I read about Aluminum siding. I learned that it can last 40 years or even up to the life of the structure if it is installed correctly.
It was very popular in the early 20th century, has been largely overtaken by vinyl and other materials that don’t dent as easily.
There is still quite a bit of aluminum siding in our part of the country, so wanted to have some knowledge about it before I start inspecting.
Summary of Boost Your Inspection Business with Truck Signage.
Truck signage is a great way to boost exposure for your inspection business. The signage will promote your brand and the more people see it the more they will become familair with your business. Having a good quailty sign wether it is maganetic or professional painted is very important. The signage should only include the name of you business and contact details. You should not list out all of the services you offeron the sign. Finally, you should keep the vehicle clean and be a courteous driver .
Carpeted bathrooms:
I was just reading about carpeted bathroom. These type of bathrooms should never be installed in commercial bathrooms. Residential is acceptable but, I wouldn’t recommend it. Though slip resistance and comfortability is an added measure, bathrooms are a very moist area of the home and splashes of water and moisture could greatly increase the chances of mold and mildew and possibly in time cause the floor to rot due to the wetness.
I would definitely not recommended carpet in a bathroom.
Showing up to an inspection dressed appropriately and clean can increase the satisfaction to your clients. It’s best to be professional. Showing your clients that choosing you as in inspector is greatly appreciated and giving them the very best inspection possible is all that matters. Showing them that you appreciate their choice to buy the home your inspecting is as important to you as it is to them. Show kindness and gratitude and it will benefit more down the road.
Chinese Drywall used in the southern parts of the U.S. during the housing boom is a problem. During the years 2004-2007 a shortage of drywall occurred especially during Hurricane Katrina and caused suppliers to look overseas for a cheap source to fill the demand. China manufactured these boards and incorporated fly ash into the gypsum wallboard mix, and shipped them to the U.S. After a few months of installation it was noticed that copper pipes and HVAC coils would blacken in color and the home would have a distinct odor smell of sulfur. Over time with long exposure inhabitants of these homes were always sick. Unfortunately no easy fix has been found to remedy this issue and all existing drywall must be removed to remedy the issue. This has left many families in a bad predicament and class action lawsuits are files against many of the suppliers and manufacturers. Inspectors can try to look at the back of the drywall in attics or on the backsides of walls for manufacturer stamped material labeled CHINA or other indications of the source of the material. The most accurate way of indicating this material is to have it sent to a lab and tested. One of the active markers in the material is Strontium and can only be found by performing a close analysis of the suspect material.
Customer Service and Communacation for Inspectors Coarse had great information to help myself provide great service and improve my communacation skills. I feel there is allways room for improvent in everything we do in life, I’m looking forward to utilizing information in this coarse that will make me a great inspector and better person.
Just finished reading the library article on how to get Real Estate Pros to hand out your card. He was great at having a plan to entertain the agents and to keep there attention while he had a captive audiunce.
The customer service and communication section is, in my opinion, one section that needs to be implemented in every aspect of the inspection business. I as a home buyer a few years ago used the services from a couple of home inspection companies the first was a requirement for the loan. The inspector was nice but to cut and dry he went straight to the job at hand and did not offer any home buyer involvement or insight into the systems he inspected. The second inspector was called for a radon test since the first did communicate that he could perform the test and simply left while the home buyer was walking the property. The inspector performing the radon test showed up and informed us as to how he was performing the test and if we had any questions or issues he could take care of while he was on sight. The second inspector answered our questions and took time to look at an issue we had found. The second inspector was recommended to a friend the first was not.
Carbon monoxide is an poisonous gas the is colorless and odorless that is produced from the incomplete combustion of fuels. Between 2001 and 2003 480 deaths occurred in the U.S. from carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide ,CO, is inhaled and displaces oxygen in the body this leads to asphyxiation and ultimately death. A CO detector needs be installed in every home that has a fuel burn device.
Home Repair Rip-offs
As a home inspector my goal is to only recommend someone I would personally choose to work on my home. I carry a list of do’s and dont’s for hiring contractors and specialty trades to help alleviate my clients being ripped off. I also offer a lifetime of support for their home. They can contact me anytime with question regarding their home.
I realize customer service is one of the most important parts of any business. I try to make connections with clients in order to create long lasting relationships with them. It is important to understand that communication is as much about body language and how you say something as it is about what you say. It is important to look professional. You could be great at your job but look and act like a slob and your business will suffer. This course gave me some insight on how the customer will read me and how to better carry myself while doing home inspections.
I read an interesting article entitled “A RESPA-Compliant Way to Give a Real Estate Agent a Gift Certificate” by Ben Gromicko
This article explains one way to “cultivate relationships with real estate agents”. You basically just create a domain name and give it to your clients. Tell them to visit the website, which redirects them to an internachi website, to receive gift cards and discounts on all types of things. This isn’t considered a kickback and is not a considered a conflict of interest because it costs me nothing.
See attached photo: 20170508_172435. The electric water heater shown has no pipe to the TPR valve deeming this relief valve ineffective and a hazard if operated. There should be pvc attached to the valve terminating and no higher than six inches from the finished floor with no thread on the terminated end. I recommend that this issue be corrected immediately to avoid serious injury in the event of valve use. Otherwise, the water heater seems to be in perfectly operable condition and has no other gross noticeable defects at the time of the home inspection. I have placed a sign on the water heater to remind the homeowner of the repairs required.
While studying crawlspaces I have learned that I have been in a number of ‘unsafe’ crawlspaces. Being located in the southern marshy climate we are susceptible to sinking foundations which in turn depletes the ability to effectively inspect crawlspaces. This is an major issue and does the home buyer a large injustice. I have tunneled my way by the means of an army spade, through a number of crawlspaces replacing piping, replacing and raising floor joists, and inspecting homes. I am curious to see how the coming years will effect some of these homes that I have been under which are already sinking significantly.
In the photo a master bathe has a damaged tubshower.Closer inspection there is water intrusion in basement.Clients show always be aware of any problems in home inspection. Inspections should include business cards and thank you cards for repeat business.client commutation is very important just arriving at a inspection late or with a dirty vehicle can have adverse affect on your company’s inspection. Always explain why your late if you show up past your arrival time. Should also encourage your clients on yearly maintenance for there safety and upkeep of there investment. Give your clients a checklist while you do your inspection.
Customer service starts with a Smile. A genuine, sincere smile can set the tone for a successful relationship. A smile is contagious, and can put those involved at ease. A smile shows expression. A smile can denote sociability, joy, pleasure, happiness and/ or amusement. A smile can break the ice with the unknown. A smile can be used as means of communication, and is common with many cultures. A smile is favorable and indicates one to be more approachable in the social context, and perhaps more likable. A smile is positive re-enforcement, start positive. Remember it is simple as a smile. Smile!
The article “A RESPA-Compliant Way to give Real Estate Agent a Gift Certificate”
I found this very inciteful for a new inspector beginning a new business in the Home Inspection Industry. It provides a legal way to cultivate relationships with real estate agents that does not violate the InterNACHI’ s Code of Ethics to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. I recommend the this reading for all. This industry is very competitive, and it takes time and money getting business started and up and running. This program is a complaint means to provided gift certificates to a Real Estate agent with no cost. That is tough to beat.
Essay on proper phone language and also smile when answering phone calls. Dont be afraid to say no if you don’t no the answer to a clients question .sometimes if a a client is being different it’s best to loose a inspection fee than bad feedback.Inspectors are doing non code visual inspections if advertisement is worded in such that inspection is code complaint .Could result in a lawsuit if client where to pursue damages. Always be honest ,truthful and trustworthly. Actions speak louder than words. People pay more attention to what you do than what you say. Shall act in good faith honest and impartial to the public.
Public Image
Got this image that you don’t want to look like when you’re out to the clients! It great to be all casual dressed but you can do it up to business par. it’s about doing your best hygiene so that you’re comfort being self around work(business) people. It best to dress like/close to the realtors, and they dress sharp, there’s confidence in that! There is a lot you can do to show some business image, and the info. here is plenty. I add this, that with dress sharp for work is a great start of day, especially when you are always prepared,be on time,and know your business.
Creating Customer Profiles for Your Marketing
by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko
Article Review: Doesn’t everyone needs some marketing advise that is really efficient in saving time, and getting to business? to get started there is a the foundation of collecting information of future clients, on them. There is a name for it, “Customer Profiling”. so the suggestion is to dig in to “Data Mining Your Self” the Old Shool Way? Collecting info. on clients maybe in hopes of collecting a bunch of great customers who don’t mind referring you. I don’t mind trying this, yet I would need to have a strategy, simple plan, Action.
