6/18/2008
9:07:54 PM 

I'm thinking about becoming an inspector.

Let me say this first of all, I already know I don't know it all. With that said I personally have a need to keep my mind occupied. I think every one knows a little bit about my situation by now and can understand my need to keep my mind occupied. So let's start here and see were this goes.

Were would you start at if you had it to do all over again?

What about the different organizations is one better than the other?

What are the good points of doing inspection work and the bad points of this?

Is there any books that you would recommend?

I have a lot of question still to come.

6/19/2008
12:06:16 AM 

Hardest part for me is getting the retailer and installer to meet me at the job.

They are always too busy.

6/19/2008
10:37:54 AM 

You can just report what you see, fill out a pre-form that slants
towards protecting manufacturers with some services, other
services forms are just blocks to fill in the facts,,,,

try to develop an understanding of the products, how they
perform, how they are to be installed, and what happens to
them when exposed to normal and non normal site conditions.
Try to learn what is normal site conditions vs what may be
written as normal site conditions.

Non of this is rocket science. For example, if required to do a
formula, remember, a formula is just instructions,,,all you do is
plug in the numbers. Don't let it frighten you. They use to scare
the heck out of me but I learn, I can do it. So, if I can, so can
you. Get the formula, do for yourself a few times the examples
they give you, then, use different numbers, I only change them
one up or one down, and then, wham! bam! Bang! and dang it,
there you are, doing them!

But, always remember, everyone makes mistakes and you
will...but, your mistakes as an inspector will directly affect the
well being, safety and lives of people who depend upon you for
the truth. If you make a mistake, do not be afraid to admit it,
and move on. People forgive and forget mistakes if admitted
openly and honestly, but, people remember the negative of
people trying to hide, or lie their way out of mistakes. DON"T DO
THAT! I admit every year mistakes, sometimes it feels like every
month, just be open and truthful and you will be fine.

Last, never be afraid to "call it" against the commissioning party.
Many inspectors think it is their job to "protect" the person or
company that hired them,,not true. Report the facts and let the
cow chips fall where they may.

6/19/2008
11:25:07 AM 

Selva stated:
You can just report what you see, fill out a pre-form that slants towards protecting manufacturers with some services, other services forms are just blocks to fill in the facts,,,,
----------------------------------------------

What forms are slanted toward the manufacturer?
Who has these "slanted forms"?.
Please put up a copy of one of these slanted forms.

6/19/2008
12:06:21 PM 

Ray that is a great ideal, I would like to know what forms everyone is using and maybe what you like and dislike about them.

6/19/2008
1:46:39 PM 

Just be prepared, Darian. Many in the installation community will instantly distrust you. Fair or not, they believe inspectors are out to burn them.

6/19/2008
2:46:44 PM 

Not all inspectors write the reports. They have the wife write them as some don't type.

Destructive Testing:
1. In performing inspections for end users, I'm given permission to lift the floor or do destructive testing as required. I ask for permission to lift the floor explaining that I ain't gonna put it back. I do this testing in a non-use area.
OR:::::::::::;
I have an installer lift the floor for me then he re-installs so there is not tripping hazard.

2. Manufacturer/Warranty/service or others:
I do not destructive testing.
I will give the dealer the option to have an installer on site to lift and re-place the flooring materials.

Inspection Forms:
1. All inspectors use a layout of some kind that either they design or somebody else designed. They are not CHECK BOX forms.
2. www.FloorReports.com is an Online Report and business Management Center which has 6 forms to choose from. Which form depends on what you are doing and who you are doing it for. This site also has Manufacturers using it as their claims assignment center. Site has over 40 companies using it.
3. QuestInspect.com is a National Service that has forms for the inspector to fill out. Each product has a different form with Text Boxes as each product requires different required information.
4. Forms that favor the manufacturer. THis I've never seen. I've seen forms that require information such as size, end joint spacing, site description (guttering, gradient, ect) which forces the Inspector to do his job.

Installers not trusing you.
Good installers will have no problem with inspectors. Good retailers who want to know what is really wrong with an installation will have no problem with inspectors.
If the inspector goes out with the intent of searching for the problem and reports what he sees and tests for, ,,, there are no problems being an inspector.

Who has problems with inspectors?
1. Retailers who do not want to accept responsibility.
2. Installers who do not want to accept responsibility.
3. Retailers/Installers who have fallen victim to unqualified inspectors, or non-certified inspectors.

When does an inspector cause trouble?
When he writes a "Fantasy conclusion".... Too many inspectors don't know the cause of failure so they write a fictional book in an attempt to write a conclusion.
RULE #1:;:: If you don't know what caused the failure;; that is o.k. Just write down and photograph what you see and that is the report !!
- Somebody somewhere will recognize the problem you described and photograph.

Inspecting is easy. It really is easy. All you have to do is open your eyes, write down a detailed description of what you see. Know what tests to perform and write down the results.
That is all there is to it.

6/19/2008
4:53:00 PM 

I'd like to throw out this question for discussion.

Can a competent, experienced, and well respected inspector survive in the business without certification? Perhaps this individual makes a conscious and deliberate choice to not be affiliated with any certification body.

Can he/she get by on simply a good reputation?

6/19/2008
7:35:56 PM 

Perhaps this individual makes a conscious and deliberate choice to not be affiliated with any certification body.
Perhaps this individual makes a conscious and deliberate choice to not be affiliated with any certification body.


Good question David, Ray is a bit biased though so his answer does not count.

You see, many of these inspectors have never ever installed anything but maybe some shag carpet back in the 70's. They have no idea what it takes to install wood or other products because they never have. They go by a book they read and pictures they have seem in class. They also only know what the instructors have told them, and many of them have never installed anything on a floor either. I bet they do not and cannot even install their own flooring! lol

A better question would be: Can any certified Inspector be truly qualified to inspect products they have never laid a hand on in their life and never installed any. So how could they be able to understand the mechanics of installation?

Sure you may be able to understand the science, but science is not everything.

6/19/2008
10:42:43 PM 

Ray,
I was not talking about you, or your service. I understand your
form is just facts, as I said.
I have seen samples of others sent to me that seem to be
slanted, slightly.
I said, some are slanted and some are just facts.
and no, I will not respond further or post any form without
permission of the owner. Closed.

David, yes, some mills use people who are not certified by the
two main certifying schools.

Now, a judge in a civil case will, Ray will know the correct term,
the judge will rule or judge a person testifying as an expert
witness based upon his knowledge and years of experience.

so, someone can inspect and have his reports or findings
accepted as an expert witness.

I have seen installers in court cases give expert testimony after
the judge listen to their qualifications,

but, Ray is right, to do it full time, one should be certified, sure
does make it easier....