Best Inspection Vehicle

[dhays (David Hays, CMI)]

@David_Asselin

Hi everyone, I’m still studying to become a home inspector but I’m ready to start looking for the right vehicle.

1. From what I read, the vehicle is often a place where the inspector, client and sometime agent discuss the report after the inspection especially if the weather is bad. Do you use your vehicle that way?

2. I will require many different tools including an infrared camera that I don’t want to remove from the vehicle everyday but I want to keep it safe. Do you keep all tools and equipment in and on the vehicle at all time?

3. I like a vehicle big enough to add a load of graphics on it to promote the business. Do you gain a lot of business from the promotion on your vehicle?

4. Do most of you own or lease your vehicle? A lease would be a tax deduction.

So far I’m thinking a minivan like a Toyota Sienna would have enough room to accommodate meetings with clients and agents, large enough for car graphics, and with tinted window I could keep my tools safe inside. I do have access to an underground parking.

What do you guys / gals think? Thank you for your time and appreciate your input.

Regards,

David Asselin
HomeInspections.ca

5 years in business. I have never had a client in my vehicle. I don’t think I have ever had a realtor in it either.

[David_Asselin]

Thanks David, really appreciate your comment. If that’s the case, I could use something smaller like a Toyota Tacoma with a canopy for advertising. That way I could also use that vehicle for construction jobs.

Anybody using a minivan for their inspections?

Thanks,

David

[frotte (Frank Rotte)]

@David_Asselin

Thanks David, really appreciate your comment. If that’s the case, I could use something smaller like a Toyota Tacoma with a canopy for advertising. That way I could also use that vehicle for construction jobs.

Anybody using a minivan for their inspections?

Thanks,

David

I use a Ram C/V. It’s basically a Dodge Caravan with no seats and no side windows. The sidewalls are finished, not bare like most vans. The interior is not spartan. It’s nicely finished. The suspension is a little beefier than the minivan. The 6 banger is peppy. And it gets about 19mpg around town. I’ve heard reports of 26-28 mpg on the hwy.

[jjonas (Jeffrey Jonas)]

@David_Asselin

Hi everyone, I’m still studying to become a home inspector but I’m ready to start looking for the right vehicle.

1. From what I read, the vehicle is often a place where the inspector, client and sometime agent discuss the report after the inspection especially if the weather is bad. Do you use your vehicle that way?
   No. I have never, ever sat in any vehicle with clients or realtors to discuss a report, the home, or any details at all. We do that in the home itself, or via phone/email after the report has been delivered. I am proud to state that I educate my clients about the home so thoroughly that these later conversations rarely happen.

2. I will require many different tools including an infrared camera that I don’t want to remove from the vehicle everyday but I want to keep it safe. Do you keep all tools and equipment in and on the vehicle at all time?
   ALL tools are removed from my vehicle and secured at the end of the day… UNLESS… I am heading out prior to sunrise the next morning… and only then I only leave my ladders and non-hand tools.

3. I like a vehicle big enough to add a load of graphics on it to promote the business. Do you gain a lot of business from the promotion on your vehicle?
   Not directly. It serves more of a “Brand awareness” thing, but yes, I do get calls my vehicle signage.

4. Do most of you own or lease your vehicle? A lease would be a tax deduction.
   Own… paid in full!

So far I’m thinking a minivan like a Toyota Sienna would have enough room to accommodate meetings with clients and agents, large enough for car graphics, and with tinted window I could keep my tools safe inside. I do have access to an underground parking.
Forget about the “meeting with clients and agents” thing! Your vehicle is transportation to the job site where you conduct your business. It’s all about “PERCEPTION”. Do your potential clients view your vehicle as that of a Professional or a part-timer driving the family trickster? You’ve heard the adage… “Dress for success”… this applies to your vehicle also!

What do you guys / gals think? Thank you for your time and appreciate your input.

Regards,

David Asselin
HomeInspections.ca

…

[David_Asselin]

Thanks Frank and Jeffrey. It’s good information, thanks.

David

[mmarinos (Manny Marinos, CMI)]

I now use a dodge ram pickup and years ago i used a ford pickup. I want to make a change because the gas mileage is killing me. Was thinking of a ford transit connect. Anyone using one and if so how do you like it?

[David_Asselin]

Hi Manny, I’m also considering a Ford Transit. From what I read they are really good on gas and lots of room for car graphics.

[cjacobi (Chris Jacobi, CMI HI01200061)]

@frotte

I use a Ram C/V. It’s basically a Dodge Caravan with no seats and no side windows. The sidewalls are finished, not bare like most vans. The interior is not spartan. It’s nicely finished. The suspension is a little beefier than the minivan. The 6 banger is peppy. And it gets about 19mpg around town. I’ve heard reports of 26-28 mpg on the hwy.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/IAMSWUTIAMS/20140826_141323_zps7194de4d.jpg

Frank,
You are using a “Grocery-getter”?

As for the 26 to 28 mpg, sounds like stories of big foot.:roll:

My mother-in-law has one and it’s always in the shop.

[frotte (Frank Rotte)]

@cjacobi

Frank,
You are using a “Grocery-getter”?

As for the 26 to 28 mpg, sounds like stories of big foot.:roll:

My mother-in-law has one and it’s always in the shop.

" grocery getter" has windows and seats.

[cjacobi (Chris Jacobi, CMI HI01200061)]

@frotte

" grocery getter" has windows and seats. ������

LOL.

[rwelch (Reece D. Welch)]

@bboerner

I have a 2014 Kia Soul. Hands down the best looking and most efficient inspection vehicle in my opinion. You guys would be shocked at how much room are in them. PS… I do have a 4 runner for big ladder days.

What size ladder will fit in it? Can a ladder rack go on it and the back still be opened?
I’ve been thinking of going this route.

[tpappas (Troy N. Pappas)]

Just got the transmission overhauled on my wife’s old mini van. Deciding whether to paint and decal or wrap now.

It has a lot of room in the back and works well for the team approach.

[jcarlson (Jeffrey Carlson, CMI CCB#192921 OCHI#1478)]

My Chevy 1500 has been working great since 2003 when I got into this business. Just had the fuel pump changed out. 145,000 miles and she still gets 16.5 mpg. A tank full gets me 2 1/2 weeks worth of inspections on average.

[rthoroman (Ray Thoroman)]

Nice truck Linus but I like mine better

2014 Z71 4X4 crew cab. Bunch little nice goodies. 285/65/18 Nitto Trail Grapplers, Fuel Rims, 2 inch lift. Spray Bed liner. I average 16.5 mpg. Was averaging 18.5 with stock tires.

I’m thinking about trading in for 2015 Z71 4X4 crew cab with rocky ridge edition package. http://www.rockyridgetrucks.com/ :mrgreen:

[rcleland (Ron W. Cleland, CMI)]

Here’s mine. I’m always 45 minutes early to my inspections for some reason!

[jshishilla (John Shishilla)]

Here is the Home Inspection Team with our October uniforms in front of our Ford Transit. It works really well.

[imayer (Ian Mayer, CMI)]

@jshishilla

Here is the Home Inspection Team with our October uniforms in front of our Ford Transit. It works really well.

Nice!

[bboerner (Billy Boerner, CMI, InterNACHI, IAC2)]

@rwelch

What size ladder will fit in it? Can a ladder rack go on it and the back still be opened?
I’ve been thinking of going this route.

I’ll have to look. I think the hatch goes up to far. I carry a 17ft in the car. My truck carry’s the 28ft. I’ll let you know.

[fkrivsky (Frank J. Krivsky)]

I got a Nissan NV Cargo Van last year.

It is a different looking cargo van which I liked. But the price was hard to beat and had a ton of “luxury” elements in there that was included. What is really nice is a built in office in the cab with a pull out table, a filling cabinet, plugs, and extra table if you pull down the passenger seat. Can comfortably write receipts and use a computer and have more than enough office equipment there well beyond the essentials. Is a gas hog at12-14mpg, I charge the gas expense to clients.

Buying around november/December can really save you $1000s+. I ended up getting my van for 27k with shelves, and the rear camera/navigation tech package. (Rear sensors and camera ROCK)

[frotte (Frank Rotte)]

@fkrivsky

I got a Nissan NV Cargo Van last year.

It is a different looking cargo van which I liked. But the price was hard to beat and had a ton of “luxury” elements in there that was included. What is really nice is a built in office in the cab with a pull out table, a filling cabinet, plugs, and extra table if you pull down the passenger seat. Can comfortably write receipts and use a computer and have more than enough office equipment there well beyond the essentials. Is a gas hog at12-14mpg, I charge the gas expense to clients.

Buying around november/December can really save you $1000s+. I ended up getting my van for 27k with shelves, and the rear camera/navigation tech package. (Rear sensors and camera ROCK)

The NV200 http://m.nissancommercialvehicles.com/?original_path=/nv-cargo#_frmVehicleLandingwould probably suffice for most inspectors. Lower price point, better mileage. I looked at these when I bought the Ram C/V. But I really wanted something with towing capacity for a small utility trailer. Plus the Ram was only $18k.