Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Joe F,
Maybe he is covering his tracks, just like a good politician.
Joe Myers
Joe F,
Maybe he is covering his tracks, just like a good politician.
Joe Myers
Originally Posted By: ecrofutt
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Well, I doubt that Brian did anything with the posts on www.inspectionnews.com. He is very open to leaving that kind of stuff alone.
To my knowledge, and I'm very active there, he has only banned one person from his forum and shut down one topic.
Remember that the person that makes the post can ALWAYS go back and delete it. I venture that's what happened here. Somebody covering their tracks.
Erby Crofutt
B4U Close Home Inspections
Georgetown, KY
Originally Posted By: Robert Patterson
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Joe M.
That $75 Inspection was for a complete Home Inspection with report, not gonna happen. I charge more than that for a Pest, but would do a pest for that.
Bob
Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Bob,
Ugggg....$75 for a complete inspection! So you are saying they took a $350 inspection from you and sold it to another inspector for $75? Normally you charge $450 for the termite and the inspection, I am assuming you are charging around $100 for the termite.
Since I have been in your position I can understand how you feel because the company that gave the inspections for free around here was taking inspections away from me (and other inspectors) so I could feed my family. If this keeps up everyone will soon be doing inspections for $75 and I may as well go find another career so I will be able to feed my family.
BTW...How did they come up with the price of $75 for this inspection? Can you explain to me how their price schedule works, assuming you know how they are arriving at this price?
I think I will be passing on the $75 inspections. I think I will just be a little more patient and wait for the $300 one.
Thanks Bob, you have been a big help! If you know the pricing information please share it with eveyone here on the BB so they know what they are getting into.
Joe Myers
Originally Posted By: rwills
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Bob P. In response to your last post, The companies in question such as Inspection One do not charge RE agencies less for inspections, The large companies that are buying up these relo properties are being charged as much,(If not more) than you or I charge ourselves, They just hire independent inspectors at lower rates so One-they can make a profit, and Two,since there doing all the leg work for you and providing a steady stream of work inspectors shouldn’t expect to get full price!
I'm not sure where Rentals fit into this because these are all Sales transactions and the companies buying these relo - properties do require all inspections be done including termite,radon, septic, EIFS, etc. If you happen to be certified in more than one area, they'll issue you those jobs too. I agree with one thing, I wouldn't do a complete inspection for anybody for $75.00. I get over two-thirds of what I normally charge from them. They may say $150 when you call, but if it's an area they need someone bad enough then it's up to you to negotiate the price. There are no set price structures for all inspectors or inspections with them. They also up pricing with size etc.
Here's a scenario for you! If the inspector up the street from you were making a living off of this company and not the local realtors, wouldn't that in effect help you and be to your advantage? Bob W.
Originally Posted By: Robert Patterson
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Joe,
It wasn't Inspection 1 who offered the $75, that was another company. Inspection 1 offered $150.00.
Bob W.,
I understand what they are doing and I didn't say they are doing anything wrong. What I am saying is that if a company such as this wants to pay you 1/2 of what is normally charged for an inspection they should hire employees and absorb all the overhead. If independent inspectors would hold together, then the price would come up. Yes they do the leg work and should get paid for such, maybe a reduction in the independent inspectors price of 10 to 25% would be okay, but 50%? Not me. If other inspectors need the work, then so be it, that is their decision and it is not necessarily wrong. I remember starting a business and trying to raise a passel of young'uns in a 1100 SF, 3 bdrm, 1 bath home with not a lot of food. I understand what it is to need work. And by not lowering my prices I'm actually helping those who need the work. Now, I've reiterated many times that I don't feel anybody is doing anything wrong. But I still feel that independent inspectors need to, and should, be paid more because of the expenses involved in running a business.
Bob
BTW Do you have stock in Inspection One 
Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Bob P.
Even at $150 that would be 50% off the normal price for an inspection. I still say no thanks, I am with you. Even two-thirds is a little too low for me. The most I have ever offered for a discount is $80 but that was on a $1,000 inspection which was equal to getting one test for free.
Joe Myers
Originally Posted By: rwills
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Bob P. Quote:“BTW Do you have stock in Inspection One.”
Come on Bob! Do you really think I can afford ribeyes and stocks too? 
Originally Posted By: Robert Patterson
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Gotta have the stocks to hold the cows 'till they become ribeyes.
Bob
Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Bob P.
I think I will just wait until I get the full price inspections. It really is starting to sound to me like nothing more than a relo company trying to make money off every aspect of the home sale.
A rather large Century 21 franchise around here does the same thing. You have to pay hundreds of dollars a month to be on their list. I just prefer to make myself money and not them.
Joe Myers
Originally Posted By: Robert Patterson
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Joe,
You have to pay to be on their list?  Not a lawyer and probably wrong, but doesn't this create some kind of conflict of interest or renamed bribe?
Bob
Originally Posted By: Ed Porter
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Hey guys (and girls),
Just remember, aren’t we all paying to be “on their list?” We pay to be part of this great organization, or NAHI, or ASHI or any of the other home inspection organizations. Some home inspectors are okay paying to be on Realtor’s preferred lists, some are okay paying to be part of a website that helps the public locate home inspectors. Some are okay paying to “negotiate” for a home inspection fee. Does it hurt the industry? Probably. Will that inspector win or lose? Depends on the inspector.
What I am saying is that if you don’t like what others are doing or suggesting, then DON’T DO IT. Make the most of what you do, and let others learn for themselves. All of us make marketing mistakes, and all of us have had things work out very well. It’s all part of growing.
Now, let’s get this more positive. Since this is a PUBLIC forum, I would recommend using professional language. The next person reading this could be your next potential client.
Just my thoughts…
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Ed Porter
Cornerstone Home Inspection Services
Grand Haven, MI
Originally Posted By: Robert Patterson
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Ed,
I'm not paying anybody to be on a list. I pay NACHI to be a member of a Trade Organization to try and assist the industry. I spent about 14 years doing inspections with only state required licenses and was never a member of any HI organization. I only recently joined NACHI because it appears to me that NACHI is trying to help its members and listens to its members. A far cry from other HI Orgs. It's also a well known fact that I am a member of IHINA and do not solicit agents. However, I do not denigrate those that do, as long as it's done with integrity and honesty. To pay to be on a list just so you can get business from that organization is a bribe. And any body who requires it is guilty of soliciting a bribe and extortion..IMO.
As for positive, life also has negatives. HI's are basically loners, so they need a place to ask questions, to formulate opinions, to give advice, to discuss issues, keep current, etc. And they are not always positive.
Different people have different ways of running their businesses and that's how it should be. But nobody should be forced to do anything, or voluntarily do anything, that can be, or is, a conflict of interest, a bribe, extortion, etc.
Bob
Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Bob,
They simply start it under a different company which would by pass any conflict of interest. The referral company can pay the agent a reward for referring business to them. All legal and ok according to PA law.
I tend to agree with you that it would seem to be a conflict of interest even before you ever gave a referral. To each their own.
Joe Myers
Originally Posted By: jhagarty
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Edited
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Joseph Hagarty
HouseMaster / Main Line, PA
joseph.hagarty@housemaster.com
www.householdinspector.com
Phone: 610-399-9864
Fax : 610-399-9865
HouseMaster. Home inspections. Done right.
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta
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It is quite common for a RE office to require an HI, or mortgage lender, or anyone else looking to be an approved vendor, to advertise in that brokers listing book. I believe this practice was made illegal in FLA.
Another well known, web-based RE firm charges about $100 per county listed, per month for the privelege of being on their web-site. As I said, they are entirely web-based and do 95% of their marketing on the web. They are also known for 2% commissioins on RE deals. Tey mostly list and sell their own homes, as most realtors wont show a home listed with this firm.
As to the kickbacks, many RE offices use the refferral list as a way to offset some advertising costs. You buy an ad in their book, and halp them out. In return, their agents will only referr HIs on the approved list.
Coldwell Banker also has a program called Concierge. HI's are not required to pay to be a part of it. CB does, however, require an agreement for any HI they may referr, and requires good qualifications and good insurance.
Many RE offices in the area like using Pillar-to-Post. Wanna see a kickback to the agents? Check out p2p practices... Oh boy!
Originally Posted By: matthew berman
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I was asked to pay a 50.00 a month fee at a coldwell banker office and to sign some agreement of which i never seen.I just said no thanks and moved on. Could be extorsion payment.Hmmmm.—mattOriginally Posted By: jmyers
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Matthew,
You will find some of those agents do not use the referral network. If you are looking to attain some business from those agents you will have to market them directly, meaning you will have to do some mailings to them. If you just drop it off at the office it will be thrown in the trash unless you are on their list of paying companies.
Joe Myers
Originally Posted By: Richard Stanley
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Bob, Dave
Late answer to your questions - just saw them.
I was told and agreed to 45 day payment - didn’t happen. When I agree to terms, I do my part and expect the other party to do the same. Otherwise, I’m not interested in their business. I’m also not particularly thrilled with all of the erc paperwork that they require. You say that they have changed - maybe. Opinion on pricing - each person has to do what they are comfortable with considering their personal circumstances. 100% of something is a hell of alot better than nothing.
Originally Posted By: WILLIE
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Bob W, Are y’all really required to include cost of repair in your reports? I just visited the InspectionOne site and was truley interisted until I looked at their report site. Will
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This Ole House-Home Inspections Serving the Texas Coastal Bend out of Rockport Texas