Paul King is proud to be a member of ASHI, American Society
of Home Inspectors.
The American Society of Home Inspectors®, founded in 1976,
is the oldest, largest and most respected international professional organization of independent home inspectors in North
America. ASHI’s Standards of Practice and Strict code of Ethics are benchmarks
of professional performance in the field.
To become a member of ASHI, an inspector must meet rigorous
professional and technical requirements, including the successful completion of two comprehensive exams. In addition, he or she must perform at least 250 fee-paid home inspections that meet or exceed the ASHI
Standards of Practice.
Once admitted to ASHI, inspectors must comply with the society’s
Bylaws and code of Ethics, including a requirement to obtain 20 continuing education credits every year. Members are not allowed to actively engage in real estate sales of have a professional interest in the
sale or maintenance of any property they inspect.
Real Estate professionals
and government housing officials recommend that all home buyers have their prospective property examined by an independent
home inspector before the final purchase commitment. These experts recognize
ASHI Membership is assurance of an inspector’s competence and professionalism.
Simply meeting ASHI standards and being an ASHI member are
totally different criteria. If a North Carolina and/or South Carolina licensed
inspector claims to meet ASHI standards all they are really saying is that they are meeting the state licensing board requirements.
Becoming an ASHI member requires:
·
ASHI member home inspectors must pass 2 different rigorous exams that are not required by the state licensing boards.
·
ASHI member home inspectors have performed hundreds of inspections that meet or exceed ASHI standards so he/ she is
a seasoned professional.
·
ASHI member home inspectors must obtain a minimum of 20 hours of ASHI approved continuing education every year (North
Carolina requires 12 hours of continuing education every year and South Carolina has no continuing education requirements).
·
ASHI Member home inspectors are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and bylaws that ensures honesty, integrity,
and the avoidance of any conflicts of interest.
·
ASHI membership entails a large monetary commitment and a tremendous time commitment; something most all part-time
inspectors and no serious home inspectors are willing to undertake.
There are several other national and local well intentioned
home inspection associations but ASHI is the only association I know of that requires proof of actual inspection experience
prior to admitting one as a “member” or listed an inspector as “certified”. Be an intelligent home buyer and do not settle for anything less than an ASHI member home inspector.
