I am new at home inspection so am looking for others thoughts on keeping a vendor list to give out to clients for repairs that they might need done such as electricians, plumbers, etc. Since I have not personally used a contractor, I would hesitate to put them on a list, yet I want to be helpful to my clients.
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What is your plan to mitigate client complaints when one of those vendors ‘screws over’ your client, when you are the one that recommended them??
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How do you feel about realtors that recommend home inspectors from their short list, and you are not on it??
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if anything goes wrong, realtors and clients will blame you, unless you are extremely confident with who you will recommend, you shouldn’t
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I agree with Jean Paul…if you don’t personally absolutely KNOW their quality, don’t do it.
I learned early, in my career, not to refer vendors just to be clear of the transaction.
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you can just refer them to home advisor… 
I stay out of the referral business.
I tell my client this:
“I do not maintain a vendor list because I want to ensure I am wholly separated from the transaction and it is clear to all parties I have no vested interest in the outcome of the inspection.”
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I add a list of service providers to every report. I add this note at the top:
COMMENT: Below are contractors and services RLM & Associates, LLC is providing as a resource to aid you in narrowing your search when looking for trades, and not as a warranted referral service. Always do your own research and ask for references before you hire a contractor, even if they are found here.
If I hear back from a client they failed to show up, don’t answer their phone, etc. I take them off my list. If I come across a new vender or contractor with a specialty my clients may need I will add them.
A few years ago, while doing an inspection, I was telling the buyer to build up the grade around the home. He mentioned that he owns a small excavating business and he had access to as much black dirt as a guy could need.
At the end of the inspection, I told him that I was interested in having him bring a load of dirt to my house, so I could build up the grade around mine. A week later he was headed over with 7 yards of dirt and called to say that he had his skid loader in town. He offered to spread and grade the dirt for an extra $100.00. It was a no brainer as the total was less than $300.00.
The job he did was fantastic and I started recommending him to people. A few months go by and I happened to look at the county jail inmate list. He was in jail for child molestation. Other than my radon testing sub, I have never recommended anyone else again.
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A vendor list is a bad idea for several reasons. Number one is that you are not in a position to vet the various vendors. Number two is that you will appear to be getting “kickbacks” for referrals regardless if you do or not.
The most frequent question I get asked is, “whom do you recommend.” The simple answer is that most of the people I knew and worked with are retired so there is no one I can recommend.
I have a hypothetical question here… Would you ever consider featuring vendor ads on the back page of your report? Kinda like the business cards on the paper placemat at your local diner. The guys have to pay for a spot… with your approval of course.
So… no kickbacks, they’re just paying for advertising.
Just an idea… be nice 
I see your point, but i would never consider doing it. I’m not in advertising. Would still give the appearance of endorsements and possible kickbacks. Appearances can make or break you in this business.
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I personally wouldn’t put something like that directly in the report. But having advertising on your website might be a consideration. Many websites have advertising. Just because you have advertising does not mean you endorse the advertiser.
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Place paid for ads on the back of what is suppose to be a professional report product? No as it only cheapens the work product.
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Seeing advertising on any professional document that I paid for would have me thinking I just wasted my money on a desperate fly by night company.
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NO. Now Way…Never gonna happen
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Thanks for all the feedback guys! Really appreciate it. I totally get it.
We’re always trying to brainstorm ideas for fresh revenue streams for inspectors. There are all kinds of ideas out there, but not all of them will work in practice.
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