Jack Ahern

They don't recognize the Great State of Maine. Maybe that's a good thing? [8D]

yep. Send me an address. TIJ has saved me more dollars and time. Would be an honor.[:-party]

Good thing my New England skin is thick. Jack[8D]

My father was a licensed master plumber and boasted once that he had a water key. I never saw him use it but I did fetch it once for him from the garage. Around here opening up the water valve in the street is the domain of the town "water and sewer dept." Out in the Boonies, it might be OK to mess with the town water supply. Not me! We still have the key, but won't use it even for relatives. Still slow in my area![:-banghea

Jack Ahern Home Inspection Service Company------has a nice ring to it. What do you do? Who is going to do it? A business decision: not to inspect commercial. not going to grow this business. not training other inspectors. not having employes. not being nice to reel-tours. My son's name is John J.......... Sometimes known as Jack.[8D] Other than my inspectors toys/gadgets, the business is me.[:-party] I like the mag. glass with some drawing in it.....kul! My logo.[:-banghea

Orphaned ski pole. Can double for walking stick when walking snow/ice covered yard.[:-banghea

Know the code! Offer it to the Muni as a recommendation. Boston skul yahrd logic. Pick out the biggest one and apply the "hammer" correctly. Chances are, you may only need to carry it around the rest of the time. Munis whine talk to each other. Realtors whine talk to each other. Know you stuff and protect you turf. Don't ever let them see you blink.[:-banghea[:-banghea

If you plan on staying in this business, you have to decide whether you are the hammer or the nail. Being a reeeeltor's lackey will lead to an early and expensive dismissal from this business. There are a few intelligent, strong lady HIs in my ' hood. It is lonely work. Good luck in N.D. Get educated-take worthwhile advice-join a good national group-listen to your peers. Sift out good info and flush the rest. There are some excellent boards. We are losing some old HIs due to the RE slowdown. Around here it is expensive to operate a HI business.[:-banghea[:-banghea

Bosch works for me. Both in Needham and Bridgton. You have to check the lights to see/hear if its on. Good stuff--not cheap![:-party]

My 2 cents: State of Maine is using the IRC 2003 as a "Building Code". Enforcement is a whole other nightmare. My experience is "the CEO" of the town is very interested in the design and placement of the lot's septic system. Incorrectly done-- could affect your neighbor and public waterways. After that, it is the wild wild west. Anything goes. Most towns in Maine can not afford full time Munis. Most towns have a volunteer Fire Dept. Never to lose a foundation. State Fire Marshall seems to have the biggest guns. Statewide HI group is MeCHIPs. Formed to watch the legislature and to educate the HI industry in Maine. I've heard this many times---"what the hell, it's Maine--whadda you want?" .............Realtors and Builders. There is a big difference between Mass. Conn. RI. - HIs and the Tristate --VT NH ME - HIs. Primarily, Education and Commitment. Fees are different. NH just passed a licensing bill. Huge jurisdictional (barnyard) fight for education (CEUs) supremacy.[:-banghea This is my observation. I attend seminars in both states. I may be inspecting full time in Maine soon. Local inspectors will not approve. I'm "FROM AWAY".

I use strong binoculars to view the roof surface and etc. If I see something that bothers me, I'll pull the 28 footer off the van and go look closer. Never ever climb off of the ladder. You can tell a lot by leaning the ladder on the gutter . Digital pictures are a must. Adjacent windows are good, if available. "Mr. Ahern my roof never leaked until you walked on it" This position polarizes a room full of HIs.[:-banghea Go Pats!

My 2 cents: Go to "inspector rants" on this forum. then to inspector training. Read it over a few times. Some of these guys are pioneers in the industry------------well worth listening to. I wish I knew then what I know now. Would have saved me $ome money and time.[:-banghea[:-banghea

Back in my college years(1967), my finance professor whispered to us "watch Intel". 40 years ago computers were those big things in the basement of the university. Brings to mind "old dog--new tricks" Wish I knew then what I know now. Would not have to listen to Reeeeltors or well meaning parents of my clients. They are all card carrying DIYers and they have Bob Villa on speed dial. Go Pats [:-banghea[:-banghea

My 2 cents: I usually bring my nose and an inquiring mind. When I see a gas installation: 1. Professional installation??? 2. Gas odor?? I do not usually "test" for gas leaks. If you test one connection--you should have tested the entire building?? Is your meter properly calibrated?? Some smart ass lawyer will ask you these kinds of questions. Are you a licensed gas fitter??? and on and on. Refer to the gas company or gas license Your recommendation should range from "call a license to repair" to "Red Tag the system(gas company shut off the system)" You may be making this recommendation from the back yard or the street!! Go Pats! [:-party]

Wouldn't even think about entering a celler or attic without one. Too many close calls.[:-banghea[:-banghea

I just spent about 10( Seminar) hours "going over" the revised - Massachusetts Home Inspectors 266 CMR Regulations and Standards of Practice. It will go into effect around 12/24/07 and will be available on line after the first of the year. My 2 cents!!!: Law protects the consumer--Law protects the licensed, competant, compliant Home Inspector. Written by competant,dedicated Home Inspectors. Tough on new HIs( trainees and associates). Not influenced by the NAR or the GBRE Board. Inspectors who are cosy with the Sellers Brokers will have a short career. Note: Mass. may be the only state where Sellers Brokers (by statute) are not allowed to refer HIs. [8D]

Just ordered some extra Guinness and popcorn. Going to be a good night. It is true that in professional sports any team on any night could surprise you. It is no accident that the Patriots are doing well. Sports watching in the New England area is and has been fun. Sox did well! Patriots are doing well!Celtics are doing well! Brunz? Revs did well![:-party][:-party] Go Pats!

Happy Thanksgiving to all the HIs out there. Please remember the members of our Armed Services on this Special Day and every other day.[:-party]

This ASHI inspector will not recommend a contractor unless he/she has worked in my house. I usually give these contractors a key to all my doors. My plumber and electrician can expect about a dozen referral$ a year. I will not accept any finders fee for the above. I could even share my Guinness with them.[8D]

Stole most of ERBY's words regarding "grandfathering". I put a New England Spin on his thoughts. I inspect a lot of older houses 1850----- new. I include it on the second page of my report. Saves a lot of questions.[:-banghea

New sewer system installed at my neighborhood in 1958. Abandoned the cess pools and connected to the street in 1958. Helped my elderly neighbor one day cut his grass. Stepped thru a rotted covered wood cover into a dry cess pool. Should have been filled back then!!--is now!. Any thing can happen around a house or in a crawl space. Great story for my new neighbors. Tough being the "old guy" in a neighborhood.[:-banghea

Cargo shorts and/or pants, Duluth Trading vest(looks like a fishing vest),Mag ring and I'm good to go. Job boss tool bucket for the other stuff. Keep the ladders,long termite sticker,water testing rig,hose, and extra radon kits in the van. I think it is important to have, close at hand, the technical meters/probes/etc. just in case you, the inspector, need a more specific reading. It scares the stuff out of RE people and civilians if you pull out the expensive "must have HI toys" as you are rolling thru the house. Works for me.[:-banghea

Bob has given the "deck seminar" at the NE chapter of ASHI. I think he gave it at the ASHI National Conference. If he gives it in your neighborhood, pay the fee and drive the miles. It is worth it!! He has great slides and very understandable dialog. He speaks HOUSE and he speaks to home inspectors. Go Sox

This inspector boy works for his client-usually the buyer. I e-mail and/or snail mail one(1) copy of the report for the clients eyes only. If he or she decides to publish it, that's his or her decision. My reports can be defended. [:-banghea

Red sox then the Pats then the Celtics. Its going to be a fun fall and winter for the fans. I'm going to be watching the Saints--Needham has a favorite son playing![:-party] HI business is slow.