Replies

1. 
   Keith_C | Dec 10, 2001 02:42am | #1

   *
   I would rather cut my own arms off than take one of those low pay, everybody hates you but smiles and laughs to your face jobs. But hey, knock yourself out.

1. 
   Mike_Smith | Dec 10, 2001 02:59am | #2

   *depends on the community.. here, the pay is way above superintendent rates..teh benefits are great... holidays, health , vacations.. and a retirement system..and the inspector gets a lot of respect from the contractors, and the boards that work with him.. the planning & zoning boards... in some communities , it can become a political football.. or the inspector can get sacked for an unpopular decision againt the wrong people... but each community is different..

1. 
   Keith_C | Dec 10, 2001 03:10am | #3

   *Ours are the tired useless contractor who could'nt make it but still ain't worth the $8.50 they are paying them variety. Around here, low pay, no respect, call the chief and get what you want done. The chief complains he can't get good people, but who wants the job for no money...duh. Had one look at a foundation that was to bricked after framing and could not understand putting the anchor bolts in the cores of the 4" block. I tried to explain it, but he had this blank stare. Called the chief, he comes out, shakes his head and says" see what I have to work with?" Please tell me other parts of the country are much better.

1. 
   Michael_Rimoldi | Dec 10, 2001 04:12am | #4

   *Keith and Mike,Well the ones in our area don't get paid that much (30k to start) but it is a stable job and has all the perks of working for a municipality. (Mon-Fri, no evenings, etc.) I really can't be too picky now as I am just going to need income in the upcoming months but thats another story.I think most in our area are respected. Just the ones who act as "know it alls" or jerks to the profession are the ones who are disliked. Most in the county are quite young as are many of the planners and those involved with permitting, development, etc.Mike

1. 
   Mike_Smith | Dec 10, 2001 04:19am | #5

   *sounds like you guys have a building dept with a staff.. so you hire on as a junior inspector... get all your qualifications and training paid for by the municipality... then either move up or hire into the small town next door as head cheese...nice career move..

2. 
   Michael_Rimoldi | Dec 10, 2001 04:27am | #6

   *Mike, I'm not sure what most guys do but I would venture to say the Building Dept. has almost 50 employees. Some have been there a while, others (most) are relatively new. Tampa (Hillsborough County) is a rapidly growing area so getting on with them as a plans examiner, inspector, etc. would be nice. You won't get rich at it but I would really like the schedule and security.Mike

3. 
   Steve_Joyce | Dec 10, 2001 03:59pm | #7

   *Mike - There is a lot ot be said for a steady paycheck, good schedule and no suprises to screw your week up. Then again that is why you won't "get rich" at it. It can also provide a steady income and allow you some time for some side jobs as well. I think our head inspector makes roughly mid $50k's and he works light hours.....I mean real light hours.SJ

4. 
   Ron_Teti | Dec 10, 2001 06:13pm | #8

   *Mike, Great Idea!!!!!, then you can drum of some side jobs and make up the difference. Not bad If you hang a couple of doors inna weekend or fix some HO mess ups then you'll be money ahead. But one thing I learned about working for the govt is. if you add in your vacation time plus medical/dental/sick time/holiday pay and retirement you make up for the relatively low pay. Figure this. If you pay 250-300 per month for medical insurance then if you use it you loose about 200 -300 bucks a day when your sick or when you take a vacation, then you'll be money ahead going this route. I still have 99 hours of use of loose vacation time to use this year so im gonna be off work from 10am on the 12th of Dec to Jan 2nd and wont miss and paycheck. i still have over 850 hours of sick time coming (its accumaltive and can carry it over every year) even after my 3 sugeries and hospital visits which equaled to almost a month off. So add all that up and your doing Ok. Not a bad move especially if your gonna start a family.

5. 
   bobl_ | Dec 10, 2001 06:37pm | #9

   *Did you take 24 Dec into account?

6. 
   Ron_Teti | Dec 10, 2001 10:16pm | #10

   *bobl,The pres just gave us Dec 24 as a paid holiday for federal employees (yipppeeeee)

7. 
   bobl_ | Dec 10, 2001 10:50pm | #11

   *Ron, You have until, what, the 12th Jan to use it?

8. 
   Ron_Teti | Dec 11, 2001 01:35am | #12

   *boblI know, but it'll give me time to get my xmas shopping done as well as a side job I got going and somethings around the house finished. I have to come back for a day either this fri or early next week to complete some work and take it off the other end in jan.

9. 
   bobl_ | Dec 11, 2001 04:09pm | #13

   *Best of Holidays to you55&30

10. 
    Ron_Teti | Dec 11, 2001 06:00pm | #14

    *bobl, thanks and the same to you. Ill be 55 w 34 but I got about 7 1/2 years to wait (bummer) who ya with im with dcma

11. 
    bobl_ | Dec 11, 2001 09:29pm | #15

    *replied via email: title BreaktimeHope you are tracking your numbers.62 1/2 w 41 1/2 your working for near nothing, assuming you're pre '84.

12. 
    Ron_Teti | Dec 12, 2001 01:44am | #16

    *I am. I got 26 years (1975 comp date) now but its the age thats killing me. not the years. remember its minus 2% for every year under the age of 55.

13. 
    bobl_ | Dec 12, 2001 03:55am | #17

    *Good luck on breaking the Golden handcuffs.

14. 
    LocalBulldog_ | Dec 12, 2001 05:04am | #18

    *Been there, done that, have the MA certification (toughest to obtain in the country) bottom line - it sucks.

15. 
    Keith_C | Dec 12, 2001 05:18am | #19

    *Ha... I knew it, even you guys hate you! No good lyin' cheatin' bastards....sorry...little breakdown there...won't happen again.

16. 
    Michael_Rimoldi | Dec 12, 2001 05:30am | #20

    *LocalBulldog, Why did it suck?Mike

17. 
    Mike_Smith | Dec 12, 2001 07:17am | #21

    *r u guys talking in code ?what the hell are u talking about ?Local.. are u talking about a CS license in Mass ?

18. 
    Joe_Hennessey | Dec 12, 2001 09:25am | #22

    *"Even you guys hate you guys" good one Keith. Joe H

19. 
    LocalBulldog_ | Dec 13, 2001 01:50am | #23

    *Trust me it sucks. Mike R: If you really want to know email me we can talk. Man, I have some stories.Mike Smith:Im talking about MA Inspector Certification, six tests to pass.Keith and Joe: If you only knew the real truth.....

20. 
    piffin_ | Dec 15, 2001 04:26am | #24

    *Do I sense some war stories coming on? Buy you a beer? Speak up.....We won't tell anyone. Honest!

21. 
    Michael_Rimoldi | Dec 15, 2001 07:19am | #25

    *Piffin, Maybe he was scared at a job site one day by that yellow caution tape they now have at some places that says "CAUTION Building Inspector Buried Here". I have wanted to string some up at my job but I don't know the inspectors that well...Mike

22. 
    Andy_W | Dec 15, 2001 08:45am | #26

    *Michael:Man, you post a lot...unemployed or just bored? Anyway, seems we have something in common. I'm looking for a career change after 10 years in the renovation business. Did a 2 year college thing called Civil Engineering Technology and loved it, but now I get the idea I'm too old to be starting off in a new field (I'm 40). Had an interview for bldg inspector job, and man it looked great... v. good money, benefits...blah, blah. Didn't get it though, and for a few seconds I felt a great sense of relief. I work mostly alone, and love it, but if I don't make a change now, I'll never know what else there is that I can do.Have you looked into teaching at a college or trade school? How about becoming a technical sales guy for pre-engineered lumber? I've looked at both of these, and keep thinking "desk job...boring...get fat..."As for one of your other posts, I've found that most of the on-line employment sites talk way better than they walk - not many jobs that would interest the likes of you or me. Still I register for E-mail automatic alert at them, it saves time. The best site I've found is called Workopolis, which is mostly newspaper ads, but has 1-2 jobs per week in my area (near Toronto).Let me know where your serch leads youAndy

23. 
    Michael_Rimoldi | Dec 16, 2001 02:25am | #27

    *Andy, Not bored nor unemployed...just a message board junkie. No one I know locally in the business likes to talk "shop" (or talk at all for that matter) so I run my mouth and mouse here. I sent you an email as I'd like to chat more about your ideas and mine if you'd like?Mike

2. 
   Michael_Rimoldi | Dec 16, 2001 02:25am | #28

   *
   Hey guys,

   I've been looking into applying for a local inspector position. Anyone ever done it? Experiences, etc?

   Thanks.

   Mike