi.org Education, CE Approval, ASHI Online Learning Center, InspectionWorld

Michele George, Director of Education & Events, 847-954-3188 micheleg@ashi.org Membership, Chapter Relations, Booth Rental, Product Orders

Russell Daniels, Assistant Executive Director, Director Membership & Chapter Relations, 847-954-3185, russelld@ashi.org Janet George, Membership Services Supervisor, 847-954-3180 janetg@ashi.org Michael Krauszowski, Membership Administrator, 847-954-3175 Michaelk@ashi.org Mark Lester, Membership Services Coordinator, 847-954-3176 markl@ashi.org Accounting

Toni Fanizza, Accounting & Human Resources Manager 847-954-3190, tonif@ashi.org Beverly Canham, Financial Assistant, 847-954-3184 beverlyc@ashi.org Website, Information Systems, Database

Mike Rostescu, Director IT & Internet Communications 847-954-3189, miker@ashi.org Advertising, Marketing, IW Expo Hall, Public Relations

Dave Kogan, Manager of Marketing & Business Development 847-954-3187, davek@ashi.org Graphics, Publications, Member Logo Design

Arlene Zapata, Graphic Design Manager & “ASHI Reporter” Managing Editor, 847-954-3186, arlenez@ashi.org Kate Laurent, Junior Graphic Designer & Administrative Assistant 847-954-3179, Katel@ashi.org The ASHI School

Bonnie Bruno, Manager, 888-884-0440 or 847-954-3178 bonnie@theashischool.com Steve Reilly, Senior Sales Representative, 888-884-0440 or 847-954-3181, steve@theashischool.com Kimberly McGraw, Administrative Assistant & Sales Representative 847-954-3198, kim@theashischool.com

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‘Tis the Season... and the Reason

One more surprise gift is IW 2017 in Las Vegas, coming soon in January. For those of you who have not been to an InspectionWorldTM yet, or if you haven’t been in a while, you WILL be amazed at what’s in store for everyone this year.

From ASHI’s Executive Director

t UIF MBSHFTU HBUIFSJOH PG WFOEPST FWFS BTsembled in the home inspection profession

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t’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.� That’s not just a song title, but also a way of life here at ASHI. We’ve received more gifts than we can hope for this year. For those of you who were not able to attend ASHI’s Leadership Training Conference in October, you missed a great package, wrapped into two days of information you can use. Don’t worry, though, you will be hearing all about it from your chapter members, the Council of Representatives, the Chapter Relations Committee, the Membership Committee and ASHI Staff. What we unwrapped at LTC, in a chestnut, will help you attain volunteers (and customers) and retain volunteers (and customers), all while retraining yourself on how to reach and keep those folks.

Tim Hosey, LTC Keynote Speaker, and Frank Lesh, ASHI Executive Director.

Increased membership has been both an unsolicited gift and a well-deserved achievement this year. Adding to our roster the former NAHI inspectors who decided to join ASHI was a pleasant surprise, to be sure. But in addition to those seasoned inspectors, we also added hundreds of new members who have joined ASHI because of our reputation for excellence. We welcome both groups, as

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ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Aside from the outstanding educational sessions taught by the most knowledgeable instructors in North America, we will have:

t HBNFT PO UIF *8 BQQ UIBU XJMM FBSO ZPV prizes t B i.FFUJOH PG .JMMFOOJBMT w XIJDI XJMM focus on how to bridge the gap between up-and-coming inspectors and “seasoned� inspectors. well as any other inspectors whose goal is to reach the pinnacle of the profession.

Almost all inspectors have benefited from the strong housing economy. Unfortunately, there are some areas where the housing market is so hot that some people are forgoing the home inspection so they don’t lose the deal. Although that never happened to me when I was actively inspecting, I’m wondering if inspectors would think about contacting homebuyers who have recently purchased but didn’t arrange for an inspection? Solicit them to hire you to inspect their house now that they’re in. There are bound to be problems they did not expect, and you just may be the one they need to help them.

Might be worth a try?

A gift all inspectors, as well as consumers, have this year is the new ASHI app, “Home Inspector Search.� This is a great present you can give your customers, real estate agents and friends. It has three categories combined into one neat and clean package: “Find an Inspector,� “Consumer Safety Recalls� and “Home Maintenance Checklist.� So, if someone needs an inspection, it’s at their fingertips. Also, once they’re in the home, they can watch for safety recalls and be apprised of seasonal maintenance tips.

t B XIPMF MPU PG '6/ So, please join us for the profession’s largest gathering of inspectors and affiliates on the DPOUJOFOU :PV XPO U CF EJTBQQPJOUFE

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EVERYONE’S A WINNER! Las Vegas January 22-25

Last, but not least, don’t forget this lastminute stocking stuffer idea: the Chapter Membership Drive. Inspectors who have never been an ASHI member and who join a chapter will receive a one-year complimentary membership in ASHI. The $30 ASHI Chapter Incentive coupon still applies (so the members chapter dues can be reduced). This offer is good until December 31. H

Frank Lesh, Executive Director American Society of Home Inspectors Direct: 847-954-3182 'SBOLM!BTIJ PSH t XXX BTIJ PSH

Brace Yourself for WInter Weather

Brace Yourself for Winter Weather with Personal Safety Tips and Home Inspection Tips Compiled by Carol Dikelsky

According to the 2017 Farmers’ Almanac, the winter that’s lying in wait, just weeks away from hitting the United States and Canada, is expected to be pretty brutal.

Although last year’s strong El Nino pattern gave many parts of the country a break from the roughest of winter weather, this year it looks like most regions will not be getting such a reprieve (farmersalmanac.com/weather-outlook/2017-winter-forecast/).

Even if the Almanac’s ominous forecast turns out to be wrong, it’s still going to be winter! So, depending on where you live, it’s time to pull out your boots, jackets, gloves and thermal layers and make sure your shovels and snow blowers are in shape to get you through another winter workout.

Of course, home inspectors always need to be prepared to handle whatever Mother Nature brings while they are out in the (sometimes freezing) field. To help you put your winter goggles back on, we’ve collected the following “cold weather tips” from past issues of the Reporter.

PUT SAFETY FIRST OUT IN THE FIELD The following tips have been reprinted or adapted from “Playing It Safe in the Cold,” by Sandy Bourseau, published in December 2011 (www.ashireporter.org/homeinspection/ articles/playing-it-safe-in-the-cold/2229).

document the conditions in their reports.

Given the widely documented risks of getting on a roof in any weather, some inspectors inspect them from the ground with binoculars, with the help of a drone or from a ladder, being sure to document their methods in their reports.

Up on the rooftop: When winter storms cover roofs with snow, it’s obvious they cannot be inspected, much less walked on.

Equally dangerous, but less obvious, is a roof slick from frost or from rain. When these conditions are present, inspectors should consider staying off the roof and

Getting up there: In winter, inspecting from a ladder presents its own hazards.

Cold weather can create uneven surfaces due to an accumulation of ice and snow on the ground. Uneven ground is one of the worst places you can place a ladder because it creates the potential of the ladder

tipping over when you’re climbing it. Another reason you do not want to place your ladder on top of snow or ice is the lack of friction between the ladder and the ground.

Ice is slippery.

Ladder stability in wet or slippery conditions is a key consideration and can be greatly improved by a number of factors such as making an informed initial choice of ladder, by ongoing maintenance and inspection of ladder feet and through the use of stabilizers. Replacement feet are available in rubber, and a wide range of safety feet, ladder stoppers and ground spikes can 7December 2016

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Brace Yourself for WInter Weather

Hypothermia: Hypothermia occurs most commonly at very cold environmental temperatures, but it can occur at more mild, ))&5. '* , ./, -5B )0 5jf‡ C5# 5 5* ,-)(5 becomes chilled from rain, sweat or submersion in cold water.

provide additional support and help to secure the base.

In general, inspectors know that when a ladder is set up for use, it must be placed on firm, level ground and without any type of slippery condition present at either the base or top support points. And they know to wear clean, slip-resistant shoes.

Every day, home inspectors make decisions about their personal health and safety.

Whether or not to climb that ladder or get on that roof are among the most important.

Yet, how easy it is to overlook a few wet leaves. Wet leaves are a threat whether on the roof, on shoes or the ground.

Safe on the ground? Even solid ground presents its own perils when it’s wet or cold outside. Slips and falls often occur during entry or exit from vehicles—a reminder to be particularly careful and hold on to the vehicle for support.

Dr. Ronald Grelsamer of New York City’s Mount Sinai Medical Center said, “Balance is key to walking on snow- and ice-covered walks and roads.� He offered the following suggestions: R555 )0 53)/,5 .5-&#!".&35 * ,.5 -53)/51 &%5 and bend your knees for better control.

R555 5." 5. ,, #(5#-5-. *65./,(5-# 1 3-65 ( 5 your knees and then walk. Do not cross one foot over the other because that will push you off balance.

R555 ,). .53)/,5 )'#( (.5 ,'5B,#!".5# 53)/], 5 right-handed, left if you are left-handed).

Since falls usually occur without warning, you have no time to plan. Make a habit of holding your coat lapel or carrying something in your dominant hand while walking. This leaves the other hand free if you respond instinctively to break your fall. If injury does occur, you at least have your dominant side intact during recovery.

R555 53)/5 &53)/,- & 5 &&#(!65." 5 -.5."#(!5 you can do is relax and let yourself roll into the fall. Your instinct is to brace your body, but that could mean a more severe injury.

Biting cold replaces suffocating heat: Although there may be a greater danger of slipping and falling in winter, that’s a yearround hazard for home inspectors. Other hazards are seasonal. While, for now, the danger of having heat exhaustion or heat stroke is past, hypothermia and frostbite become concerns instead.

The likelihood of taking a fall on a sidewalk or driveway increases proportionally with the amount of freezing rain and ice.

Joseph Chen, MD, medical director of the Iowa Spine Research and Rehabilitation Center at UI Hospitals and Clinics, suggested, “Take shorter steps and try to plant your whole foot gently down instead of using the typical heel strike that we use when we’re walking or running.�

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ASHI Reporter t December 2016

According to the Centers for Disease )(.,)&5 ( 5 , 0 (.#)(5B C651" (5." 5 body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced, the result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

People who remain outdoors for long periods are in danger of experiencing hypothermia. For home inspectors, unheated crawl spaces, attics and even homes add to the time spent in the cold weather.

Warning signs include shivering or exhaustion, confusion or fumbling hands, memory loss or slurred speech and drowsiness. If you suspect that you or someone with you is experiencing hypothermia, the CDC suggests finding out the person’s temperature.

5#.5#-5 &)15ok‡65." 5-#./ .#)(5#-5 (5 ' ,gency—get medical attention immediately.

If medical care is delayed or not available, begin warming the person with potential hypothermia and continue to seek emergency care.

Frostbite: Although not life-threatening, frostbite can permanently damage the body and severe cases can lead to amputation. It is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling

> and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes.

chill calculator, visit the National Weather ,0# 51 -#. 5Bwww.nws.noaa.gov/om/ winter/windchill.shtml).

At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning.

Any of these signs may indicate frostbite: a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

A person with frostbite is often unaware of it until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

Prepare for winter: It’s a good idea to take a first aid and emergency resuscitation B C5 )/,- 5.)5*, * , 5 ),5 )& 71 ." ,5 health problems. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.

If you detect symptoms of frostbite in yourself or others, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.

If there is frostbite, but no sign of hypothermia and immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:

Also, doing something as simple as dressing accordingly can reduce the potential for illness and injuries. For #(-. ( 651 ,5." 5 )&&)1#(!5B),5-.), 5 these items in your vehicle):

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R555 5" .

R555 (& --5 -)&/. &35( -- ,365 )5().51 &%5 on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.

R555 5%(#.5' -%5.)5 )0 ,5 5 ( 5')/."

R555 '' ,- 5." 5 Äż . 5 , 5#(51 ,'A().5 ").A1 . ,5B." 5. '* , ./, 5-")/& 5 5 comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body). Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.

R555 )5().5,/ 5." 5 ,)-. #.. (5 , 51#."5-()15 or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.

R555 )(].5/- 5 5" .#(!5* 65" .5& '*5),5." 5 heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.

These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and a health care provider should evaluate frostbite.

Wind chill: Even when temperatures are only cool, the wind chill effect can increase the likelihood of problems. As the speed of the wind increases, it carries more heat away from the body. When there are high winds, serious weather-related health problems are more likely. To use a wind

R555-& 0 -5." .5 , 5-(/!5 .5." 51,#-.

R5551" (5*)--# & 65'#.. (-5B." 35 , 51 ,' ,5 than gloves) R5551 . ,7, -#-. (.5 ) .5 ( 5-") R555- 0 , &5& 3 ,-5) 5&))- 7Ĺ€..#(!5 &)."#(!

Be sure your outer layer of clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind-resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind.

Wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton. Stay dry—wet clothing chills the body rapidly. Excess perspiration will increase heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm. Also, avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower; these materials can greatly increase heat loss from the body when they come in contact with the skin.

Do not ignore shivering—it’s an important first sign that your body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return to your vehicle or some heated environment.

Brace Yourself for WInter Weather

Awareness is the greatest tool for staying safe and well as a home inspector. There’s no way to know how many accidents and illnesses are prevented by being aware of the hazards inspectors face, but don’t take any chances. Take every step with care and stay safe.

BRUSH UP ON COLD WEATHER– SPECIFIC SIGNS DURING INSPECTIONS Several authors of articles published in the Reporter have described issues and situations that are more likely to be observed in cold or winter weather. Here are a few topics and links to the associated articles.

Air-transported moisture that can cause wall damage in cold climates: “Air-Transported Moisture: A Stealthy Enemy� by & (5 ,-)(65 /!/-.5hfgk5B1118 -"ireporter.org/HomeInspection/Articles/ Air-Transported-Moisture-A-StealthyEnemy/14716) Water damage resulting from ventilation or plumbing issues: “The Unseen Drip: An Article from the Moisture Mysteries Series�

35 )! ,5 (% 365 *,#&5hfgk5B1118 -"#, porter.org/HomeInspection/Articles/TheUnseen-Drip/14645?print=true) Window condensation: “Fogged Up? Clearing the Air about Window Condensa.#)(_5 35 )'5 #4 65 ,/ ,35hfgh5B1118 ashireporter.org/HomeInspection/Articles/ Fogged-Up-Clearing-the-Air-AboutWindow-Condensation/2269) Wet attic spaces: “The Wet Attic in Winter: The First of Several Moisture Mysteries in Minnesota, Solved by ASHI ' ,5 )! ,5 (% 36_5 /( 5hffo5B1118 ashireporter.org/HomeInspection/Articles/ Moisture-Mysteries/1695) Waterproofed shingle underlayments: ^ (-* .#(!5 ) 3]-5 , )'#( (.5 -# (tial Installed Roofing Material: Asphalt Composition Shingles� by John Cranor, 35hffh5B1118 -"#, *),. ,8),!I HomeInspection/Articles/Inspecting ) 37-7 , )'#( (.7 -# (.# &7 (stalled-Roofing-Material-AsphaltComposition-Shingles/845) Please continue to the sidebar on the next page >>> 9December 2016

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Brace Yourself for WInter Weather

What Should I Do if I Get Stranded in Cold Weather?

R555 # 5 5 ,#!".&35 )&), 5 &)."5.)5." 5 (. (( 5 -5 5-#!( &5 to rescuers.

R555 )0 5 (3."#(!53)/5( 5 ,)'5." 5.,/(%5#(.)5." 5 passenger area.

R555 , *53)/,5 (.#, 5 ) 365#( &/ #(!53)/,5" 65#(5 2., 5 clothing, blankets or newspapers.

R555 . 35 1 % 85 )/51#&&5 5& --50/&( , & 5.)5 )& 7, & . 5 health problems.

R555 /(5." 5').),5B ( 5" . ,C5 ),5 )/.5gf5'#(/. -5* ,5")/,65 opening one window slightly to let in air. Make sure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe—this will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

R555 -53)/5-#.65% *5')0#(!53)/,5 ,'-5 ( 5& !-5.)5#'*,)0 5 your circulation and stay warmer.

R555 )5().5 .5/(' &. 5-()15 /- 5#.51#&&5&)1 ,53)/,5 ) 35 temperature.

R555 (5 &&5- -)(-5) 5." 53 ,65 5-/, 5." .5-)' )( 5)." ,5." (5 you knows the time the inspection was scheduled, where it is and when you are expected to check in.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/windchill.shtml) H

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ASHI Reporter t December 2016

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The Dreaded “B� Word and How to Use It Correctly

The Dreaded “B� Word and How to Use It Correctly

By Dave Kogan, ASHI Manager of Marketing and Business Development, and Arlene Zapata, ASHI Graphic Design Manager and ASHI Reporter Managing Editor

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randing is one of the most important aspects of any busi( --65& ,! 5),5-' &&65, . #&5),5 h 5B /-#( --7.)7 /-#( --C85 An effective brand strategy gives you a major edge in increasingly competitive markets. But what exactly does “branding� mean? How does it affect a small business like yours?

Simply put, your brand is your promise to your customer. It tells them what they can expect from your products and services, and it differentiates your offering from your competitors’. Your brand is derived from who you are, who you want to be and who people perceive you to be.

Are you the innovative maverick in your industry? Or the experienced, reliable one? You can’t be both. Is your product the high-cost, high-quality option or the low-cost, high-value option? You can’t offer both. As the saying goes, “You can’t be all things to all people,� but you should base your business persona, at least to some extent, on being the type of person your target customers want and need you to be.

The foundation of your brand is your logo. Your website, advertising and promotional materials—all of which should integrate your logo— communicate your brand.

Brand Strategy and Equity Your brand strategy is how, what, where, when and to whom you plan on communicating and delivering on your brand messages. Where you advertise is part of your brand strategy.

Your distribution channels also are part of your brand strategy.

And what you communicate visually and verbally are parts of your brand strategy, too.

Consistent, strategic branding leads to a strong “brand equity,� which means that the added value you bring to your company’s products or services allows you to charge more for your brand than what someone with an identical, but unbranded, product can command. The most obvious example of this is Coke versus a generic soda. Because Coca-Cola has built powerful 12

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

brand equity, the company can charge more for its product—and customers will pay that higher price.

The added value intrinsic to brand equity frequently comes in the form of perceived quality or emotional attachment. For example, Nike associates its products with star athletes, hoping customers will transfer their emotional attachment from the athlete to the product. For Nike, it’s not just the shoe’s features that sell the shoe.

Defining Your Brand Defining your brand is like a journey of business self-discovery. It can be difficult, time-consuming and uncomfortable. It requires, at the very least, that you answer these questions: R5 " .5#-53)/,5 )'* (3]-5'#--#)(> R5 " .5 , 5." 5 ( ŀ.-5 ( 5 ./, -5) 53)/,5*,) / .-5),5- ,0# -> R55 " .5 )53)/,5 /-.)' ,-5 ( 5*,)-* .-5 &, 35."#(%5) 5 your company?

R5 " .5+/ &#.# -5 )53)/51 (.5." '5.)5 --) # . 51#."53)/,5 )'* (3>

Do your research. Learn the needs, habits and desires of your current and prospective customers.

And don’t rely on what you think they think. Know what they think.

Because defining your brand and developing a brand strategy can be complex, consider leveraging the expertise of a nonprofit small business advisory group or a small business development center.

> Once you’ve defined your brand, how do you get the word out?

Here are a few simple, time-tested tips: R55Get a great logo.5 & 5#.5 0 ,31" , 85 53)/5 )(].5" 0 5 5&)!)65 consider getting one for free from the ASHI free logo site. Check )/.5." 5 51 -#. 5Bhttps://www.homeinspector.org/) for details. Go to the Members Only tab and scroll to the Free Logo Design option near the bottom. Or, if you are willing to pay an affordable design fee, you can hire an ASHI designer to design a custom logo for you. For a how-to video, go to: https://youtu.be/JnNLRD7DDmo R55Write down your brand messaging. What are the key messages you want to communicate about your brand? Every employee should be aware of your brand attributes.

R5Integrate your brand. Branding extends to every aspect of your business, including what you say when you answer your phone, what you or your salespeople wear when you go on sales calls, and even what words you include in your email signature.

R55Create a “voice� for your company that reflects your brand. This voice should be applied to all written communication and incorporated into the visual imagery of all materials, online and off. Is your brand friendly? Be conversational. Is it ritzy? Be more formal.

You get the gist.

R55Develop a tagline. Write a memorable, meaningful and concise statement that captures the essence of your brand. For example, ASHI’s tagline is “Educated. Tested. Verified. Certified.�

R55Create design guidelines for your marketing materials. Use the same color scheme, logo placement, look and feel throughout. )/5 )(].5( 5.)5 5 ( 365$/-.5 )(-#-. (.85 ]-5( 15 ,#(.7 (7 Demand website can help you in this area. See the ad on Page 14 for more information. View our introduction video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH5g_YUC2a0.

Or scan this QR code with your phone to see the video quickly.

The Dreaded “B� Word and How to Use It Correctly

What Is ASHI’s Print-On Demand Site? ĝ 5 ,#(.7 (7 ' ( 5-#. 5#-5 2 &/-#0 5.)5 5' ' ,-85ĝ 5 graphics department has designed templates to help you start creating brochures, postcards, business cards, letterhead, envelopes and newsletters. No design experience is necessary; everything has been programmed with drag-and-drop ease. We have also incorporated marketing information about home inspection and ASHI to help you communicate with homebuyers or real estate agents. Click on the Brand Your Business icon to get started.

You will need to create a user account.

Each time you log in to the site, the templates will have the correct logo already loaded and will correspond with your level of membership. You will also be able to upload logos from other organizations to display on your materials. ASHI has added a photo gallery for you to incorporate images into your materials or you can upload your own photos. All of your work will be saved for easy reordering. Tech support is availaible on the site in the upper left-hand corner of your screen (look for the Call To Discuss button).

Chapters can also brand themselves and communicate with their members with . '*& . -5 ( 5.))&-5)(5." 5 ,#(.7 (7 Demand site. Click on the Brand Your Chapter icon to get started. We received a lot of positive feedback about this site at the Leadership Training Conference and have added some new features that were requested.

You can order newly redesigned ASHI brochures and books from this site as well; look for the yellow ASHI Brochures icon. There , 5 &-)50# )-5." .53)/5 (5 5.)53)/,51 -#. -5 ( 5 )1 , )#(.X5 presentations to download.

The graphics department will continue to add new designs and ./, -5.)5." 5 ,#(.7 (7 ' ( 5-#. 5)(5 5, !/& ,5 -#-65-)5 " %5 back often or email your suggestions to arlenez@ashi.org. H

To go directly to the site, visit: www.ASHIPrintOnDemand.com R55Be true to your brand. Customers won’t return to you—or refer you to someone else—if you don’t deliver on your brand promise.

R55Be consistent. We placed this point last only because it involves all of the above and is the most important tip we can give you.

Consistency tells your customer that they can depend on your business, and being consistent can lead to repeat clients and referrals.

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Order your FREE logo and visit our PRINT-ON-DEMAND SITE to promote your business!

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SHED 1932

MARK MARCUS HOME INSPECTOR

M

Mathey Meanly

HOME INSPECTOR

ERIC ROSEN HOME INSPEC TION E S T. 2 0 1 5

P PERFECTION HOME INSPEC TORS Aubry Marcus Have you ordered from the ASHI Marketplace* before? It has moved to this link: www.ASHIPrintOnDemand.com with exciting new features and products! * You will have to register as a new user on the NEW Print-On-Demand Site

Inspector Tools and Software

Brand Your Business

Video Downloads

Promote Your Chapter

ASHI Brochures

> Create one look for all your marketing pieces

Inspection Reference Books

Educated. Tested. Verified. Certified.

> ASHI did all the work: We created the designs and added our logo TITLE/COMPANY NAME

> Add your logo, images and contact information with ease, or use our photos

Educated. Tested. Verified. Certified.

> Save your designs, edit later or re-order to refresh your supplies > Purchase informative brochures imprinted with your logo and contact information to hand out to clients and agents alike OFFICE: ### - ### - #### CELL: ### - ### - #### NAME@COMPANY.COM #### STREET ROAD CITY, STATE #####

> 24/7 access and ordering, with tech support during business hours (CDT)

Photo Courtesy of Jon Vacha, Home Standard Inspection Services

A Real Estate Professional’s Guide Your Home Inspection to Home Inspection Questions Answered What is a home inspection?

Why do I need a home inspection?

What is ASHI? When do I call a home inspector?

www.ASHI.org WWW.YOURCOMPANY.COM

14

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

PLEASE SEE OTHER SIDE FOR MORE BOOKS AND BROCHURES

Insider Tips

for Smart Inspectors

Smart Inspector Science: Is That Water Safe to Drink?

By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com

I

s that water safe to drink? Maybe? Has the water been tested?

Are the sewers working properly? How does backflow protection separate the systems?

Home inspectors can help keep drinking water safe in the homes they inspect. Most have basic knowledge of modern municipal sewer systems and in-depth knowledge of modern residential , #( ! 651 -. 5 ( 50 (.5B C5-3-. '-85 (-* .),-5/( ,-. ( 5 water supply systems, municipal water supplies, backflow protection and some things about private well systems. But how were those systems developed and how do today’s communities provide safe drinking water?

Because urban areas became so polluted and smelly, pumping systems were developed to add water to flush out the combined sewage dumped in rivers. In Milwaukee, WI, a steam-powered flushing system built in 1888 used Lake Michigan water to flush out the Milwaukee River (Photo 1). This system used a boiler, a steam turbine and a 12-foot-diameter pipe to pump 500 million gallons of lake water per day to flush out the Milwaukee River. In 1925, a modern electric motor replaced the steam engine and boilers. Photo 2 B)(5 ! 5glC5-")1-5." 5- , 15#'* && ,5 ( 5 . 5, & . 5 to the impeller performance.

Big Problems, Strong Odors Throughout history, drinking water and human waste presented big problems wherever people congregated in large groups. From the earliest civilizations to about 1850, waste was put in chamber pots, outhouses and pits, used for fertilizer or just dumped in the woods.

Human waste was not treated. Larger cities in advanced societies built sewer systems to flush waste into rivers or other nearby bodies of water. Dilution was the solution—these relatively small amounts of waste were diluted with lots of water and dumped downstream.

Drinking water often came from water contaminated with human waste. Several ancient societies developed basic sewage removal systems, but ultimately, they all just flushed the human waste into natural sources of water.

As cities grew larger, they had to deal with the stench and unsightliness of sewage, as well as the contamination of drinking water. Most cities took drinking water from the source they were polluting with their human waste or from wells next to their human waste dumps. In the United States during the 1850s, cities developed underground sewer piping to carry waste away. In combined sanitary and storm sewers, storm water helped flush away the waste from humans as well as domesticated horses and other animals.

Photo 1: Milwaukee Pumping System Schematics

Polluted Drinking Water In the mid-1850s, there was much debate about whether serious illnesses like cholera were caused by polluted air or water in major #.# -5-/ "5 -5 )( )(65 ,#-65 15 ),%5 ( 5 "# !)85 /,#(!53 ,-5 of debate, epidemics killed thousands. Eventually, doctors and public health scientists became convinced that drinking water polluted with human waste was causing the problem.

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>

Smart Inspector Science: Is That Water Safe to Drink?

clean water and air. Some historians think that fancy perfumes 0 &)* 5#(5 ,#-51 , 5 (5 .. '*.5.)5' -%5 ) 35) ),5 ,)'5().5 bathing.

Treating Sewage or Drinking Water In 1875, no city in the United States with a population of more than 100,000 provided any kind of sewage treatment. By 1900, only two cities had installed treatment facilities. By 1926, 20 cities had sewage treatment plants. As electricity, motors and pumps became widely available, many cities decided to treat sewage.

Photo 2: Milwaukee Pumping System Impeller

Chicago’s water was so polluted that cholera became a major issue. ĝ 5*& (( ,-5) 5." 5 "# !)5 ),& ]-5 #,5B &-)5%()1(5 -5." 5 )lumbian Exposition of 1893) worried that the spread of cholera would discourage visitors from attending the fair, which was held in downtown Chicago at the current site of the Museum of Science and Industry on Lake Michigan. Along with Chicago’s Director of Works, entrepreneurs attempted to build a 100-mile pipeline to bring natural spring water from Waukesha, WI, to the fairgrounds for drinking water. Apparently, unions and Waukesha residents stopped the pipeline construction. Eventually, water was piped from a spring south of Waukesha, brought in on railroad cars and sold at the fair for a huge profit (Photo 4).

Around 1870, London developed its now-famous sewer system to flush human waste into the ocean. Also, Chicago constructed a huge Sanitary and Ship Canal from the Chicago River to the Des & #( -5 #0 ,85ĝ#-5-3-. '5) 5.", 5 ( &-65 /#&.5 .1 (5gnoh5 ( 5 1922, reversed the flow of the Chicago River; instead of discharging into Lake Michigan, it now flowed into the Mississippi River— good luck, St. Louis and New Orleans. The canal-to-river system is still in use today, but now the sewage is treated. You may have read that this canal is a possible entry point for invasive Asian carp into the Great Lakes because it directly connects the Mississippi River with Lake Michigan (Photo 3).

Photo 4: Wisconsin Spring Water for Chicago

Photo 3: Chicago River

Cleanliness of drinking water could not be trusted in any large city.

Europeans solved the problem by drinking beer and wine. Wealthy people, afraid to bathe in city water, left for “the country� with its 16

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

What Happens Next?

Scientists, governments, health officials and plumbers stepped in to save civilizations from their own water pollution. We continue to see changes made to water supplies and sewer systems, and they’re all for the better. Think about how bad it was in 1915, when raw human waste was dumped into rivers and lakes, polluting our drinking water. That was only 100 years ago.

>

Smart Inspector Science: Is That Water Safe to Drink?

We should be proud of how much conditions have improved in our country. Home inspectors can help ensure homeowner safety if they understand sewer systems, cross-connections and drinking water treatment. We should also think about water problems in lessdeveloped countries and when we’re there, we must be vigilant— don’t drink the water.

Like this information? Catch Tom Feiza’s detailed technical presentation, “Inspection and Development of Modern Plumbing and Sewer Systems,â€? at ASHI’s InspectionWorldTM in Las Vegas on Monday, January 23, 2017, 1-3 pm. H Tom Feiza has been a professional home inspector since 1992 and has a degree in engineering. Through )PX5P0QFSBUF:PVS)PNF DPN IF QSPWJEFT IJHI RVBMJUZ marketing materials that help professional home inspectors boost their business. Copyright Š 2016 by Tom Feiza, .S 'JY *U *OD 3FQSPEVDFE XJUI QFSNJTTJPO 7JTJU )PX5P0QFSBUF:PVS)PNF DPN PS IUPZI DPN GPS NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO about building science, books, articles, marketing and illustrations GPS IPNF JOTQFDUPST $POUBDU 5PN FNBJM 5PN!NJTUFSĂĽY JU DPN

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Bringing an Entrepreneurial Spirit to Home Inspection Nancy Coughlin, 904-515-3310, iProtect Home Inspections, nancycoughlin2010@gmail.com An interview with Carol Dikelsky

L

ast summer, Nancy Coughlin, an enthusiastic new home inspector, took some time to talk with me. The first thing she mentioned was how much The ASHI School impressed her. She said, “I took the two-week course in Tampa in February with five other students and I became licensed right after that. Not long ago, I called my instructors to tell them that everything they described has been spot-on as far as what I’m doing and seeing in the field. They were happy to hear from me and thrilled to know that their information has proven to be accurate. It was great to connect with them again.”

Nancy lives in Jacksonville, FL, which she describes as a growing and thriving community, with a naval base, several banks, technology companies and a variety of other businesses.

She explained, “Five years ago, my family was part of Jacksonville’s real estate boom when we moved here from New York City to follow my husband’s job in banking. Back in New York, we had owned service companies and been landlords for some condos. I’d also been a real estate agent for a couple years.”

While settling into life in Jacksonville, Nancy took the opportunity to try something new.

Reading Norman Becker’s book, Complete Book of Home Inspections, inspired her to take a new career path. “As I did more research, it was easy to see that ASHI is the cornerstone of the industry, as far as licensing, education and making connections. I liked the prestige that ASHI’s brand offered, and I wanted to attend the top-rated school.”

Since getting her license, Nancy joined the BiltRite home inspection team. She said, “BiltRite inspected my house when we first came to Florida and then a rental property we purchased later. I liked their style—they have an honest, reputable approach. I’m so happy that I’ve become part of the team.”

Nancy continued, “With so many different types of houses, there are endless combinations of what can be going on. I’ve been on the job since February, and because we cover residential and commercial properties, I’ve seen a lot already. Uncovering and describing a house’s “problems”—that requires a lot of detective work, and I love that.”

18

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

“With landlording and entrepreneurship in my background, I understand how to tackle problems and I can handle getting thrown into unfamiliar situations. As a result, I’ve developed a ‘How will I get this done’ attitude instead of a ‘No, I can’t’ attitude. Good problem-solving skills are important for home inspectors.”

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“My mentor, Albert Cooke, ASHI Certified Inspector, Complete Home Inspection, Tampa, was one of my instructors at The ASHI School (TAS). Although we live and work five hours away from each other, he has spent lots of time answering my questions via phone, text and email.

Sometimes I’ll send him photos of what I’ve seen and ask, ‘How would you describe this?’ He always makes time to give me guidance.”

“Another TAS instructor, Michael Conley, also has helped me tremendously as I’ve started my career. Mike has introduced me to other home inspector business owners who live and work in my area, and I’ve been able to start networking with them. I believe it’s important to make efforts to get to know your fellow local home inspectors, whether to understand the competition or to share information and training tips. You can learn from others about so many aspects of the industry and even ask them for guidance about house conditions that you may not have seen before.”

“Terminology is so important. You must balance being professional with not sounding ‘over the heads’ of your clients. Also, I’ve been interested to find out how responsible and how liable we are. I like knowing that

I’m promising my clients that I’ll tell the truth about what I see. I believe professional integrity is essential, and I’m proud that it’s a vital part of home inspection.”

In her spare time, Nancy volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. “I provide instruction on budgeting, credit, credit reports and guidance about mortgages as part the Habitat curriculum. When I become educated about something, I feel a responsibility to help others get the same knowledge. Because I’m fluent in Spanish, I enjoy using that skill in my volunteer life and my work life.”

As our conversation drew to a close, Nancy commented, “I enjoy people. If you want to be successful as a small business owner, ZPV LJOE PG OFFE UP IBWF UIBU USBJU "MTP I’m always trying to get better at parts of NZ KPC JODMVEJOH AESJWJOH UIF ESPOF * N finding that the drone is a fun toy that can take really high-quality photos. So when I can’t walk on a roof due to its pitch or the weather, using a drone helps me zoom in on small fragments (like shingles or corners) and get the information I need. It also brings out UIF OFJHICPSIPPE LJET UP XBUDI w

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“I’m only getting started in my involvement with ASHI, but I’m eager to become more involved and find out what I can learn from other inspectors.”

Be sure to look for Nancy at InspectionWorldTM JO -BT 7FHBT JO +BOVBSZ H

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Leadership Training Conference

Leadership Training Conference Des Plaines, Illinois • October 20-21, 2016

A

SHI’s Leadership Training Conference (LTC) 2016 was a huge success! We met with over 130 chapter leaders from across the United States and Canada, and also welcomed former NAHI members as well. The attendees enjoyed our opening speaker, #'5 )- 35B.)*7,#!".5*").)C651")5-*)% 5)(5^ )&/(. ,#-'6_5)/,5 / .#)(65& ,-"#*5 ( 5 finance breakout sessions, and meeting with vendors.

Everyone enjoyed getting to see how our Board meetings worked and received a brief on Robert’s Rules of Order. We’re overjoyed by the success of the meeting and the overall satisfaction for all who attended. Sharing of ideas and successes from individuals and chapters made the day-and-a-half conference worthwhile for both first-time attendees as well as those who’ve been before.

LEFT: The winner of the iPad Mini is Stanley Yansick, Home & Building Inspection Technologies LLC. BELOW:: The winner of the IW Las Vegas raffle is Ross Relyea, Sweet Homes Chittenango, LLC.

We cannot wait until next year!

LEFT: The winner of the Step-UP with ASHI banner stand is Todd Arnold, TNT Inspection Services.

20

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

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Service Philosophy: Strategizing Excellent Service

Service Philosophy: Strategizing Excellent Service

By Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, www.carsondunlop.com, 800-268-7070

Line of Visibility

H

aving a customer service philosophy refers to the ways in which you think about and develop your business. Your service philosophy is the total of all the strategies you employ to deliver a high-quality service that “blows your customers away.”

In previous articles of the Reporter, we’ve described how to market your services. But it’s important to remember that you need an excellent service to market because no amount of marketing will sell a service that’s not good. You may fool people for a while with your dazzling marketing strategies, but word will get out if your service is not up to snuff.

If you offer a professional service, you must deliver good service.

You can market your service as “the best in town,” but if you perform below standard, you will not sustain your customer base.

This article will help you develop ways to approach customer service to create a winning business.

Create a Customer Service Blueprint The first step in developing a top-notch professional service is to identify every point at which you make contact with the public, a process called “blueprinting” your business process. Blueprinting is a type of mapping that shows you all the points of contact at which you can enhance your customer service.

Here’s how to make your own blueprint: Draw a vertical dotted line down the middle of a piece of paper. Label it as the “line of visibility” or “line of interaction.” On one side of this line, write the section or sections of the public with whom you interact. On the other side of the dotted line, draw a flowchart showing the flow of your business. Draw an arrow to connect the points between the public and your business to show each time they interact.

Each point of contact is an opportunity to offer exceptional customer service. Most home inspection companies have very simple blueprints for this process.

The figure shows a typical home inspection company’s blueprint for customer service. You might have a completely different chart for your relationship with real estate professionals, however, which might include items like making office presentations, calling agents, having lunch with agents and so on.

22

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Phone Call Book Inspection Do Inspection Generate Report

Homebuyer

Deliver Report Follow-up Support

A customer service blueprint

Point of Contact = Service Opportunity What’s the point of blueprinting your business operations? It forces you to think about a strategy for every point at which you interact with the public. Each of these points is an opportunity for you to create exceptional, memorable service. Again, the figure shows an example of the thought process.

Brainstorm Strategies In our sample blueprint, report delivery is one of the significant points of contact. Let’s say that you mail your reports to your clients so that your clients receive the report without getting any personal contact with you. What can you do to spice up this aspect of your business? Let the brainstorming begin. You can send the report by courier, deliver the report in person and spend time discussing it with the client, email the report or upload the report to a website and email a link and a password to the client. The report could have built-in links to documents that contain more information about the conditions described. A floating document box could allow the client to type in questions as he or she reads the report. After reading the report, the client’s “questions document” gets emailed to you for a response.

The key to effective brainstorming is writing down your ideas without criticizing them as you go. For example, the last idea above is fairly elaborate and might cost a lot to set up. Don’t worry about it.

Just write down the ideas, no matter how difficult or even ridiculous they might seem. You’ll have time to reject them in the next step.

Brainstorming is a creative process, whereas evaluating each idea is an exercise in logic. If you mix logic with brainstorming, it will stifle your creativity.

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Service Philosophy: Strategizing Excellent Service

to your company and might make customers happy. Customer satisfaction leads to referrals that lead to increased business volume.

More business means you can pay for your site. Once the initial costs are covered, websites are relatively easy and inexpensive to maintain. You can’t always calculate the benefits on the basis of cost alone. There are returns from customer satisfaction that don’t always show up immediately as revenues.

In this example, we made a key assumption—that we know what the customer wants. This is a typical, but dangerous, assumption.

It’s amazing how wrong we can be when we assume what customers want. For example, what if your customers think that posting their report on a website violates their privacy?

Evaluate The next step is to consider each idea, evaluating it based on the impact the strategy will have on your clients, the cost of implementing the idea and the time commitment it will require.

Let’s evaluate the idea of sending the report by courier. If you give your client a summary on site, they may not have a sense of urgency about receiving the report. Sending the report via courier has little advantage and little impact, and it will consume a significant amount of profit from each inspection. These days, people are used to the idea of receiving soft-copy versions of the report.

Now, let’s look at the website idea. Implementing a dynamic website reporting system may be expensive, but if it creates an extraordinary point of distinction for your company, it could launch your business to levels you never thought possible.

Spend Money to Make Money Each idea has advantages and disadvantages. You need to weigh the long-term benefits, factoring your client’s needs into the equation. Yes, you will save money if you decide not to implement a dynamic website system, but a dynamic site imparts distinction

Let’s pause here for now. We’ve discussed providing excellent service by brainstorming various possible business strategies.

In next month’s article, we’ll look at developing your ability to have the customer’s perspective in mind, with a discussion around a customer-centric business model. H

Bylaws Committee

BRENDAN RYAN

REPORT OUT

Chapter Relations Committee

ROBERT WALSTEAD

ASHI BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 21 - 22, 2016

Complaints – Logo Use Committee

MANASS HOCHSTETLER

Complaints – CEPP Committee

Open Pending Appointment

Ethics Committee

JAMISON BROWN

IW Education Committee

MARIO LUCCIOLA

Legislation Committee (STATE) (FEDERAL)

DAVID GOLDSTEIN JEFF BARNES

Motion:

24

Basically, we have to be careful with our assumptions about our clients. We must make decisions based on carefully considering many possible viewpoints that our client might have.

Membership Committee

LISA ALAJAJIAN-GIROUXIAN

Motion was made and seconded to accept the 2017 Committee Chair Nominee List on the right.

Pubic Relations Committee

SKIP WALKER

Standards Committee

THOMAS LAUHON

Strategic Committee

LARRY CERRO

PASSED

Technical Review Committee

KEVIN WESTENDORFF

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Motion: Motion was made and seconded where as a new board orientation manual shall be created (updated) annually and posted on ShareFile within a folder titled “New Board Orientation Manuals” prior to the April Board Meeting. PASSED

Motion: The Board directs the Chapter Relations Committee to research and formulate rules, guidelines and policy for the online an/or virtual ASHI Meetings, future chapters and report back. PASSED

Motion: To Authorize formation of a new ASHI Chapter in Cincinnati, Ohio, called OHIO-Southern (OH-SO). PASSED

ELIMINATE HOMEWORK

Important Announcement Regarding the ASHI Home Inspection Standard of Practice ASHI’s Standards Committee welcomes public comments about a proposed revision to the Home Inspection Standard of Practice. Comments are requested by December 15, 2016.

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The ASHI Standards Committee is accepting comments about a proposed change .)5." 5 5 . ( , 5) 5 , .# 5 ),5 )' 5 (-* .#)(-5B ) C85Äť 5 )''#.. 5 ( )/, ! -5* )*& 5.)5, 5."#-5*,)*)- 5 ) 5 " (! 5B- 5 &)15),5)(5." 5 5 website at www.homeinspector.org) and provide comments to the committee.

Proposed Addition to ASHI Home Inspection Standard of Practice, Section 13.3 13.3 Additional Exclusions. The inspection performed using this Standard does ().5#( &/ 5#(-* .#)(-5 ( 5- ,0# -5* , ),' 5/-#(!5 5 . ( , -5) 5 ,) --#)( &5 , .# 5 ),5 /2#&# ,35 ,0# -65/(& --5." 5inspector and the client specifically agree in writing to include these additional inspections and services.

Why is this change being proposed? As ASHI develops more ancillary standards of practice, some have expressed concern about clients believing that services addressed in ancillary standards are, or should be, part of a home inspection. The ob$ .#0 5) 5."#-5*,)*)- 5 ) 5 " (! 5#-5.)5 & ,# 35." .5- ,0# -5 , -- 5#(5 ( #&& ,35 standards are not part of a home inspection.

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25December 2016

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Chapter News

O

ctober 17, 2016, attended Realtor Fest in Richmond, VA, to promote ASHI to the area Realtors. John Cranor, 65 , -# (.5) 5 (., &5 5 ASHI chapter, and Bronson ( ,-)(65 65 5) 5 (., &5 VA, ASHI chapter. H

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istorical home and building inspection, October 1, 2016, at the Ruth Smucker Home and Courtyard commercial building.

Bryck Guibor led the 20 Ohio ASHI inspectors on an all-day tour and inspection in Salem, Ohio, of the historical buildings.

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26

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

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Contact Russell Daniels, russelld@ashi.org.

27December 2016

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NORTH CENTRAL ASHI Central PA

www.ashicentralpa.com Second Monday, 6 pm, except Jan. & July, Hoss’s Steakhouse 1151 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA Kevin Kenny, 717-226-3066 info@midpennhomeinspections. com

Keystone (PA)

www.keystoneashi.org First Monday, 5:30 pm The Crowne Plaza, Reading David Artigliere, 610-220-1907 artihi@gmail.com

Ohio

www.ashiheartland.org Reuben Saltzman, 612-205-5600 reuben@ashiheartland.org

Indiana ASHI

www.inashi.com Quarterly Danny Maynard, 317-319-7209 danny@inspectinc.net

Iowa ASHI

www.iowaashichapter.org Fourth Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:00 pm Clarion Inn, Cedar Rapids Craig Chmelicek, 319-389-7379 elitehomeandradon@gmail.com

Kentuckiana (IN, KY)

www.ohioashi.com Howard Snyder, 330-929-5239 ohashi@neo.rr.com

www.ashikentuckiana.org Allan Davis, 502-648-9294 elitehomeinspections@ insightbb.com

North Central Ohio

Mid-Missouri

www.ncohioashi.com William Stone, 216-308-9663 wstonehomeinspection@gmail.com

Pocono-Lehigh (PA)

www.pocono-lehighashi.org Third Tuesday, Tannersville Inn, Tannersville Ronald Crescente, 570-646-7546 amerispec@pa.metrocast.net

PRO-ASHI (PA)

www.proashi.com Second Wednesday of Jan., March, May, July & Nov. Ray Fonos, 412-461-8273 southpittsburgh@hometeam.com

Tri-State (DE, NJ, PA)

www.tristateashi.org Second Tuesday except April, Aug. & Dec., Dave & Buster’s Plymouth Meeting, PA Peter Muehlbronner, 215-8527319, peter@ahiconsulting.com

MIDWEST Central Illinois

www.cicashi.com Second Monday, 6 pm Kevan Zinn, 309-262-5006 info@inspectwithzinn.com

Great Lakes (IL, IN, IA, KY, MI, MN, OH, WI) For monthly meetings: www.greatinspectors.com/ schedule-of-events/ Carol Case, 734-284-4501 carol@greatinspectors.com

Greater Omaha (NE)

www.ashiomaha.com Rick Crnkovich, 402-779-2529 Rick2@cox.net

28

Heartland (IA, MN, ND, SD, WI)

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

www.midmoashi.com Second Thursday, 12:00 pm, Even months of the year; Columbia Board of Realtors office.

2309 I-70 Drive NW, Columbia, MO Bobbi Wilson, 573-881-8585 Bobbi@wilsonhomeinspectors.com

Northern Illinois

www.nicashi.com Second Wednesday (except Dec.) 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm Crazypour, 105 E. North Ave., Villa Park, IL Jeremy Meek, 630-854-2454 jeremy@discoveryinspector.com

SOUTH MIDWEST

MOUNTAIN Arizona

www.azashi.org Bryck Guibor, 520-419-1313 bryck@msn.com Quarterly education on azashi.org

New Mexico

www.ashinm.org Every other month, Second Saturday, (Jan., May., Sept.)

Mimi’s Cafe Albuquerque - 9:15 am Lance Ellis, 505-977-3915 lellis@amerispce.net

Northern Rockies (ID, MT) Steve Jenicek, 406-949-6461 Steve@taskmasterinspections.com Secretary: Kelly Campeau 877-749-2225 Kelly@inspectormt.com

Rocky Mountain Fourth Tuesday, 6:30 pm Brian Murphy, 303-791-7824 brian@murphyinspection.com

Southern Colorado

www.ashi-southerncolorado.org Second Thursday, 6:30 pm Valley Hi Golf Club, Colo. Springs Mike Meyer, 719-686-8282 mikehome07@msn.com

Utah

www.ashiutah.com First Tuesday, 7 pm Marie Callender’s, Midvale Fred Larsen, 801-201-9583 Fred.larsen@pillartopost.com

Arkansas Lonnie Moore, 479-530-5792 mhinsp@cox.net

Great Plains (KS, MO)

www.ashikc.org Second Wednesday of even months The Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City Doug Hord, 816-215-2329 doug@firstchoice.com

Midwest PRO ASHI (KS) Jack Koelling, 316-744-9990 jackkoelling@cox.net

St. Louis (MO)

www.stlashi.org Second Tuesday, 6:30 pm Spazio’s at Westport Frank Copanas, 314-456-0783 Acropolis-inspection@live.com

PACIFIC Alaska Meeting dates: Jan 1, March 1, Aug 1, Nov 1 Location varies each meeting David Mortensen, 907-243-4476 dave@discoveryinspect.com

ASHI Hawaii

www.ashihawaii.com Alex Woodbury, 808-322-5174 Woodburya001@hawaii.rr.com

California Randy Pierson, 310-265-0833 randy@southbayinspector.com

Central Valley CREIA-ASHI Peter Boyd, 530-673-5800 Boyd.p@comcast.net

Golden Gate (CA)

www.ggashi.com John Fryer, 510-682-4908 johnfryer@gmail.com

Inland Northwest (ID, WA) Chris Munro, 208-290-2472 chris@peakinspections.net

Orange County CREIA-ASHI (CA) www.creia.org/orange-countychapter Third Monday, 5:30 pm Hometown Buffet, 2321 S. Bristol, Santa Ana Bill Bryan, 949-565-5904 bill@rsminspections.com

Oregon

www.oahi.org Fourth Tuesday, 6:30 pm 4534 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Portland Jay Hensley, 503-312-2105 jay@carsonconstruction.com

San Diego CREIA-ASHI First Tuesday each month Elijah’s Restaurant 7061 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard San Diego, CA 92111 Dennis Parra II, 619-232-1100

San Joaquin Valley (CA) Third Tuesday, 6 pm Rice Bowl, Bakersfield, CA Raymond Beasley, 661-805-5947 rbinspector@aol.com Mail: 3305 Colony Oak St. Bakersfield, CA 93311

Silicon Valley ASHI-CREIA (CA)

www.siliconvalleyinspector.com Felix A. Pena, 510-573-0367 homesavvyinspections@comcast.net

Southwestern Idaho Second Monday David Reish, 208-941-5760 dave@antheminspections.com

Los Angeles-Greater San Gabriel Valley Second Tuesday, 6 pm Old Spaghetti Factory, Duarte Larry Habben, 714-685-0321 habbenshome@earthlink.net

Los Angeles-Ventura County ASHI-CREIA First Thursday, 5 pm Holiday Inn, Woodland Hills Bob Guyer, 805-501-0733 guyerinspections@roadrunner.com

South Bay (CA) Webinar meetings Randy Pierson, 310-265-0833 randy@southbayinspector.com

Western Washington Seminars offered www.ashiww.com Michael Brisbin, 425-742-1735 seaviewinspections@comcast.net

NEW ENGLAND/CANADA British Columbia

www.hiabc.ca Sean Moss, 604-729-4261 sean@homeinspectorsean.com

CAHPI Atlantic

www.cahpi-alt.com Blaine Swan, 902-890-0710 goodeyeinspections@gmail.com

CAHPI Ontario

www.oahi.com Rob Cornish, 613-858-5000 robc@homexam.ca

Coastal Connecticut

www.coastalctashi.org Third Thursday, 6 pm, Westport VFW Lodge, 465 Riverside Avenue, Westport Gene Autore, 203-216-2516 gene.autore@gmail.com

New England (ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)

www.ashinewengland.org Fourth Thursday, 5 pm The Lantana, Randoph, MA Michael Atwell, 617-630-5629 mike@jmhi.com

First State (DE)

www.firststateashi.org Third Wednesday, 7 pm The Buzz Ware Center, 2121 The Highway, Arden Mark Desmond, 302-494-1294 mark@delvalleyhome.com

Garden State (NJ)

www.gardenstateashi.com Second Thursday, The Westwood, Garwood Bret Kaufmann, 973-377-4747 bretkaufmann@optonline.net

Southern New England (CT)

www.snecashi.org First Tuesdays, 6:30 pm Billy T’s, 150 Sebethe Dr., Cromwell, CT Richard W. Hall, 860-281-4238 rhall@usinspect.com

NEW YORK/JERSEY/ DELAWARE Capitol Region (NY)

www.goashi.com Third Thursday, 7 pm, Doratos Steakhouse and Pub, Guilderland Robert Davis, 518-885-7949 rdavis@home-inspection.com

Central New York

www.cnyashi.com Second Wednesday, 6 pm, Tony’s Family Restaurant, Syracuse Peter Apgar, 315-278-3143 peter@craftsmanhomeinspection. net

Florida Wiregrass

MAC-ASHI (MD, VA)

Gulfcoast (FL) First Thursday, 7 pm, The Forest Country Club, Fort Myers Len Gluckstal, 239-432-0178 goldenrulehi@comcast.net

Hudson Valley (NY)

www.mac-ashi.com Second Wednesday, Rockville, 6 pm Senior Center, Rockville Mark Mostrom, 301-536-0096 pivotalinspections@comcast.net

NOVA-ASHI (MD, VA)

www.ashitexas.org Craig Lemmon, 817-291-9056 craig@reioftexas.com

www.ashirochester.com Second Tuesday, 6 pm, Murph’s Irondequoit Pub, Irondequoit John White, 585-431-0067 john@iihomeinspections.com Second Tuesday, 6 pm Daddy O’s Restaurant, 3 Turner Street, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Michael Skok, 845-592-1442 ashistatewide@yahoo.com

Long Island (NY)

New York Metro

www.aibq.qc.ca Pascal Baudaux, 450-629-2038 info@almoinspection.ca

www.ashisouth.org Quarterly, Homewood Library, Homewood John Knudsen, 334-221-0876 jgknudsen111@gmail.com

Greater Rochester (NY)

Prairies (Alberta) (CAHI)

Quebec AIBQ

ASHI South (AL)

www.ashiwiregrass.org Second Wednesday, 6:30 pm Hyundai of Wesley Chapel Nancy Janosz, 813-546-6090 ProTeamInsp@aol.com

www.nnec-ashi.org Tim Rooney, 603-770-0444 homeviewnh@comcast.net www.cahpi-ab.ca Chris Bottriell, 780-486-4412 api94@shaw.ca

GULF

www.greaterbaltimoreashi.org Third Thursday except July & Aug., 6:30 pm dinner, 7:00pm speaker Maritime Institute Conference Center, 5700 N. Hammonds Ferry Rd., Linthicum Heights, MD 21090 Andy Bauer, abauer@bpgwi.com Second Thursday, 7 pm, Cypress Point Country Club, Virginia Beach Gregory Murphy, 757-535-4355 gmurphy@coastalinspect.com

www.liashi.com Third Monday, 6 pm, Domenico’s Restaurant, Levittown Steven Rosenbaum 516-361-0658 inspector@optonline.net

Northern New England (ME, MA, NH, VT)

Greater Baltimore (MD)

www.nyashi.com Last Thursday, 5:30 pm, Eldorado West Restaurant-Diner, Tarrytown Chris Long 914-260-8571 pres@nyashi.com

Southern New Jersey (NJ)

www.southernnjashi.com Third Wednesday, 6:30 pm Ramada Inn, Bordentown Rick Lobley, 609-208-9798 rick@doublecheckhi.com

Western New York Second Thursday, 6:30 pm Tony Rome’s, West Seneca Andy Utnik, 716-636-9676 esimail@aol.com

MID-ATLANTIC Central Virginia

www.cvashi.org Second Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Keegans Irish Pub 2251 Old Brick Road Glen Allen, VA 23060 John Cranor 804-873-8537 cranorinspectionservices @gmail.com

Hampton Roads (VA)

Lone Star (TX)

www.novaashi.com Fourth Tuesday, Associate hour 6-7 pm, Membership meeting 7-9 pm Northern Virginia Resources Center, Fairfax Tony Toth, 703-9266213 tony_toth@msn.com

Louisiana Quarterly Meetings Michael Burroughs 318-324-0661 Mburroughs2@comcast.net

Piedmont ASHI (VA)

Suncoast (FL)

Robert Huntley, 540-354-2135 rwhuntley@cox.net

www.ashisuncoast.com First Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Please see our website for meeting locations.

Steve Acker, 727-712-3089 buyersally@gmail.com

SOUTH ATLANTIC ASHI Georgia

www.ashigeorgia.com Shannon Cory, 404-316-4876 shannon1943@comcast.net

Southwest Florida

www.swashi.com Serving Manatee, Sarasota & Charlotte Second Wednesday, 6 pm Holiday Inn, Lakewood Ranch 6321 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota Michael Conley, 941-778-2385 FLinspector@outlookcom

East Tennessee

www.etashi.org Third Saturday of Feb., May, Aug. and Nov. Paul Perry, 866-522-7708 cio@frontiernet.net

Mid-Tennessee Ray Baird, 615-371-5888 bairdr@comcast.net

Mid-South (TN) Steven Campbell, 901-734-0555 steve@memphisinspections.com

North Carolina

www.ncashi.com Third Wednesday, 3 pm, Quality Inn at Guilford Convention Center, Greensboro Andy Hilton, 336-682-2197 hiltonhomeinspection@gmail.com

South Carolina First Saturday of Feb., May, Aug. & Nov., 8 am Roger Herdt, 843-669-3757 herdtworks@msn.com

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TO SUBMIT YOUR MATERIALS FOR MOVING UP, PLEASE CONTACT JANET GEORGE AT 847-954-3180 OR JANETG@ASHI.ORG

New ASHI Associates

H Phillip Boyd Northport, AL

Joseph Brown

Ryan Mordente Brick & Mortar Inspections Coronado, CA

Hunter Horton

Mike Sands

HomeGuard Inc. San Jose, CA

Fire House Inspections Odenville, AL

Buyers Protection Group Anaheim, CA

Joseph Winters

Daniel Stevens

Adams Inspections, LLC Chandler, AZ

Serena Curry DSC Inspections, LLC Flagstaff, AZ

Craig Garfield Pillar To Post Home Inspections Tucson, AZ

Martin Howe )PXF *OTQFDUJPO 4FSWJDFT --$ Litchfield Park, AZ

James Hyland Reliant Home Inspections Care Free, AZ

Steven Letner Cornerstone Inspections Queen Creek, AZ

Brian Oliver

HomeGuard Inc. San Jose, CA

James Trammell AT Home Inspections Bakersfield, CA

Kyle Copeland Gradient Home Inspections Colorado Springs, CO

David Griffin (SJGÃ¥O )PNF *OTQFDUJPOT *OD Denver, CO

Gary Sawyer Professional Home Inspection Services Woodland Park, CO

Tim Slaughenhaupt Homestead Inspection Services Canon City, CO

Joseph Booth Coventry, CT

US Inspect Sun Lakes, AZ

David Harter

David Altom

Christopher Sudano

Altoms Home Inspections Sacramento, CA

Robert Emmett PCA Home Inspections San Francisco, CA

Tim Fonseca Precision Home Inspection Bakersfield, CA

Darrell Gipson Instinctive Inspection Moreno Valley, CA

Kevin Hoepermans 5XJO 5FSNJUF 1FTU Control and Construction Sacramento, CA

Julian Lockett LockItUp Home Inspections Pittsburg, CA

Calvin Melaney America’s Finest Home Inspections San Diego, CA

30

MEMBER

#SPXO 1SPGFTTJPOBM Home Inspections Hoover, AL

Michael Adams

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Axe Ranch Industries Festus, MO

Patrick McClinton

Jack Boain

Louisville, KY

St. Charles, MO

Brian Witty

Jason Cardoza

Kentucky Total Inspection Alvaton, KY

A-1 Home Inspection Springfield, MO

Peter Johnson

Robert Glore

%VEMFZ 1POE 8PPEXPSLJOH and Home Inspections Wayland, MA

RTTR Inspections, LLC Festus, MO

Meyer Home Inspections Spirit Lake, IA

Catherine Murphy

Chris Pajak

Mohan Singh

Home Inspection Professionals, LLC Saint Joseph, MO

Max Shirley

Paul Salinas

Fultondale, AL

Jeffrey Axe

Absolute Home Inspection Winchester, KY

Evans, GA

As of September 1, 2016

H Denotes graduate of The ASHI School

Michael Bays

H Thomas Nixon

Southbury, CT Pro Check Home Inspection Services Danbury, CT

Reid Evans US Inspect Lutz, FL

Victor Garcia Pillar to Post Jupiter, FL

R. Keen Keen Building Inspections Tampa, FL

Glenn Stephens G. Stephens and Associates, Inc. Sarasota, FL

Dino Favara Anchor-Safe Home Inspections, LLC Hoschton, GA

Samuel Hill Full Circle Home Inspections Fairburn, GA

Lawrenceville, GA

Shawna Akiona HomeTeam Inspection Service Kailua, HI

John Harvell JR Honolulu Home Inspections, LLC Honolulu, HI

Christopher Meyer

Everett, MA

Pillar to Post Adel, IA

0VUMPPL )PNF *OTQFDUJPO Lexington, MA

Jeremy Gress

Douglas Gillette

4JT Property Solutions Dampa, ID

Anderson Home Inspection Perry Hall, MD

Eric Bastian

Mervin Roussell

Bastian Home Inspection Freeport, IL

Complete Home Solutions, LLC Lothian, MD

Patrick Carey

Frank Storck

Adam Park

Christopher Williams Fam 1st Spec Home Inspection Florissant, MO

Daniel Lara AmeriSpec by Integrity First Brandon, MS

Cory Leinweber Northern Home Inspection, LLC Belgade, MT

Jonathan Wyatt

Carey Home Solutions and Inspections Chicago, IL

Complete Home Solutions, LLC Lothian, MD

Michael Chapman

*OTJEF 0VU )PNF Inspections, LLC Taneytown, MD

Steven Brown

Buyers Protection Group Skokie, IL

Mikel Hicks

Michael Townend

A&J Home Inspection, LLC Billings, MT SGB Home Inspection Co. Hubert, NC

Robert Bidelman

Jim Abbott

Missouri Home Inspection, LLC Carlyle, IL

Three Rivers, MI

"#$0 Omaha, NE

John Lundberg

BB Home Inspection Edwardsburg, MI

AduansPect Inc. Chicago, IL

Brian Brown

Trevor Desrochers

Luke DeVivo %70 *OTQFDUJPO 4FSWJDFT *OD Omaha, NE

BT Home Inspection Flint, MI

Anwar Sarkis

Roselle, IL

Christian Hershik

Rick Marchese

Bayonne, NJ

Ronald Ervin

Ramon Tavarez

Integrated Solutions, LLC Muncie, IN

East China, MI

Michael Jackson

Walled Lake, MI

A & R Building & Home Inspections Albuquerque, NM

Southern Indianan Field Services, LLC Salem, IN

Jeffrey Olsen

Daniel Katz

Lester Ottenwalder

TrustPoint Inspections Zionsville, IN

George Novak III US Inspect Franklin, IN

Jason Thompson US Inspect Fishers, IN

Jessica Lawton

0MTFO *OTQFDUJPO 4FSWJDFT --$ Lansing, MI Eagle Home Inspections, LLC Lenox, MI

James Stinson Handy Home Inspection of Michigan Brighton, MI

Jonathan Hopkins

Magary Aime Aim Tech, Inc. Valley Stream, NY

Tom Faulhaber Pillar to Post Home Inspections St. James, NY

Philip Hirth Far Rockaway, NY

Rick Kast Red Mill Home Inspections Cortlandt Manor, NY

Protection Plus Home Inspections, LLC Big Lake, MN

Jarrod Anderson

Keith Muzzy

Mike Carpenter

Wichita, KS

Muzzy Inspections Dilworth, MN

Pillar to Post Hamilton, OH

Philip Mies

Lucas Wegscheid

Jason Vernier Win Home Inspection Fishers Fishers, IN

Beau Gibler

Goddard, KS

Lakeville, MN

Erie Inspection Service, Inc. Norwalk, OH

SEE PAGE 32 FOR CHAPTER EDUCATION.

Don Fecher

Robert Meyer

Top Dog Inspections, LLC Cincinnati, OH

Kennett Square, PA

Troy Jarvis

Professional Home Inspection Peach Bottom, PA

Pillar to Post Cincinnati, OH

Branson Johnson Pillar To Post Perrysburg, OH

Terry Ramsey *OTJEF 0VU )PQF *OTQFDUJPOT Cincinnati, OH

Steven Riddle Riddle Services/ RS Home Inspections Perrysburg, OH

Nick Siegler Pillar to Post Cincinnati Middletown, OH

Brian Stang Rayland, OH

Stephen Walbolt Seagate Inspections Holland, OH

Nathan Weaver Weaver Home Inspections, LLC Columbus, OH

Donald Westphal Medina, OH

Tim Cooper Better Home Inspections of &BTUFSO 0LMBIPNB --$ Poteau, OK

Karen Krieger The House Detectives Portland, OR

Michael Newcomb 0OFTUB )PNF *OTQFDUJPO --$ Bend, OR

Jeff Strang HouseGeek Home Inspection Portland, OR

John Bevich Affordable Home Inspections Alburtis, PA

Richard Domonkos Shadyside Home Inspections, LLC Uniontown, PA

Jim Hayes Real Estate Inspections Garnet Valley, PA

Jason Jones &RVJUZ )PNF *OTQFDUJPOT --$ Chambersburg, PA

Matthew Lawhead Quakertown, PA

Jill McNabb

Douglas Risk

New ASHI Inspectors As of September 1, 2016

INSPECTOR

Aaron Rudd Philadelphia, PA

Michael Hamilton

Joel Van Dyke

Paris Spates Real Estate Inspections Garnet Valley, PA

Pillar to Post Home Inspections Cave Creek, AZ

Preferred Home Inspections Portland, OR

Matt Williams

Betty-Jean Offutt

Bedford, VA

&RVJUZ 1SFTFSWBUJPO 4FSWJDFT North Huntingdon, PA

US Inspect Colorado Springs, CO

Ronald Wolf

John McKenzie

Top 2 Bottom Home Inspections, LLC Lansdale, PA

HomeRun Homes Inspection, LLC Seymour, CT

Douglas Houghland

Mike Kerwin

Moore, SC

Richard Placette II Texas Country Inspection, LLC Warren, TX

Heather Reeves Texas Country Inspection, LLC Warren, TX

Lee Rushing ProVantage Inspections, PLLC Willis, TX

Eric Goodsell Kevin Cunningham Perfection Home Inspection Mount Pleasant, WI

&WFSZ 4RVBSF *ODI 1SPQFSUZ Inspection Leawood, KS

Walt Fick ,OPX :PVS )PNF *OTQFDUJPOT and Services, LLC Kearney, NE

Paddy Mulloy Cutting Edge Home Inspection Novelty, OH

Robert Smith Jr. US Inspect New Braunfels, TX

Jason Heitz Champion Inspect West Jordan, UT

Robert Barnett Reston, VA

Anthony Mabry Quality Assurance Inspections, LLC Virginia Beach, VA

Michael Schirmer InspectionTechnologies Co. South Hero, VT

Paul Hofseth Pillar to Post Edmonds, WA

Dakota Kaiser Kingston, WA

Samuel Stribling Vancouver, WA

Brian Walker Final Phase Inspection Stanwood, WA

Grady Wells Wellspring Home Inspection Services Spokane Valley, WA

New ASHI Certified Home Inspectors As of September 1, 2016

Andres Martinez

John Ragno

RBS&K Edgewater, CO

Shamrock Home Inspections Hamilton, NJ

Scott Kinrade

Craig Grossman

Benchmark Inspections, LLC Mishawaka, IN

0IJP $FSUJÃ¥FE *OTQFDUJPOT --$ Dayton, OH

Harold Baker

Michael McBride

Five Star Home Inspections Leavenworth, KS

Pillar To Post Wayne, PA

Marc Gazaille Nantucket, MA

Alex Gingles Gingles Inspections Belton, MO

Noel Nason WIN Home Inspection Bedford Pembroke, NH

Pillar to Post Home Inspections Easton, PA

31December 2016

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31

ASHI Chapter Education Hampton Roads ASHI Holiday Season Tech-Talk When: Saturday, December 3, 2016 Where: Virginia Beach, VA Speakers: Bruce Barker, Kenny Hart and much more!

Contact: www.facebook.com/ASHI HamptonRoads/

NC ASHI Winter Education Event When: Where:

January 27-28, 2017 Winston Salem NC, Tarheel Basements conference room.

Speakers: Bruce Barker, Topics: NC Board Update Course (water intrusion and mold), electrical inspections and inspection quiz.

CEUs: 16 ASHI and NC CEs will be available.

Contact: Larry Conway, ncashi@triad.rr.com.

Ohio ASHI Chapter March Expo When: Where: Topics:

March 10-12, 2017 Quest Center, Columbus, OH NC Board Update Course (water intrusion and mold), electrical inspections and inspection quiz.

CEUs 22 ASHI Contact: georgebasista@yahoo.com 330-565-3760, ohioashi.com/events

Central PA ASHI Chapter Education Conference When: Where:

March 4, 2017 Park Inn by Radisson Harrisburg West, PA CEUs 8 ASHI Contact: Patrick Reilly, pwreilly@comcast.net

To have your chapter seminar listed in this section, email all information about your chapter seminar to: micheleg@ ashi.org.

BE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL INFORMATION: seminar subject, when, where, CEUs & a link for more information or contact information.

IMPORTANT REPORTER DEADLINES: t +"/6"3: *446& t '&#36"3: *446& t ."3$) *446& t "13*- *446& t .": *446& t +6/& *446& The Reporter is produced 6-8 weeks ahead of the week it arrives in your mailbox.

ASHI Council of Representatives Speakers and Group Leaders SPEAKER: Jim Funkhouser 571-214-4039 jfunkhousr@aol.com ALTERNATE SPEAKER: Hollis Brown St. Louis, MO 703-856-7567 JHollis@thorospec. com SECRETARY: Brendan Ryan 724-898-1414 brendan@csahomeinspection.com GROUP LEADERS

New England/ Canada Mike Atwell 617-630-5629 mike@jmhi.com

New York/ New Jersey Kevin Vargo 732-271-1887 kpvargo@comcast.net

Mid-Atlantic Hollis Brown 703-856-7567 Hollis@thorospec. com

Continue learning at the click of a button!

FREE ASHI Member access to past IW sessions.

32

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Midwest Eric Barker 847-408-7238 ebarker@morainewoods.com

South Atlantic Ray Baird 615-371-5888 bairdr@comcast.net

Gulf Jim Dickey 972-907-0202 jim@jjdickey.com

South Midwest Joe Pangborn 573-228-4509 Joe@Pangborn Inspections.com

North Central George Basista 330-565-3760 GeorgeBasista@ yahoo.com

Mountain Bryck Guibor 520-419-1313 bryck@msn.com

Pacific Darrell Hay 206-226-3205 darrellhay@aol.com

1. Go to www.ASHI.org 2. Under Education & Training 3. Click on:

ASHI ONLINE LEARNING CENTER

SM

Protecting Home Inspectors From Meritless Claims 855-MERITLESS (637- 4853) www.joeferry.com

MERITLESS CLAIMS DON’T REQUIRE NEGOTIATION Meritless claims require a proven strategy that squashes them 97% of the time – right out of the gate.

You don’t need the next marketing gimmick or Brand X Insurance Company’s surrender tactics disguised as negotiation.

ClaimIntercept™ puts the industry’s legal experts on your side during every home inspection.

In 2016, you need peace of mind and sleep-well-atnight protection after every home inspection. Do what you do best – grow your business. The Home Inspector Lawyer will protect it. Have Joe Ferry and his team on your side during every home inspection.

JOIN TODAY! www.joeferry.com/claimintercept or 855-637-4853

99%

Of Inspection Agreements Are Imperfect INSPECTION

AGREEMENT

Audit

That standardized agreement or the one you tweaked from a colleague’s template isn’t working as hard as it should be to lower your liability before every inspection.

Joe Ferry has reviewed more pre-inspection agreements than anybody in order to strategically squash the 900+ claims that have come across his desk in the last decade.

Now, Joe Ferry is offering a new service, Inspection Agreement Audit, a thorough examination of your current pre-inspection agreement along with detailed recommendations and a post-review consult to discuss implementation. Strengthen your business with a perfected inspection agreement.

PURCHASE NOW! www.joeferry.com/agreement or 855-637-4853 33December 2016

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33

Welcome, Cincinnati!

ĝ 5 5 ) , 5) 5 #, .),-5, (.&35 **,)0 5 5( 15 " *. ,65 "#)5 )/." ,(5 5B),5 OH SO ASHI), based in Cincinnati, OH. The chapter currently has 26 paid members and held its first educational meeting November 12. The featured speaker was ASHI Board ' ,5 ,/ 5 ,% ,651")5*, - (. 5." 5.)*# 5^ )15.)5 --5." 5 .#)( &5 )' 5 Inspection Exam.� H

ASHI’s Year of the Chapter Membership Drive Limited time offer!

The “Year of the Chapter� Membership Drive Continues Through December 31 (see info to the right)

From August 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, anyone who is not already an ASHI member will receive his or her first-year membership to ASHI National for free when they join your chapter.

Chapters, keep up your recruiting efforts! This incentive concludes December 31, 2016.

For more information, contact Russell K. Daniels at russelld@ashi.org. H

Chapter leaders, make sure you get the application into the hands of your new members! Please email HQ@ashi.org if you do not have the special application.

ASHI has gained a total of 66 members as a result of the Year of the Chapter referral program. Chapters across the United States and Canada have embraced this recruiting campaign set up by ASHI National. The membership drive has encouraged chapters to grow in membership which, in turn, has increased the chapters’ revenue.

Online Tutorials Help You Improve Your Business

Did you know that ASHI members have free access to tutorials that can help you get the most out of your ASHI membership? That’s right! Check them out at www.ashi.org. You’ll ŀ( 5./.),# &-5." .5 (5" &*53)/5 , . 5 ,) "/, -5/-#(!5." 5 ,#(.7 (7 ' ( 5-#. 65- .5/*5 5 social media presence and update your membership profile. All of these and more can help grow your business—visit the ASHI website today! H

This is how is how the program works: 1. The inspector signs up and pays dues to the chapter.

2. The chapter gives the inspector an application for a one-year free membership to ASHI National.

ASHI Event Calendar

34

January 22-25, 2017 InspectionWorldÂŽ and ASHI Board Meeting Las Vegas, NV April 28-29, 2017 ASHI Board Meeting Des Plaines, IL

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

3. The inspector gives the completed

July 21-22, 2017 ASHI Board Meeting Des Plaines, IL October 19-21, 2017 Leadership Training Conference and ASHI Board Meeting Des Plaines, IL

application back to the chapter.

4. The chapter emails the application to membership@ashi.org.

If you have any questions, please email Russell K. Daniels at russelld@ashi. org. H

Education–ASHI Online Learning Center Now available: unlimited free, continuing education hours for your ASHI CE requirements. Just log on to the ASHI website, put the mouse on the Education tab, click on the ASHI Online Learning Center, log on to the Learning Center with your member number and the word “password” and begin taking these exciting education modules. You earn two CEs upon successful completion of each module. You can also view a list of state-approved online education under each of the past IW course descriptions. A certificate of completion will be available to print out. H

CURRENT ASHI MEMBERSHIP ASHI Certified Inspectors: 3,597 Inspectors/Logo: 234 Associates: 4,187 Retired Members: 121 Affiliates: 77 Total: 8,216 Members as of 11/8/2016

ASHI MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT PROGRAMS ASHI-ENDORSED PROGRAMS ASHI’s E&O Insurance Program: Target Professional Programs www.targetproins.com 860-899-1862 ASHI Personal Lines Insurance Program: Liberty Mutual www.libertymutual.com/ashi ASHI’s Protecting Home Inspectors From Meritless Claims Program: Joe Ferry – The Home Inspector Lawyer 855-MERITLESS (637-4853) contact@joeferry.com www.joeferry.com/ashi ASHI Service Program BuildFax Tricia Julian, 877-600-BFAX x161 TJulian@BuildFax.com www.buildfax.com http://go.buildfax.com/ASHI ASHI Customer Appreciation Program: Moverthankyou.com Brent Skidmore, 864-386-2763 www.moverthankyou.com Brent@POWRsoft.com HomeAdvisor.com Brett Symes, 913-529-2683 www.homeadvisor.com ashi@homeadvisor.com LegalShield Joan Buckner, 505-821-3971 buckner.legalshieldassociate.com buckner@legalshieldassociate.com InspectionContracts.com Dave Goldstein, 800-882-6242 www.inspectioncontracts.com david@inspectoreducation.com

OneSource Solutions 877-274-8632 www.osconnects.com/ashi/ Porch.com Eliab Sisay, 206-218-3920 www.porch.com Eliab@porch.com ASHI Rebate Program Quill.com Dana Fishman, 800-634-0320 x1417 www.quill.com/ashi dana.fishman@quill.com ASHI-ENDORSED EXAMS ASHI Standard and Ethics Education Module Go to www.homeinspector.org, click on Education and Training, then click on the link for the ASHI Standard of Practice Education Module.

NHIE Exam: 847-298-7750 www.homeinspectionexam.org ASHI-ENDORSED TRAINING PROGRAMS ASHI@Home Training System 800-268-7070 education@carsondunlop.com The ASHI School Kendra Eiermann, 888-884-0440 kendra@theashischool.com www.TheASHISchool.com PLATINUM PROVIDER Millionaire Inspector Community Mike Crow www.mikecrow.com dreamtime@mikecrow.com Mention that you are an ASHI member

Dece

mber Anni versa ries

Thirty-five Years Rusty Layton Alan Marcus Jack Reilly Thirty Years Stephen Gladstone Twenty-five Years Bradley Huntington Twenty Years Linda Cecil Larry Falasco Steven Schira Ronald Testa

)"(5 ,) ,)'# Stephen Showalter Stephen Wilson Ronald Zimmerman Ten Years Joe Amati Chuck Arnone Clive Belvoir Miles Dyson Scott Earley "#&5 )/& Bevan Jones Eric Knoll Harel Schwarz Five Years Eric Boll Jaime Campillo William Cavill Ben Chamberlin William Cook David Foley Jody Jernigan Greg Lane John Thompson James Wall Michael Young

35December 2016

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Controlling Moisture Flow in the Building Envelope

Controlling Moisture Flow in the Building Envelope

By Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, www.carsondunlop.com, 800-268-7070

T

he concept of a house as an environmental envelope is a helpful one. A home is an artificial environment surrounded by a huge natural environment. This is a problem /- 5B C51 5 (].5#-)& . 5)/,- &0 -5 ,)'5 the natural environment or we’d have no , -"5 #,5.)5 , ." 5 ( 5B C51 5 (].5 )'pletely control the interaction between the indoor and outdoor environments.

The leakage of indoor air to the outside and outdoor air coming into our homes is necessary and yet troublesome. A house is not a tightly sealed chamber isolated from the world outdoors, but rather a loose envelope between the indoor and outdoor environments.

Problem Recognized As insulation strategies changed in the latter half of the 1900s, we recognized ." 5( 5.)5 )(.,)&5')#-./, 5B& ,! &35 35 controlling air movement). How did we approach the problem?

Vapor Retarders or Air/Vapor Barriers We tried to reduce the air leakage through the roofs and walls. We created vapor retarders, now often referred to as air/vapor barriers, to reduce the movement of air through the building envelope. As the name suggests, we used to think vapor diffusion was the big problem. We now know air leakage is a far bigger problem.

Poly Replaced Kraft Paper Older air/vapor barriers were made of kraft paper, often attached to fiberglass or mineral wool batts. Because these were typically laid between ceiling joists or wall studs, they were not continuous. Although imperfect vapor barriers can perform their duties reasonably well, an air barrier that is not continuous is not very useful at all.

Modern air/vapor barriers are typically polyethylene films. Considerable attention is now given to creating a continuous air/ vapor barrier to minimize air leakage.

36

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

You will often come across air/vapor barriers that are loose or incomplete.

Ventilation of Roofs and Walls Despite using continuous air/vapor barriers, we have not been 100% successful at stopping the leakage of warm, moist air into cool wall and roof spaces. As a result, we’ve placed increased emphasis on the ventilation of roof and wall spaces. Much more attention has been paid to roofs than walls.

Soffit vents, ridge vents, gable vents and vents in the field of the roof all are designed to help flush out moist air from roof spaces, replacing it with cold, dry air. There are some problems with this approach, which we’ll discuss later.

Tighter Roof Sheathing Ventilation also has become more important as loose-laid planks and wood-shingle roofs have been replaced with plywood and waferboard sheathing and asphalt-shingle roofs. The old plank-and-shingle or shake roofs were fairly leaky and allowed moisture to be flushed out quickly. The new panel-type roof sheathings and asphalt shingles allow less air movement.

Wall Sheathing Has Changed Wall sheathing is like roof sheathing in that the materials and methods have changed over the years. Loose-plank sheathing has been replaced with plywood, gypsum board and OSB. These modern panel-type sheathings allow much less air into and out of the walls.

Excessive moisture in attics continues to be an issue, which can be worse in situations with tightly fitting plywood or waferboard sheathing.

Siding Treatments In some cases, we have attempted to allow siding materials to breathe. Aluminum and vinyl siding, for example, are loose-fitting cladding materials with drainage holes in the bottom of each section. However, other siding materials do not allow much air movement and flushing of moisture.

Stucco treatments and panel-type sidings B*&31)) 65Ĺ€ ,7 ' (.5 ( 5 65 ),5 2ample) provide very little opportunity for flushing out moisture.

Housewrap Versus Building Paper In many parts of North America, loosely fit building paper between the sheathing and the siding has been replaced by tightly fit housewraps. These restrict air movement

>

Controlling Moisture Flow in the Building Envelope

and the number of air changes per hour reduced, the need for humidifiers has, in many cases, disappeared.

Stucco does not allow for moisture movement and poorly sealed synthetic stucco (EIFS) can cause serious issues.

while allowing vapor diffusion through.

It’s like putting a big windbreaker on your house.

A Good Thing or a Bad Thing?

Housewraps, like building paper, are also a second line of defense against moisture such as wind-driven rain. Water that leaks past siding is stopped by the housewrap.

There is considerable discussion about whether housewraps are a big step forward or not. As we understand the issues, we are not in a position to quantify the importance and predict the long-term positive and negative effects of housewrap versus building paper. We suspect the results will vary case to case because there are so many factors involved in building envelope performance.

New Windows May Hurt This concept isn’t well understood by many homeowners who continue to add humidity to their homes. Frustrated by condensation on windows and sliding glass doors, they often replace windows and doors with better insulated, more tightly sealed units in an effort to eliminate condensation. In most cases, however, the problem isn’t the quality of the windows and doors, it’s the elevated moisture level created inside the house.

Old Windows Indicated Humidity Levels Old windows were great. Moisture control in homes used to be easier. Many people ignored their humidistat on a furnace humidifier, but paid attention to the condensation on windows. As windows began to get condensation, people turned down the humidifier. They weren’t trying to save their wall cavities; they were trying to prevent water damage to window sills and the walls below. Older, single-glazed windows typically had a very cold surface. The cold

With old windows, some homeowners would either turn down the humidifier or open up the windows to get rid of the condensation.

glass would cool the air adjacent to the window, often to the dew point, resulting in condensation.

Double and Triple Glazing Modern windows are more energy-efficient than old windows. The inner surface of the glass is warmer as a result of carefully spaced double or triple glazing. Insulated sashes help raise the temperature of the inner surface of the windows. Newer windows and doors are also tighter than old ones. They allow less air leakage.

Reduced Air Leaks and Improved Ventilation So far, we’ve talked about modern homes having reduced air leakage and improved ventilation in roofs and, in some cases, reduced ventilation in walls. Be sure to review the cross-section illustration on this page to see key differences between old and new construction.

Humidifiers Some homes try to control moisture directly with humidifiers. When homes in cold climates were very leaky, the large number of air changes meant we were always warming up cold air. This cold air had very little moisture in it and, as a result, our houses always felt dry during the winter. Humidifiers were added to furnaces to raise the humidity levels. As construction got tighter 37December 2016

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>

Controlling Moisture Flow in the Building Envelope

A Good Thing or a Bad Thing?

Modern windows don’t lose heat as quickly -5)& ,51#( )1-5B &.")/!"5." #,5 70 &/ -5 are still quite low). We don’t get condensation on windows as quickly and, therefore, we don’t make the same efforts to reduce the humidity in houses that we used to.

The reduced air leakage through and around new doors and windows leads to higher indoor humidity levels. Although all of this is nice for the homeowner and great for windowsills, it is hard on wall and roof cavities. If the house’s humidity levels are higher, its occupants will be happier, but the building suffers. Warmer glass surfaces reduce one symptom, but don’t do anything to stop moisture problems in walls and roofs.

Exhausting the Moisture Many people have realized that with fewer air changes, we are elevating the moisture levels inside the home. Because people and houses generate moisture all the time, the longer any given bundle of air stays in the house, the more moisture it will contain.

One strategy is to dump the warm, moist air directly outside. Exhaust fans close to sources of moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms make sense. These strategies have advantages and disadvantages.

Want to Learn More About This Topic?

In this article, we’ve discussed how systems and components can affect moisture flow.

We touched on air/vapor barriers, housewraps, structural sheathing, windows and doors, humidifiers and exhaust fans. In the ASHI@HOME training program, we further analyze this topic with a discussion on how combustion appliances affect the flow of moisture, as well as the use of heat , )0 ,350 (.#& .),-5B -C8555H

The ASHI Western Washington Fall 2016 Seminar was held in Shoreline, WA. in September. More than 120 home inspectors attended the two-day seminar, featuring speakers Kenny Hart and Mike Casey. Inspectors traveled from around the state and several from Hawaii and Alaska were also there. The ASHI Western Washington chapter has sponsored seminars for home inspectors for at least 25 years. The ASHI Western Washington Spring 2017 seminar is tentatively scheduled for March 11, 2017, in Tacoma, WA.

38

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Two Advantages: R5 Kitchen and bathroom fans throw out moisture with that air—moisture that could damage the building envelope.

R5 Exhaust fans lower the air pressure inside, relative to the outdoors. In cold climates, we’ve said that warm, dry air leaking in through the walls isn’t a problem. The added benefit of exhausting warm, moist air is increased movement of dry air through walls and roofs.

Two Disadvantages: R5 Exhausting air from the house wastes energy. We are throwing out air that we have heated to a comfortable temperature.

R5 The lower indoor air pressure can cause backdraft of combustion appliances.

Exhaust products from gas and oil burners and smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces may get into living spaces.

Chapter News

From left to right: Kenny Hart (Speaker), Brad Albin (Education chair), Mike Brisbin (ASHIWW Chapter President), Mike Casey (Speaker).

7 1 0 2 ÂŽ

EVERYONE’S A WINNER! Las Vegas January 22-25

A Winning Experience at IW Las Vegas

By Michele George, ASHI Director of Education and Events

It’s time to register for InspectionWorldTM Las Vegas, ASHI’s annual conference, for a great learning experience and some quality networking.

The schedule of events and detailed information also is provided on the IW website (www.inspectionworld.com) and inside the 5 ,)!, '5 ))%& .85 - 5." 5&#(%5.)5, !ister for IW and then connect with Bally’s site to make your hotel reservations.

Register early and SAVE. Conference registration early-bird pricing continues until December 16!

2. Arrive early...Come in on Saturday, January 21, to walk the famous Las Vegas Boulevard, take in a show or have a great meal. On Sunday, January 22, IW kicks off with the Annual Luncheon ( 5 1 , -5 , - (. .#)(5 .5gh9ff5*'85 The expo hall opens at 3:00 pm and the Opening Night Reception begins at 5:00 pm. Enjoy the entertainment and , , -"' (.-85 , 7 )( , ( 5 )/,- -5 begin Friday, January 20. Take time to take in some valuable training. ‌and Stay Later. The 3-Day Commercial Building Inspection Course will be held Thursday, January 26, through Saturday, January 28. Learn more at: www.theashischool.com.

Book your hotel accommodations at Bally’s Las Vegas to be close to the action. The ASHI Group room rate of $89 is available for the nights of Thursday, January 19, through Saturday, January 28. Special note: At check-in, guests will have the option to purchase the hotel resort fee at $29 per night.

Guests who do not purchase the resort fee can access amenities with a la carte pricing (for example, the hotel’s basic in-room Internet access package costs $13.99 per night).

Everyone’s a winner at IW! Here are five tips to get the most from your conference experience: 1. Get on the Event App. Check out the events schedule, activities and sessions and create your own schedule each day.

Instantly connect with your peers and exhibitors, make appointments, get the latest news, give feedback on your educational sessions, take real-time polls, post to social media and more—all from ASHI’s InspectionWorldTM App! This useful tool will be made available to registrants prior to IW for downloading and logging in.

3. Make Connections. Hand out your business cards and introduce yourself to other home inspectors. Swap stories and exchange ideas. Use the IW Event App to connect with vendors and other attendees. The vendors are ready to assist you with the latest in inspector tools and services. Be sure to stop at the ASHI

booth to meet our staff. Meet with Jim Johnson, ASHI Verifier, who will verify your reports and answer questions.

4. Take Notes. Be ready to pick up nuggets of wisdom. ASHI will provide you with a padfolio and pen and it’s possible to keep notes on the amazing IW Event App as well. Three full days of educational sessions include a wide variety of topics; choose from basics to advanced, specialties, diversification and business management. The 45 sessions will be taught by some of the industry’s leading experts. Many topics and presenters are new this year.

5. Plan Time for Fun. You will be in the center of the action! The Opening Night *.#)(65 , -# (.]-5 & 5 #(( ,5 ( 5 Dance, ASHI Annual Luncheon and (-* . 5 *.#)(5 , 5- " /& 5 events designed for you and your colleagues to gather and share good times.

Step out and see the sights of exciting Las Vegas as well! Bally’s is centrally located on the Las Vegas Boulevard, across the street from Bellagio’s foun. #(5 ( 5 )(( . 5.)5." 5 ,#-5 -),.5 Casino. Hop aboard the monorail and see the town.

After the Conference. The treasures gained from IW are the connections you make and the people you meet. Follow up with new or familiar friends and instructors with emails or text messages. Continue your relationships and say, “See you next year at IW Orlando!� H

39December 2016

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7 201 ÂŽ

EVERYONE’S A WINNER! Las Vegas January 22-25

InspectionWorldŽ Las Vegas 2017 Expo and educational events will be held in the Bally’s Resort Convention Center Schedule at a Glance

*ODMVEFT 1SF $POGFSFODF BOE 1PTU $POGFSFODF DPVSTFT t 888 */41&$5*0/803-% 03( Friday, January 20, 2017

5VFTEBZ +BOVBSZ

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

7:00 am – 6:00 pm 7:00 am – 4:00 pm 7:00 am – 9:00 am 7:00 am – 8:00 am

Pre-Conference – Certified Residential Thermographer Class

Saturday, January 21, 2017 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

ASHI Board of Directors Meeting Pre-Conference – Certified Residential Thermographer Class Pre-Conference – One-Day of Secrets Revealed - Mike Crow

Sunday, January 22, 2017 7:00 am – 9:00 pm 8:00 am – 12:00 pm 8:00 am – 12:00 pm 8:00 am – 12:00 pm 8:00 am – 12:00 pm 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Registration/Info Desk open Pre-Conference – NADRA Deck Evaluation Certificate Class Pre-Conference – NHIE Exam Prep Part 1 Pre-Conference – 203K Day of Discovery Council of Representatives Meeting Annual Meeting Luncheon and Awards Presentation “Welcome to ASHI� Event (New ASHI Members and First Timers) Expo Hall open (Ribbon Cutting at 3:00 pm) The ASHI School Instructor Workshop Opening Night Reception in Expo Hall Veterans Assembly The ASHI School Alumni Reunion President’s Leadership Reception (by invitation)

Monday, January 23, 2017 7:00 am – 7:00 pm 7:00 am – 7:00 pm 7:00 am – 9:00 am 7:00 am – 8:00 am 7:00 am – 8:00 am 9:00 am – 6:00 am 9:00 am – 11:00 am 9:00 am – 6:00 pm 9:00 am – 11:00 am 11:00 am – 1:00 pm 11:30 am – 12:30 pm 12:30 pm departure 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Registration/Info Desk open Expo Hall open Coffee Service & Breakfast-for-purchase available Bonus Event - PCI presents: “It’s PR not the ER�

Franchisors Meeting Illinois Testing Room Educational Sessions (5 tracks) Spouse Lounge open “Marketing Your Business� in Spouse Lounge Lunch in Expo Hall (for purchase) Lunch ‘N Learn Sessions Spouse Tour: 4-hour Las Vegas Tour Educational Sessions (5 tracks) Board Orientation Refreshment Break in Expo Hall Veterans gather for photo Educational Sessions (5 tracks) InspectPac Reception (Register at Reg Desk)

Registration/Info Desk open Expo Hall open until 4:00 pm Coffee Service & Breakfast-for-purchase available Bonus Event – Dept. of Energy presents: “Building Your Inspection Business with DOE’s Home Energy Score 7:00 am – 8:00 am New Committee Chair Breakfast 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Illinois Testing Room 9:00 am – 11:00 am Educational Sessions (5 tracks) 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Spouse Lounge open 9:30 am – 10:30 am Multi-Inspector Firms Meeting 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Past-Presidents Luncheon 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Lunch in Expo Hall (for purchase) 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Lunch ’N Learn Sessions 12:30 pm departure Spouse Tour: Red Rock Canyon Tour 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Educational Sessions (5 tracks) 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Allied Association Meeting 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Refreshment Break in Expo Hall 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Educational Sessions (5 tracks) 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm Expo Hall Breakdown 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm President’s Gala Reception (Purchased ticket) 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm President’s Gala Dinner 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm Dance Music

Wednesday, January 25, 2017 7:00 am – 4:00 pm 7:00 am – 4:00 pm 7:00 am – 8:00 am 7:50 am departure 8:00 am – 6:00 pm 8:00 am – 10:00 am 8:00 am – 4:00 pm 10:00 am – 10:30 am 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 4:15 pm 4:15 pm

Registration/Info Desk open ASHI Booth / Cyber CafÊ Coffee Service & Breakfast-for-purchase available Spouse Tour: 6 1/2 hour Hoot and Hoover Dam Tour Illinois Testing Room Educational Sessions (5 tracks) Spouse Lounge open Refreshment Break Educational Sessions (5 tracks) Lunch (for purchase) Special Event: Mike Crow Marketing Presentation Educational Sessions (5 tracks) Closing $500 Grand Prize Drawing in foyer Conference concludes – See You at IW 2018 in Orlando!

5IVSTEBZ 'SJEBZ 4BUVSEBZ +BOVBSZ BOE (3-day class) Post-Conference Course offered by The ASHI School – Commercial Building Inspection Course

5IF TDIFEVMF JT TVCKFDU UP DIBOHF XJUIPVU OPUJDF $IFDL XJUI UIF 3FHJTUSBUJPO *OGPSNBUJPO %FTL GPS UIF MBUFTU TDIFEVMF

40

ASHI ASHI Reporter Reporter tt December December 2016 2016

GOT GREAT POSTCARDS? We are SVOOJOH PVU

Please send your 1. name 2. company 3. city 4. state 5. photos, 6. headings 7. captions to postcards@ashi.org

Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors

NHIE Study Guide

Check out your valuable ASHI benefits by clicking on the rotating images at: www.ashi.org

Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors

NHIE Home Inspection Manual Components and Systems

Exam Administration

Typical Defects

Exam Content Outline

Maintenance and Safety Issues

How to Take an Exam 100 Review Questions HomeInspectionExam.org

Industry Standards References 100 Review Questions HomeInspectionExam.org

The NHIE Study Guide and the NHIE Home Inspection Manual together contain over 750 pages of technical and administrative information and are produced by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors.

They will benefit the exam candidate along with being a great technical reference for the experienced home inspector.

Be prepared.

Get the NEW

Study Guide and Home Inspection Manual Available from the

Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors

www.NHIEStudyGuide.org 41December 2016

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NEW POSTCARDS EMAIL!! Please send your name, city, state, photos, headings & captions to: postcards@ashi.org

I’m Speechless

What’s Good for a Pool is Good for a Roof Obviously done without adult supervision!

A pool liner (the blue area of plastic) is being used as an underlayment below this building’s shingles.

Jason Gingery 7JFX 1PJOU *OTQFDUJPOT Santa Cruz, CA

Matt Steger WIN Home Inspection Elizabethtown, PA

Houston, We Have a Problem

If They Only Knew... ...that IW is a home inspection conference.

The smoke detector in my hotel room at IW San Diego.

I was waiting for the launch countdown from a distance of course.

Gary Tucker Tucker Inspection Emeryville, CA

David Lauby Sunland Home Inspection Pheonix, AZ

I Guess It’s OK Now...

It’s More an Abstract Piece of Art... ...to pee in the shower. ...than a properly installed piece of plumbing work.

Matt Steger WIN Home Inspection Elizabethtown, PA

42

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Randy Sipe Family Home Inspections Spring Hill, KS

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American Home Warranty Company

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ENHANCE YOUR SERVICES: 2 Affordable addition to your professional services 2 Differentiator and proven way to close more sales 2 Unique "gap" coverage for 90 days following inspection 2 As low as $11.95 per 90-day Limited e-Warranty

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Sign up today for FREE at www.ahomewarranty.com 43December 2016

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NEW POSTCARDS EMAIL!! Please send your name, city, state, photos, headings & captions to: postcards@ashi.org

Murder Most Foul!

HVAC Tech by day...

They cut its throat, then covered the corpse with tile and a sloping mantle.

...trombone player by night.

Jack Wendel Home Pride Home Insp. Inc. Aurora, OH

You Mean you Need Access to the Electrical Panel?

Dan Curl Comprehensive Home Inspections, Inc. "UMBOUB ("

Stretch Armstrong’s Shower Well, my washing machine drains good now.

Dusty Gray Cave Country Home Inspections #PXMJOH (SFFO ,:

Fair Warning, POW!

Brett Hodgdon, ,BOBXIB 7BMMFZ )PNF *OTQFDUJPOT --$ Charleston, WV

44

ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Honey, come in here.

The water is too hot!

Brent Booker Dovetail Home Inspection Charlton, MA

45December 2016

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By ASHI President, Randy Sipe

Get Involved in ASHI A

s I finish up my last weeks as ASHI , -# (.65 5ŀ( 5'3- & 5&))%#(!5 %5 on my experiences as a leader and recalling all the people I’ve met on this journey.

My message to you this month is that you don’t have to be a “big player� to make this journey—you only have to start by being involved.

For me, it started when members of my local chapter encouraged me to help with a special project. At the time, we were facing state licensing issues, and the chapter needed a committee to follow the bill and represent the chapter when needed. I, along with a few others, met with various groups of inspectors and state-elected officials to keep up on the issues and report back to our chapter members.

From there, my involvement led to serving as the chapter president and then as a member of the national Council of Rep, - (. .#0 -5B ) C85 . ,5- ,0#(!5)(5." 5 CoR for a few years, I ran for and served on the ASHI Board of Directors. Even at that point, I had no idea that I would ever )' 5 5 , -# (.85 53)/5."#(%5 5 knew exactly what I was doing and how to proceed, you are wrong. It takes time and experience, gained by simply being involved, to navigate this path and become confident so that you can help effectively.

It was not my goal to become president; I only wanted to be involved and that path led me here. It’s been worth it. By becoming involved with my chapter, the CoR and serving on different committees, I began to meet people who made lasting impressions on me and the way I act as a leader and as an individual.

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ASHI Reporter t December 2016

Randy Sipe, Bryck Guibor, Blaine Swan and Tim Buell at the Leadership Training Conference, October 20-21, 2016.

I’m amazed when I think of all the people it takes to make this organization run and what the members and leaders have accomplished over the last 40 years. The ASHI volunteers who operate in the background are the backbone of this organization. There are people whom I’ve become in awe of— some are well-known and some you’d never hear about unless you participate in or learn about the committees on which they work.

I’ve learned that until you start working your way through this organization and volunteering your own time on its behalf, you will never get to know these dedicated people. In many cases, they are smarter and harder-working than I ever could be, but they are content to do their jobs and rarely receive any public acknowledgment. The pleasure of getting to know these people— committee members, committee chairs or just a person who was asked to serve on a task force—will be something I will remember fondly about my time as president and it’s what has directed me as a leader.

Don’t get me wrong, some of these people have had entirely different goals and ideas for the direction of ASHI. But what makes them effective leaders is their desire to work together to create solutions for the betterment of the society.

M

y point is, the only way to make a change is to be involved and to do that, you must volunteer. You don’t have to be an experienced leader, you only need the desire to help and the willingness to follow through. With the new year just ahead of us, it’s an opportunity to reflect on our goals and how we spend our time. I can’t encourage you enough to get involved

and volunteer for ASHI at the chapter or national level. I know that with our newly expanded membership—we now have more than 8,000 members—it will take the commitment of many volunteers to run this organization. My advice is to start small. Get involved and share some of your time and ideas. You’ll find your own path as it unfolds; just let it lead you. If you are unsure how to volunteer, the first step is simple: Ask any leader in ASHI, including and especially the president. Don’t be shy!

As I’ve explained, we are not much different from anyone else in this organization. Your reward for volunteering will be bigger than you can imagine—from the terrific people you’ll meet to the lifelong friendships that will develop.

Next month, I’ll be thanking a lot of specific people who’ve helped me on my journey as president, but for now, I’d like to thank all of you: the volunteers and future volunteers of this organization.

Until next month, do the best job you can, and be safe. H

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ASHI Reporter t December 2016