Steven L. Smith's Blog

head_left_image

PART 3: Legislation that affects Home Inspectors in Washington State

This is a significant blog, and of importance, written by Charles Buell.

Via Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com):

     This is the 3rd in a series of posts I am doing on pending legislation that affects Licensed, Washington State, Home Inspectors----which in turn affects the real estate industry as a whole.

Perhaps they are under this log?     Senate Bill 6433  would extend the deadline for persons to meet qualifications for classroom training and field training until July 1, 2010.  The various deadlines around grandfathering for experienced and “newer” inspectors was somewhat convoluted, and some would say downright confusing.  Now that some of these deadlines have passed and most inspectors have done what it took to meet the requirements of the new law, there are a few that would like to turn the clock back so that they could be allowed to meet grandfathering provisions that were not intended for them.  While due to the perceived confusion, this might seem “fair,” it most certainly would not be fair for those that missed the deadlines for one reason or another and have taken it upon themselves to meet the requirements of the law without whining.

     I can imagine that these folks would be justifiably annoyed if these time tables were now changed.

     It is surprising to me that there are still those that claim to have never heard about licensing when this has been ongoing for more than 3 years.  To have been doing home inspections and never heard of upcoming licensing, the “inspector” was not likely the member of any Inspection Association (The proposed licensing was regularly “ripped-a-new-one” on most of the forums of the various associations).  They were not likely a Licensed Structural Pest Inspector (Being licensed as an SPI was required to perform home inspections in Washington State prior to current licensing.  Structural Pest Inspectors received notices about upcoming changes in the Home Inspection profession).  They also most likely did not read the papers.  In other words they would have had to have been living under a VERY big log to have not heard about what was coming----and in a way not part of the inspection community at all.

     While I have sympathy for these folks, I have more sympathy for those who did what it took to jump through the various hoops to get themselves licensed.

 

     If you click on this paragraph you will find the bill and its current status.  You will also find links to the sponsors where you can email them directly about this bill.  You can also find links to your own legislators that you can email as well.  Please take a moment to give them your opinion on this matter.

 

Other Important Bills:

Senate Bill 5644 

Senate Bill 6434  

 

Charles Buell

 

                                                        * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Click on the Rose A Group by any other name. to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group

PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)sunsmileall pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.Just quack on me to subscribe

Raven DeCroeDeCroe, is my "ethereal" home inspector assistant and occasionally flies into my blog and other people's blogs to offer assistance. To find out more about her beginnings just click on Raven.

The Human Rights Campaign

Comments

This was my comment to Charlie.  Work for you too?

Posted by Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC) about 1 month ago

I'm a licensed home inspector in Kentucky, I think all states should have some kind of License or regulations for home inspections just like realators.

Posted by James Kiser (Kisers Home Inspections) about 1 month ago

Laws are enacted and people should have to meet the new rules.  I agree that something that has been around for three years (laws never are enacted quickly) should NOT be a surprise, and if it is, shame on you.  Failure to follow what's going on in your industry should be justification enough for not being "grandfathered in." 

Posted by Marcy Eastham (Town & Country Realty Corvallis Oregon) about 1 month ago

Jay,

There are no shortage of whiners out there.

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) about 1 month ago

This blog does not allow anonymous comments