What online training program would you recommend? How feasible would it be to do 3 to 5 400 dollar inspections per week? Is it a good idea to hand out business cards to realtors? Do I need to undercut the competition inspection price to stay competitive? In general, is it worth it for someone out of training to start a home inspection business?
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Congratulations!
With that business plan mentality, you should be out of business before you get started, so… don’t even bother!
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Morning, Jacob.
It is feasible, as long as you follow a planned route, and business model while marketing yourself using background experiences to fill in the blanks.
If you need to ask this question on a InterNACHI forum than the obvious escapes you. That’s not a good trait for a home inspector.
What makes you think experienced home inspectors are your competition?
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If you need to ask this question on a InterNACHI forum then the obvious escapes you. Lol. JK.
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In my area, if the agents don’t know about you, you will not stay very busy.
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Sorry for asking, but is there a proper home inspector business book?
Good advice.
Just remember you have to be cheaper than this guy. These are the guys who are killing the industry and working for nothing.
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Holy Crap!
I get almost that for a single termite inspection
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No worries he’s not very busy he’s available for next day inspections.
Some of us are booked all the way through June through July into August. Do you still want be the cheap guy?
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I was going to answer the OP but I waited for you JJ. You never disappoint!
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With the types of questions asked, such as “Do I need to undercut the competition inspection price to stay competitive?”
I have a feeling Jacob has other motives than being a home inspector.
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That cheap AND available next day??
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Wow! I can’t believe no one here has had a cancellation that opened up a spot for a lucky client. Not saying that is the case, but I’ve had it happen to me more than once.
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Which is it, killing the industry or not very busy?? Obviously can’t be both.
The most important thing is to know your market. There are guys around here doing 2500sq ft houses for two and a quarter, and others at $300 for 3000 sq ft. The largest multi inspector firm is at $295 after coupon(everyone gets a coupon) that heavily rely on the “free” warranties to get them out of missed defects.
So I start at $249 for a 2000 sq ft home on a slab foundation and I make more than twice as much per inspection as the multi inspector company employee does on commission.
I do appreciate the plug, got 17 hits on the website in the last few hours. That’s good for the SEO.
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They give them out for free here.
In 2023, I’m starting FREE HOME INSPECTIONS business model. More details to follow, stay tuned!
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Cheap home inspectors competing with cheap home inspectors is a dog fight that will never end. Good luck.
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This is a hard business to break into and now it an especially bad time. Home sales are down year over year in most places. I can tell you there’s a lot of regionality to it too. Probably the simplest market research you can do is call a couple companies and see how soon you can get them out. If it’s tomorrow you’re market is oversaturated.
I’ve inspected in Oregon for the last 22 years but just moved to Maui and am starting up. I’m finding it’s MUCH easier to get work in Maui. All the inspectors are booked out for two weeks and I can get a lot of work from people with short timelines. Of course, with 22 years experience I also have a much easier time than someone who is starting out with no experience.
In the end, the people I’ve seen succeed starting from scratch have an amazing marketing strategy and spend a lot of money/effort implementing it. I’ll be the first to admit that’s not me. I originally worked for and then bought an existing company. You might consider seeking out an older inspector who’s a few years from retirement. He could train you and you could buy him out. I know there have been quite a few older inspectors looking for that my area over the years.
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