The great association debate: ASHI versus InterNACHI - one, the other, or both?

My own observations of the membership of different associations on different message boards (by no means speaks for all) is that InterNACHI members do not seem to have issues with the other guys. But boy, do the other guys have issues with InterNACHI. Me thinks I do detect the thick stench of jealousy in the air.

Nathan wrote:

scotbaker wrote:Does anyone have a vendor list from last years ASHI event? Interested in how many and who.

Everybody. They'll all be there again- it's the largest event in the industry.

Who is everyone? Looking for an old vendor list anyone?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 10/26/2015 01:56 AM EDT

To me its gotten very embarrassing. ASHI was formed in 1976 ........... I looked at it in 1983 but did not join till late 1985. My member number was #1038 (they had about 340 members and the rest were ... interns, technical nominee's, associates, etc ..... We had 5 levels of membership back then). Senior Members were required to produce 1,000 actual home inspections AND the old boys had you drag in the boxes SO they could actually count them.

Much of ASHI's original membership came from the upper NE ........ Union land. Quite a few of the originals were engineers, architects, builders, etc . They had a STRONG attitude that has carried on for decades. As an almost 30 year member, I often meet new OR old ASHI inspectors that I would not let inspect a pole barn ............... let alone someones house, but they chant the party line and try hard to convince anyone that listens that .......... IF you're not ASHI, you're not qualified to spit on the sidewalk. Sometimes they even convince themselves of that.

Having said this ....................... I've met a lot of dedicated members over the years. Been President of 2 differents states ASHI Chapters ... Served on their national BoD 3 times in 20 years; been PR Director of their largest Chapter (Great Lakes); taught local and national seminars for NACHI, ASHI and NAHI.

Each one has strong points and weak spots BUT if you were a newbie looking for answers ......... the NACHI forum beats everybody hands down.

InterNACHI has definitely capitalized on a great internet presence.

Tried Nachi for 2 years - the message board is the worst thing I've ever encountered.

Looked at ASHI but frankly did not see any benefit in joining. Had a local County Grant Agency try to tell me I couldn't inspect a home it was funding because I was not an ASHI member and I proceeded to advise them where they were wrong as ASHI is not a credentialing/licensing agency. They backed off quick.

I don't have anything really against either group (other than that Nachi msg board), I see it more as a social network than anything but I would rather spend my time/money on real training courses and marketing which doesn't make me look identical to every other inspector.

Tried Nachi for 2 years - the message board is the worst thing I've ever encountered.

Understatement of the year

The NACHI message board is by and large neutral. But there are several people who drag it down regularly. The best thing to do is put five or six people on your ignore list and then proceed to enjoy the silence while getting your questions answered by the responsible and civil members.

I think both have a positive impact on the Inspector and the Home Inspection Industry. I currently belong to InterNACHI because I really enjoy their inspector oriented training and support services. ASHI seems to be more out of reach in a lot of ways and far more expensive regarding services and materials offered. I do like that ASHI is a long standing and foundational landmark in the home inspection business, but it is not unusual to hear from others in the home inspection industry the feeling that it's a good ol' boys club. InterNACHI has begun to promote (encourage) its members to establish local chapters to match ASHI regarding the face time you refer to which many in the home inspection industry do find important. I believe an exceedingly more important thing is that both are associations with clearly defined standards of practice for the home inspector that exceed the minimum required standards for the home inspection industry. So, in the future I plan on belonging to both.

So far in my short career I have to say I belong to ASHI, but I'm not sure that means a whole lot to clients that just want to know if your qualified. But I have found ASHI website to be a bit cumbersome, InterNACHI on the other hand seems much more user friendly.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 12/02/2016 04:20 PM EST

I looked at both ASHI and NACHI when I joined. I chose InterNACHI.

ASHI had industry presence on their side. You can pick up almost any real estate book and see ASHI recommendations somewhere in there. You will not largely find this with NACHI.
Local chapters ASHI wins hands down. The best way to find a NACHI chapter is to start your own, and hope others join it.

NACHI does not have the levels of membership that ASHI had. Most clients don;t even know what level their ASHI inspector is. I wanted a concise statement I am a Certified Professional Inspector.
NACHI educational resources. Loads of education and all for free to the membership.
Loads of benifits. Although agreeable that 80% is fluff.

Nathan stated that ASHI members wear the pride of ASHI and the logos. They rally to support ASHI, including the logos on their work shirts, jackets, business cards. ect.
NACHI members do not largely due this.
Here is my two cents as to why there is a difference in this level of ownership in the association.

As I stated you can pick up almost any real estate book - how to guide. yadda yadda yadda. ASHI is praised in this material ASHI promotes to the public the importance of ASHI Inspectors. Therefore there is a valid return on investment to the inspector to advertise their affiliation.

InterNACHI largely refuses to advertise InterNACHI. Therefore there is little to no return on investment for an InterNACHI inspector promoting InterNACHI.

InterNACHI members have asked numerous times for national promotion of the association and brand. Numerous times have been told InterNACHI would rather promote the inspector than the association.

If your not an ASHI member or belong to Natchi can you still go to the national conference?

Nrnason70 wrote:If your not an ASHI member or belong to Natchi can you still go to the national conference?

Neither actually had a conference. The largest in the industry is http://www.InspectionSuperConference.com

JHarrison wrote:I looked at both ASHI and NACHI when I joined. I chose InterNACHI.

ASHI had industry presence on their side. You can pick up almost any real estate book and see ASHI recommendations somewhere in there. You will not largely find this with NACHI.
Local chapters ASHI wins hands down. The best way to find a NACHI chapter is to start your own, and hope others join it.

NACHI does not have the levels of membership that ASHI had. Most clients don;t even know what level their ASHI inspector is. I wanted a concise statement I am a Certified Professional Inspector.
NACHI educational resources. Loads of education and all for free to the membership.
Loads of benifits. Although agreeable that 80% is fluff.

Nathan stated that ASHI members wear the pride of ASHI and the logos. They rally to support ASHI, including the logos on their work shirts, jackets, business cards. ect.
NACHI members do not largely due this.
Here is my two cents as to why there is a difference in this level of ownership in the association.

As I stated you can pick up almost any real estate book - how to guide. yadda yadda yadda. ASHI is praised in this material ASHI promotes to the public the importance of ASHI Inspectors. Therefore there is a valid return on investment to the inspector to advertise their affiliation.

InterNACHI largely refuses to advertise InterNACHI. Therefore there is little to no return on investment for an InterNACHI inspector promoting InterNACHI.

InterNACHI members have asked numerous times for national promotion of the association and brand. Numerous times have been told InterNACHI would rather promote the inspector than the association.

False. Read their “Now that you’ve had a home inspection”. Nothing but links to InterNACHI.