On Being a Home Inspection Dork

I’m a home inspection dork. I know I am because my kids have told me so, and the innocence of youth would never lie, right? Those of you who were at the last ASHI conference in Austin, Texas, may have met them. They’re good kids. At first, I was highly offended. A dork? I wasn’t even sure what that meant, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t good. I didn’t hear them calling their friends dorks. They don’t even call their mother a dork. So, why was I singled out? I let that roll around in the back of my mind for a couple of years (there’s a lot of space back there), and recently, I had an epiphany. I realized they thought I was a dork because I read magazines about home inspections. I also read magazines about how things work in a home, how to build, install, repair and correct things in homes and buildings. I’m even willing to admit that I read code books and find them interesting. So, in my kids’ minds, dad is a home inspection dork. Anybody who would read those things and actually find them interesting or even, dare I say it, enjoyable, must be a dork! And I do enjoy it. In fact, I love it.

I love the profession, and I love the people I’ve met and become friends with over the years. I love the willingness of our members to give of themselves to their society, and even their competitors, to make us all better at what we do. I love helping new inspectors understand systems more fully and doing ride-alongs for new inspectors. I love learning about new technologies, systems and techniques for doing better what I’ve loved doing for 20 years. And the more I learn, the better the inspector I become, and the more I love what I do. Pretty nice, huh?

I was at my chapter meeting last night and elections will be held next month. Chris Harrawood, the chapter president, asked for nominations for those interested in serving as officers for the chapter. After a few questions and even jokes about serving, they asked me to speak about being an officer in the chapter. I told them what I’m about to tell you. Do it. If possible, do it as quickly as humanly possible. Why? Because it will make you a better, more successful home inspector. It will make you a better public speaker, and it will give you an opportunity to become known within your peer community as someone who is more than “just another home inspector.” It might even increase your income. How? A better reputation means higher fees. What you’ll find, after all the “selfish” reasons have been exhausted, is that there’s something there that you didn’t expect. Something that you will find, if you are like me, is worth more than all the other reasons listed above. It gives you an opportunity to make a difference in your chosen profession. How many professionals can say that? Doctors? Lawyers? CPA’s? Not many. So, if you have the chance to run for an elected office in your chapter or even on the national level, do it. Maybe you, too, will be lucky enough to one day be known to your kids as a home inspection dork.

Speaking of serving, if you know someone you think is deserving of national recognition, your time for nominating that individual is growing short. Go to the ASHI Web site and click on Downloads, then Documents. There you will find applications for the John E. Cox Award and the Phillip C. Monahon Award. The Cox award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to their chapter, while the Monahan award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to the overall membership of ASHI. If you believe someone you know is deserving of either award, your deadline for submitting the application is September 30, 2005.

You may have noticed that we now have a job board on the ASHI Web site. This is a new member benefit that posts job openings from employers and résumés of inspectors around North America. The Report Out from our July Board meeting is posted on the Web site, also under Documents. Take a look at what transpired at the board meeting. Some exciting changes were approved that I know you’ll appreciate. You also should have received your dues renewal by now. That’s part of the exciting change I just mentioned. If you haven’t renewed yet, please take a few minutes now to send in your renewal. By sending it in early, you will save the society the cost of a second and third mailing.

And finally, don’t forget that Chapter Leadership Day is coming up in October. This is an annual event that has received very high marks from the attendees and centers around training for current and up-and-coming leaders in ASHI’s chapters. It’s an event not to be missed.