So, I’ve had roofing company in my state reach about doing roof inspections and taking photos/video/documentation so they can make quotes for my area that they are trying to expand into.
”I just need someone that, when given a lead, could go out within 2 business days and assess the roof for the required info I would need to write a bid. This would include things like, layers, pitch, penetrations, etc. I would have a form or checklist to fill out and then would just need pictures uploaded. From there, we would create an estimate and handle the whole sales process in-house, you would be done. I don’t need a detailed report or anything like that, just my checklist and photos.”
It seems like easy money, which is why my BS detector is going off. Then again, a few roof assessments a month for a little extra scratch doesn’t sound so bad.
Has anyone ever done something like this? Any advice here?
Wouldn’t take too long to do one (if travel time is not extravagant), so you wouldn’t loose much to find out if it is worth it. Make sure you have an agreement outlining the limited scope, travel time, etc.
Once you know what the “roof assessments” require specifically of you and how much you will be paid, you can add that information into your business costs calculation and make a determination if it could be profitable, eh?
Yes Dave and Larry, that’s what I was thinking. I would just cover my city and the immediate surrounding area, basically just anywhere I could tack on to the end of a day.
They are offering $100 fee, plus a commission percentage if the job sells. I guess the commission gave me pause, like I was going to be expected to be a salesman or something…
But honestly, I wasn’t even sweating the commission, I just figured the income from the fee would be a little extra profit, if it’s all as simple as it seems. Plus hand out some cards to some homeowners, meet some more people. Who knows where it might go?
I guess I was just looking for a bit of reassurance that this wasn’t a known scam or a conflict of interests that I wasn’t aware of. But if you guys are giving the greenlight, that’s good enough for me to at least explore it. Thanks!
Morning, Ben. Hope to find you well and in good spirits today.
Are you a licensed/certified roofer?
You have insurance for such work or would your current insurer allow this?
“This would include things like, layers, pitch, penetrations, etc.” Lol.
Ben, this is malarkey!
Your BS detector is spot on.
The liability you would put yourself in would be crazy let alone breaking your COE.They are offering $100 fee, plus a commission percentage if the job sells.
I know you are likely trying to make ends meet and earn a living wage seeing you are likely a new inspector seeing you joined InterNACHI 2 years ago.
Someone is pulling your leg. Like a realtor or an angry roofer wanting to enact revenge on a home inspector that helped a client make a complaint.
I had death threats from a roofing con..tractor. I am not kidding you. They are no longer working.
Be careful to what you agree to do.
Hang up the phone or do not even answer the email.
That is the best advice I can offer.
Ben. Advertise you do roof inspections. I earned 350.00 to well over $650.00 dollars per roof.
Do Auxiliary Inspections for $350.00 and up for Chimneys or Siding. For Water intrusion I can go $400.00 plus easily!
Market yourself accordingly buddy.
We are all pulling for you.
.
Sales people hit an area door by door. Perhaps there was a recent storm or they are just pounding the pavement. The sales people generate legitimate leads but they are not getting on these roofs.
They need you for the detailed information required to present an estimate for replacement.
They pay you $100 per trip. And a commission if the sale goes thru.
You will represent the company while on-site in such a way as you were dispatched by them to gather data. Since you may get a small commission, best be professional.
Red flags go up for me on this. A company wanting to pay a non-employee the $100.00 inspections remind me of a company that chose a huge coverage area on something like Angie’s List to generate leads. Or a company that chases storm damage.
Any company that was serious about expanding into the area would send an employee there to evaluate the roof, write up an estimate, and go over everything with the homeowner. If they are not doing this, are they even using their own employees for the work or are they subbing that out as well? Now what happens if there is an issue with the roof? If they stopped taking calls because they have found the next area they are looking to expand into, does the homeowner now look to you as the face of the company?
Let’s just everything is on the up & up and this is a legitimate. Down the road, you perform a home inspection on the home that you help sell. You see that the roof was not installed properly. Do you call it out or do you ignore it because you are worried how the homeowner is going to react and that you are going to lose future work with the company?
Not only are they offering the $100.00 for the inspection, but they are also offering commission as well. To me, as an inspector this creates a conflict of interest.
2 Likes
ndegaris
(Neil DeGaris, CMI KY License # 102167)
13
A fair number of roofers in my area are using this to get what they need and they don’t even get up on the roof.
Hello Robert. Can you please help me understand your line of thinking here? 1. What would the Inspector be liable for? and 2. How specifically would this type of arrangement violate the COE?
One of my questions would be related to scheduling. I don’t like to show up to homes without prior arrangement. How does that work in this case? Does the roofing company tell the homeowner someone will be stopping by on such and such date at approximately such and such time? Or do you have to make arrangements with the homeowner? How the logistics work would be one of my main questions, and would effect the rate I would want.
