Hazardous Duty

[Richard Carlsen]

Nancy

I’m not trying to be flippant but can you tell me what this lady was wearing while she was doing an inspection of the second floor of a new construction?

I had a builder tell me last summer about an appraiser (lady) who came to do a draw in skirt, heels, etc. She even carried her pocketbook with her.

Building sites are dangerous places and certainly not places to worry about fashion statements.

Dress accordingly or don't do them.

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Richard...I just had a flash-back! (Thanks to YOU)
My first day on my first appraisal job back in 1988, I wore a beautiful pink flared dress and high heel shoes (not high enough to be called spikes, though). My new boss and I walked the perimeter of the subject lot, over and around brush and thinly wooded areas. I think he was gently trying to make a point, now that I think about it. I learned right then that appraising is not a glamourous job! How embarrassed I am when I think of that day! Since I had been a Realtor for years before that....I just didn't know any better! :roll:

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Charlotte,

It is not glamorous for men either. I wear blue jeans 99% of the time now for residential appraising. I used to wear nice khakis and expensive shirts, but climbing though holly bushes, behind trees and looking into crawl spaces broke me of that. I also wear sunglasses when measuring the exterior, because of being poked in the eye with branches has gotten to common in the past few years. So, now I wear dark blue jeans and knit shirts with my company logo. I don't look fancy, but I look semi-professional along the lines of the home inspector or a termite inspector. I still can't figure out how some wear shorts. Ouch, those bushes pierce my jeans, bare legs should not stand a chance.


P.S. I really look cool when I do new home construction with wet conditions. You know the kind where you sink four inches with every step. The mortgage company just can't wait for the ground to dry, they need the appraisal yesterday. The knee high rubber boots are such a fashion statement.

 

[Daniel Williams]

Tim said:

The knee high rubber boots are such a fashion statement.

Tim, I know them well....we call them "Dairy Boots" around these parts, and they can be relativly inexpensive...$15 a pair. I keep mine in the van for ALL inspections (if i need them).

The main reason I don't/ wouldn't wear shorts is SNAKES 8O 8O .....Yikes....I don't know if my Levis 501's will stop a snakebite BUT it might "hang the fangs up" or my 8" leather boots may stop them....I've almost stepped on "Copperheads" more times than I care to count. We have a pact; I leave them alone, they do the same.....so far so good!

 

[Nancy in Friday Harbor]

Richard,
Not meaning to be flip here, but......

The only women up here who were suits and heels are two of our lady attorneys marching into court to perform a walletectomy on someone.

Women appraisers here dress in slacks (occasionally jeans if you know it's going to be nasty out) and either athletic shoes (sturdier than "tennie runners") or boots.

 

[Caterina Platt]

Daniel,

Copperheads? Yikes! I'd embarrass the heck out of you with my chosen attire if it were Copperhead country. '..and this lady here in the steel toed waders is my assistant' :roll: :lol: :lol:

Nancy,

I am sorry to hear of your friend's accident. I hope she suprises them all and is back up and running soon. We appraisers are a stubborn, tenacious lot. We don't give in by nature usually.

Just a thought, how good is the County's disability insurance? I know that most of them wait 6 months before they kick in. This should be a warning call to all of us. I know, I know. Like we can afford another type of insurance. Short and long term disability insurance is now on my 'to do' list.

 

[Stephen J. Vertin MAI]

Nancy:

Is it possible to put your friends name and address on the forum. I would like to send her a get well card and a little money. The story touched me. Thank you for sharing.

Steve Vertin

 

[Judy Whitehead (Florida)]

It can be very dangerous out there. I got out of my car on the shoulder of the road across the street from my subject one time to take the front picture (I like to keep my car out of the picture if possible) and tripped on the edge of the asphalt. As I was going down, all I could think of was my digital camera. The next thing I knew I was face down on the pavement. My face was bloody and it was so numb that I couldn't tell if any teeth were knocked out or not. Fortunately, my teeth were OK but I had a real fat lip, fat nose and scraped up face for several weeks.

Nancy I feel so bad for your friend. Accidents like this can happen in the blink of an eye. We all do need to remember to be careful out there. And it never hurts to remind everybody about Lyme Disease and ticks. I have a young friend (father of two young children) who is currently suffering with it.

 

[Randy Beigh]

Nancy

Sorry to hear of your friends situation. She has my best wishes and prayers.

I worked new construction for Thurston County Assessor a few months and my biggest problem was with flat tires. Must have had 10 of them and they were new tires. I spent more time at the Goodyear store than I cared to.

And yes, construction sites can be dangerous.

 

[Nancy in Friday Harbor]

Hi All,
Would those of you who've posted here, please go over and take a look at the "Get Well Thread"? Thought we'd put our best wishes down into a get well e-card for Harriet.
Thank you!!