Hi Dan no everyone is not hammering Farnsworth just me??? He is always sobbing about how bad busines is and how he never never climbs roofs. I make a good living in a super rural area and he can not make it in a large populated city perhaps he should take a look at his business plan. People that fail are always blaming other people for the own short comings.
I am serious as a heart attack he should come go ride with me I am only a A- S -S -h o l e on Mondays Wed and Friday I can squeese him in on Tue or Thur
WEll Hello Mr Gary you finally showed up glad to see ya, yes I am ragging you nothing personal just making a point about the difference in our business plans and how we perform our inspections. You complain about lack of business in a large city and I am over run with business in a area with population of 25K which should speak in large volumes Gary you are doing something wrong figure it out and go back to work:D
Yes, I am at a loss. Business here is just almost zero. Had a good May, but June is very light. It is hard to compete when there are many inspectors in KC doing $200 whole house inspections by the Kansas SOP’s; you know, no appliances, one outlet, one switch per room, etc. Yes they are basic, minimum requirements and you can go over them, but why would you?
Veteran experienced inspectors here are going to many other cities just to get business. Look at Dan. Columbia MO, Springfield MO, etc. RE’s here are doing and saying anything to get us out of their transaction.
RE’s these days do have it rough; lenders are demanding, loans are tough to get approved, and since appraisers are reporting defects to lenders, inspectors are rarely needed here. Some inspectors are paying RE offices fees, contests, promotions, etc. to get business. KW in OP is one of them that requires inspectors to pay a fee to get “listed” on their list with a limit of 5, and access to their office to do flyers, food, etc.
I can go on and on. Smaller cities that have no RE association are easier to work in. I used to get a lot of business out of Miami county, but another guy came in and got the business with cheap, non-alarming reports. As you become a veteran inspector, and write up more detailed reports, your business decreases, and the newbies come along at cheap prices, and basic reports. It is a circle.
We have Real estate associations here just like every small town does but I don’t rely on Realtors for all of my business I had my best month in April this year 16 K in one month and I have been in business over 15 years now and I don’t have to compete with the $200.00 guys. I am not bragging just telling you it can be done in a bad economy. I have the key that opens the door it just takes a little time but what I do works
85% of my business comes from referrals from past clients. My wife works for a food company, and is Marketing coordinator there. My daughter is a graphic artist for a large advertising company. Yes, I know how to market. I do some advertising and free coupons to clients, but RE’s just do not want a certified master inspector doing their home inspections, because I have a better chance of alarming the home buyer.
Right now my home is on the market, and I am thinking of just retiring. There is just no business here, unless you pay $50 per inspection to the RE office/company, and jump to their wishes.
If you are doing the business you say you are, you are very fortunate, and/or low in cost.
In 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 I averaged 480 inspections per year. I joined InterNACHI in 2008 due to the coming new Kansas laws, and became CMI shortly thereafter. I thought it would help my business due to the slump in the economy. It did not. I average about 140 per year since.
Marketing food does not relate to home inspections. Yes we have $200 home inspectors here just like you. Forget your marketing, forget that CMI crude I don’t do much advertising at all, just my web pages and my established reputation. My prices are the highest in Oklahoma I charge what I am worth to my client.
Forget your Ego and call me I can help, do I have a Ego yes I do and with over 40 years as providing a service to the public I have earned that Ego