What is Reddit's opinion of Black & Decker Codes for Homeowners 4th Edition: Current with 2018-2021 Codes - Electrical • Plumbing • Construction • Mechanical (Black & Decker Complete Guide)?
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Black & Decker Codes for Homeowners 4th Edition: Current with 2018-2021 Codes - Electrical • Plumbing • Construction • Mechanical (Black & Decker Complete Guide)

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NB: This is from a US perspective.

Start with your city/township/county website. Or put “building permit” and your location in Google. This will get you the steps to get a permit, not anything about code.

If you’re contemplating electrical you should check with the permit office first as some jurisdictions allow homeowners to do plumbing and electrical work, but others require a licensed professional.

For code, your local library likely has a number of books with a DIY slant to doing home repairs and construction. I’d start there as a reference. You’re unlikely to get much useful out of a technical manual like the NEC. Black&Decker has a decent book that walks through something like the UBC and NEC that might also interest you

Tx Inspector Here:

I passed everything the first time.

>compu cram -

This is a joke. Save your money. NONE of the questions you on compucram will prepare you for the NHIE, much less the state portion.

>Principles of Home Inspection Systems and Standards

Read the whole thing, cover to cover, twice. Don't do the questions until you read it through the second time. When I took the course, they just told us certain paragraphs to read - BS - read the whole book.

Next, buy this book. Its the "cliffnotes" to the IRC.

You know those flashcards they gave you? Start on them today - at least 15. Memorize them all.

Then, go through all the Champions books, Every Single One on Every Single Page. Those books are handing you the state portion of the exam. By doing each book twice, you'll have it down.

IRC - that big binder they gave you - read it. I know, "but we're not code inspectors". Ok, the test is 100% from the IRC, so if we're not code inspectors, they why read the International Residential Code, and the have to take a test on it.....

This is not hard, but time consuming. Its not comprehension, its memorization. You need to just know the tolerances, spacing, temps, don't worry about understanding or you'll never catch up.

Here's some real numbers for Tx:

75% of your class will never pass the test, not because of difficulty but they just won't study.
$30k is your average first year salary
90% of inspectors in your class who do pass the test, will quit within the first year due to financial issues.
The most successful inspectors have a second income when they start to offset the initial loss of no steady business.

>just criticize the work that others do

Uh yeah, thats what inspectors are for. I'm guessing you've never spent a day in an actual room where real decisions were made...

anyway, watch youtube all day. this book prob takes 4 hours to read and I've never seen a single youtube video cover 1/4 of the material. And I sit on my ass and watch a lot of bad youtubers do DIY, its how i do research to keep an eye out what to look for.

Pictures in this book do a good job of explaining what you can drill or notch amd where:

Black & Decker Codes for Homeowners https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Codes-Homeowners-4th/dp/0760362513

I'm not a structural engineer.

since you said montana first, i'll use that as an example. code is different everywhere, but most of it is the same. it's really easy to find code on the internet. here's montana. the building, residential, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical will be the ones you're interested in. there's obviously a ton, but you don't need to know everything. just pick one topic at a time and browse through that section. they're easy to navigate.

if you're completely unfamiliar, two books i have that i just kinda like to browse and are nice toilet reading are this and this. the black and decker code book is totally legit and an awesome reference to have as a homeowner. very high quality images and whatnot. the housebuilding book is more of a primer to the whole building process, you'll have to supplement it with the actual code.

Save your money.

So there are 3 things I highly recommend for anybody. They all helped me volumes when it came to the NHIE. I passed it first time - less than 30 minutes. I didn't know the answer to 2 questions. The NHIE comes directly from the IRC.

Black and Decker:Codes for Homeowners - This is a cliffnotes version of the IRC
IRC Flash Cards - If you don't know all of these, you won't pass. These are pulled directly from the test
IRC - Every question you will get is in this book. Theres a repeating pattern of information throughout most chapters, if you can identify the repeating information you will have no problem.

This multiple test attempts only shows me that you weren't trained properly. These "schools" and "websites" make their money on you buying their services, not on you passing. Why waste your money on things like Quizlet or other services when you can pass the test first time by studying the actual material?

>Im also currently renovating my home and have acquired a ton of knowledge

You're gonna hate how much you now realize you did wrong. Black and Deckers: Codes for Homeowners writes a "cliff notes" version of the IRC. I recommend everybody read this as part of their study criteria. Take a look and see if it makes sense. BTW, r/homeimprovement is full of just wrong information - just cause you own a home doens't mean squat when it comes to reading a code book.

> AHIT to get certified

Champions School of Real Estate - everything else is 2nd best. THey literally teach you the test.

>How much do full time home inspectors make a year?

My first year I made about $20k after expenses.

>Anybody do Inspections as a side hustle? How much do you make?

Unless you're retired, the agents I work with stay away from "part timers". Their reasoning is you're "not good enough" to do it full time.

>How long does a typical inspection take?

I've found this is completely dependant on your software. My former boss used Whisper and had an amazing comment package. The system was literally click a photo, click a comment, and go. I can do a 2 hour inspection no problem on a standard 3/2. With Home Inspector Pro and Spectora the inspections were about 2-3 hours with another hour of editing. Whisper is also about $2k.

Last year I pulled about $50k before taxes, but I pick and choose who I work for. My boss does 15-20 inspections a week and owns the company, has one hell of a 30+ year reputation and clears 6 figures. He also works 8am-7pm six days a week.

>Do very many inspections take place on weekends?

Just depends, most of mine happen during the week, but I also do Sat/Sunday inspections.

>Is it better to work independently, or with a company?

The school will tell you to go work for yourself, but 2 hits on your E&O policy and you will be out of the business. Working under someone gives you a buffer until you get your feet properly soaked.

>How much does EO insurance cost you?

$1200/year. Be careful, the out of state companies will try and sell you a $500k policy, but we require a 1,000,000 policy so it won't count. I buy from a company out of DFW.

>Should i look into getting a niche inspection cert like mold?

No, Tx got rid of the "mold" inspections years ago. Now, its an entire different entity. You will have training that you can't legally write "mold" in Texas as the state says you have not been properly trained to idenfity specifically what is mold and what is something else. Better to identify it and just call a 2nd inspector for your own liability. My former boss did mold for years back in the early 2000's and stopped due to the regulations and how complicated it became.

>Is the juice worth the squeeze?

Not really. My wife and I are engineers, she got a huge promotion and I got sidelined so I started inspecting. Took about $7k to get started, plus 6 months of studying (I literally read the IRC 3 times, passed every test first time, and can run circles around most other inspectors). IMHO, unless you're gonna go full time and dedicate the time it needs, you won't see a return for years. Also, all inspection work is 10999 - so you owe the government 33% of everything you make.

If you work for someone else you might not make more than 40% for the first year or two. If you already know houses, if you know construction or engineering it super helps, but not necessary. Just keep in mind you're competing against guys like me who literally help write engineering standards in the oil and gas business, so we speak code. All it takes is a few bad inspections and nobody will call you.

My $0.02 - we're not code inspectors, everybody will tell you this. If you don't know the IRC, you won't last in Tx. We have arguably the most extensive education and insurance requirements around. Roughly 25 states don't even require you to take the National Test. Most will tell you to "just use internachi", but its a super watered down generic set of guidelines that is no where close to how extensive Tx is. Just look at their contiuning education classes and you'll see very few work for our state, as TREC says they don't meet the minimum education requirements.

My mom was a teacher, call your local state representative and ask for more pay - we shouldn't be living in a world where teachers need side income.

Can't recommend this book enough. By far the best "cliff notes" I found. I recommend this to everybody - agents, other inspectors, and homeowners.

Flashcards - make sure you get the correct year.

IRC - "but we're not code inspectors" - correct. However, the test is 100% written from this book. Why buy a study guide, when you can just read the actual book.

Since you've already taken the test, you'll know what you need to study and whats fluff when you see it. Good luck.

> what I mean by that is DIY Jerry rig everything

Perfect. You'll already know what to look for once you get up to speed.

>What advice would you have for someone pursuing this career field?

Each state is different. Doing some quick googling Oregon requires the National Home Inspectors Exam. Need to look up the rest of your state requirements as far as school, background checks, approvals, etc.

>How should I approach getting my feet wet?

Call around to some local inspection outfits and just start asking questions. Tell them you're interested - most inspectors are nice people and like to talk, we took a lot of time studying for that test so we got lots to talk about too.

Since your state is a NHIE state (close to 1/2 the states aren't, so be leary who you take advice from online) which means you gotta take the National Test. This is not a hard test, but it covers a ton of material and requires some studying. If you've done aircraft you probably understand references and lots of reading books and procedures for proper order and process - good, the IRC is boring AF.

This book is your cliff notes. I highly recommending buying it today and read it. If you understand this, you'll have no issues with the rest of the material.

Here is the text book - its not for code, its for understanding how things are done, the materials used, and how systems should be in ideal situations. Read this twice.

Buy these flash cards - you need to know all of this by heart. These flash cards will be on the test.

Finally, you need the IRC. You need to find out which version you are testing on. I tested on 2012, so a little different that you material wise. The concept is still the same. Read the book cover to cover 3x. If you've done aircraft and DIY home construction, you'll have an easier time seeing the "fluff" that the IRC is full of in regards to the engineering and design of homes. You just need to know the actual rules behind it.

Tons of people are gonna say "you're not a code inspector" - ok, but the NHIE is written 100% from the IRC.

I am not a fan of InterNACHI, but it works in lieu of not much else. My state doesn't recognize their stuff, and I can only count a few CE courses. However, they do provide some decent material. I'd suggest going through it all - then decide whether you keep them. They will not help you prepare for the test so much they just help bridge a cap of the information and give some direction.

Hope that helps. If after the end of reading some of this material you have a sudden life realization that all the work you've done in the past was wrong or incorrect in some way - its working.

>It has a 54% failure rate.

In Texas we take 2 tests and have to do a good deal of schooling. We even track success and failure rates in the state.

>I don’t see how anyone passes the test just by doing the “schooling”

So here's where I despise this industry. Its not schooling, your not learning anything - they hand you materials and expect you to pass.

>How many of you feel that the schools, while quite informative, leave a lot of information out?

I have a bachelors degree (brick and mortar teachers college) and a trade degree, along with my multiple state licenses. The schools in no way prepare you for anything. To call them a school is embarrassing, and no wonder the US has an issue with higher education with going to some of the scam places like this. Keep in mind - there's no national standards on this and 1/2 the states don't even require inspectors to take the NHIE - some just make you do the InterNachi stuff and you're "certified".

My credentials - I passed the NHIE first time, and my states Pesticide License test first time.

Quick question - have you read the IRC yet?

>I thought about getting NHIE set of study books.

Nope - they're worthelss

Buy this book - its like the cliffnotes for the NHIE. This will help you get a fantastic grasp on the questions on the test.

Memorize these flash cards. If you can't do them, you're not ready for the test.

This is your Textbook - its not about the test, its about learning how the homes are and were built.

>Most of the practice tests I have taken cover material that was not discussed in the schooling

Now this - this right here just agrivates me. We are not "code inspectors", but the test you're required to take is the National Home Inspectors Exam (unless you live in a crazy red state with no rules, then just get online and you're certified). The test is derived 100% from the IRC, yet none of the schools will tell you to study this.

Not only that - howcome we as inspectors have to take this test, but builders and residential contractors and remodelers don't. They don't even get licesenses in most states other than a general, take no tests and have no training, and you just paid them $100K for a new bathroom cause "they've got good google reviews".

IMHO - the industry needs a new set of national wide standards of testing and schooling. Acutally teach how to inspect a home and how to build one - rather than just pay $$ to watch video's on youtube.....

Fortunatly, home inspection doesn't require a construction background.

Dig deeper, and you will find almost no states require contractors to take some sort of "certification" program to prove they know what they're doing, and nearly 1/2 of states in the US don't follow the federal outlines for testing, so you just go online and watch some videos, google the answers during the test and voila - you're "certified".

Read this book, then go get a copy of this book.

Using the black and decker book as a rule book, and using the home depot book as a how-to, do a mock inspection on your house. Check your doors, check your windows, check your plumbing. If you can find a few things (every house has dozens, if not potentially hundreds of markups if you really look deep enough) then you might be onto something.

A home inspector's job is to observe what they see, then inform their customer whether it meets the requirements as set forth by the inspectors SOP.

Still interested? Look up your states requirements for training and education, then call around to some local inspection houses and ask if you can just ask someone. Good inspectors have spent a ton of time reading and love to talk (i think this post points out an example).

Hopefully, you know have a better understanding about your decision and have information to make a choice.

If you can read the books they give you, memorize what you gotta memorize, and have a good teacher its a decent paycheck.

Looks like you're taking the national.

I cannot recommend this book. enough. Its great - its a spark notes for home inspectors if you will, and its pulled directly from the IRC.

I memorized these and had no problems on the test. Again, these are taken directly from the IRC.

This textbook I felt was just amazing. While its not geared towards the IRC, it talks in depth about things the IRC will often referance but not go into detail about.

Finally, I did not read any of the NHIE study guides. After browsing through some my classmates had, I personally felt they were a waste of time. Instead, I read and studied the actual IRC. Afterall, the test is literally written from the book.

I passed the NHIE no problems. While we aren't told our final score, I know I got at least a 90%. I memorized all the study material. Online, you must be careful when taking advice. At least 1/2 the states in the country do not require the NHIE. This means they can just go online and do some hours and they're licensed. Too often these same individuals try to compare the tests they took on their online schooling, with a national test written from a direct code book.

Here's the funny thing - you're not a code inspector right? Well, the NHIE is writted directly from the National Residential Code. So, not reading the book, again in my personal opinion, is asking to fail. This is not a test you can watch video's and pass, don't care how many video's you watched.

For your own litmus test here, order a used copy of the black and decker book. See how much of that book you already knew. If you know 80-90% of the material in that book, I think you'll do fine. If not, I'd follow the rest of the stuff I provided.

This book is basically a "cliff notes" of the IRC. Read this first, will make the IRC make way more sense.

Codes for Homeowners and Home Depot Basics will get you 90% of the way. Once you read those (how to do things correctly) then look on youtube for how the contractors do it as well as tips and tricks.

>Do you have suggestions for picking a general contractor, and specifically things to ask during the initial meet or items to go into the contract?

20 + years in business or longer. Ask if they can provide copies of their general liability insurance and if they have an documentation of their work. Good contractors will have this in a data packet, handy men will have in on their phones or over email, and fly by nights won't have any of it.

>Is it ok to go with different people for different projects, or will people be salty and somehow take it out on me?

Doubt it - money is money. Also, your fav contractor might not even be available.

>Kitchen and bath designers

Thats gonna be up to the individual place. Prob gonna have to feel out the local cabinet shops.

>For a complete room redo am I best starting with an architect/ designer and then moving to a contractor?

Gonna depend on what you're doing. Architects are needed when you want to add or remove structural components - think like adding a second or third room. Contractors help you take out a few walls and strip down to the studs and rebuild. Designers help you obtain a vision or goal to work with. No matter who you choose, you MUST have plans before swinging a single hammer.

>Are we at the point in covid where there are even any good contractors available?

Yes and no - gonna depend on your region.

>How do I avoid getting ripped off, especially as a single woman obviously new to all this?

3 quotes for everything. Hire your own inspector to go over the work (someone who's been inspecting homes for 20+ years, lotta rookies that just got their licenses).

>Suggestions for books or websites to read?

Black and Decker - Codes for Homeowners - this is the spark notes for home inspectors. This will prepare you for what you MUST have per the IRC. Always read all manufacturers documentation - that means the flooring, the paint, the doors, they all have their own instructions. 9/10 times if I inspect a home on something I'm not familiar with I deviate to the manufacturers instructions as they by law have the make the products to specific standards.

I think it would help, though if you don't intend on inspecting you really just need to read a few books.

I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and guess you don't want to inspect full time - I recommend Black and Decker: codes for homeowners. Its a great resource, and highlights the important stuff. If you really want to know, then there's always the IRC.

Did a nearly million dollar home a while back, less than 10 years old and it looked good. Then I found where a previous homeowner had done a few expansions, mostly taken in some attic space for conditioned space. Everything looked good - I mean the craftsman ship was on par with the builders grade - probably was a builder himself. However, all the additions were just massive code violation traps.

Long story short, these additions were ultimately responsible for other issues in the home which did not match with standard use life of a home that age - things were wearing out faster than they should, on top of this added space made the new buyer very concerned he was getting duped by these "extra rooms".

Home inspecting will teach you what the rules are, and how to look for them. It won't, by any shape form or fashion teach you how to do the work properly. Gotta learn proper technique and craftsmanship from the trades.

My first thought was something like this:

Black & Decker Codes for Homeowners 4th Edition: Current with 2018-2021 Codes - Electrical • Plumbing • Construction • Mechanical by Bruce A. Barker
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0760362513

but I never tried being a resi contractor.

So its not a trick, its a very unique way of giving a test.

They just want to know if you've actually read the book and actually know the numbers down cold. The test could care less about actual home construction or field experience - do you know your #'s? Down in my state we have to go to school before we can even apply to get approved to take the test, so the school is basically a program in how to pass the test. There are two types of people that go to take the test in Texas - those who read and those who don't.

Those of us who sit down and just read all the material - sometimes multiple times - well we seem to pass first time. At least 1/2 the students fail because they don't study all the material, or didn't even bother.

Then there's the classmate I had - "I'm not reading multiple books, if its not all in one place its not worth my time". Yeah, they went right back to doing what they were doing before.

If I can make a recommendation -

IRC Flashcards
Read the IRC 2018 - twice
Black and Decker: Codes for Homeowners - great book
Home Inspection Systems and Standards - also great book

Read those, study them, and you should have no problem acing the test. Then you can forget 90% of it once you pass and go inspect homes.

Have you read any version of the IRC yet?

Must Reads, in my opinion are:

My state did a ton of ethics stuff for the state portion, but national was a wide variety of questions. A couple of things that they hit hard on my test were:

Electrical - terminology is critical
Plumbing - Drains and slopes and vents
Structural - spacing, how to read plywood
Combustible Clearances
Glazing

Its been a few months since I took mine. I did read the IRC twic and went through and took notes on each chapter. I didn't focus on exemptions so much as the basics of the rules. Tons of overlap, so once you get the basics its just a small amount in each chapter to focus on.