Though this vehicle may be functionally sound, it does not covey any sort of organization, cleanliness, or professionalism. The client would be right to have some concern seeing this pulling up to the house for the inspection. This also falls into the first impressions everyone on site would have. Chances are, they wouldn’t be good.
Understanding a client’s mood and how to adjust the forms of communication with them can affect your future relationship. Speaking “with” versus speaking “at” your client results in a much better relationship, which can most likely lead to future business.
You only get one chance to make a first impression. Show up for the inspection on time and appropriately dressed for the job. Be very mindful of your personal hygeine - shaved, showered, clean teeth and fresh breath. All of these things will play a role in how much confidence the client has in your abilities. Greet your client with a smile and a firm handshake. Mind your manners - “please” and “thank you” should be used frequently. Make your client feel like they are your main concern during the time you are performing their inspection.
While solar energy offers many advantages for your home, there are distinct disadvantages as well. Its effectiveness depends on sunlight so the further you live from the equator, the less effective it will be. If you live in an area that is often cloudy or rainy then solar panels are going to work in a very diminished capacity. Although it is decreasing in cost as technology progresses, it is currently not cost effective for most people - it costs tens of thousands of dollars to install the panels to supply electricity for a normal size house. The cadmium (sealed inside the panels) and lead (batteries) required to operate the solar panels are also a major concern from an environmental standpoint. The systems are bulky and not particularly attractive which is another drawback. Given all of these drawbacks, some still see the advantages of solar energy as out-weighing the disadvantages.
Taking that few extra minutes each day to make sure your vehicle is clean and your attire is appropriate is a positive statement about yourself that will leave a good sense of professionalism with your clients. Therefore starting your relationship with them on a positive note.
The manner in which we speak to your clients is extremely important. We must understand that we do inspections for all types of people with differing degrees of knowledge, education, capabilities, etc. We cant just talk. We need to get to know our clients and make certain they understand the inspection at their level and dont feel we baffled them with inspection lingo and big words.
After leaving the home that you just conducted a Home Inspection for, the respectful thing to do (plus helps gain more business) is to leave behind a “Thank You” letter of like the attached picture: a “Thank You Lunchbox”. It help show your respected the owner’s home and did everything to leave it better than your found it. The letter is also a guideline to help ensure that the Home Inspector does just that: leaving the home in better condition that as found.
The Holiday Home Safety Tips article brought some interesting and worthwhile news to relay to any old or potential customers. For example: The Christmas tree purchase that is artificial should annotate that the item is fire-resistant. Another example is the way to decorate Christmas lights to the house. Stapling them into the home is potentially harmful because the staple could damage the electrical wire and expose the copper wire to the environment and cause shock hazard to a human or cause property damage my creating a fire hazard.
For your university life, and for your working life beyond, its important to be able to distinguish between a report and an essay, and to be able to understand why you might write one rather than the other.
When choosing to write a report or an essay for your assignment you should understand these key differences:
Purpose
Reports are the presentation and analysis of findings from practical research. They begin with an aim (to investigate, to explore) and probably a hypothesis (a proposition that the research will test). Depending on the guidelines or purpose, a report may make recommendations.
Essays begin with a question and seek to answer that question based on research into existing theories and through the writers own evaluation. An essay may include results of practical research but only in so far as it may help support the writers conclusions.
Content
Reports are generally descriptive, reporting sequential events (experiments or fixed results from surveys etc). However, they involve an evaluation in either the conclusion or recommendations sections.
For your university life, and for your working life beyond, its important to be able to distinguish between a report and an essay, and to be able to understand why you might write one rather than the other.
When choosing to write a report or an essay for your assignment you should understand these key differences:
Purpose
Reports are the presentation and analysis of findings from practical research. They begin with an aim (to investigate, to explore) and probably a hypothesis (a proposition that the research will test). Depending on the guidelines or purpose, a report may make recommendations.
Essays begin with a question and seek to answer that question based on research into existing theories and through the writers own evaluation. An essay may include results of practical research but only in so far as it may help support the writers conclusions.
Content
Reports are generally descriptive, reporting sequential events (experiments or fixed results from surveys etc). However, they involve an evaluation in either the conclusion or recommendations sections.
This picture illustrates a proper dead front panel. All spare openings are properly sealed. The proper screws are used to attach the dead front to the box. All fuses are properly labeled for the home owner to understand and locate fuses.
The service drop is the overhead service conductors located between the utility supply system and the service point. Typical electrical service is 240v which is a split phase system of 120v. There are specific clearances for overhead services from many points such as streets, parking lots, and roofs.
This is an example of a client satisfaction survey. When given to your customers it provides them the opportunity to express any concerns or issues they had and you the inspector to make things right if there were issues or modify your practices when necessary.
While not permitted in commercial buildings, carpeting is often used in residential bathrooms. While there are numerous advantages to having carpet in the bathroom the biggest disadvantage is related to moisture. When there is carpeting in the bathroom the following are suggestions home inspectors can give a client who is experiencing urine- or moisture-related problems. Clean carpet regularly to remove moisture, keep carpet as dry as possible and install a fan in the bathroom.
I read the article For Members: A Letter Explaining Your Internachi Home Inspector Certification. Occasionally a Realtor or someone interested in hiring an Internachi Member for a job will request proof of Certification. This may be the case more often in states where home inspectors are not required to be licensed.This Internachi Letter will address those concerns. It covers the Internachi Organization, training required of the member and the list of Internachi Courses required for initial certification.
If your clients don’t accompany you during the inspection, you can provide them with the attached checklist of things they can do while you perform the inspection. it gives them something to do and aslo mitigates their stress about the whole process. A first time home buyer may be tentative and cautious. By tuning into your clients’ attitude , you can help them by communicating with them better.
Consumer’s visit websites and based on the home page may or may not make an immediate decision to hire or not to hire. The website is now the best lead other than word of mouth for a perspective customer making a decision.
The attached image is a website grabbed from Google images. The company has a visual appeal along with stating references, history, and pictures of work performed. Contact information is provided along with additional tabs for links to real estate company’s and a Facebook link all available on the site.
Focusing effort on positive customer service and effective communication is the cheapest marketing tool any home inspector could take advantage of. Remembering what you found to be an issue with your past inspector, can be of value ale. That experience shows you what you dont want to provide as an inspector. Treat your client as you would want your family member to be treated.
The statistics provided in the article alone should be enough to make any home owner evaluate how safe their home is. The tips provided are not all costly decisions to make you home safe. Awareness of the need to make your home more Burglar-Resistant is worth every bit of effort and penny because your family is priceless.