ASHI
Reporter MARCH 2015
Inspection News & Views from the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc.
INSPECTIONWORLD 2015, PHILADELPHIA
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2014 ASHI Award Winners Don't Overlook Your Crawl Space Service Philosophy – Fix Mistakes Fast Filters and Electronic Air Cleaners 2014 Annual Report 1
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ASHI
Reporter March 2015
Vol. 32, #3
16 Features 9 |
The ASHI School – InspectionWorld® 2015 The ASHI School Staff
10 |
InspectionWorld® 2015 – Making History in Philadelphia Michele George
12 | 2014 ASHI Award Winners 16 |
Don't Overlook Your Crawl Space Joe Provey, Kaplan Clean Tech Blog
18 |
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Service Philosophy – Fix Mistakes Fast Alan Carson, ACI, Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd.
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Filters and Electronic Air Cleaners Andy Tran - Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd.
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2014 Annual Report Bill Loden, ASHI Immediate Past-President Michael Stephens, ASHI Treasurer
Departments 6|
InspectionWorld® Philadelphia
14 |
Herspective From the Women of ASHI Interview With Donna Ranson
27 |
You Tell Us
28 |
ASHI Community
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Your ASHI
Frank Lesh, Executive Director
Letters From Our Readers New Inspector Status, Chapters, Education
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Membership News & More
36 | Postcards From the Field and Test Your
Knowledge Contests It’s Wacky Out There
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April – National Home Inspection Month Alden Gibson, ASHI President
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ASHI National Officers and Board of Directors ASH I M I S S I O N S TAT E ME N T 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.
Main Phone: 847-759-2820, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri., CST
Officers Alden Gibson, President Breslau, ON, 519-648-3963 alden@inspectgib.com
Tim Buell, Treasurer Marysville, OH, 614-777-7922 tim.buell@pillartopost.com
Randy Sipe, President-Elect Spring Hill, KS, 913-856-4515 randy@familyhomeinspections.com
Larry Cerro, Secretary Tallahassee, FL, 850-222-4404 larrycerro@comcast.net
Howard Pegelow, Vice President Milwaukee, WI, 414-545-4186 hpegelow@yahoo.com
Bill Loden, Immediate Past-President Madison, AL, 256-464-7060 insight@knology.net
Directors Lisa Alajajian 2013-2015 Milford, MA 508-634-2010 homequest1@comcast.net James Allen 2013-2015 Overland Park, KS, 913-894-5893 james@sweethomeinspections.com Bruce Barker 2015-2017 Cary, NC, 919-322-4491 bruce@dreamhomeconsultants.com Ken Harrington 2015-2017 Delaware, OH, 614-507-1061 inspectorken@rrohio.com C. Blaine Illingworth III 2015-2017 Harleysville, PA, 610-565-4181 housemechanic@hotmail.com Keven Kossler 2015-2017 Huntersville, NC, 704-875-3200 Team@CastleCheck.com
Frank Lesh, Executive Director, 847-954-3182, frankl@ashi.org Bonnie Bruno, Executive Assistant, 847-954-3177 bonnieb@ashi.org Kimberly McGraw, Project Coordinator, 847-954-3179 kimm@ashi.org
Education, CE Approval, Smart Track Michele George, Director of Education & Events, 847-954-3188 micheleg@ashi.org
Membership, Chapter Relations, Booth Rental, Product Orders
Robert Peterson 2013-2015 Carmel, IN, 317-581-0074 inspectorbobp@sbcglobal.net
Mark Lester, Office Services Coordinator, 847-954-3176 markl@ashi.org
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 Robert Walstead 2013-2015 Colorado Springs, CO 719-495-2652 rwalstead@aol.com
Kevin Westendorf 2014-2016 Mt. Pleasant, SC, 843-881-7842 kevinw@lowcountryhome inspection.com Mark Londner 2014-2016 Speaker, Council of Representatives: Purcellville, VA, 540-668-6339 James Funkhouser 2015-2016 mark@LBIhome.com Manassas Park, VA, 703-791-2360 Donald Lovering 2015-2016 Auburndale, MA, 617-698-3903 lovering@earthlink.net
jfunkhousr@aol.com
Publisher: Frank Lesh
847-954-3186 Reporter calls only 847-299-2505 (fax) Reporter only E-mail: frankl@ashi.org
American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. 932 Lee Street, Suite 101 Des Plaines, IL 60016
Executive Director
Scott Patterson 2013-2015 Spring Hill, TN, 615-302-1113 scott@traceinspections.com
Bruce Labell 2015-2017 Scottsdale, AZ, 602-765-2140 inspect@cox.net
Editor: Sally Chapralis
ASHI Staff
Russell Daniels, Director of Chapter Relations, 847-954-3185 russelld@ashi.org
Janet George, Membership Services Supervisor, 847-954-3180 janetg@ashi.org Jen Gallegos, Membership Administrator, 847-954-3175 jeng@ashi.org
Accounting, Human Resources 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
Publications, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations Dave Kogan, Manager of Marketing & Business Development 847-954-3187, davek@ashi.org Arlene Zapata, Communications Design Manager, 847-954-3186 arlenez@ashi.org
The ASHI School Jack McGraw, Managing Director, 888-884-0440 or 847-954-3178 jack@theashischool.com Steve Reilly, Senior Sales Representative, 888-884-0440 or 847-954-3181, steve@theashischool.com Kendra Eiermann, Administrative Assistant, 847-954-3198 kendra@theashischool.com
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© 2015, 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 | March 2015
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Being Frank From ASHI’s Executive Director
InspectionWorld® Philadelphia “YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!” That’s the reaction many board members had when 2012 President Marvin Goldstein suggested Philadelphia as the destination for InspectionWorld 2015. “Going to a cold weather city is a mistake”. “Remember the time we had IW in Chicago? It was 20 below zero.” Those were honest concerns. Marv’s retort was simple and ultimately successful: • ASHI hadn’t held an IW on the East Coast for years. • There are a lot of inspectors on the eastern seaboard. • The local chapters would help with the groundwork. • The hotel/conference center was ideal. I have to admit, we at headquarters were skeptical, but with a lot of planning and coordination, IW Philadelphia was, by any measure, a resounding success! IW 2015 by the numbers: 80+ exhibitors, 800 home inspectors, 200+ guests equated with one of the best and largest home inspector conferences ever. Forty-five educational sessions, several lunch ‘n learn presentations, pre-conference courses, a post conference commercial course, along with plenty of time to foster old and new relationships all made IW 2015 fantastic. It may be hard to believe, but IW 2016 may be even better: • We’ll be in sunny San Diego. • It will be toward the end of January. • We’ll be joined by the California Real Estate Inspectors Association (CREIA). • Both ASHI and CREIA will be celebrating 40th anniversaries. 6
ASHI Reporter | March 2015
Our official tag line is: “ASHI-40 Years of Trust” Oh! and by the way, although I don’t think anyone will attempt this, there will be a dunk tank (proceeds go to charity) for anyone brave enough to challenge the taunts of the Executive Director.* Speaking of the Executive Director (ED), I’m writing this at 40,000 feet on my way home from Washington, D.C., where I’ve met with representatives from Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST), the American Lung Association (ALA), The National Center for Healthy Homes, Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction and The Children’s Environmental Health Network. I’ve been attending workshops with these organizations for almost two years now. Our goal is to vastly increase the number of homes in the United States tested for radon. For that reason, we will need to train far more radon testers than are currently available. That’s why ASHI was invited to the table to join with these industry and government leaders in this noble challenge. Stay tuned for more up-to-date information on this topic. We’ve been meeting over the past year and a half to develop the goals necessary to dramatically decrease the number of deaths occurring from radon exposure. ASHI was invited because of its reputation for high standards. Needless to say, we’re held in high esteem by these federal, state and private industry agencies and we’ve been happy to participate in this worthy endeavor. Our
group has met with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and she had this to say: “Our near-term goal is to reduce unsafe levels of radon in 5 million homes by 2020, preventing 3,200 lung cancer deaths every year. Our ultimate goal is to eliminate avoidable radon-induced lung cancer in the United States. We know we can do it. A new and improved strategy, with commitments from industry, government and homeowners to test for and deal with radon in homes they buy, sell and build can have a huge impact on improving public health and cutting health care costs.” Another feather in our cap comes from the state of South Carolina, which has passed into law the ASHI Standard of Practice for Home Inspectors. It gives full credit to ASHI, copies our SoP word for word, gives all the important information on "Find an Inspector" and how to contact ASHI. This is the best news we have received in South Carolina in a long time. Well, that’s it for this month. I’m sure I’ll have more to fill you in on next time. *ASHI staff, the Board of Directors and any inspectors who have a grudge against the ED are excluded from participating in the dunk tank. That leaves Vicki, who doesn’t need an excuse to punish me.
Frank Lesh, Executive Director American Society of Home Inspectors Direct: 847-954-3182 Frankl@ashi.org • www.ashi.org 7March 2015
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The ASHI School – InspectionWorld® 2015
ASHI Suggestion Box Do you have a great idea for the ASHI organization or Reporter magazine? All suggestions are welcomed. Please e-mail: Frankl@ashi.org.
The ASHI School – InspectionWorld® 2015 BY THE ASHI SCHOOL STAFF
THE ASHI SCHOOL (TAS) APPRECIATED GREAT MEETING TIMES with inspectors and students at InspectionWorld® 2015 in Philadelphia. Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the first full day at InspectionWorld, the school held its first Instructor Workshop. Seventeen instructors attended representing eight of our ten locations. Alan Carson led the discussion on class curriculum, providing many new updates that will be forthcoming in 2015. Topics discussed included professional home inspection software, insurance, field event supplies for each student, as well as other subjects. Later that evening, TAS held its Second Annual Reunion, with 36 students and instructors in attendance. The discussion topics ranged from new inspectors looking for direction on pricing of inspections, the importance of chapter participation, next steps in their new career after graduation, etc. The instructors in attendance gave much helpful advice and direction. Ten students in attendance had moved up to Inspector level and 7 students received their ACI. Three students have joined multi-inspector firms, and five students are serving on the board of their local chapter. An iPad mini was raffled off with Bill Burross, a graduate of the May 2014 Cumming, GA class, as the winner.
helpful in their inspection career, such as insurance, marketing, software and many other products. The ASHI School has many new projects for 2015, but its biggest and most important product is the education. The school continues to strive for the best curriculum being taught to each student at the school. And let’s not forget the instructors at the school. Each instructor gives 100% of their time and experience in teaching each student. Our instructors reflect professional experience and thorough knowledge of the curriculum being taught. With many students expressing what a great experience they had at the school, we know that all comes from the instructors. They are always prepared to answer questions and keep the material interesting for the students.
The school has also expanded its vendor participation program, which now has 14 companies participating. This program benefits students by offering information on different types of products that may be quite useful and
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InspectionWorld® Philadelphia 2015
InspectionWorld® 2015
Call for Presentations for IW San Diego
Inspection 2015 World
Making History in Philadelphia BY MICHELE GEORGE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND EVENTS
IW PHILADELPHIA WAS AN AWESOME SUCCESS! More than 1,000 attendees enjoyed the conference, which began at the Opening Night Reception in the lively expo hall for an entertaining evening of wining and dining. The attendees included over 800 home inspectors and more than 200 exhibitors, and exceeds the attendance at any IW conference in almost a decade. The education program included pre-conference and post-conference courses, a threeday schedule of classes, lunch 'n learns and special events – lots of opportunities to learn from knowledgeable experts in discussions and classes. ASHI successfully launched the new Event App at IW. This exciting tool connects the user to peers and exhibitors, gives the latest news, provides schedules and details, and offers the ability to create a personal agenda and give feedback on sessions. For the first time, staff scanned student name tags at the door of each session. The a QR code will identifies each student and provides proof of session attendance for use in creating affidavits.
A Declaration of
Home Inspection
InspectionWorld San Diego, January 24-27, 2016, will provide a forum for attendees to learn the profession's best practices and to expand their knowledge, improve their professional skills and explore emerging issues relevant to the profession. ASHI invites those interested in presenting at InspectionWorld San Diego to submit a proposal for review by the IW Education Committee. Click on the InspectionWorld Philadelphia banner located on the homepage of the ASHI website to find a Call for Presentation form. Complete it electronically and submit it with materials by email. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, April 1. Contact Michele George with any questions. Michele George Director of Education and Events micheleg@ashi.org 847-954-3188
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR RAFFLE WINNERS! IW San Diego Package:
We welcomed new members and first-time attendees at our Welcome to ASHI Event, and The ASHI School held a class reunion. The ASHI Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon, a traditional time to recognize achievements and induct new officers, provided some wonderful moments. At the President's Gala, everyone enjoyed the delicious meal and a fun evening dancing the night away to the sounds of a fantastic band.
John Reiss
Attendees experienced a successful, event-packed conference. Everyone enjoyed the Philly theme, good food, exchange of ideas and camaraderie. Many spouses enjoyed the classes and planned tours of historic Philadelphia. Thank you to everyone for attending and to all of our wonderful exhibitors and sponsors.
Gift Cards:
A link to free IW photos is included in an InspectionWorld Recap article found on the homepage of the ASHI website.
iPad Mini:
Steve Bayly Shawn Jones Samone Page
Nancy Bustamante Mike Casey Shannon Cory Kelly Hankins John Kerrigan Randy Kull Bob MacDonald George Schambach
We have already begun planning an educational and entertaining event for next year's IW. Mark your calendar to join us at InspectionWorld San Diego when we meet at the Town and Country Resort, January 24-27, 2016. Join us in celebrating ASHI’s 40th Anniversary!
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2014 ASHI Award Winners
President’s Award
Ironman Award
Philip C. Monahon Award 2014 Winner: Skip Walker ASHI members take pride in receiving the award created in the memory of the man who led the society in its early years as Executive Director. Described as a visionary who maintained the organization’s focus on valid standards, combined with strict conscientious business practices, Philip C. Monahon set the bar high for the leaders who have followed.
In addition to recognizing an outstanding member every year, ASHI donates $500 to the NewtonWellesley Hospital, Newton, Mass., in the name of deceased member Philip C. Monahon.
Michael Stephens (R) accepts the Ironman Award from 2014 ASHI President Bill Loden.
Skip Walker receives the 2014 Monahon Award from the 2013 winner, Stephen Gladstone and the 1998 winner, JD Grewell.
John Cox Award 2014 Winner: Tony Smith of the Great Lakes Chapter John Cox served on a national committee, taught week-long seminars and routinely inspected homes, although numerous operations on his legs due to diabetes meant using crutches and a wheelchair to do so. Nevertheless, it was dedication and service to two ASHI chapters that earned the greatest respect from his peers.
2014 Gold Achievement Award: Michele George, Director of Education and Events, was given this award by ASHI president Bill Loden.
ASHI Reporter | March 2015
2014 Winner: Skip Walker Bill Loden, 2014 ASHI President, chose Skip Walker as the recipient of the President’s Award, which is given for outstanding service to the President and the Board of Directors for a specific year.
Chapter Enterprise Award
Tony Smith (R) received his John Cox Award from 2014 ASHI President Bill Loden.
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Skip Walker (L) was honored with the President’s Award from 2014 ASHI President Bill Loden
An ASHI member established this firstof-its-kind award because he attributes his personal success as a home inspector and the prosperity of his multi-inspector firm to the ideas and information acquired by regularly attending InspectionWorld. The basis for the awards are the total confirmed reservations for InspectionWorld [preceding the date of InspectionWorld] for a chapter in each of two categories based on size.
2014 Winner: Michael Stephens Outgoing President Bill Loden chose Michael Stephens for the Ironman Award. Accepting special assignments and working behind the scenes, he was the perfect fit for an award described as follows: Every organization has its unsung heroes, who labor quietly in the background but with great dedication. The Ironman Award, established in 1998 by John Palczuk, recognizes an individual member who has given time, energy, talent and determination to ASHI over a long period of time and with little recognition.
View & Download Photos
This year Nova ASHI and the Keystone, PA, chapters each received an award of $750.
Relive the conference or see what you missed! Photos are available free of charge for download or to order prints. Go to www.inspectioneworld.org.
Chapter Growth Awards Chapters are recognized for the percent of growth and for the number of new members. In 2014, Keystone, PA, grew by the greatest percentage and OhioASHI had the greatest increase in numbers.
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Herspective From the Women of ASHI
AVAILABLE NOW!
2015
INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE® (IRC®)
Resiliency, Safety, Innovation and Affordability
The 2015 International Residential Code®:
Herspective
• Offers design flexibility without compromising safety. • Provides clarity so the code is applied in a uniform manner. • Addresses design and installation of innovative materials. • Is part of the International Code Family––the only set of coordinated construction codes.
BY DONNA RANSON, ACI
ALSO AVAILABLE Significant Changes to the IRC, 2015 Edition
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE KID, my mom took me to home shows and vacant houses for sale. I found it all quite interesting, especially the vacant homes with holes in the floors and walls. What was in there? What else is broken? I’ve always been in a predominantly male career field. Traditional female positions never appealed to me. I learned about home inspectors about six years prior to retiring from 20 years as an Air Force munitions system specialist. Sign me up! I dabbled as a part-time independent inspector until just after my retirement from the Air Force. After a short break, I kicked it into gear. My first method of marketing was to carry a printed report to three-four open houses each Saturday and Sunday. The realtors were a captive
Continue learning at the click of a button! FREE ASHI Member access to past IW sessions. 14
ASHI Reporter | March 2015
audience. This worked in my favor and business doubled for the first five years, with good increases every year after that (with the exception of 2012).
a life of my own and have had to make some decisions. Do I cut back and disappoint my clients and realtors? Or do I grow from owning my job to owning a business?
During the time I spent cornering, I mean “marketing to,” realtors, I met with a mix of reactions. “I don’t want to hire a girl. What does she know about construction?” “I want to hire the girl. Girls have an eye for detail.” “She’s too young.” (I was 38 way back then). “I don’t want to hire her, she’s not an engineer.” Know what I realized? I don’t care what their excuse is. I’m just going to do the best I can every day. And if one person won’t hire me, I know there are five more who will.
I chose … both, growth and cutting back. This year my LLC is employing three new inspectors, which gives me an opportunity to increase the number and variety of jobs performed by my company. It also gives me a chance to cut back on the amount of inspections I perform personally.
It’s been 18½ years since I completed my initial home inspector training. My successes have been such that I no longer have
My future will be what I make it. Home inspection is such an amazing industry to be a part of and we have great resources at our disposal, the first being ASHI. So get out there and show ’em what you’re made of. Donna Ranson, ACI
1. Go to www.ASHI.org 2. Under Education & Training 3. Click on:
ASHI ONLINE LEARNING CENTER
Get up-to-code quickly with this must-have guide! Key changes in the 2015 IRC are identified then followed by in-depth discussion of how the change affects real-world application and a color illustration. Available in soft cover (#7101S15) and PDF Download (#8950P602)
15-10730
Get prepared for adoption of the 2015 IRC today! 1-800-786-4452 | www.iccsafe.org/2015ashi
MORE The Fullest Service Call Center Customized Just For You.
The Leader in Scheduling & Phone Answering Services Exclusively for Home Inspectors. 15March 2015
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Don't Overlook Your Crawl Space
444Don't Overlook Your Crawl Space
and ducts with spray-foam insulation. If you do not plan on insulating the walls of your crawl space, consider insulating the ducts with duct wrap. Duct wrap is a fiberglass product with a foil vapor barrier to the outside. Be sure to seal all seams with aluminum duct tape; Otherwise, air leaks will allow moist air to penetrate the wrap. In summer, that moisture is likely to condense on the cooler ducts and wet the fiberglass – and wet fiberglass is ineffective as an insulator.
Don’t Overlook Your Crawl Space BY JOE PROVEY, KAPLAN CLEAN TECH BLOG
EVERY HOUSE IS UNIQUE AND FOUNDATION TYPE IS ONE distinct difference between them. A home typically has a crawl space, basement or a concrete slab foundation. In this article author, Joe Provey explains how foundation type should be taken into consideration when upgrading a home’s energy efficiency. Joe’s article explains how a home with a crawl space foundation can increase its energy efficiency. Save energy with the bonus of controlling excess humidity and improving home air quality! Like it or not, your crawl space and living space are joined at the hip. Holes for wiring and pipes, plumbing chases, leaky heating ducts, gaps in subflooring, ensure that your living space and your crawl space communicate freely! It is no surprise that the U.S. Department of Energy recommends you insulate your crawl space. Insulation in the floor joists is typically inadequate to offer much of a barrier. To make matters worse, the laws of physics actually cause the air in your crawl space to be pulled up into your living areas. As warm air rises in the upper levels of your home, it creates a draw on the lower areas. As much as 40 percent of the air in your crawl space eventually mixes with the air inside your home. This creates a whole series of problems, ranging from energy loss to breathing unhealthy air. In summer, cool air is lost to the crawl space. In addition, excess humidity from the crawl space causes your air conditioner to work harder and use more electricity than it should. In winter, cold air entering through the crawl space makes your floors cold and first-level rooms drafty. Heating bills climb. Winter and summer, you’re apt to be breathing unhealthy air laden with allergens and soil gases. There are five steps you can take to turn a crawl space into a clean, healthy, energy-efficient part of your home. Here they are, roughly in the order you should tackle them:
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ASHI Reporter | March 2015
1. Seal and insulate rim joists The first framing member attached to a foundation is called the sill plate. It lays flat atop the home’s foundation wall and is fastened to it with J-bolts or by some other mechanical means. Because the top of the foundation is often uneven, there may be gaps under the plate. In new construction, a gasket helps to solve this problem, but in older homes it is a major cause of air leakage. The second framing member is the rim joist. It rests on edge upon the sill plate and provides a way to secure floor joists. Subflooring is installed over the rim and floor joists. Air leakage may occur at the joints between the sill plate and rim joist, as well as between the rim joist and subfloor. In addition, the R value of the rim joist (its ability to stop conductive heat loss) is only 1.88 – about the R value of a single-pane window with a storm window in place. To stop energy loss from the framing assembly that rests upon your foundation wall, seal all joints with a bead of closed-cell foam insulation. Then install rigid foam board insulation against the rim joists wherever possible. For example, cut the board insulation to snuggly fit between the floor joists and between the sill plate and subfloor, then press it against the rim joists. If the fit is loose, fill the gaps with spray-foam insulation. 2. Seal ducts that run through crawl space Heating and cooling ducts often reside in the crawl space. Typically fabricated from sheet metal, they’re used to distribute warm or cool air to the rooms of your home. Unfortunately, ducts typically leak a large percent of the air they carry. This means your HVAC equipment must work overtime and that your energy bills are higher than they need to be. To stop energy loss from ducts, seal all metal-to-metal joints and holes with mastic sealant or with metal tape. Do not use duct tape because it will eventually fail. Seal joints between the subfloor
3. Insulate walls The above- and below-grade portions of your crawl space wall will lose heat in winter, so you will save energy and be more comfortable by installing wall insulation. Rigid foam boards can be adhered to or mechanically fastened to either block, stone or concrete walls. They are waterproof and will not support the growth of mold. The recommended R value depends on where you live. Check with D.O.E. recommendations or with local building department officials for recommendations in your area. 4. Encapsulate A continuous vapor barrier that covers both floor and walls adds another layer of insulation by sealing out air leaks. It will also help control moisture and stop soil gases from infiltrating your home.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: KrawlGear Krawler K1 The KrawlGear Krawler K1 is built to last and simple to use. Just place the Krawler slightly below your waist and discover how much easier it is to move through a building’s crawlspace. The Krawler tracks you as you move so turning is effortless. If you fit below the duct or beam when crawling, you’ll fit when “krawling” by simply positioning the Krawler lower on your legs to get under those extra tight spaces. And if there are large pipes, debris or rough terrain the Krawler makes easy work “krawling” over everything and won’t slow you down. Movement is so much easier with the Krawler, especially going around a large duct rather than going over the top and risking damage or injury. It’s a welcome change.
For a vapor barrier to be effective in the long term, it must be durable. If interested in taking on this project yourself, I recommend this guide that explains how to install a vapor barrier: www.myhomescience.com/need-know-vapor-barriers. If your crawl space is susceptible to water infiltration, install drainage matting before installing any liner. It will allow water to drain toward either a drainage pit (no pump) or to a sump basin and sump pump for discharge. Here is a resource explaining in detail what needs to be done to fix crawl-space water leaks: www.myhomescience.com/ whats-store-crawl-space-floor. 5. Dehumidify If you’ve opted for encapsulation, install a dehumidifier in your crawl space to dry out framing and flooring that has long been exposed to excess humidity, as well as to ensure against excess humidity on an ongoing basis. Lower humidity in your newly conditioned crawl space will translate to lower cooling costs and greater comfort in warm weather. An investment in any or all of the above will make your home more energy efficient and improve the comfort level and health of family members. In addition, controlling moisture levels protects your home from structural damage due to rot, corrosion and termite infestation, and can give your home extra storage space. Interested in learning more about crawl spaces? This very informative crawl space learning center can educate you on this oftenoverlooked part of a home: www.myhomescience.com/category/ abc/basement/crawl-spaces. Joe Provey is a veteran do-it-yourselfer and journalist. Joe frequently writes about DIY, energy efficiency and home building topics.
The deck or base is constructed out of aluminum, with integral wheel guards and pads for comfort. Tires are air-filled rubber with split rims and sealed bearings. Clearance is two inches and the Krawler K1 only weighs eleven pounds. Included with the K1 are a set of free elbow pads. While a home inspector may have many tools in his or her arsenal, the Krawler K1 by KrawlGear is an absolute must-have piece of equipment. You never know what the house or crawlspace will look like and you will want to be prepared before entering. The Krawler K1 is just $279.00. Order online at www.krawlgear.com.
The Krawler K1 is available in two sizes: large for those with a pants size of 34 or larger, and medium if your pants are sized 33 or smaller.
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Ser vice Philosophy – Fix Mistakes Fast
Service Philosophy – Fix Mistakes Fast BY ALAN CARSON, ACI – CARSON, DUNLOP & ASSOCIATES LTD.
WE HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU MAKE a mistake and solve the mistake to your client’s satisfaction, your client will sing your praises more than if you never made the mistake in the first place! Unless you are a machine, you will make a few mistakes over time. When you do, deal with them quickly. Let’s say a client calls back because he/she hs just moved into the house and discovered a problem that you missed. Here are a few tips to approach the situation: Tip 1: Think about it from your client’s perspective. Your clients have just invested all of their money in this home and are committed to spending more than they can afford every month for the next 30 years. They might even be experiencing buyer’s remorse. To you, this is just another house. To your client, it’s their home, their nest egg, their retirement, their future. It’s part of who they are. To the client, the value of the house is greater than the price tag alone. Imagine after the emotional drain of moving that, on their first day in the house, they discover a problem with the house. You now have an idea of the emotional state the client may be in. Tip 2: Empathize with the client. Empathizing and sympathizing are not the same. To empathize means to understand them; to sympathize means that you share their feelings and opinions. At this 18
ASHI Reporter | March 2015
early stage, you want them to know that you understand completely, but you don’t want to tell them that you agree with their conclusion. Notice the qualitative difference between the two: Empathetic response: “I know how discouraged you must feel.” Sympathetic response: “I agree that the leak in your skylight presents a big problem.” In the first response, you are not providing a diagnosis of the problem over the phone, nor are you agreeing that it’s a problem. You are just telling them you can understand why they feel upset. In the second response, you risk making a wrong diagnosis, alarming the client and making a mistake. Tip 3: Don’t comment on anything until you’ve reread the report. Here is a common scenario: Your clients call you on your way to an inspection and tell you they are having a problem getting fire insurance because it turns out that the house has knob and tube wiring. The clients are in a panic because the insurance company has given them three months to rewire the home. The clients got three quotes that range from $6,000 to $10,000 for rewiring. The clients say this cost was unexpected and now they are concerned that they have just purchased a “money pit.” You try to down calm the clients by telling them all about knob and tube wiring.
You say that it’s unfortunate the insurance company is taking this position because there is nothing inherently wrong with knob and tube wiring. As long as it has not been inappropriately spliced, it’s perfectly good. It does not matter that it is an ungrounded system because today most appliances are double-insulated and don’t need a ground connection. The only areas that really need a ground connection are the kitchen and a home office. This line of reasoning is unlikely to appease the homeowner because it does not solve their problem. You give up because you have to do your next inspection and you don’t really remember the house anyway. You tell them that you will call them back in the evening to discuss what can be done. The client is unhappy with your response and with you. You now have an adversarial relationship with the client. When you get home and flip through the report, what do you find in the first paragraph of the electrical section? You see the following paragraph: During the inspection, we identified knob and tube wiring throughout the house. While there is nothing inherently wrong with knob and tube wiring, if it has been tampered with there is a potential safety concern. During the inspection, we identified a number of areas where the knob and tube wiring was inappropriately spliced. In addition, many insurance companies 19March 2015
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444Ser vice Philosophy – Fix Mistakes Fast
will not insure a home with knob and tube wiring. You should contact your insurance company to find out what their position is on the matter and contact an electrician to quote on repairs or replacement as required. Do you think you should have looked at the report first? You bet! You should have empathized with your client by saying something like, “I can understand how discouraged you must feel. I’d like to give this problem my full attention, so I’ll call you back this evening when I get back to my office.” Now you have given yourself an opportunity to reread the report, remember the home, and make a plan of attack. If you think this scenario is contrived, that nobody would call and complain about a problem clearly identified in the report, guess again. This scenario is more common than you think and here’s why: The inspection was done about three months before your clients moved in. Neither you nor your clients remember the details. Your clients have forgotten about the knob and tube issue because they had so many other things to deal with during the transaction. They were not worried about it because the agent offered at the time to give the client a list of insurance companies that insure a home with knob and tube wiring. Finally, your inspection report is still packed in a box with just about everything else your client owns. So the clients didn’t reread the report before they called you. The bottom line is this: Empathize, but don’t get into any details until you have had a chance to go through the report again. Tip 4: Most callbacks and complaints have nothing to do with the scope of the inspection. For example, if the client finds a problem while renovating the home, you are
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ASHI Reporter | March 2015
probably not responsible because you advised your client before the inspection that a home inspection is visual and nondestructive. Again, the client doesn’t remember this. You will have to remind him/her. Your best strategy in this case is to diffuse the situation: • First, empathize with the situation. • Th en, explain how these things are impossible to detect during a visual inspection. •T ell the clients that their satisfaction is your prime concern. • Finally, ask what you can do to help. More often than not, what the client asks for is less than what you imagine. We have used this technique many times and had the clients say, “I just want you to advise me on what we should do next.” If you feel that asking this question presents too much of a risk, why not qualify it? “Because inspecting the clothes washer is not part of a home inspection, I don’t feel that I could buy you a new one, but is there anything else I could do that would help you?” If you are still worried about an unreasonable response, offer some reasonable suggestions that you can live with and that would make your client happy. Tip 5: Get to the house before the lawyer does. There is usually a way to deal with a situation to everyone’s satisfaction if you do it quickly. Once a lawyer is involved, it is never easy. To summarize, the key thing is speed. It takes no more time and costs no more to handle a callback quickly than to let it drag on. And with every passing hour, your client’s frustration level rises, and your chances of an amicable resolution drop. Deal with it!
??? DID YOU KNOW?
ONE OF THE UNIQUE BENEFITS of ASHI membership is you, the member, may offer changes to the ASHI Standard of Practice. So, if you have a pet peeve, if you have something sticking in your craw, if you have an itch … those sound like personal problems.
But if you have an idea on how we may improve the SoP, please let us know. The Standards Committee is always looking for suggestions. Just e-mail Bonnie Bruno at bonnieb@ashi.org and title it “SoP changes” and she’ ll forward your request to the committee. And if you really want to see some changes, fill out a volunteer form from the ASHI website and get on the committee.
Thanks for your time and ideas!
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Filters and Electronic Air Cleaners
Filters and Electronic Air Cleaners BY ANDY TRAN – CARSON, DUNLOP & ASSOCIATES LTD.
FILTERS CAN EITHER BE CONVENTIONAL reused. Let’s look at a few of the common mechanical filters or electronic air cleaners. conditions. Common problems include – There are other options as well, although these are the two most common. 1. Missing 2. Dirty Function 3. Installed backwards Filters help clean the house air, making 4. Wrong size the environment more pleasant. Filters also 5. Loose or collapsed clean the air before it passes through the blower and heat exchanger. This helps to We’ll go over a few of the common keep these furnace components working problems. efficiently. Filters Installed Backwards Electronic Air Cleaners Beyond Standards Conventional filters have an arrow on Inspection of electronic air cleaners is the frame that indicates the direction of beyond the Standard, since the Standard airflow. This is an installation issue. The says we do not have to inspect these. How- implication is that the filter is more likely ever, we will touch on them here since they to be pulled into the fan and become are common and most inspectors do check tangled if it is installed backwards. them. Let’s look at conventional filters first.
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Wrong Sizing Another common issue is wrong sizing. This is also an installation issue and the implication is that some of the air will not be filtered. The strategy is to check to see that the filter completely covers the air path. If two filters are needed, make sure both are in place.
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The strategy for inspecting this is to pull out the filter and make sure that the arrow indicating the airflow is in the right direction. Again, as a courtesy, you can explain to your client how the filter should be installed. Do not correct a filter installed backwards. All the trapped dirt will be released into the furnace if you do. Recommend replacing or cleaning the filter and then installing it properly.
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ASHI Reporter | March 2015
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444Filters and Electronic Air Cleaners
Location and Description The electronic air cleaner is located in roughly the same place as a mechanical filter would be. It includes a metal cabinet and an electrical connection (120-volt). There is a power switch and sometimes a test button on the outside. There is an access door to get at the internal components. How They Work These cleaners operate with an electrostatic charge. The small wires carry a high-voltage electrical charge and the dust particles passing those wires receive the same charge. The collector plates downstream of the wires have an opposite electrical charge. The dust particles are attracted to the plate because of the opposite charge. Clean Frequently The dust collects on the plates until the units are cleaned. Because these filters can be quite efficient, they need to be cleaned frequently, perhaps more often than conventional filters, since electronic filters collect more dirt.
Charcoal Filter for Odors Sometimes there is a small, charcoal filter downstream of the cells to pick up ozone that is produced by the static charge. This is typically replaced from time to time, but is not an integral part of the system. Problems we frequently encounter on electronic air cleaners include the following – 1. Dirty 2. Missing components 3. Damaged cells 4. Inoperative 5. Improper orientation 6. Miswired 7. Restricted Airflow Again, we’ll go over a few of the more common problems with electronic air filters and discuss them in terms of causes, implications and strategies for inspection Missing Components If the cells or prefilters are missing, this is usually a homeowner mistake. Sometimes this is because the units have been damaged. The air cleaner will not work properly with missing cells. In many air cleaners, there are two cells, installed one behind the
other. Make sure when you push the cell in that it goes all the way to the back of the cabinet. You don’t want air to get around the cell. In addition, make sure there is a prefilter located upstream of the cells. Damaged Cells This is usually caused by careless cleaning. The damage is usually to the wires on the cells. The plates can also be damaged. The efficiency of the unit will be reduced where wires or plates are damaged. When you take the cells out, look for damaged wires or plates. If several wires are broken, repairs may be warranted. Many feel it’s not worth the cost of repairing just one broken wire. Installed Backwards or in Wrong Location The filter should be installed in the return air duct just before (upstream of) the furnace. When you take the cover off, the first thing the air stream should hit is the prefilter. The air should go through this filter first and then go into the electronic cells. The arrows on the cells should point in the direction of the airflow.
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ASHI Reporter | March 2015
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March 2015 | www.ASHIReporter.org
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You Tell Us
444Filters and Electronic Air Cleaners
Letters From Our Readers
Just like the mechanical filters, the cause for improper location of the filter itself is an installation problem. Improper orientation or location of the filters is usually a homeowner mistake. Implications are that the unit will either not work at all or the efficiency will be greatly reduced. Strategy for inspection is to make sure the filter is in the right location and the cell orientation is proper, with the prefilter before the electronic portion. Electronic air cleaners can usually be installed in a vertical or horizontal orientation.
The cells or prefilters are missing in this electronic air cleaner.
We have introduced filters and electronic air cleaners. How well these components work will have a significant effect on the performance and condition of the heating and cooling system, as well as the comfort of the occupants. More information regarding the other conditions can be found in the ASHI@HOME training program.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The cover article in the January 2015 ASHI Reporter “Limitations of Two-Day Radon Screenings” by Kurt Salomon ignores published work which has found that many short-term tests made during the winter season correctly predicted the annual radon average to be above 4 pCi/L 88% of the time and above 2.0 pCi/L 98% of the time. See “A Comparison of Winter Short-term and Annual Average Radon Measurements in Basements of a Radon-prone Region and Evaluation of Further Radon Testing Indicators,” Barros, Steck and Field, Health Physics Journal, Volume 106, May 2014. EPA also concluded that shortterm measurements agreed well with long-term measurements 85–90% of the time. The author cites selective data from Air Chek Inc. to illustrate seasonal fluctuations. However, the Air Chek data also shows that in four out of the six states referenced, radon levels were above 4 in both the winter and summer months. Irrespective of the season, mitigation would be recommended for all of the measurements above 4 pCi/L. Mr. Salomon describes seasonal fluctuations, weather and abnormal effects that influence short-term measurements and mitigation decisions made based on those short-term measurements. The author focuses on the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. Mr. Salomon fails to consider that EPA recommends that mitigation be considered for levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L. The World Health Organization (WHO) now recommends an action level of 2.7 pCi/L.
Nancy Bredhoff
President, Radon Testing Corporation of America, Inc. TO THE EDITOR
PLEASE SEND US YOUR POSTCARDS! WE ARE RUNNING LOW!! NEW POSTCARDS E-MAIL!! Please send your name, city, state, photos, headings & captions to postcards@ashi.org
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ASHI Reporter | March 2015
This letter is in response to the article, “Limitations of Two-Day Radon Screening,” written by Kurt Solomon, which appeared in the January Reporter. While I agree, partially, with some of what Kurt wrote, I would like to respond to some statements, which I believe to be incorrect, inaccurate or contradictory. In the paragraph headed Sample Size, he notes the shortcomings of twoday screening. 48 hours is the minimum time required by the EPA. Charcoal canisters are accurate up to seven days and a longer period will better allow for weather variations. Further, EPA studies show a high correlation between short-and long-term tests. In the following paragraph, he then notes the shortcomings of a year-long test, stating that it does not show the “peaks and valleys,” with the
peaks being more important than the valleys or average exposure. It is my understanding that it is the total or average exposure to which we are subjected, not just the peaks, that is important. Kurt seems to then agree with this when he reverses himself, in his last statement, where he writes, “The true test of radon is a year-long test.” The other point with which I disagree appears in the description of the “stack effect” on radon levels. Kurt accurately states that rising warm air, which will be replaced with air from the exterior (through open windows, in the winter? Really?), will produce negative pressure on the lower level and draw radon into the building. The part with which I disagree is “cold air causes radon to get trapped in the house.” If warm air rises (and leaves the house) to be replaced by colder air, a convection current will be created and radon will follow this current and thus high radon levels can be encountered on upper levels. Further, the word “trapped” implies that radon levels will increase with time. If this were true, radon levels in an empty, closed house would continue to increase. This is not the case. Lastly, Kurt states that the buoyancy of air is dependent on the difference in air temperature between the top and the bottom, which is accurate, but then adds that height of the house also affects buoyancy. This is not true. It is strictly the temperature differential. What say other inspectors?
Victor J. Faggella, ACI
President, Centurion Home Inspections, Inc. Member of the ASHI Technical Review Committee RESPONSE FROM KURT SALOMON
As pointed out by Ms. Bredhoff regarding EPA reference level of 4 pCi/L in 88% of the cases. The point of the article and continued advice is that short-other tests results are variable and if the short-term test results yield a result below 4 a log-term test should still be recommended for the safety of the client and liability protection of the inspector. However, one must also look at the parameters of the study to better understand the limitation of applying this conclusion to the home inspection industry. First the study only used results of tests conducted in the winter months where the stack effect in Iowa would be the highest. Furthermore, the duration of the short-term measurements were not the normal two day
measurement but rather ranged from 3 days to 27 days, with a median of 7.5 days, which would also improve the predictability. Although one could say that an 88% predictive ability is great, it does not directly translate to the practice of conducting 2 day measurements in non-winter seasons that have become the common approach by home inspectors and said caveat is directly pointed out within this same paper. A second point in the article, which has been confirmed by countless studies, is that indoor radon levels are variables. It is variable due to environmental factors with stack effect being only one of those and I apologize if I may have improperly characterized stack effect in my simplistic approach. There is wind, rain snow, variable operation of mechanical equipment all confounded by the occupants willingness to follow protocols.
Kurt Salomon, ACI, ASHI Past-President
Advocate Home Inspections
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ASHI Community New Inspector Status, ASHI Chapters, Council News
New ASHI Associates
New ASHI Certified Home Inspectors
As of January 1, 2014.
H D enotes graduate of The ASHI School David Lauby
John Mason
William Peragine
Randall Kull
Sunland Home Inspection Phoenix, AZ
Sweet Home Inspection Services, LLC Somerville, MA
Thorough Home Inspection River Vale, NJ
Allied Inspection Services, Inc. Auburn, PA
Michael Downey
ADT Security Services Somerset, NJ
Clinton Dye Home Inspection Advantage San Leandro, CA
James Hall El Cerrito, CA
Greg McLain WIN Home Inspection Boulder Creek, CA
Andrew Baker Pagosa Home Inspections Pagosa Springs, CO
Charles Jones Mile Hi Inspection Denver, CO
Adam Goldner WoodArts, LLC Atlanta, GA
Catherine Lemoine RIA Solutions Duluth, GA
James Methvin Atlanta’s Fine Home Inspections Atlanta, GA
Alex Smith Amerispec Acworth, GA
Edward O’Mara A Sound Mind Home Inspection Lahaina, HI
Toby Adamson Home Hub Zone Mokena, IL
H Michael Totura Chicago, IL
Shawn O’Neill
Ricky Brown Ridgeline Home Inspections LLC Kennebunkport, ME
Roger Deaton Equity Home Inspection Grand Blanc, MI
G. Michael Hurst WTL Inc. Clinton Township, MI
Andrew Kauffman HouseMaster Home Inspections St. Joseph, MI
Greg Indlecoffer The Kirwin Group Plymouth, MN
Tim Walz Suburban Home Inspections, Inc. Woodbury, MN
Zachary LaVoi GreyStone Inspection Services Wentzville, MO
Steven Scott Springfield, MO
Insight Inspections, LLC Wichita, KS
Steve Clark Hanson, KY
Russell Sherlock Sherlock Homes Inspector Louisville, KY ASHI Reporter | March 2015
Home-Tek of Sullivan County, Inc. Monticello, NY
Neal Cutrone Accurate One Home Inspection LLC Baldwin, NY
Kenneth Dolan Ken Dolan Home Inspctions.com North Babylon, NY
Allied Inspection Services, Inc. Emmaus, PA
Milan Stanojevic Milan Stanojevic, Inc. Pittsburgh, PA
Edward Szczesniak Jr. A2Z Quality Home Inspections Richboro, PA
Hany Elsawah Mose Home Inspection Services Montreal, PQ
Ian Towers
Arnest Inspections San Francisco, CA
Kent Gresham Prolific Builders DBA HomeGuard Modesto, CA
John Shryock Priority Inspection Service San Diego, CA
Mike Leggett The BrickKicker Athens, GA
Kenneth Winter
Aaron Brauer
S. Norman Holland
Cleveland Heights, OH
Richmond, VA
Garrett Gerard
Terry Zalovick
Gerard Home Inspection Sayler Park, OH
Zalovick Contractors Inc. Front Royal, VA
Katy, TX
Christopher Gregory Reliable Real Estate Inspections, LLC Perrysburg, OH
Skip Howell
Tracy Hankins Hankins Construction Inc. Gaston, OR
New ASHI Inspectors As of January 1, 2014
Steve Reilly Inspection Pro’s/BPG Lafayette, CA
Andres Martinez INSPECTOR RBS&K Edgewater, CO
Jeff Walsh Long River Home Inspection Fairfield, CT
Daniel DeAntonio
Robert Johnson
DeAntonio Enterprises, LLC Leesport, PA
Scott Randolph
Dana Hillerby
Colin Lennon
Nobility Home Inspection Services LLC West Milford, NJ
James Arnest
Bruce Marcom
Hunterville, NC
Mark Noble
Buyers Protection Group (BPG) Huntsville, AL
Carnell Associates Mill Neck, NY
Edward Von Briesen
Erie Inspection Service, Inc. Bellevue, OH
Robert Johnson Home inspections Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Hilary Goss
Duane Longenecker
Jordan Radloff
Robert Cancellieri
Ryan Lingold
Suburban Home Inspections LLC Hatfield, PA
Dade City, FL House To Home Inspection Services Inc. Freehold, NJ
Michael Martin Advanced Inspection Service Dallas, TX
Thirty Five Years Bruce Funk
Inspectrum Inc. St-Lazare, PQ
Pro-Tech Home Inspections Starkville, MS ES Ventures Inc. Missoula, MT
Justin Westhoff
James Carnell
Chris Sears
Emmon Snyder
Hill City, KS
Kaufmann Consultants LLC Barnegat, NJ
Inspections, LLC Weldon Spring, MO
John Smith
Brian Wilson
Benjamin Schweitzer
David Winkle
Skipper’s Home Inspections, LLC DBA Pillar To Post Gahanna, OH
Avon, IN Cornerstone Inspection Services Inc. Carmel, IN
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Downey Home Inspection LLC Stevensville, MD
Scott Shay
As of January 1, 2014
MARCH ANNIVERSARIES
Decatur, GA American Eagle Home Inspections, LLC Elgin, IL
Otis (Bud) Esham Esham Inspections Berlin, MD
Dave Taurinskas Reassurance Home Inspection, LLC Columbia Heights, MN
Kevin Vescovo Pillar to Post St. Louis, MO
Mike Houlahan Habitation Investigation LLC Westerville, OH
Buddy DeLozier Building Solutions Simpsonville, SC
Ian McNaught Excel Home Inspections, LLC Sterling, VA
Timothy Valaike Hurlbert Home Inspection, LLC Centreville, VA
Thirty Years David Jones Twenty Five Years John Brancato
Twenty Years
Ken Goewey William Brandyberry Michael Gebben Randall Via Stanley Yansick Tony Smith Mike Becker Norman Clark Dana Wilson Mike Wolfert Curtis Blevins
Erick Miller Jim Cornish John Turner Mark Roy Peter Dean Richard Belliveau Louis Schneider Charles Chisholm Jeffery Blixt Wade Pennington Chuck LeCraw Scott Dalbey Jerold Sweet Ron Schloderer Wayne Robbins Timothy Miller William Neal Herbert Scott Joe DeLaurentis Sr. Thomas Feiza Rob Amaral
Fifteen Years Jason Micare Todd Tuvell Raymond Fields David Maudlin Bill Fate Thomas Glynn L. Jay Miller Francis West Michael Hanna Joseph Hancaviz
Ten Years
Robert Lee Mark Harman Andy French Wesley Kelley Mark Clark Bud Rozell Dennis Flaherty Cary Seidner
Steve Glenn Jameel Dawan Kenneth (Pete) Lauterer Allen Stanczyk Gary Smith C.B. Moore Coleman Budd Mark Hatheway Michael Wong Bob Vaught John Mitchell Brian Lehman Peter Newman
Douglas Ramsey Adam Staab Andrew Cleary Michael Guadagna Samuel DeRodes Thomas Starr Robert Divita John Hamlin Thomas Thayer John Rodkey Mark Martin James Fronsdahl Fred Freer Harold Knight Thomas Wilson
Five Years
John Ray Nick Mescher John Cagle II Carl Edmunds
ASHI Chapter Education ASHI New Mexico Chapter Education Seminar
PRO-ASHI & OHIO ASHI Joint Chapter Peer Inspection Review
ASHI Great Lakes Chapter Spring Conference
When: March 7, 2015 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Where: The Pecos Trail Inn 2239 Old Pecos Trail Santa Fe, NM 87505 CEUs: 8 ASHI CEs Contact: Charles R. Smith ASHI NM, Secretary 505.670.4442 prevuesf@gmail.com
When: March 21, 2015 CEUs: 5 ASHI CEs Contact: Michael@ashburn inspections.com
When: July 10-11 Where: Holiday Inn 200 E. Rand Road Mt. Prospect, IL 847.392.0123 Contact: carol@greatinspectors.com
ASHI Western Washington Chapter Spring Educational Seminar When: March 7, 2015 CEUs: 7 ASHI CEs Contact: www.ashiww.com
ASHI St. Louis Chapter Education Seminar with Kenny Hart When: March 27, 2015 CEUs: 8 ASHI CEs Contact: paul@appleinspections. com
ASHI Great Lakes Chapter Spring Conference When: March 27-28 Where: Park Inn by Radisson 101 North Summit Street Toledo, OH 419.241.3000 Contact: carol@greatinspectors. com
ASHI New England 266 CMR 6.00 Standard of Practice When: September 14-15, 2015 CEUs: 4 ASHI CEs Contact: rmulloy@verizon.net
ASHI Great Lakes Chapter Fall Conference When: September 25-26 Where: Holiday Inn 17201 Northline Road Southgate, MI 734.283.4400 Contact: carol@greatinspectors.com
To have your chapter seminar listed here: Email all information about your chapter seminar to micheleg@ashi. org. Be sure to include all information: when, where, CEUs & a link for more information or contact information. Information also will be picked up from CE applications.
March 2015 | www.ASHIReporter.org
29
ASHI Chapters
Find the Chapter Nearest You and Join Today
444ASHI Of f icers for 2015
Chapter meetings and contacts are subject to change. Please contact the chapter to confirm meeting time and location.
NEW ENGLAND/CANADA www.cahpi-alberta.com Bert Bruinsma, 403-348-5550 Red.deer@homealyze.com
www.cnyashi.com Second Wednesday, 6 pm, Tony’s Family Restaurant, Syracuse Dan Hager, 315-440-1237 Dhager3@yahoo.com
British Columbia
First State (DE)
Alberta
www.cahpi.bc.ca Gary Poirer, 604-220-0305 gary@walkaboutinspections.com
CAHPI Atlantic
www.cahpi-alt.com Blaine Swan, 902-890-0710 goodeyeinspections@gmail.com
CAHPI Ontario
www.oahi.com Donald Beneteau, 519-995-0235 don@beneteauinspections.com
Coastal Connecticut
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
www.coastalctashi.org Third Thursday, 6 pm, Westport VFW Lodge, 465 Riverside Avenue, Westport Gene Autore, 203-216-2516 gene.autore@gmail.com
Greater Rochester (NY)
New England (ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
Hudson Valley (NY)
www.ashinewengland.org Fourth Thursday, 5 pm The Lantana, Randoph, MA Michael Atwell, 617-630-5629 mike@jmhi.com
Northern New England (ME, MA, NH, VT)
www.nnec-ashi.org Bob McDonald, 207-475-7758 omnispect@gmail.com
Prairies (Alberta) (CAHI)
www.cahpi-ab.ca Bert Bruinsma, 403-348-5550 Red.deer@homealyze.com
Quebec AIBQ
www.aibq.qc.ca Germain Frechette, 514-694-4350 Insp.glf@sympatico.ca
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
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Central New York
ASHI Reporter | March 2015
www.ashirochester.com Second Tuesday, 6 pm, Murph’s Irondequoit Pub, Irondequoit John White, 585-431-0067 john@iihomeinspections.com SecondTuesday, 6 pm, Daddy O’s Restaurant 3 Turner Street Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Michael Skok, 845-592-1442 ashistatewide@yahoo.com
Long Island (NY)
www.liashi.com Third Monday, 6 pm, Domenico’s Restaurant, Levittown Steven Rosenbaum, 516-361-0658 inspector@optonline.net
New York Metro
www.nyashi.com Last Thursday, Eldorado West Restaurant-Diner, Tarrytown Stephen P. Tyler, 845-521-4144
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 First Thursday, 6:30 pm, Independence Golf Club, Midlothian Continues top of next column ...
Ray McMurdy, 804-639-1171 ray@capitolinspections.com
Greater Baltimore (MD)
www.greaterbaltimoreashi.org Third Thursday except July & Aug., 6:30 pm, Snyder Willow Grove Restaurant, Linthicum Stephen R. Dallmus, 410-323-7600 dallmus2inspect@yahoo.com
Hampton Roads (VA) Second Thursday, 7 pm, Cypress Point Country Club, Virginia Beach Guillermo Hunt, 757-245-3100 huntshomeinspections@gmail.com
MAC-ASHI (MD, VA)
www.mac-ashi.com Second Wednesday, Rockville Senior Center, Rockville John Vaughn, 800-767-5904 John.vaughn@yahoo.com
NOVA-ASHI (MD, VA)
www.novaashi.com Fourth Tuesday, Associate hour 6-7 pm, Membership meeting 7-9 pm Northern Virginia Resources Center, Fairfax Ferando Barrientos 703-255-6622 fernando@abodecheck.com
Piedmont ASHI (VA) Robert Huntley, 540-354-2135 rwhuntley@cox.net
SOUTH ATLANTIC ASHI Georgia
South Carolina First Saturday of Feb., May, Aug. & Nov., 8 am Roger Herdt, 843-669-3757 herdtworks@msn.com
GULF ASHI South (AL)
www.ashisouth.org Quarterly, Homewood Library, Homewood Derl Nelson, 205-529-1657 dbnelson@bellsouth.net
Central Florida
www.centralfloridaashi.org Second Tuesday, 6:30 pm Bill Labita, 407-977-9182 hbis@cfl.rr.com
FLASHI (FL) First Tuesday except July, 6 pm Golden China, 11112 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville David Sorge, 904-484-4847 safetekk@comcast.net
Florida Wiregrass
www.ashiwiregrass.org Second Wednesday, 6:30 pm Hyundai of Wesley Chapel Nancy Janosz, 813-546-6090 ProTeamInsp@aol.com
Gulfcoast (FL) First Thursday, 7 pm, The Forest Country Club, Fort Myers Len Gluckstal, 239-432-0178 goldenrulehi@comcast.net
www.ashigeorgia.com Gregg Allen, 770-745-7574 gregg@totalhomeinspections atlanta.com.
Gulfstream (FL)
East Tennessee
www.ashitexas.org Craig Lemmon, 817-291-9056 craig@reioftexas.com
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 Larry Conway, 336-669-0679 ncashi@triad.rr.com
Ralph Cabal, 305-256-7369 info@cabalinspections.com
Lone Star (TX)
Louisiana Quarterly Michael Burroughs, 318-324-0661 Mburroughs2@comcast.net
Suncoast (FL)
www.ashisuncoast.com First Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Please see our website for meeting locations. Steve Acker, 727-712-3089 steve@buyersally.com
Southwest Florida
www.swashi.com Second Wednesday, 6 pm Holiday Inn, Lakewood Ranch 6321 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota Michael Meesit, 941-321-6962 mike@acu-spect.com
NORTH CENTRAL ASHI Central PA
www.ashicentralpa.com Second Monday, 6 pm, except Jan. & July, Bonanza Steak House, Walnut Bottom Rd., Carlisle William Weitzel, 717-919-5087 bill@centralhomeinspections.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.ohioashi.com Howard Snyder, 330-929-5239 ohashi@neo.rr.com
North Central Ohio
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. George W. Kasimirsky, 724-747-7321 www.npiweb.com/kasimirsky
Tri-State (DE, NJ, PA)
www.tristateashi.org Second Tuesday except April, Aug. & Dec., Dave & Buster's Plymouth Meeting, PA Vince Tecca 215-527-5710 bioainsp@aol.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
Heartland (IA, MN, ND, SD, WI) www.ashiheartland.com Todd Wiessner, 612-747-6382 twiessner@comcast.net
Indiana ASHI
www.inashi.com Quarterly Danny Maynard, 317-319-7209 danny@inspectinc.net
Iowa ASHI
www.iowaashichapter.org Fourth Tuesday, 5:30 pm Clarion Inn, Cedar Rapids Mike Tomash, 319-310-1557 tomashprohome@mchsi.com
Kentuckiana (IN, KY)
www.ashikentuckiana.org Allan Davis, 502-648-9294 elitehomeinspections@ insightbb.com
Mid-Missouri
www.midmoashi.com Second Tuesday, 12:00 pm Daniel Boone Regional Library 100 W. Broadway, Columbia, MO Joe Pangborn, 573-228-4509 jpangborn@mchsi.com
Northern Illinois
www.nicashi.com Second Wednesday, 5:30 pm Associate Corner Dinner, 6:30 pm, Main Presentation, 7:00 pm Crazypour,105 E. North Ave. Villa Park, IL Steve Reilly, 630-248-6500 owlinspection@comcast.net
SOUTH MIDWEST
MOUNTAIN Arizona
www.azashi.org Tony Hecht, 480-507-0837 tony@tonyhecht.com
New Mexico First Saturday, 10 am Charles Smith, 505-670-4442 prevuesf@gmail.com
Northern Colorado
www.ncc-ashi.org Second Thursday, 6:30 pm Fairfield Inn, Loveland Chris Elliott, 970-567-7393 chris@homelandinspectionservices. com
Northern Rockies (ID, MT) Lamar Rase, 406-531-4848 completehomeinspectionsinc@ msn.com
Rocky Mountain
Great Plains (KS, MO)
www.ashikc.org Second Wednesday of even months, The Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City Miki Mertz, 913-268-0222 mikimertz@aol.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
Chris Munro, 208-290-2472 chris@peakinspections.net
Orange County CREIA-ASHI (CA) Third Monday, 5:30 pm Hometown Buffet, 2321 S. Bristol, Santa Ana Ralph Bertke, 714-317-3792 ralphbertke@msn.com
Oregon
www.oahi.org Fourth Tuesday, 6:30 pm The East Bank Saloon, Portland Jon Nichols, 503-324-2000 housedetective@hotmail.com
San Diego CREIA-ASHI First Tuesday each month Dave and Buster's, San Diego Sean Blasius, 619-804-8111 sean@bestpropertyinspections.com
San Joaquin Valley (CA)
Fourth Tuesday, 6:30 pm Phil Tatro, 303-838-5175 phil@fspiinc.com
Third Tuesday, 6 pm Rice Bowl, Bakersfield, CA Sam Jabuka, 661-664-8629 jabuka@sbcglobal.net
Southern Colorado
Silicon Valley ASHI-CREIA (CA)
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
PACIFIC
Arkansas Richard Kirkman, 501-327-9794 homeinspectionplus@conwaycorp. net
Inland Northwest (ID, WA)
Alaska Second Thursday, Jitters Coffee House, Eagle River Jim Foss, 907-522-2378 jim@inspectbest.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
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 Fuywe, 805-501-0733 guyerinspections@roadrunner.com
South Bay (CA) Webinar meetings Randy Pierson, 310-265-0833 randy@southbayinspector.com
Western Washington
www.ashiww.com Michael Brisbin, 425-742-1735 seaviewinspections@comcast.net
Golden Gate (CA)
www.ggashi.com John Fryer, 510-682-4908 johnfryer@gmail.com
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Your ASHI
444Your ASHI
Your Link to Membership News and Information
REPORT OUT: BOARD MEETING AT IW PHILADELPHIA, JANUARY 2015 EDUCATION AND EVENTS: Michele George welcomed the Board to IW and gave an IW Update. She presented “40 Years of Trust,” IW 2016 San Diego. MEMBERSHIP: Russell Daniels updated the ASHI Board on the current membership totals. He highlighted that membership had a growth of 191 members over last year’s total. The membership total was 5,817 vs. 5,626 for the previous year. Lastly, he reported 30 new inspectors took advantage of the IW 2015 Comp program. Motion was made and seconded for Chapter Outreach Member Project (COMP). PASSED FINANCE: Treasurer Mike Stephens, discussed the financial merits as prepared in Board Book. He reported out the placement of $256,500.00 into the reserve account. ASHI MEMBER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE: Motion was made and seconded that the President is directed to create a Medical Assistance or Disability Task Force, Bill Jacques as Chair. PASSED WHISTLE-BLOWER TASK FORCE: Motion made and seconded to replace existing Policy 1.15c with New Policy, to go into effect after Board approval of Committee Members. PASSED NEW BUSINESS: Motion was made and seconded for ASHI to pay the same expense for newly elected Board Members as is to current Board Members to attend IW. PASSED Motion was made and seconded to establish a task force to study the inspection-related use of remote-operated vehicle, chaired by Keven Kossler, with task force members chosen by chairman. PASSED
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO MOVE UP IN ASHI 1. Take and pass the ASHI Standard of Practice (SOP) module from the ASHI website. You will find this module at www.ashi.org. Log on with your member number and password. Put your mouse on the education and training tab, from the drop down menu click on the Standard of Practice Education Module, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the click here to begin link. Where it says Name, please enter your ASHI member number; where it says group, type in the word ASHI. 2. Take and Pass the National Home Inspection Exam (NHIE). Submit proof of passing the exam to ASHI. For information on taking the exam and locations, please call 800-733-9267 or visit http://www.homeinspectionexam.org/ registration.php. This is a proctored exam.
For the NHIE study guide, please click on http://www.home inspectionexam.org/documents/2011contentoverview.pdf. 3. Please send in a list of 75 fee-paid inspections that include name, address and date of the inspection to Janet George at janetg@ashi.org or Jen Gallegos at Jeng@ashi.org or fax to 847-759-1620 or mail to the ASHI office at 932 Lee St., Ste. 101, Des Plaines IL 60016. From the submitted list, we will choose five inspections and request copies of those complete home inspection reports. This is called the verification-of-report process. The process will take up to three weeks to complete. After the process is completed, you will be notified of the results. There is a $25 fee to move up to the Certified level. 4. To obtain Inspector status, you need to complete steps 1-3. 5. To obtain ASHI Certified Inspector status, you need to complete steps 1-3 and have completed 250 fee-paid inspections. There is a $25 fee to move up to the Certified level.
ASHI-ENDORSED MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT PROGRAMS ASHI’s E&O Insurance Program: Business Risk Partners (BRP) www.inspectorinsurance.com 866-268-1327 ASHI Personal Lines Insurance Program: Liberty Mutual www.libertymutual.com/ashi ASHI Service Program BuildFax Susan Ward, 855.237.8711 http://land.buildfax.com/buildfax-specialpricing-for-ashi-members/ support@buildfax.com ASHI Customer Appreciation Program: Moverthankyou.com Brent Skidmore, 864-386-2763 www.moverthankyou.com Brent@POWRsoft.com
6. Lastly, based on the number of inspections you have completed, please contact either janetg@ashi.org or jeng@ashi. org and they will provide you with an affidavit of completion of 75-249 inspections or an affidavit of completion for 250 or more inspections. You will need to get the affidavit notarized and send it back to ASHI by email, mail or fax. We do not need the original affidavit.
HomeAdvisor.com Brett Symes, 913-529-2683 www.homeadvisor.com ashi@homeadvisor.com
We wish you much success in moving up in the ASHI organization.
InspectionContracts.com Dave Goldstein, 800.882.6242 www.inspectioncontracts.com david@inspectoreducation.com
LegalShield Joan Buckner, 505-821-3971 buckner.legalshieldassociate.com buckner@legalshieldassociate.com
"BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD" - Mahatma Gandhi
OneSource Solutions 877.274.8632 http://www.osconnects.com/ashi/
Have you thought about getting involved with your chapter, on a committee, or the Board of Directors in ASHI? Now's a great time to get involved. We're always on the lookout for members of ASHI wanting to get more involved with the association. Just click on the link below, fill out the form and start on your path to becoming more involved in shaping our (and your) future.
Porch.com Eliab Sisay, 206.218.3920 www.porch.com Eliab@porch.com
Current ASHI Membership ASHI Certified Inspectors: 3,161 Inspectors/Logo: 92 Associates: 1,665
http://www.homeinspector.org/membersonly/docs/ Call_for_volunteers.pdf
Retired Members: 87 Affiliates: 70 TOTAL: 5,075
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ASHI Reporter | March 2015
as of February 7, 2015
ASHI Rebate Program Quill.com Dana Fishman, 800.634.0320 x1417 www.quill.com/ashi dana.fishman@quill.com Platinum Provider Millionaire Inspector Community Mike Crow www.mikecrow.com dreamtime@mikecrow.com Mention that you are an ASHI member
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 Jack McGraw, 888-884-0440 jack@theashischool.com www.TheASHISchool.com
ASHI Council of Representatives and Group Leaders Speaker: Jim Funkhouser 571-214-4039 jfunkhousr@aol.com
South Atlantic: Richard Hart 770-827-2200 ashi1@comcast.net
Alternate Speaker: John Wessling St. Louis, MO 314-520-1103 John@wesslinginspections.com
Gulf: John Knudsen 334-221-0876 jgknudsen111@elmore. rr.com
Secretary: Brendan Ryan 724-898-1414 brendan@csahomeinspection.com
GROUP LEADERS New England/Canada: Mike Atwell 617-285-8554 mike@jmhi.com New York/New Jersey: Jerry Sanangini 856-232-6607 jsantangini@comcast.net Mid-Atlantic: Jim Funkhouser 571-214-4039 jfunkhousr@aol.com
South Midwest: Paul MacNeill 314-392-9313 paul@appleinspections. com North Central: Brendan Ryan 724-898-1414 brendan@csahomeinspection.com Mountain: Marcus Richter 520-271-8582 info@handsonhome inspection.com Pacific: Scott Swickard 949-454-1389 scott@inspectoc.com
Midwest: Michael J. Von Gunten 262-945-2446 mike@ashigroup.com
ASHI Event Calendar
April 23-25, 2015 Finance Committee, AEI and ASHI Board Meetings Des Plaines, IL
J uly 23-25, 2015 Finance Committee, AEI and ASHI Board Meetings Des Plaines, IL
October 22-24, 2015 LTC and ASHI Board Meetings Des Plaines, IL
January 24-27, 2016 InspectionWorld® and ASHI Board Meetings San Diego, CA
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2014 Annual Report PRESIDENT'S REPORT BY BILL J. LODEN IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT
ASHI HAD A GREAT 2014. We made tremendous progress in so many areas. Looking back on my year as President of ASHI, I find that it passed so quickly. After a great InspectionWorld® in Nashville, the ASHI staff and volunteer leadership went back to work energized and ready to move the association forward. Inspection World® InspectionWorld® 2015 in Philadelphia was so incredibly successful that it eclipsed any other IW in my memory. More than 800 inspectors were present for the opening of the exhibit hall on the first evening of the conference. Total attendance included over 1,000 members, spouses and vendors. ASHI staff actually sold more booths than planned, and we had to shrink the ASHI booth area to make room for more vendors. The entire ASHI staff deserves our thanks for a job well done. InspectionWorld® 2016 is now less than a year away. In mid-February 2014, members of the Conference Planning Committee and staff, along with our consultant from Helms Briscoe, traveled to Phoenix, San Diego and Palm Springs to evaluate three potential conference sites. After visiting the properties and evaluating the proposals of each, the committee recommended the Town and Country Resort and Conference Center in San Diego, California, to ASHI’s Board of Directors. You will hear more about this from ASHI in the coming months. Public Relations Public relations is important to the success of ASHI and its members. ASHI must continually make consumers aware of the benefits and services our members offer, creating a better understanding of the tremendous value of home inspections and 34
ASHI Reporter | March 2015
important services ASHI members provide. ASHI 's public relations firm, Public Communications, Inc. (PCI), is charged with taking the ASHI message to the public. PCI is using its experience in both traditional and digital media to get the ASHI message to millions of potential clients in a cost-effective way. Within hours of being sworn in as ASHI President, I was doing phone interviews with national publications from my hotel room in Nashville. These interviews with print and radio media continued throughout the year. In February, I was in Chicago shooting videos for distribution on social media. In April, PCI facilitated face-to-face interviews with major print publications in New York City. I met with editors at This Old House (circulation 966,817), HGTV Magazine (circulation 350,000), Popular Mechanics (circulation 1,234,691) and Dr. Oz’s The Good Life Magazine (circulation 800,000). All of our PR efforts build on ASHI’s positive image, which starts with the hard work of our members working in the field every day to protect their clients. The result of all our contacts with the public is that ASHI is the most trusted and respected professional association in America. Financial On the financial front, we continued to build on the success of 2013 when we finished in the black for the first time in more than five years. In 2014, with the help of a rigorous budgeting process put in place by Treasurer Michael Stephens and the ASHI staff who worked diligently to cut operational costs, we were able to show excess revenue above expenses of almost $300,000. This allowed the ASHI Board of Directors to allocate $250,000 to a reserve account to strengthen ASHI’s financial future. The ASHI School continued to show exceptional growth, and in 2014 contributed
significantly to ASHI by adding 241 ASHI school graduates as members and over $100,000 in additional dues revenue to ASHI. ASHI Education Inc. (AEI) also showed a profit on the year of almost $100,000. Governance Over five years ago the ASHI Board proposed some sweeping changes to the ASHI Governance structure. Though some of the changes might have been beneficial and needed, the effort failed because the change was too complex, radically changing the way we govern ASHI. Recognizing that a small change can have a tremendously beneficial impact on an organization, I spoke to the ASHI Council of Representatives (CoR) Speaker in early February and asked the CoR to consider a small reduction in the size of the ASHI Board. This change is needed because our board is much larger than needed. A recently published study shows that the average board size for a national nonprofit association is 14 members. ASHI’s board currently has 21 members. The CoR considered this proposal and at their annual meeting at IW, CoR then approved and sent a motion to the Bylaws committee to reduce the size of the board by three members over three years. The Bylaws committee will report the motion to the Board at the April meeting, and the motion will be presented to the membership for a vote soon thereafter. I strongly encourage all voting members to vote for this change. It will save ASHI money on overhead expenses and help the board function more effectively. Inside the Beltway One of the important roles ASHI performs is providing the home inspection industry a voice in Washington, D.C. Our participation in addressing the legislative and regulatory issues that affect our profession is formulated and coordinated by Capitol Hill Advocates, Inc., and President Randy Pence. Randy has turned what began as an
adversarial relationship with HUD into a productive partnership. HUD now relies on ASHI as THE voice of the inspection profession and invites our input on issues related to housing and home inspections. Because of Randy’s work on our behalf in Washington, D.C, ASHI was asked to attend the National Healthy Homes Conference sponsored by HUD and held in Nashville, TN, in June. We were able to meet with several potential partners, which ultimately could result in relationships that will mean new business opportunities for ASHI members in the future. In another major initiative, Randy has been representing ASHI in our partnership with other industry organizations in the Coalition for Patent Fairness. This is an umbrella group consisting of business and professional not-for-profit associations and for profit companies supporting legislation to protect businesses from unfair practices associated with patent abuses. This will be important for our members who perform thermal imaging in their businesses.
responsible approach that the Board of Directors and staff have taken these past few years. The CPA firm issued an “unmodified” opinion, which is the highest opinion that can be issued. ASHI showed a gain in revenues over expenses, which is required by the Bylaws, for a second straight year. The ASHI School has also grown and was very profitable as well. As we emerged from the housing slowdown a few years back, ASHI is strong and prudently replenishing its rainy-day fund so that it will always be ready to serve you in the future. Our strategic plan has always been to maintain ASHI as the Gold Standard in the industry. I am pleased with the increases we have seen in membership and the attendance at the past few InspectionWorlds. The industry is coming back strong and ASHI is attracting very good candidates for
membership. Our chapters are providing these members with valuable training, mentoring and camaraderie. The Council of Representatives, under very good leadership these past two years, has been very busy providing support for members and chapters. As ASHI goes into its 40th year, I see great things being done for the membership. I must acknowledge our staff for being our greatest asset. How nice it was to meet, know and work with such dedicated folks these past two years. In closing, I have retired from the business and my tenure is up as your Treasurer. I have been honored to have been elected by you, the Members, and to serve as your Treasurer these past two years. Thank you. Michael J. Stephens
I want to thank the directors and officers of ASHI for their hard work and support during my term as ASHI President in 2014. I believe we have moved ASHI forward, continuing the good work of ASHI’s volunteer leaders for the past 39 years. I would like to give special thanks to 2013 President Bill Jacques for his mentorship over the years, and his advice and counsel during my term as President. I leave the office with the knowledge that ASHI’s direction in 2015 is in the capable hands of President Alden Gibson. I look forward to many more great things for ASHI and its members. TREASURER’S REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2014 MICHAEL J. STEPHENS, ASHI TREASURER
ASHI Finances are in Good Order The audited statements provided at the annual Business Meeting reflect the 35March 2015
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444 Preparing for an IRS Audit
Test Your Knowledge Contest
NEW POSTCARDS E-MAIL!! Please send your name, city, state, photos, headings & captions to: postcards@ashi.org
Engaging Our Readers
Contest Nine-A-Pus Supply-side ductwork for an oil-fired furnace ... ’nuff said!
Poor Tommy was Standing Right There When my Neighbor's Cannon Went off I wrote this up because it's the only entrance to the basement. The realtor won't refer me anymore because "I'm too particular." Aaron Mayer House Warming Home Inspections St. Louis, MO
David Wingenbach Champia Home Inspection Services, LLC Winchester, VA HEADING WINNER: Paul Andreassen Andreassen Associates, LLC Maiden-on-Husson, NY
If not for That one Little Tear, my Stealth Camper Would be Invisible
HEADING WINNER: Larry Cero Building & Home Inspections By L. Cerro Tallahassee, FL
Turn me on, Baby!
Van wrapped in aluminum foil?
Look closely. There are seven! Joshua Creeps, Creeps Nome Inspection, Elizabethtown, KY HEADING WINNER: Donald Masters, Master Building Inspections, Rockville, MD
Electric Shower Massage Stall
Steve Hier Miller-Hier Enterprises Inc. Chicago, IL HEADING WINNER: Andy Ling Top Home Inspection Haymarket, VA
Photo submitted by: Dave Grudzinski, ACI, Advantage Home Inspections Cranston, RI BEST ANSWER FOR PHOTO ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT • Wood in direct contact with the chimney • Use of chimney as a chase for the pipe or wire • Improper transition from B-vent to singlewall at chimney • Insufficient clearance between vertical pipe and wood at chimney and insulation above • Use of black 90 with hot water piping • Effloresence at chimney suggests moisture issues.
Hovercraft Parking Only 200 amps in the new shower room with poor drainage.
BEST ANSWER FOR PHOTO ON THE TOP RIGHT • Obsolete wiring, knob & tube • Obsolete light receptacle • NM cable used as a power cord • Overloaded outlet • Multiple extension cords used as permanent wiring.
Answer submitted by: Don Norman, Byers Protection Group St. Louis, MO
James Brock Boston Home Inspectors, Inc. South Boston, MA HEADING WINNER: Larry Cero Building & Home Inspections By L. Cerro Tallahassee, FL
InspectionWorld® attendees discussing the postcards contest images. See page on the left.
Does anyone have an idea how to park the car in the garage?
Answer submitted by: Larry Cerro, Building & Home Inspections By L. Cerro, Tallahassee, FL Photo submitted by: Lamar Rase, Complete Home Inspections Inc., Missoula, MT
Raj Bansal A to Z Home Inspection Belleville, NJ HEADING WINNER: Dan Hager Tyler Home Inspection Syracuse, NY
Participants of the 10th ASHI-NE Chapter 2-day Conference, taken at Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH
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On My Mind By ASHI President Alden Gibson
April – National Home Inspection Month IT IS TIME TO GEAR UP FOR NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION Month. Take this opportunity to promote yourself and your ASHI home inspection business using the ASHI name and logo all across North America. April, May and June are the top months for real estate sales. During these rewarding sales months, take the time to help build awareness with consumers, informing them that the home inspection is one of the most critical parts of a real estate transaction when performed by a qualified ASHI inspector. Emphasize that part of the role of ASHI home inspectors is to educate purchasers on the biggest financial transaction in their lives. Potential homebuyers depend on the home inspector to put home/building criteria into proper perspective so that an informed decision can be made. There are a variety of home inspections, not just pre-punch home inspections. Here’s a list of some types of inspections. Names may vary, depending on the area of your business. Types of Home Inspections: > Pre-purchase inspection: inspection prior to home purchase. > Pre-listing inspection: inspection before listing a home for sale; also considered full disclosure for the vendor. > Framing inspection: inspection during construction of a new home, usually initiated and conducted by the purchaser to ensure agreed-upon contract elements are in place and correct. If the builder allows, the home inspector may be included in the inspection process to assist the purchaser with the inspection. > P.D.I./Pre-Delivery inspection: inspection performed on a new house before the purchaser takes possession of the house.
> Maintenance inspection: a regular tune-up inspection of the house with a full report. > Divorce inspection: same as a standard inspection. However, it discloses deficiencies in the house to both parties and includes the related costs to remedy the deficiencies. > Renovation inspection: inspection performed before, during and after the renovation. > Rental inspection: inspection performed for the tenant and the landlord. Protects the tenant, ensuring the property is in the same condition as it was when they moved in, with regular wear and tear excepted. Protects the landlord by confirming any unreasonable damage done by the tenant. Hopefully, this list provides additional opportunities for promoting and marketing a variety of inspection types. Seek out additional information to perform these inspections if they are unfamiliar to you. Promote these ASHI inspections to the media and public at large through local papers, radio and television, your website, at the bottom of your emails – wherever you can. Additional information can be found on the ASHI website in the Member area. ASHI will be issuing a press release to promote National Home Inspection Month. ASHI will also make a prepared press release available for your use in your local papers and on television stations. It is critical that the public be aware of the different types of home inspections. Once informed, they can utilize ASHI’s services to their full extent and protect their investments.
> 30-day inspection: inspection performed before the end of the 30-day period of a new home for warranty purposes. > One-year inspection: inspection performed for warranty purposes before the end of one year. > Two-year inspection: inspection covers any code defects on a new home before the end of year two.
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ASHI Reporter | March 2015
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March 2015 | www.ASHIReporter.org
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