Hello everyone!!! I am almost done with all the classes and am curious as to how long it takes to get to a minimum of 10 inspections a week?
I live in a popular market that home sales are doing great and there is a ton of opportunity that I have found after doing a swot analysis for the immediate and surrounding areas (100 mile circumference) . I grew up remodeling/restoring painted lady homes in Ohio when I was younger (15-21) and have family that own a construction company so I am very familiar with the industry and have decided to take my sales background and industry knowledge and apply it to my own business.
I am already talking to people that I know (realtors, mortgage brokers, and builders) in the area and have had a great response but I am a realist and just need to ask.
How long did it take to get your home inspection business off the ground?
Thank you all in advance for you responses I truly do appreciate all the feedback from the Great members here at InterNACHI.
Hi. If you aren’t backed by proper connections the beginning can be very hard, depressing and even make you quit.
It will be close to impossible to build network of customers by just offering your services here and there. You’ll need to sell yourself to people which can find you customers and you’ll have to convince them to replace their old, trusted inspector with you. The price isn’t a factor, except if it’s free. You’ll have to shine, blow, pay for the expensive online ads, AVOID MISTAKES and most importantly - have a backup plan.
Congratulations to you for your progress through training. It sounds like you have a solid background in construction, which is extremely helpful. If you combine that with some sales and marketing expertise, all the better. That said, getting to 10 inspections a week is most likely going to take 1-3 years. I’ve read and heard about new inspectors who do 400 inspections a year after a short time in business, but I don’t believe that is the norm, and it certainly isn’t my experience; it took three months just to do 10 inspections total. Thankfully, things have picked up since then (2 1/2 years ago). Of course, there are a lot of variables that go into individual success: personal drive, specific market, list of contacts, etc. My advice is keep after it and be patient. It’s a great and enjoyable career. Good luck!
You’re asking a silly question that has nothing to do with home inspections but rather business 101
Here is a silly answer: it will take you 1 month to get up to speed of 10 inspections a week and you’re on the way to making millions by the end of your first year.
Here is a more serious answer: this question was asked 100 times, use the search tool to find the threads that repeated the same thing 100 times. Any business owner that isn’t willing to help oneself is not going to be successful and will fail within first 3 years. There is no easy way out in this game. You haven’t asked anything specific.
As I said it I appreciate the positive feed back from the Great community of home inspectors that are out there but with that being said if you don’t have any type of constructive feedback then maybe you should spend less time trolling the message board. We are supposed to be a community of Professionals and I would hope that you would know what that means. But by you comments that is not the case.
I have a business degree and am 47 years old. it was a probing question that was simply asking for clear transparent facts for a realistic expectations…
I know that there are many great inspectors out there, that are there to give truthful and honest answers and I truly appreciate the information from those who have given the realistic unbiased input. So thank you to the ones that have been honest and professional.
I just have one question Simon if your so salty about this profession why do you do it? it seems from your reply that either your threatened by industry competition or over compensating from a lack of ability to convey information in an unbiased format.
Also It’s fresh to me but you might want to re-read the code of ethics since you seem to have forgotten what it means to be part of an organisation such as InterNachi
NACHI code of ethics Section III Sub Section 3 The InterNACHI® member shall not engage in any act or practice that could be deemed damaging, seditious or destructive to InterNACHI®, fellow InterNACHI® members, InterNACHI® employees, leadership or directors. Accusations of a member acting or deemed in violation of such rules shall trigger a review by the Ethics Committee for possible sanctions and/or expulsion from InterNACHI®.
@ylucas it takes some stones for you to come in here and throw the “read the code ethics” around, especially towards a respected member such as Simon simply because you didn’t get an answer you liked. As others have said, use the search button, you’ll find this question has been beaten to death.
Now I’ll answer your question. There’s no set time it takes to get X number of inspections. You just have to get out there and meet people (post covid), market, market on social media. I’m still in my first year (4 months in) and am only getting 1-2 a month.
I was a member of dozens (maybe 100) of online communities in my life, but the home inspectors are THE LEAST SUPPORTIVE between them. Seams like many are feeling threatened by the fellow competitors. The tone is sadly usually harsh.
Of course there are many honest and friendly members, not trying to show off, but willing to help.
That seems to be the trend here for sure. It’s been addressed in recent posts yet the same gang of members wait in the dark and pounce. Pile on is a game played in grade school. Every once in a while a mature member will post excellent information but you need to weed through the childish name calling and insecure members.
Yon best of luck to you. It will likely take years to reach you goals. Your experience will help. Continue to get certified in plumbing, HVAC and electrical inspector. Think about radon and air quality testing and set yourself apart from the herd.
I put in 200 hours of CE last year and when clients call for a quote they often think I’m high. I encourage them to contact other inspectors and get a quote. Most of the time I land that job because I add more value to my inspections than the average home inspector. Education and market yourself and you will be turning work away.
This comment couldn’t ring more true. As a new inspector myself I have felt this a few times in the last few months. The clients that I have had have loved my work but because of the sleeze bag realtors “have not chose me” for their second inspections after they have back out of the first. I’ve heard “he’s busy, he’s booked,” statements that have not been true but because the of the stigma that the realtor “chooses” the inspector is a hard one to get through.
I’m not sour about it, it’s just funny. I do all of my marketing to people and not realtors. A lot of Facebook posts and word of mouth.
My recommendation from someone who is still new to the game, keep at it and don’t let the negatives or the struggles deter you away from making a successful business. I have not slowed down my urge to do great and I hope you don’t get these feelings! Good luck to you bud!
Yon - Simon @srechkin is one of the more helpful members on the forum and has solid advise when given. You are fully off base on this. You should throw out an apology as I am sure you will be begging him for an answer in the future at some point. He has helped out me and countless others with some clarity and being to the point.
1 - I would advise to join Internachi and become a member
2 - Your success will be directly related to your efforts set forth, and what Daniel Cash offered is pretty much spot on.
