Originally Posted By: pgudek This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Does anyone know about this company. They seem to have a government contract to deploy inspectors in disaster areas. They offer free training. The details on the website seem vague. www.parrinspections.com
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Yes,
I'm signed up with them. Dave Bush has done many inspections for them. If you do a search on either disaster inspections or Parr, you should be able to find the thread.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi to all,
it's funny that this tread started up today as yesterday I was on a FEMA training course (my second). Here's the lowdown for those who are interested in the scheme.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Authority) has 2 sub contractors who provide inspectors when Federal disasters are declared they are:
Both organizations offer training days throughout the US Parr's training is one day, Parson Brinkhoff is spread over two days. and primarily cover the scope of the Fema inspection and it's computerized reporting systems. Both companies us the same ACE3 software package developed by FEMA themselves.
Any inspector who is interested in this field would also need to be aware of the following.
When called, you need to be able to roll in a maximum of 3 day's and need to be able to commit to a 21 day minimum deployment.
You can be sent anywhere in the US or dependent territories (Puerto Rico, US virgin Islands, Guam etc). Travel arrangements (if flying) are made by and paid for by the main contractor, but all other expenses are paid by the operative (ie: car hire, hotels, meals)
The rate of compensation per inspection is in the $43 to $48 range plus some performance based incentives, most experienced inspectors would be doing 15-20 per day dependent on disaster type and location.
I hope Dave Bush will chime in here and give us the operational low down on payment speeds, work conditions etcetera.
Originally Posted By: dbush This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Okay I’ll Chime. I enjoy working for PARR. I just got back from about 30 days in PR and did over 225 inspections. I averaged 10 a day while I was there, should have been more, but we won’t discuss the lack of physical addresses in Puerto Rico.
Like Gerry said, they pay between 43-46 per inspection, depending on which company. PB requires 21 day commitment, PARR requires 30 day commitment. Airfare is provided, hotel, food, intreperter (if needed in PR), gas, rental car, etc. are on you. However, your average expenses are $100 per day and you will make between $400 - $600 per day. For those seasoned inspectors, may not be worth it, for others.....
They do ask that you can take up and go pretty much anytime. You will become a Weather Channel watcher. Most times, they will call you and see if you are available for standby and then call you within 48 hours to go. If you have a chance to go to the training, then do so and get on their list, you never know.
The inspections are nothing like a normal home inspection. They in fact are not a home inspection, they are a disaster inspection. What damage did the disaster do to the dwelling and what does FEMA need to do to make the home safe, sanitary and functional.
Originally Posted By: pgudek This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks for all the good info. I’m attending the PARR class on Thursday and had no idea what it was really all about. I always get suspicious when something appears to be Free, and it counts for 8 hours CE in TX. It sounds like there on the up and up though.
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I went through that, or something similar, years ago.
Our local chapter had the Red Cross come in and do the training.
The inspections were basically (on flood damaged homes) 'how high is the water line?' Below floor level? (not too bad) 3' above floor level. (not good) At the roof line. (really really not good)
Then with other disasters, it was totally demolished, half demolished, salvageable.
Inspections were done by boat (if water was too deep to drive) or by car / truck. Never leaving either, you could see what you needed to see from the street (if you could find the street).
Originally Posted By: dbush This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jerry, these are inside the home, room to room inspections with a complete list of items that need repair/replaced. Sheetrock, outlets, floor covering, etc…
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Bill,
there are no up front costs with this work, the training is free of charge and the equipment is limited realy to a flashlite, tape measure or lazer measuring device. the reporting system is on a Fujitsu 3400 tablet PC which is supplied on site with batteries chargers etc. the only other thing you need is your cell phone (on a national calling plan)
Originally Posted By: dbush This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Those are the expenses listed. Like Gerry said, they provide the computer equipment. You will need some administrative items, such as flashlight, index cards, office supplies, etc.
That I have found yet, there is no catch except for the drop what you are doing and being available.
Originally Posted By: rkulla This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
For the guys that have done these types of inspections. How often do you get called? How does it affect your business at home, do you feel you lose some realtors due to being gone for such a long period of time? Are you most likely to be called for one’s in your area? Are you locked in to going to every one they call you for, or do you have the option to choose.
Originally Posted By: dbush This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Rex, I can’t tell you exactly how often I get called, because I have only been to two. The realtors that I work a lot with just call me and if I am not available they go on to someone else, but they try me first. As far as passing on a disaster, there is a portion on the website that you can update your availability. If you mark that you are available and they call and you tell them you can’t go, they get upset, if it happens twice, they get really upset. If you are marked not available, then they don’t mind; however, you don’t want to keep it that way.
Originally Posted By: rsummers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I just attended my 1st class. I would say that it looks like some easy money if you can set up your appointments and perform the inspections and get out quick. It sounds like you can make some serious money if you are organized enough.
Originally Posted By: lmartin This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Yes this has been very good training , picks up the slack , I have also been on a few locations doing inspections ,been with Parson Brinckerhoff Inspection Services for 2 years now. They also have other avenues , Insurance inspections on new polices for one-Beacon .
Originally Posted By: dvalley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I also attended a training session and was very much interested in moving forward with session II. Only one problem…My wife got a little upset when I told her that this sub-contractor job would keep me away from home for a month or two. I decided not to participate.
