For research I attempted to find something “customer service oriented.” I have never really thought to look closely at what vegetation is on a property until I read about poison ivy, oak, and sumac. After reading of the potential hazards, I feel it would be a great service to my clients to pay a little closer attention to what is on the new potential property and note where they’re located.
As the sole-proprietor of a residential carpentry service for which I was the only employee, I constantly found myself struggling to meet clients’ needs from a customer service standpoint as well as I would have preferred. Between tracking down new clients and potential leads, as well as handling calls from previous clients for regular maintenance, it became a challenge to manage while on a job site performing my services. I enjoyed the excerpt from the article discussing the use of two phones for business purposes, one for new clients and one for return clients.
“Closing Costs”
While on the topic of customer service, I thought it may be beneficial to understand a bit more about closing costs. Having information could be beneficial when developing common ground with home buyers/sellers. There are a fair amount of fees that are covered in closing, so it is important to have someone on your side that understands the legal jargon used in the paperwork.
This was a very interesting course, lots of really good information, some i already knew, other things i learned. On the bright side i get to get a car wash every morning before i go do an inspection. I also didnt realize that smoking before you meet a person could be such a negative thing.
Hello Everyone,
Just having completed the Customer Service and Communication for Inspectors Course and all while there was ample amount of useful information the statistics stood out to me most of all. To find based on accredited numbers that 50%-70% of clients who have some form of complaint with your business are still very likely to do business with you again if you resolve their issue. However 96% being likely to not only use your business again but also refer you business, if complaints are handled professionally and fast, is absolutely mind blowing for me. In a day and age where most people have trust issues especially with service providers, it is nice to know that even if something doesn’t go as planned those very same people are forgiving as long as their issues and complaints are handled effectively, professionally and fast. The importance of establishing trust with clients is imperative, and delivering on promises made. That is what will set your business apart. That is how we succeed.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this, I hope my writing was helpful.
I have been involved in the corrosion inspection business for about fifteen years and can testify to the importance of completing a report in the past tense due to the fact that conditions can change overnight. Much of the information here seemed like “common sense” though based on the decline of customer service it may be something that many are lacking.
Customer interactions can be the frustrating part of business, but they can also be the most rewarding. I have found that when you look people in the eyes, smile, and listen actively, great rapport can come quickly. From there, lasting professional relationships can be built.
Writing on Digits and Hyphens in inspection reports.
It is important to use proper grammar in inspection report, and part of that is knowing when to spell numbers and when to use digits. The interesting and new part to me is to use hyphens when the number describes the noun.
Buying a Foreclosure
Purchasing a foreclosed home can be a sound investment. It has many pros and cons. It can provide positive cash flow, valuable tax deduction and may also be tax free. But it involves a lot of homework, patience, and luck. There are 4 ways to buy a foreclosure house. A presale which is when you negotiate a deal before the house becomes foreclosed. A public auction is when you can purchase it for 10-25% less. But you need a down deposit. A real estate owned is when a transaction is made for the bank to own it. And a HUD home is when the the previous owners default on federal issue loans. When buying a foreclosure home make sure to invest time and do your homework, budget carefully because there will probably be some unexpected issues. Always have a home inspector look at the property before you purchase it, foreclosure homes are notorious for unseen damage.
I’m fortunate to be joining an inspection company that will provide me with an infrared camera. Infrared camerascan beused during building inspections and energy audits to locate problems that can be found by viewing differences in temperature, which the camera sees as infrared radiation and presents as gradient colors.* Any object warmer than absolutezero emits infrared radiation, which is invisible to the naked eye but is observable viathermal imaging.* Being able to view this will allow me to locate problems that might otherwise be more difficult and time-consuming to find.*
In this course is all basically common sense especially if you been in sales before. It’s all pretty much similar approach. All from your hygiene, attire and communicating with people. Understanding the client from their perspective and gaining that common ground between one another. One thing I learned is if your able to achieve that it makes the job so much smoother. Great course!
Inspection Reports
The wording of your report in the past tense is the best way to help insure that your inspection and report will not be used against you. Making it clear that the inspection was of the current condition of the property at the time of the inspection.
Eminent Domain
Eminent Domain was original used so that the government may obtain property for the good of the collective population, like road ways government building, utilities and so on. But in later years for private use in the idea that it was better for the community and tax base.
In regards to customer service I think one of the most valuable resources is being able to read and respond to the client during the inspection. If you see someone is uncomfortable or confused when using technical terms then try to use more common terms. It should be done in a way that is still informative to the client but without being condescending. Also, once the inspection is complete having a system to follow up for feedback and encourage positive reviews for clients that were very satisfied.
In my experience with customer service, the initial meet and greet portion is critical to the direction of the relationship from there on in. Looking alert, clean, prepared and making good eye contact with a smile and firm but respectful handshake is key in determining whether someone will continue to work with you.
In this essay I’m choosing to write about first impressions.mainly because I think it is of the upmost importance.you should wear proper attire no tank tops or cutoff jeans although I don’t have a problem with the correct type of shorts I personally wil not wear them to a inspection but that’s just me. So dress appropriately greet your client with a firm hand shake and a smile be polite and comical when needed show concern for there concerns it comes down to just being well groomed and polite and attentive to their needs remember you only get one chance to make a first impression
Burglar resistant home chose this topic because thought that it might be a good service to pass on to your clients just as a freebie in the form of a flyer of some type or just advice I think any free service or education you can offer your clients for free would be beneficial to your business.So use solid doors with dead bolts peep holes.keep the outside well lit leave lights and radios on when gone leave a car in the drive have your neighbors keep an eye out don’t leave keys in obvious places and get a security system or a least a dog.
After being in business for myself supplying building materials to contractors, this course was a booster shot or refresher as to how customer service is so vital to a business. The old saying, " A first impression is a lasting impression" is one that will hold true for eternity. The customer service course reinforced my concerns about how to market my business.
Date: 4/29/2017 Perry Kirkwood
Hello fellow home inspectors. I’ve just completed the Service and Communication course. I learned several things that I was unsure of. I consider myself a good communicator on inspections and I often use humor for part of my communication.
Reading the sections in reference to using humor, I found that not all clients react in kind to this approach. Humor is part of me, business wise or personally.
Knowing when and how to use this form of communication is important. The course was most informative.
While checking out the Library of Articles, I looked at the vinyl siding section and I would like to share an unusual vinyl siding concern that I recently ran into.
While inspecting the vinyl siding on a side of a house, I found a section of slightly melted siding. This was midway up on the side wall and was in a diagonal path. Most of us have seen melted vinyl where a BBQ grill was too close, at a deck or patio, but this concern was not that.
I later determined that the melted area was actually from the sun’s reflection off the next door houses’ window!
The diagonal path was due to the suns natural movement.
I really enjoyed this course. Customer service has become a thing of the past in so many industries. This is so very important.
I really liked the part about writing a report in the past tense. Makes perfect since, but I would have never thought of that. GREAT CONTENT!!