TOPIC: Inspections Associtations

As some of you know by now, I'm the newbiest of the newbies right now and I have been trying to figure out the pro's and con's and comparisons of the inspection associations (ASHI and INACHI).  In other words, which one is better?

Oh and on a side note, I have my first inspection tomorrow!!!  ;D

Check the various association websites!

John, congrats on the first inspection, let us know how it goes

As far as association goes, it depends on a couple of factors. For the most part, ASHI's main benefit right now is the name recognition to agents in some parts of the country, and NACHI's main benefit is all the online education courses they have and their message board. Obviously this is just a simplification, but for a new inspector this is what's important. We're affiliates of both and participate with both, they are really different. It also depends on your market. Having the ability to attend chapter meetings is great. In your area there might be only ASHI or NACHI meetings so check that out.

NACHI does allows us to give all inspectors who purchase our software $189 off their first year of NACHI membership which is nice.

There are members of ASHI, NACHI, NAHI and other state associations who use Home Inspector Pro and can probably vouch to what they like best about their association. Many guys wield dual memberships.

John - In OK home inspector licensing is issued through the State Board of Health --  www.health.state.ok.us/   -- and they require $50,000 in insurance.  If you have insurance needs there are many vendors (FREA is one) but they are expensive until you can prove yourself.  After you have been an inspector for three years or more you can get cheaper, and frankly better*, insurance.  Most home inspectors drop out during the first three years, often because they get sued out of business, and that is why the tables list you as high risk and the premiums are so high.

Virginia requires a minimum of $500K, and I carry $1 million.  But, because of my experience my premiums for $1 MIL are probably cheaper than most who have lesser policies through organizations like FREA.

* With my FREA policies, which I had for 12 years, if I wanted to add myself to my corporation it was an extra premium.  Radon was extra, termite extra, bonding extra, legal defense extra - and so on.  Plus, they won't let you select a higher deductible in order to reduce the premium.  My current policy covers all that with the standard premium, and $1MIL with my current policy is $1500 cheaper per year than with FREA!

Do well on that first one!  I still remember my first - October 1981 and that agent still calls me!

I almost found out the hard way about the insurance issue.  My saving grace was the fact that I own another business in rental properties.  I used that co to show that I have been dealing with Real Estate for the min. three years requirement.

I found a co that insured me for 1 Mil.  I went through Allstate and they set me up through Harford.  My yearly premium is $422.

$422 for Errors & Omissions insurance? That seems extremely low. Not that it would be a bad thing, but are you sure it covers everything?