It's a great day here in Orem, Utah! School starts for 3 of our children this morning. This is always an exciting time of year and this year is no different. Jessica will be starting 6th grade, Adam will be in 2nd and Haily is starting Kindergarten. We worry for our littlest, Aaron, who will still be at home while his older brother and sisters leave him each school day.
We hope that all is well with each of you and we hope that you businesses are thriving more with each passing week. Don't give up the battle and keep marketing your enterprises. Strive to market on a regular basis. If you are marketing to agents, then don't let a week go by without getting them information stuffed into their boxes. If you are newer to this industry and you fail to market, then you will ultimately fail in this business. If you marketed last week, then don't stop this week..... Market, Market, and then Market some more. If you do this faithfully, then you will find success.
Now, for those of you that are struggling..... If you have not been marketing, then don't beat yourself up over the past. It is easy to change your ways by getting up off the floor and start to market again. Don't spend time regretting your neglect, just get up and make a resolution to do better. If your business phone isn't ringing, then get out there and meet some people. Meet some agents. Meet some lenders. Meet some Appraisers. Drive around to all of the properties that are for sale and market yourself to the Sellers. They might not like the idea of having their current home inspected, but they will remember you as they buy their new place. Start up a radio show and share the topics that help homeowners. Write newspaper articles. Start an e-mail newsletter to the agents in your area..... The list of marketing ideas goes on and on. The bottom line is that if you are not as busy as you want to be, then take aggressive marketing moves to get you to where you want to be. Make some goals and start chunking the goals down into little pieces and bite off the pieces one at a time. Before you know it, your business will be booming.
I wish to thank those of you who responded to last week's MMM. I think that some of you could sense how busy I have been lately and you knew that I needed your responses to help lessen my load. This past week found me busy 18-20 hours each day. I became sick as a dog on Monday and my next opening was Friday. This meant that I had to Thera-flu my way through the long week. Currently I am under Doctor's orders to rest and relax....... This allows me to catch up on life, family, office and loose ends. Your responses to the MMM and your forwarding interesting articles, topics and photos to me is greatly appreciated. Have a great week!!!
MONOCHROME H3100 iPAQ
Does anyone know of any reason not to go with the iPAQ H3100 Handheld vs. the H3600 series?
What about the CompactFlash adapter? Does installing a flash memory card improve performance or simply allow more space to store report files?
I am getting ready to take this jump. I think it should reduce the time spent on site entering inspection info.
Another question: Does the voice recorder allow you to setup different folders for voice notes? Like, can you have a folder for voice notes that corresponds to each of the form groups?
Thanks for any feedback. Jon Gudnason - Placerville, CA
Spoil yourself, Jon. You make great money inspecting houses and you will be looking at this CE machine for 6 hours a day.... Go with the color screen. By the way, the monochrome version can currently be purchased for $199 plus a $50 mail in rebate.... That's only $149.00. I bought one for a back-up, but the screen is pretty dismal indoors when the room lighting is bad. This special was just announced Monday at CompUSA and only until their shipment is depleted. Rumor has it that Compaq is discontinuing the monochrome series.
NOTE: This cheap monochrome promotional package does not include the charging base. Instead, you just get the cables and you can by the $40 base afterwards. For those of you that are buying one as a back-up, your color version base is the same. The monochrome version may also be a good solution for those of you on an extreme budget. You will be kicking yourself each day and this may be the motivation to become more successful so that you can buy a color version.
32 meg is ideal, and 64 is overkill for inspecting. But there are a lot more things you can use these machines for. If it will be an inspection tool only, then 16 meg is fine.
The flash card eliminates the need to synchronize report files and speeds up getting the info into the computer. It also allows you the ability to store more information.
If you already are familiar with your form set on the big computer, then switching over is pretty easy.
The voice recorder saves the messages individually, but you don't take the time to separate them into folders. Usually the voice messages are the ones that deal with unique keyed in conditions that are easier at the big computer to input. Between the voice recorder and the digital camera it makes your recollection that much clearer.
SIDE STORY: I do not have a color iPaq because I have been using the Casio since before the iPaq was introduced. The Casio machines have a far superior inside color screen to the iPaq, but outside, the Casio is dismal in comparison. My options are to fork out the $500 for the color iPaq or...... Here's another idea. I could pull up to the inspection and use the memory card in the monochrome iPaq and do all of the exterior. The monochrome screen is excellent on the exterior of the home. Then I can just swap the memory card into the Casio and complete the inspection. This would give me the best of both worlds.
VOICE OF EXPERIENCE: You will need a back-up machine. Many things can happen and leave you high and dry. You could drop one. You could turn your machine on and nothing happens. You could forget to charge your machine. You could forget to put your machine in your bag for the day. Having an extra machine is very important after you call tech support and they tell you to mail-in your machine. Then they tell you that the repair should be covered under warranty, but the machine will not get back to you for about 3 weeks.... 3 WEEKS?!?!?
Hope this helps! Michael Leavitt
Last week Thomas Skrodzki shared his experiences with lawsuits and E&O payoffs. Here is some of the responses to his plight....
Thomas, What insurance company do you have your policy with? And why would you let them just pay off the homeowner if you had done nothing wrong?
I have been in this business for over 8 years now and was threatened only twice. Both times the suit failed to happen and once I had the very great pleasure of working for the owner who was named in the suit. We beat the tar out of him in court. He was just trying to beat the system hoping they would settle with a lesser payment rather than go to court.
Sounds like settling was the most economic thing to do, but was it the right thing to do? I think it may have set a poor precedent. Ron Cloyd - OR
Question is...are we happy that your insurance company paid the unreasonable and you are out the deductible? I guess I am missing something. The conditions were fairly stated and (I assume) your service agreement and report stated something to the effect that if a condition is not visible, the condition cannot be reported. At least this is our basic training, so to speak. More information would be good for us or are the insurance folks just not willing to stand up. Jim Corbin - WA
Put some additional funds aside, Mr Skrodzki, for sure as the sun shines tomorrow, you will have increased insurance premiums next year. Carl Fowler aka "Beenthere Donethat" - Fort Meyers - FL
Write every comment in your report as if you are standing in front of the judge and making sure that (s)he understands what it means. Doug Treloar - Carpiteria, CA
Thomas, your worst client will be a single divorced female that works for the state and has no money. In my experience, we are perceived as the Daddy, the bad guy, and the deep pocket. What you probably did not learn in school is how to pick your clients. Experience teaches you to know which ones to accept and which ones to deny. My intent is to not be sexist, however, DO NOT TAKE CLIENTS THAT ARE DESPERATE OR HAVE NO MONEY. No inspection is worth a lawsuit. I was trained to inspect each structure the same no matter who was the client. Reality does not prove this to be an accurate truth. Protect your client to the best of your ability but DO NOT LEAVE YOURSELF OPEN TO A LAWSUIT. Brent Foster - Olympia, WA
Are you going to do one or have one done for you? In California, only a roofing contractor or general contractor can issue a roof certificate. It usually states what current repairs are required to ensure roof does not leak for specified period of time. Fee is for repairs and length of time certificate is for. States that if roof leaks during that time company issuing certificate will perform repairs. John Rebenstorff - CA
A roof certification is a document, basically a contract, between you, the service provider, and your client pertaining to the review and guarantee of a roof. On this contract, you provide a blanket of assurance that the roof will perform as originally designed and intended, having a water shed application of "X" number of years. With caveats built in against acts of god and damage due to abuse, you, as the service provider, will come back within the coverage time frame and restore the roof area(s) that have failed back to a water tight condition. Here in California where I inspect, it requires a Contractors license to issue a certification. More accurately, it requires a business that is "bonded", and most lenders require that it be from a licensed contractor. If you fit the mold and see fit to offer this service, good luck. Ken Ives - Sacramento, CA
Roof certification means you;re the first one they call when the roof leaks to fix it. If you're not a roofer, I would not do a certification. Ken Jones - CA
Please include your name so that proper credit can be given.
I have two questions. The first one may be a dumb one, but I'll ask anyway.
Question 1: Does an electric water heater that is in a closet in the hallway of a house need to be earthquake strapped?
Question 2: On a house with exterior walls that are concrete poured into styrofoam blocks (I can't remember what it's called, but you know what I'm talking about) with EIFS applied, do the standard clearances apply? What I saw was this situation with no clearance at the bottom and caulk where the EIFS contacted the cement, basically sealing the bottom joint. Also, window sills and some trim have flat horizontal surfaces. The builder tried to convince me that the same rules do not apply because the walls are concrete. I did mention that the framework around the windows and doors are wood and subject to decay.
Thank you for your help. Eric Smith - Corvallis, OR
To address Question #1, it depends upon the requirements of the jurisdiction you are in. Try calling the city or county Building Dept. for the requirements in your area. Question #2 is the BIG one. You are correct in questioning the lack of clearance. The ASTM requirements (which all of the EIFS manufacturers subscribe to) state that proper joints are to be installed between dissimilar materials. This also includes traditional hard coat stucco. You may want to recommend a Qualified "Certified" EIFS Inspector to further evaluate the system. Be extremely careful with any EIFS because some (more than 10) inspectors here in OR and WA have been sued. Some successfully. Good luck, Steve Bradley
Eric, First question - Will the heater fall over if it is not strapped in place? If not, then it's OK.
2nd. - The forms when they first came out were called PolySteel Forms. I was a distributor/builder using them in 1991/92. They are not like EIFS. They are concrete filled and the lumber that is in contact with the concrete, if not protected by a barrier (felt) or treated wood, is subject to D/R. Very unusual to not have the vapor barrier as it is required by the product manufacturer. The Poly material is naturally resistant to bugs and does not have to have the same clearances as EIFS. There is no lumber in contact with the ground therefore no clearances are necessary.
There has been some past discussion about the possibility of "bugs" getting into the cavity/hollows between the concrete and the PolySteel material, but no restrictions have been applied by any state that I know of. Good luck, Ron Cloyd - OR
Eric: On the water heater strapping question you will have to check what the local jurisdictional inspectors are enforcing. The Uniform Plumbing Code States that the water heater will be strapped to resist falling. I do not believe any of the code books make exceptions for location. Is Oregon going to go with the new International code? I know we are not doing a code inspection but it helps to have a basis for what we report, otherwise it is all just our personal opinion. So if the water heater was not strapped, I would report it as such and if it was required to be strapped at the time it was installed, I would recommend it be strapped. For California inspectors it does not matter what the code books say, state law requires ALL water heaters to be strapped. There are no exceptions. I ran into one of those funny-looking water heaters that looks like a freestanding appliance yesterday. It is electric and the tank is surrounded by a square porcelain metal cabinet. I thought it was a washing machine at first, but there was no lid in the top. Now how do you strap that? Jon Gudnason, Placerville CA
Sure have! It's the broken down, wasted and at the end of its useful life water heater (with SRV) sitting, hopefully, in the back yard. Ron Cloyd - OR
Do you think that Ron Cloyd saw the real issue??? Editor
It looks like a weld repair to the water tank to install a pipe nipple. If true, this is a no-no on a ASME vessel and negates the integrity of the tank. It leaves a potential hazard that the tank may explode even if the SRV operates properly. The tank is greatly weakened at that point. Jim Corbin - Bow, WA
I think Jim may have missed the obvious, too... Good info on the weld, though. Editor
This valve is installed backwards!!!! What the hey????? New one on me!!! Ken Ives in Sacramento
The SRV is installed with the drain end connected to the most rusted out water heater I've ever seen. Hopefully that's a Green City inspection tag that says "Don't even think about reconnecting this piece of junk." Gary Holzbauer - OR
I guess it is backwards. Should allow the water heater to explode quite nicely. I would recommend a plumber repair it in a hurry. Jon Gudnason - CA
Today's photo challenge comes from Robert E. Lee in Rochester, MN. Robert said "You might be able to use this photo for an upcoming challenge!! Might???... This is an understatement. The question to all of you Eagle Eyes is WHY???
Just thought I would take a bit of space to update all those who have been wondering about how I am doing. First, let me say thank you to all of you for your thoughts and prayers on my behalf. It has been truly wonderful to receive emails and cards from so many of you. Thank you!
Friday was our nanny's last day. She will be going back to college to finish up her degree in Health Management. She was a gift directly from God and we will miss her. Luckily, the 3 older kids will be going to school and that only leaves Aaron at home with me. I'm hoping that I won't need any outside help anymore, but this week will be the tester week to see if I can handle it. I do still have a housecleaner come 3 days a week for a few hours and that is extremely helpful.
Friday I also had an appointment with my Sarcoid doctor. He has decided to put me on a low dosage of chemotherapy to see if that will help with the inflammation of the lymph nodes and the pain. He has one other male patient who has Sarcoid in the same way as I do (on his lymph nodes) and when he referred him to a rheumatologist, the doctor put him on a higher dosage of chemo. It has been successful for this other patient and so he is hoping it will be helpful to me. The pain management doctor has increased my pain medicine to try and give me more relief. I am hoping these two combinations will give me better days ahead.
Michael has really struggled all summer trying to run the business by himself. I have very rarely been able to pick up messages and return phone calls. I would estimate we have lost over $10,000.00 in business since my illness just because I am not running the office anymore. But the loss of revenue does not bother me as much as the strain it has put on Michael. He simply cannot do this alone and struggles to keep his head above water. It is hard to watch him stress over phone calls that need to be made, reports that need to be finished, radon machines that need to be picked up and placed somewhere else, reports that need to be faxed to some non-technical agent, the MMM that needs to be written, the 3D requests that need to be answered, the 3D challenges that need call backs and on and on. I really do not know how he has been able to survive so far. I hope that I am able to pick up more of the slack this winter. Last week was a bad week for me and so I didn't help in the office at all. The end result is that we do not have even one inspection booked for this week. I'm sure that the phone will ring like crazy tomorrow and he will have inspections to perform this week, but as of tonight, the calendar is empty. To Michael, that is actually a relief. It will give him time to sort out the millions of papers all over his desk and to catch up on invoicing and phone calls. The reason the calendar was full last week? Because the week before that I was well enough to call people back and book inspections.
Well, this has turned into a Michael and Shelly update and, as usual, I rambled on and on! Please forgive! Hope your week is a great one! Thank you for your friendship! Shelly Leavitt
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