6/19/2008
11:01:24 PM

David to answer you yes you can do inspections even if you are not inline with a certifying body, I have been called in buy all three of the major milss and even some of the smaller mills to do inspections. I have been brought into curt and had to go up against one of the local inspection companys and have never lost to them.
With that being said if I was to go into it as my main source of income I would be like Selva and Ray anhd take every certification I could to inhance my job.

FD

6/20/2008
7:11:51 AM

I was an installer. There will be a time, soon, that you will be a "has been" installer too. Age has it's way of dictating futures.

There are many inspectors whom are has-been installers.

I would suggest you invest the time and money into attending the NOFMA Cert. Training this August. It's in Memphis.
IF you cannot afford it, I understand;;; but that is where you will learn to inspect and write a report. That is the best program.

6/20/2008
2:17:53 PM

Ray there other ways to get your point across like you will get older and your back is not going to hold up, or as you get older things don’t work the same trust me I’m old so I know but you should never call a installer a has been it’s just plan rude that’s like say organizations are for uneducated flooring cleaners or installers that need to be told what to say and do. I’m sure we all know that’s not the case with any organizations. All I’m try to say is comments like that make every one look bad.

6/20/2008
5:24:29 PM

That was rude, but meant to be a description and joke.

So, us old guys have to move on and yes I was a shag/hack. However;;; Stephen forgets we had LOTS of multi-level-loops we installed too.
They call them "berbers" today, but back then we called them "popcorn patterns or Scroll Patterned" multi-level-loop.

6/20/2008
6:13:13 PM

go to fcits, in dalton,
then, the trade associations for your wood and tile,
best buy for your money,
slt

6/20/2008
6:46:14 PM

So, us old guys have to move on and yes I was a shag/hack. However;;; Stephen forgets we had LOTS of multi-level-loops we installed too.
They call them "berbers" today, but back then we called them "popcorn patterns or Scroll Patterned" multi-level-loop.

Your forgetting I am 52 and have been doing floors for over 30 years.

6/20/2008
7:01:00 PM

go to your strength

6/20/2008
7:41:58 PM

Set some goals and formulate a plan, then work towards that end.

If you wanted I am sure those on this board would offer suggestions. "In a multitude of counselors there is much wisdom."

6/20/2008
8:27:02 PM

Darian,
Frankly, if you want to work full time inspecting you do have to inspect all flooring materials.
Start with your strength, as Selva suggests, and grow from there.

Another truth: You learn by doing the inspections. You are fortunate because you have inspectors that will help you and message boards to post photos to obtain input. I started in 1988 and had no such help because there were few inspectors to learn from and no such thing as message boards.
Your problem: Jacksonville.
By that I mean there is very little work up there so you would have to travel Northern Florida and into Georgia to make a living. One inspector living in North Florida travels the entire state.....
Two inspectors quit the business from Jacksonville so now I'll have to cover that area on a monthly basis... QuestInspect has had maybe 4 inspections in that area in the last 4 years.............. IF that tells you anything.

6/20/2008
11:47:00 PM

now now, remember, Ray will be competing with you for work!
I'm not sure you should be asking your future competition for
advice!!!!!!!!!

There is little work in South GA.,,,I know, years ago that was part
of my coverage area,,,,,long drives, little work,,,,

Jacksonville has work I hear, so does the area from Jacksonville
straight west to Al. ,,,heck, you never know, Savannah is not that
far from Jacksonville,,,,

I love Savannah, beautiful old city, way old, I think fourth or fifth
in country in age,,,,

so, don't worry about it, just go to FCITS, pass the course, start
out part time to fill in time, and as time goes by, in just a short
time, you will be putting Ray out of biz! he will be wanting to
move again,,

anyway, do it....