Here is a picture of me in my warmup pants and my Crocks! This would not be appropriate to wear on an inspection although it is fine to wear at home! Our appearance speaks volumes as to what others think about us especially if they may see us for the first time!
Lock boxes are compartments in which keys can be securely contained and selectively accessed while a home is vacant. Inspectors should take the time to ask about the lock box location when scheduling the inspection for an unoccupied property or buildings.
This is one of the worst style to serve the customer, smoking in a public area and on a business area is disrespect to the customer and it will kill your repetition. Especially for home inspectors as majority of customers are coming from a word of mouth we have to keep ethical communication.
The first step to learning to communicate well is to know that listening well is a far more important skill than speaking well. And it is far more rare. Truly listening, without your thoughts wandering or planning your response, is an act of caring. It is immediately felt and it builds the rapport and connection that speaking does not.
This is an image of the types clothing I will wear while working. Loose fitting but not baggy pants or jeans made from cotton and polo type shirts. Loose fitting pants because they will be better suited for climbing ladders bending down and crawling thru crawlspaces.
I pictured in this image is a pre-inspection agreement. The pre-inspection agreement is beneficial to all parties in the home inspection.on the client side, the agreement informs the client what s/he can expect from the inspection process. On the Inspector side, the agreement helps to protect the Inspector from possible lawsuits.
Im the article I read, I learned about power strips. Power strips are an issue that home inspectors should be very aware of. Many homeowners use them as an alternative to adding a permanent receptacle. They should only be used as temporary power in accordance with the manufacturers specifications. Overloaded power strips can create an electrocution hazard as well as a fire hazard.
:Why get a home inspection if you’re buying “as is”:
Home inspectors are trained to look for defects or items in need of repair. Things you may not see when you walk through the home to get a idea of its general condition.
You will also have a detailed report of the “as is” condition of the home so you can make a more informed decision to buy or not, or even negotiate a lower price for the property .
The code of ethics is the guideline for what we should do not only as inspectors but as business owners.
many economic faults have been attributed to the lack of ethics in the work place. working by the internachi code of ethics is the way to go.
Google Calendar is a great tool to utilize for scheduling and receiving notifications of inspection times and places. You can set it to send notification emails for just about any kind of event, an appointment, a follow up call, or customer contact. It can check your personal calendar automatically to avoid scheduling conflicts. I plan to use this app for all my inspection business needs.
Your home is the most expensive purchase you will probably ever make. Don’t cheap out by going with a low priced inspector. InterNACHI home inspectors earn their fees many times over. They earn their qualifications through training and experience. When you need a home inspector, choose the best. Make sure the inspector is InterNACHI certified.
This photo is an example of how NOT to dress for an inspection. This gentleman appears disheveled and sloppy which could translate to the client that his quality of work may be the same. The ripped pants and t-shirt are bit too casual and unprofessional looking. I would recommend a clean, collared shirt with clean pants (no jeans) without rips or stains. Although a certain level of comfort is necessary for performing a home inspection, it is crucial to be seen as professional as well. If an inspector were to arrive to a clients property dressed this way it may be perceived as disrespectful and lazy. We only get one chance to make a first impression and aside from verbal communication, proper attire is essential in making that first impression a positive one.
I selected the article “Become a HUD 203(k) Consultant” for this essay. I have looked into a 203(k) loan for my own home and when I noticed this article it interested me for a few reasons. The HUD 203(k) program has been available since 1961 but the complexity of the program didn’t allow it to be widely utilized effectively until 1994. The program allows homeowners/buyers obtain loans/refinancing that incorporates the costs of remodeling/renovating into the loan. This option is very helpful to people who don’t have or cannot obtain funds to have such work done due to the existing condition of the property or insufficient equity. As a not yet certified inspector that is planning my business strategy, this opportunity is of great interest to me. I feel I’m qualified to get this certification based on what is listed in this article, and on my extensive knowledge/experience in the construction industry and the fact I have been a licensed contractor since 2011. This may be a great opportunity to add ancillary services to my new business and I’m excited about learning more about this option.
I’ve learned that doing a good youtube video and uploading it on your home page will show your clients how you work. Plus it will explain a little more about what your gonna do in there inspection. Plus clearly show your number so the can call.
I like wearing jeans and a black polo shirt because jeans are tuff and the handle the dirt and roof crawling around well. Plus here in Florida we have many rodents that like to bite and a little extra leg protection never hurts
Better customer service begins with a few basics.
Answer your phone. Make sure the customer is happy with the way r=the phone is answered.
Don’t make promises you cannot keep.
Don’t avoid dealing with complaints.
Be helpful even when there is no profit in it.
Training, training, training.
Take the extra step to make sure the customer’s needs have been met.
Throw in a little something extra. A coupon for future business transactions, a small gift. People appreciate getting more than they paid for.
This is an image of a house that I bought as an investment property in 2005. I had a home inspection done and the inspector found several things that were likely negotiating items. I didn’t really pursue this much because the price was really good. When I had the furnace checked out before the first tenants moved in I ended up replacing the furnace due to a cracked heat exchanger. I certainly should have had that assessment done before closing. The inspector was right about that for sure.
I read the article about doing damage to a house while performing an inspection. This is something I’ve thought about with regards to the pursuit of this occupation. Of course it seems that it could be disconcerting to have something break or malfunction in the course of normal operation. The article had some good points about this situation and put my mind more at ease. The idea, though, of stepping through a weak spot in the roof does give me pause.
Having been in business for myself for many years customer communication is one of the most important aspects of your business. No matter if you do everything for your client perfect or make a couple of mistakes always smooth things over the best you can.
One unhappy customer can cause the loss of dozens of new customers.
I have been in the construction business for years and this course enlightened me on many items that one never thought about. I found this course very informative and full of many useful items that every home inspector and builder should be aware of.