I read an article pertaining to hosting a table or booth at different types of shows. I for one think it is a great idea. You get the opportunity to network with civilians, businesses, agents and various people throughout the industry. If your not inspecting, marketing takes precedence.
Sample Leave-Behind Letter that generates more inspection jobs
Most home sellers are moving locally (within your inspection market area). After your inspection, leave behind a letter (similar to this one) that asks the seller to hire you to inspect the home they are moving into. The letter works great when combined with the Inspector Marketing Lunch Box.
In writing about Professionalism; i.e. the course, finding the article above on leaving behind a thank you letter, puts the icing on top of the cake, so to speak, in that it indicates that we the inspector have already generated and established a working relationship through having made the sales contact and having undergone a thorough communication about the needs and interests of the client. If we go so far as to leave a thank you note, then, we have carried out our intention of fulfilling the needs of the customer and therefore feel a sense of contentment in having done our job with integrity and responsibility. It pleases not only the client but ourselves and maybe even more for ourselves.
Thank you
Article ''Marketing tips for inspectors:Meeting your client for the first time".
The take away point is that you never get a second chance to make a positive first impression to your client. The client’s first impression starts with your web site and continues through the actual home inspection. The inspector is to look presentable and act professional. At all times we are to be ethical, which means being honest, doing what is right and being accountable. Before the inspector leaves the residence, he should ask the client how he would like to receive the inspection report. The inspector should thank the client for allowing him to perform the inspection. A follow up note should be sent a few days later thanking the client once again for the opportunity to be of service.
Efflorescence is the white chalky powder found on concrete or brick walls. It could be just cosmetic or it can be a sign of moisture intrusion that could lead to structural damage or poor indoor air quality.
After reading: “Doing Damage During an Inspection: It’s Your Job” a mindset change is needed in order to realize that it is my job as the inspector to find these defects. It will also require me to find a way to explain to the client that this is a good thing for me to find the defect than for them to find it after they move in. Thanks goes out to Nick and Kate the authors to bringing this to my attention. I will find ways to explain to the client if/when I find this kind of defect.
Providing exceptional customer service goes a long way to ensuring a successful business model. However, there are many other factors which influence how your clients perceive your inspection services.
Personal appearance and hygiene are very important as your first impression may very well determine whether or not you get the inspection contract. A rule of thumb is that if you look the part of a professional home inspector, your potential client will regard you as a professional home inspector.
Do not be afraid to talk about your qualifications or your experience in the home inspection industry. Reassuring your customers that they are in good hands will usually result in more inspection contracts. Provide a list of ancillary services that your company offers that your competition doesn’t. The more services that you provide, the better chance you have at getting the job.
I thought is was valuable how this course focused on making a good first impression, establishing good eye contact & how to handle complaints. So important for an inspector to maintain a professional appearance; brush teeth, floss, trim beard. All important items to put into practice.
Looking forward to do this. I need to brush up,
It was interesting reading about customer relations. I have had many jobs that required professionalism. It is always helpful to update yourself on this type of thing. I agree that how you treat the customer is the most important thing. I have experience in keeping and losing customers because of indifference. I chose first impressions to write about. First impressions are fast and they can make or break a sale. Meeting a customer for the first time is selling yourself. They ask themselves questions like: Do I trust this person? Can I depend on him to do the right thing? Will I get my money’s worth? I read the article “Do you take pride in your ride?” Seeing you drive up is their first impression of you. Is your vehicle clean, respectable, professional? All these things plus how you look and what you say at the beginning of the meeting all sell the customer on your business and you. This will help determine if they will use you again and if they will refer you. You never get a another chance to make a first impression.
Hi,
A little extra knowledge, is always good.
Authentic Home Inspections, LLC.
Lavern Heaser
I am unable to play the Introduction video called Professionalism.
Is the video normally not play?
Lavern
Sorry! Found it on a later page.
Lavern
This is my short essay on the teachings of Professionalism regarding Sales, Customer Service, & Communication. I learned how it costs five to six times more to secure a new client over keeping an old client. Always strive to remember the importance of first impression, and to practice a smile in all communications, even before answering a phone. I was reminded to be aware, that not all communication is verbal, that paying attention to our body language is important. Having Internachi’s strict code of ethics on the web site gives the client a chance to see the code that Internachi Inspectors follow.
For this course I read the article How to get real estate agents to hand out your card. The author was an ex agent who became an inspector. the article explained why a boring “hi my name is Bob from Bob’s home inspections” type of meeting is not effective. He used a demonstration with ICF’S to keep agents interested and then handed out info cards that also had his contact info on the back. It is a great idea to try and incorporate into agent sales meetings. I will try and come up with something like this to help grow my business.
Building a Home
I was unaware of so many clauses for homeowners to walk away from a contract involving a new home. This article will require a much more thorough review to fully understand. Im unsure just by reading if HUD has jurisdiction over all new homes. I will have to research. Very very good read.
You should maintain professionalism is everything you do, from your voicemail message, email, text messages to being in front of the client. You should also always try to improve the services you offer to your clients.
The first thing an inspector should do before answering the call on the first ring is to smile. To often people forget that the majority of what we say can be overridden by how we say it or the body language that accompanies the verbiage that is directed towards that person.In my office, I am prepared at all times with my pad and paper, my tablet for quick reference, personal cell phone for looking up information that is not readily available on my laptop for reference as I speak to the individual over the phone. I love interacting with the individual on the phone as they may be a client future or past that could lead to my next scheduled inspection just because my customer service was top notch.
From the article “Meeting your client for the first time,” by Nick Gromicko. The author advises that every inspector should set the proper professional tone when first meeting their clients face to face. Be professionally dressed, have the appropriate signage displaying your company on your freshly washed vehicle when you pull up to the client’s property with your radio off. When you exit the vehicle you should have a smile on your face and extend your hand for the handshake that will set the tone for your appointment with that client. Your body language, how your dress, and overall how you look will say more than your words will be able to convey when you first meet your client in person. Make a good first impression and always be polite and professional.
When looking at professionalism in the industry their is usually a strong correlation between higher income, a good reputation, and professionalism. One great example of this is one of our local home inspection companies in Jacksonville. They require all of their inspectors maintain the absolute highest level of professionalism with appearance, communication, and followup and they are known around the area to be the absolute best of the best.
The article I read for my research was “Inspecting Aluminum Wiring” by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard. Part of maintaining a high level of professionalism is obtaining as much training and information as you can about the home inspection process and potential hidden hazards that exist and can be found during the inspection. Aluminum wiring can potentially cause a fire in the homeowners place of residence and should be diligently looked for during a home inspection (especially in homes between 1965 and 1973). Their are many aspects of showing a high level of professionalism and this, in my opinion, is one of the key areas.