I do ! They say because I’m also a licensed contractor.
You asked how they would know you are a CMI, yes?
Tell everyone you are CMI… then ask those who hire
you why they hired you. This will answer the question
you asked.
They will not mention CMI if you do not market it.
Being a contractor is also a big help.
It will be so evident to you that you’ll pay me back… gladly. If not, you owe me nothing.
Do all HI’s go through a national background check? Does your state licensing require that? A valid sales point in some areas. I have a newsletter about that on my web site for this month.
I have tried it all, but here in KC, it is only about price, and which inspection franchise will kick-back the most money to the RE company main office. State licensing is festering, and will eliminate the need for CMI and InterNACHI memberships soon.
Florida does and requires fingerprinting as well.
Fingerprinting is a lot different than going through a background check.
They do both.
No one chooses a home inspector because they were fingerprinted.
CERTIFIED MASTER INSPECTOR
I have this on my brochure .
Wow. With credentials like that, any home buyer will hire you; but only if you are cheaper than the other state licensed guy.
Ain’t that the truth…
My question is about CMI and multi-inspector firms.
I see plenty of websites with the CMI logos all over it, with explanations of what a CMI is.
Then in the fine print, it says “CMI on staff”.
Heavily implying, if not all out stating, you probably won’t get a CMI if you hire them, there is only a CMI back at the office over seeing the venture.
To me, that sort of goes against the “vetting” process a CMI goes through. The inspector you hire may NOT actually have the experience, education or back ground check even if they have the logo on their company’s website.
And some are even low balling with the designation, which is whatever, if they want to lose money, let them, but it seems to cheapen the CMI designation.
Nick, I get where you are going with the whole thing. Each designation that I have and degree actually earn me money. I am the only inspector in my state that is certified in water and structural drying and no one else has more mold certs. I can go head to head with a CMI in my state and trump him with that alone. My degree is invaluable in the aspects of communication and understanding people and clients. That is 50 percent of our job and gets me a ton of work. one of the biggest complaints realtors have is about inspectors who may know their craft but do not know how to communicate and blow up sale after sale. I picked up new business this week because of it. I have gained more work because of approach and ability to communicate then I have with any of my designations. A CMI designation can never eclipse that. I also want to point out that in the busiest season, people hire the first person they can get. I call it the warm body effect. It happened all summer and I am sure many of you have felt it. I answer my phone and over book if I need to. Simply because I am being responsive and communicating. 3 to 4 per day 7 days per week. None of those people asked me about any other certification than my mold certs and experience. I would love the CMI designation, it is too expensive for what it will yield. Drop the price to what you started with and we can talk. Also, NACHI really should add the area of communication as it relates to home inspection and professionalism. A lot folks aren’t good at it and I am sure it is costing them. You can have all of the training and common sense in the world, but if you can’t talk to people you are no better than an overly educated person with a degree who can’t screw in light bulbs now are you? Something to consider . I love the idea of being a CMI. I also love the idea of dropping $2500 in my retirement or on some gear that will make me money. It’s sprint time, not marathon time.
Roy,
Before I went out and spent money on this marketing (that is what it truly is at the core) i looked into it first. I asked anyone and everyone. I did a survey on Facebook, I asked the realtors that I work with.
I got a letter from the CMI board in Jan. of 2013. I did not apply until September of 2013. I wanted to make sure it was the kind of marketing tool that would make me money.
At each inspection I ask a series of questions as we go through the home. They think I am just trying to get to know them but I am also digging for information.
Things like how did you find me and why did you hire me are the two biggest things I want to know.
90% of the time they say they hired me because of my qualifications. So I ask which qualifications. The reply is almost always the same. Journeyman Carpenter and CMI.
My business was leveling off in 2013 and I knew I needed to change if I wanted to grow. I was marketing the heck out of myself as I always have. Once I started marketing CMI my business started to gain momentum again. This year I am up 27% over last year and still have two months to go.
House sales have only gone up 3% from last year so that means I am taking more of the market share.
That is all the proof I need!!
Since recently becoming a Certified Master Inspector my business has grown by over 20%.
How do I know? I ask. People tell me that they specifically chose me because they want a Certified Master Inspector to inspect their new home.
Money well spent and I can’t wait to see the increase in my revenue next year!
Love the CMI designation, never looked back, well worth the price paid.
Ditto. My clients who call have no idea what “CMI” means. I’m almost always the one who brings it up.
Client: “How much do you charge for a home inspection”?
Me: “I’m definitely NOT the cheapest. I am a Certified Master Inspector, so I do charge a little more. Would you like a couple phone numbers for cheaper inspection companies? I have them right here”.
Client: "Wow. A ‘Certified Master Inspector’? What day and time do you have available?
Almost every single phone call goes this way. CMI does not make me money. I make money because I exploit it. It’s a tool, like my flashlight. The consumer doesn’t know what a Certified Master Inspector is. They know what Master Chef, Master Electrician, or Master Plumber means. Most are not so stupid they can’t assume what “Master Inspector” means.
They are ecstatic to hire me because of it, willing to wait for MY available, and willing to pay ABOVE average price.
I certainly couldn’t afford to pay double, but it would probably be worth it in the long run.
It’s not rocket science. It’s basic math. 
As of the 5th of June I implemented 3 marketing programs with the intent of doubling my business by June 5th 2015 operated from in the middle of a cow pasture. The three cities that the majority of my clients are located in has a combined population of 125K which makes it a tough row to hoe. I travel the whole State of Okla for big jobs but my 3 cities are my main stay for business. My marketing consists of Thermal imaging, CMI and the buy back Thus far the IR has produced more inspection but has been in place the longest. To be fair to all 3 marketing systems I will compare both CMI and the buy back against my IR for a period of one year because my IR has been in place much long than a year.
I also have started a social media campaign and will see how that works out???
Well said.
Introducing myself… Excited to get started.