I have just moved to Naples, FL from Colorado. Did my InterNACHI certification there as well as a course at Axium Academy. Have completed all of my Florida requirements and passed the proctored exam before leaving Colorado. Completed fingerprinting and paid on arrival. Waiting on the license now. Within the next week or so I should be ready to work. Looking for some experience working with someone who needs to lighten their load. I do plan to start my own business eventually, and I would like to subcontract inspections but am will in to listen to other ideas. I have six hours of work time available per day 8-2pm. Also would be open to other member suggestions on how to gain some experience in my area.
Often, inspector don’t want to “train their competition”. I didn’t have a problem with that but you may have to travel 30 to 50 mile away to find an inspector that is willing to train you.
Thanks Larry, I understand about the competition. I would be willing to travel if that’s what it takes. I hope the cake is large enough down here for all of us to have a piece!
Good luck! 
Chris, #1 go on Zillow and click ‘Draw’ and circle around the areas your willing to drive.
#2 Turn off everything except For Sale by Agent, For sale by owner, Make Me Move, Lots & Land, and anything in the search criteria you obviously can’t inspect.
#3 Turn off Pending, Foreclosure… anything that means the house is in a process of something!
#4 Set your price to max and run your search
You will see your market area… here in Tampa there’s 14,500 homes for sale on any given day and I’m not trying to run anyone out of business.
This is what I did to make me pull the trigger and things are tough trying to figure out marketing techniques. Hope yours is easier!
Thanks Robert! Will follow that advice and see what happens. I find that good things rarely come easy! But I am willing to work to make it happen.
Took a few screen shots for your Zillow search settings. It’s a good ‘basic’ tool to see what your market is… look at your competition in your area then add another 20 inspectors who aren’t established as well… do the math and there’s still plenty of work for all of us… you just have to figure out the marketing. Make sure you pass on the secret when you figure out how to market on a budget!
Hello Christopher,
Here in Florida there are quite a few semi-retired home inspectors who plan to work a few home inspections long after people quit in other areas of the country, and the way it works here is that we take the inspections we want at prices you might judge as low, and overprice the less attractive prospects, so… Don’t be afraid going high when pricing crappy houses, and don’t be surprised when you lose the clean properties to someone you’d consider a low ball bid.
All the best - Joe.
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Nice, Joe…
Thanks Joe! It’s a new career for me at a retirement age so I understand the market strategy! I am sure that there are some dues to be paid, maybe a few of those bad houses… I will not be the lowest priced, but I will be diligent to offer a quality inspection. 35 years of self employment has taught me that quality is what people want. And there are enough of those people here to give me a chance. I appreciate your effort.
The Tao te Ching :
Chapter 48
In pursuit of knowledge,
every day something is added.
In the pursuit of the Tao,
everyday something is dropped.
Less and less do you need to force things,
until finally, you arrive at non-action.
I will take it as it comes. Thanks Joe, I appreciate the wisdom of your experience.
“Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what is almost ripe. Therefore the Master takes action by letting things take their course.” Chapter 64 Tao te Ching.