One of the most difficult things home inspectors have to try to fit in is continuing education. I like to do 30 hours a year, or more. But, it is time consuming and can be expensive traveling all over the country. There are classes on line, but they are not so good, and the topics are old hat and ones I have had before.
It is important to learn new things. There are so many new products, techniques and practices out there. It really is impossible to keep up with it all.
I was contacted a couple of months ago by Simpson Strong Tie about a continuing ed class they offered in Baltimore. But I was going to Atlantic City for the Rain Camp and could not do it. When they contacted me again about another one just down the road from my house I had to jump on it! It was yesterday, offered in Fairfax VA.
Simpson produces structural attachments, fasteners, hangers, anchors, epoxies, braces, nails, well, you name it! You have all seen their stuff!
They are very proud of their product line, including thousands of offerings.
The class was interesting, including all of their new products. And they do it no charge to the attendees.
But I was particularly interested in wind and earthquake effects on construction, and also corrosion.
The class was full of engineers, with about sixty people attending.
All power point, with interesting videos showing proper framing, deck supporting, wind and earthquake effects on construction and corrosion.
I learned a lot! It is amazing how well a house can be protected from wind and even earthquake with just a couple hundred dollars of fasteners and hangers, put in the right places, creating a "continuous path" from roof to foundation, and installed properly!
I was impressed, with these facts and their presentation.
And they fed us a great lunch! This is the class shuffling back in after the lunch break.
For those who answered questions first, they had a few hats. And I got one!
It was acquired immediately!
Simpson Strong Tie does these continuing ed classes all over the country. This class was good for 7 hours, accepted by everybody.
I highly recommend them for home inspectors.
My recommendation: since we all have to take these kinds of classes, it may as well be in something we don't know or something new! To me that is more enjoyable than the same old, same old just to get hours into the tank.
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Life is continuing education and lots of circles, coming back to reinventing the old knowledge we carry around. Thanks for sharing info about the company, product line with the rest of us here around the Active Rain blogging campus.
Jay, That's what I love about reading the blogs here. ALWAYS something new if we're looking!
It's an important part of the business experience Andrew.
Bliz - too true! I learn a lot on AR.
Jay, I never thought of that for continuing ed. I just looked up their website and they have online courses as well, so free training for my employees!
Thanks!
They are very interested in getting info out there Jeremy. And at the same time, people like you and me will be recommending their products, which are excellent by the way.
They have a couple of courses on deck building. Can't be bad to take them!
Jay, CE is the best way to stay on top of your field. This course sounds like something even agents could benefit from.
Jay hats off to you ( had to) for looking at the continuing ed as more than just hours. We all need to learn more to stay ahead of the rest and to keep our minds ticking
Enjoy the day
Jay, thanks for that tip as well. Deck building is an area we have stayed out of so far because of lack of knowledge, so that may help move us there in the future.
That's a great resource for us all. I'd like to see what's going to be in my neighbourhood. Thanks to Jeremy's comment I'll be checking what's on offer on line as well.
See you in Phoenix! Finally a major ASHI event a little closer to California....
Jay...I wished you lived on The Jersey Shore...I'd recommend you to all my clients!
Jay - We can always learn more about our business, especially with the pace of changes taking place today. I haven't attended a Simpson class, but I have spoken with their engineers on occasion. They have some great products.
Jay in your profession, as in mine, continual education and learning about new trends and advances is important if we are to offer the service our clients require... I would love to learn about new technology and advancements in fastening technology.
We are looking at these "hours" the same way. I want them to be interesting and effective. I refuse to do education hours for doing them. I have to come out of it with something more. This sounds like a great one. I am also looking forward to read your future blogs on the earthquake new knowledge!
My ASHI chapter meeting in July will have Simpson Strong Tie presenting a seminar. There is a rep in my area who gives seminars regularly. I have probably been to a half dozen in the last 8 or 10 years. Like you say good education.
Probably Leah! That way if you walk out onto a deck, you can tell if it's hung and fastened properly!
Well, thanks Don. It is more than hours, isn't it?
Jeremy - maybe not necessarily building decks, but you could certainly understand from the seminars about how to properly repair a broken one. There's a lot to learn in the training.
Robert - looks like they do. They have a regional office in Ontario. Here is where to find if there are workshops near you:
http://www.strongtie.com/workshops/workshops.asp?site=sst
Good to hear from you Will! I haven't been to Phoenix in a few years, but I do get there!
Thank you Karl! As a kid, I used to go to Princeton every summer to visit my aunt and uncle. Does that count?
John - this group there yesterday were very impressive. And they know their products!
Check them out Chris! You might try the link I gave to Robert above:
http://www.strongtie.com/workshops/workshops.asp?site=sst
Lydie - then, of course, the end of the year sneaks up and you need something fast! It isn't so much new knowledge, as it is framing techniques which use various fasteners and braces to create what they call a "continuous path" from roof to foundation. Doing so really holds things together better to withstand shaking and pressure from wind.
Jim - I plan to do more in the future, even if only on line. They are a very informative organization. I am sure your group would/could/should benefit.
There, the woulda, coulda, shoulda actually works... for once.
Yes I believe this is a good thing to do for Home Inspectors, as well as anyone else who is out there practicing a profession, whatever it may be.
Patricia/Seacoast NH & ME
I agree Patricia, and why not have some fun doing it!
Jay - Can't agree more with you. CE is an all important facet of our lives if we want to stay on top of our industry... In fact I'm always learning something new at every inspection I do. I love to follow around the inspector to see the results of what he/she finds... It's always an adventure...
Thanks L&R. I concur. Also about following around the inspector - it should be an educational experience for all, including the inspector!
Hey Jay, I attended a four-hour class put on by Simpson a few years ago, and I agree, that was a fantastic class. I learned that pretty much every single deck gets gets constructed wrong.
You bet Señor Reuben. Usually the connectors, like carriage bolts, and hanger applications which are used and done improperly.
Wow, impressive they get out to the hinterlands!
"It was acquired immediately!"
Funny, and funny pic also! :)
Great info, it is amazing how $100 worth of better placed bolts etc could make the difference in whether a home stands tall or is wiped out. Hope the knowledge gets put into practice.
Jay, I am a firm believer in continuing education as well. In order to be the best in your field, you must continue learning. It's a never ending cycle.
I have always taken advanatage of as much continuing education as I can and think that it's definitely better to make that time count and learn something new than waste your money just to get the hours. We will never know it all!
As a home inspector it is difficult to not fall into a pattern of expectations about what you might find in certain properties or after viewing certain conditions. Continuing education can serve to present new things but also remind us to not get caught in the rut of canned comments.
With out entering into any debate about the various Home Inspector associations and their relative merits I would say one of them offers a ton of free continuing education which I find of decent if not superior quality. Being free really helps motivation.
Yes .. I agree continuing education for ant profession is important. I am also a CPA and I have to do 40 hours per year plus the 15 hours every two years for a real estate agent. Time is hard to find to do the CPE.. Thanks for the blog
Yeah, Joe. I bring stuff like that home and it doesn't even get a chance to be set down on something!
Lyn - there were NO builders at this training, but lots of engineers. Hopefully the engineers are including that sort of thing into their specs!
I agree Ray. I have a quote in my office by Michelangelo, said when he was 87 (he died at 93), "I am still learning." Great quote. I have seen his resume!
Great philosphy Sylvie! I concur, completely. And might as well have some fun while doing it!
I agree with that too Marshall. And I take a lot of that on line stuff to which you refer!
You are a busy man Bob! With lots of continuing ed! Keep on keeping on!
The way technology and best practices keep evolving, people who don't embrace continuing education are really missing out. (And so are their clients!)
Frankly Marte, nobody can keep up with it all. Even online!
It can be hard to make the time for continuing education but it is well worth it and fun to learn new information!
Patricia - time is the hard part in trying to factor the benefit of the deal. The education should be fun!
Jay,
I have been doing some of their on-line classes. Very good information there also.
Great Don. I was really impressed with their presentation and depth of information.
Jay - they just had a rep at our Home Depot! I think they are trying to make is somewhat a regular workshop.
Robert - and it would be wise for homeowners to go! I had a very educational experience at the workshop.
I think with any proffession it is important to keep educated in your field. Glad to see you are up on it and advising others.
Agreed Gene! I try to do as much as I can find time for! I think it is very important.