Originally Posted By: rhintze This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Welcome to the neighborhood and congrats…I’d be happy to get together and talk shop. I’m about six months into it and with perseverance the business is growing. Got a call on Friday from N. Tampa through a referral (from two months ago) that turned into 2 jobs and an additional 20 sources of work. These came as a result of a previous customer ‘selling’ my services. Marketing is key, but doing a thorough and professional job is just as important. Give me a ring.
Originally Posted By: jbranam This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The inspection went well. The client wasn’t a buyer or seller. he was worried he had a roof leak. of course there was no leak. He was pretty happy with the inspection, and said he liked following me around learning about the home he has owned for 21 years.
Originally Posted By: rhintze This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Congrats. #1 is an accomplishment and confidence builder! Sounds like you should ask to “quote” some of his comments to begin building your testamonials.
Curious- how did you write up that the roof didn’t leak? How old was the roof covering?
Originally Posted By: wdecker This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
John;
Some advice, if it would help.
With roofs, make sure that you inspect the outside AND the inside. Look for water staining in areas under where you are suspicious on the outside. Look on the decking AND the rafters. If you see signs of staining, check for active moisture with a good meter.
If you cant see the inside of the roof (not attic, no access) make sure you CLEARLY STATE this in your report.
Also, it is a GOOD thing when your client follows you areound and you give a running dialog of what you see (good and bad). It helps you to remember for when you write your report AND educates the client. When people learn new things (are educated) they feel good. They find out that YOU make them feel good. Don't lecture from a condescending POV, just discuss and make sure that you let them talk as well. In that wat, you make them interested and involved in the inspection. This is the best way to keep loyalty and get referrals.
After you hit the 50 to 60 inspection point, you will find more and more people coming to you based upon the refe4rrals of old clients. This is the sweet spot.
When you write your first report, you REALLY make sure that you get it right. This is normal. But, over time, there is a tendency to get full of yourself and skimp on the descriptions and such. Avoid this! Write each report with the completeness and diligence of the first. I regularly go back over my old reports and self critique myself to make sure that I am still sharp.
Originally Posted By: wdecker This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Ceiling staining, especially on cathedral ceilings, is a sign of excessive moisture. I verify by checking the moisture content of the stain and the surrounding areas.
Bad ventilation in the cathedral ceiling leading to moistire buildup, aggrivated by lack of proper vapor barrier.
congratulations