It takes a lot of nerve

I just received an interesting phone call. A lady called to ask if I knew someone who could do a swimming pool inspection. She said that the home she was buying had a pool and she needed it inspected.

Thinking I might be able to turn the call into a home inspection, I asked if she needed the home inspected. She said that she had it inspected but that the home inspector did not inspect the pool. He simply told her that she should have it inspected. I informed her that if she had had me do the home inspection, I would have done a courtesy visual inspection of the pool at the same time.

It is hard to charge enough to only inspect the pool so I referred her to a pool company. Still, I thought it takes some nerve to call another inspector when you have already had the home inspected.

At least she called and gave you the opportunity!

Go inspect the thing!

What does a courtesy visual inspection of the pool cover??

I check the pool for safety items and general operation. I also check the screen structure, deck and so on. It is pretty much a complete inspection except that I do not check chemicals, timer operation, etc.

Sure, I’d be glad to inspect your pool. My charge is ____ . I have an opening Friday afternoon, will that work for you? :smiley:

I charge $125 for a stand-alone pool inspection. It only takes 15 to 20 minutes. . .

What do you check Jeff?

when i get calls like that i charge accordingly and let them make the call whether they want to pay for my services. Pool’s r easy money :mrgreen:

Pool companies here charge between 65 and 75 dollars. So do I. I got a call this morning to do a full inspection, with a pool. I quoted my price and the Realtor starts hemming and hawing about how he usually uses another inspector and how much cheaper he is than I am, but he was not available. Later into the conversation he tells me the other inspector’s reports are “kinda vague” and he does not do any photos, etc. etc. Apparently this guy has been doing these for many years and has never raised his prices. These guys keep the market set at bargain basement prices. I am doing the inspection tomorrow afternoon and am going to turn this Realtor into a regular.

Exactly, if you can competently inspect pools you should take it on.
I recently received a call from a lady asking if I can do a mold/IR inspection. After further conversation I found out that she has hired a home inspector to inspect the house at the same time. No big deal, I did my inspection the home inspector did his thing and everyone involved was happy.
You have to remember that some clients look to specialists for their inspection requirements. Personally, I will not do pool inspections, I always refer them to a specialist.

Happens quite often down here. Most of my competition doesn’t do pool/spa inspections, so if they get chosen for the home inspection, I often go out and do the pool inspection.

If I do the pool and spa inspection alone, its $299. If I do it with a home inspection, it’s $199.

It’s a lucrative “ancillary service” for me.

How do you guys get trained for pool inspections???

Own one for a couple of years is one way. :smiley:

I used to build and maintain them back in Texas several decades ago and have always had a pool and spa. I still own 33% interest in a pool construction company.

I took the Online Home Inspection Course, Online Home Inspector Classes, School - Kaplan ITA Virtual Classroom course.

My inspections take at least an hour or more.

By the time I check all the fencing, electrical, pumps, controls, pool depths, and other related areas there is just no way I can do that in 20 min or less. But you know them California guys can “fly” right by.:slight_smile:

All accessible components and related safety systems.

I don’t do leak tests of the pool body, nor do I inspect underground piping.

Robert,
Take the pool inspection job at your normal fee. This happens to inspectors all the time. Last spring I did a mold inspection and radon test for client the same time a home inspector did his thing. Long story short, they did not purchase the home, but on the next one, they used me for the home and mold inspection. They decided not have a Radon test on the house.

Moral of story, do your best on what the client wants and it could be money down the road for you.

I agree with everyone else. Never pass up easy money. They’re pretty much handing you a blank check.