Changes On The Way

There are some changes on the horizon for home inspectors in Georgia. Senate Bill 334 has just passed and, it is going to require state licensing for home inspectors. I am always partial to having the government involved only when they need to be. There have been some issues that have come to pass that this bill will help resolve but, I believe the consumers did not need the government in order to make their own, educated choices. The most important component of this bill is going to be the requirement of passing a minimum exam to get your license as a home inspector. However, there are already organizations in place to make sure the educated consumer is protected.
Under the current law, there are no licensing requirements for home inspectors. Which creates a buyer beware environment for those people shopping for a home inspection. If a buyer is wise they do their homework in advance and, they know that there are several national and state organizations already in place which, if an inspector chooses to align him or herself with them, require some basic standards from it’s members. For example, American Society for Home Inspectors, ASHI, requires that members pass an exam, complete continuing education classes, and have adequate insurance coverage. With no state regulation, the home inspection industry in Georgia has become divided. There are inspectors that become members of some organization such as ASHI to provide their customers with some reassurance and those that have not. Here at Home-Probe, Inc., we require all our inspectors to meet the requirements of ASHI. It does take more time, effort and money to meet their standards but, we’ve come to understand that the customers want peace of mind and to know their inspector is trained and educated. Some of our competitors have been folks that are in this business to earn “a little spending money”. And although these people may make great inspectors and have their client’s best interest at heart there is no hard evidence of that for the customers to rest upon. Then there are always a few bad apples that may one day pick up a flashlight and decide to begin doing home inspections with no insurance, no prior experience, and limited knowledge of the trade. If a customer is unaware and uneducated they are definitely taking a risk just by choosing a home inspector and price is usually the deciding factor.
The law currently being passed by the Georgia Legislature is going to try to take some of the risk out of shopping for a home inspection. A board is being organized which will basically mimic these already existing national and state organizations. Everyone acting as a home inspector will be required to obtain a license through the board. The licensing requirements are going to include minimum insurance coverage and the passing score on an exam. The effects of this new law on the industry can only be speculated at this point. It may drive several good inspectors, who serve customers in their spare time to earn, “a little spending money” to hang up their hats and get out of the game completely. It may allow some of the bad inspectors to pass minimum requirements and be able to claim “licensed” and provide false security to their customers. It may unify the industry and provide the protection and reassurance that customers really want. Right now, it is wait and see and hope for the best.