I thought I was in the general section…you mean the “general inspection” topic, not “general tips”? if thats the case then I will start making a list of all my questions…
My brain hurts…
Brady
COOL, your from here!! can I PM you on occassion after I get this all figured out?
Brady, go ahead I’ll do what I can.
Brady:
How many homes are listed For Sale each Month in your market area?
How many homes are Sold a Month in your market area?
What is the Average Cost of an Inspection in your market area?
Are there any Ancillary Services that you are Qualified and/or Licensed to provide in your market area?
How many Home Inspectors are currently established and marketing in your targeted service area?
What differentiates you from your competition?
Speak with your Accountant and Business Attorney.
Home Inspection is not a Growth Industry.
There are no Residuals to Income.
Earnings Potential is directly related to Home Sales and the strength of the Real Estate Market within your Area.
For what it’s worth, the phone book is probably not the best way to determine how many HIs are in your area. Try a google search for HIs and your zip or state. Then try finadaninspector and see how many come up. Then try the other Association sites and see who comes u pthere.
If you can’t come up with the $289 to join, you may want to consider how you will pay for tools, biz cards, ewbsite, insurance, etc. A good business plan would be very useful.
Finally, use the answers to Joe H’s questions to set some clearly defined goals as to how many inspctions you hope to complete each month and how much income you need to generate to survive.
Then you can plan some marketing, etc. My strongest suggestion is to join NACHI as there is a volume of information from a couple of top notch marketing members that will more than return your $289 membership fee.
I cant come up with the $289 to join because I am spending that initial money on training. As far as biz cards, websites, insurance etc, the information that I am recieving so far has been pretty good on where to get what for what price. Now on the topic of tools, I have almost everything that I need (from what I have researched) including gas detectors, inspection mirrors, flashlights, ground fault and electrical testers, digital thermometers, dial thermometers, and of course, one of the ht topics on the site, ladders.
The business plan comes with the classroom session that I am attending, which yes, will help.
Then comes the questions that I should be getting information on, like the ones that Joe posed. I am still reasearching all that.
I appreciate the advice and I am still getting all my ducks in a row and questions lined up. and will post them in the general topics section.
Paul Burrows: I looked at AHIT and the course I want to take is over $2500. Although I do have some $$ set aside, I cant go that much just yet, but will be continuing my education through them if and when the classes are scheduled.
Thanks to all!
Brad,
26K is enough to run anyone off. This business is exactly what you can make of it. Find every meeting you can attend. Look at what everyone is doing around you then do it better. I walked into an Investors meeting last week. Two Home Inspectors had their business cards sitting on the table. I put brochures, cards and a page I created that asks the question “Why Use Glenn’s Inspection Services?” It details my experience in construction, marketing and sales. 100 brochures were sitting on the table. I stood up and made a thirty second sales pitch. At the end of the meeting they were lined up asking for more. The two inspectors left the room. The key to Marketing is to draw attention to yourself. Get over stage fright, get over uncertainty, be confident in yourself. Not confident ? Then practice in front of a mirror until it becomes second nature. That’s why I say you’ve got to do it better than the other guy. The result ? You’ll get those Agents and Investors that want to use you above everyone else. My market is full of inspectors. They have each street corner claimed as their own. I’m working and many of them are not. Build relationships, get into the networks, learn and listen…especially listen. My reputation as a salesman was built on the ability to listen, identify the problem and then solve the problem. All the marketing materials in the world don’t mean squat if you can’t solve the problem for the customer.
Brady,
Speaking from personal experience, I would recommend that you SERIOUSLY consider joining NACHI as soon as you’re comfortable with committing yourself to the HI business. I am fairly new to the business too (just under 3 years now), and I joined NACHI during my first year in business. I have learned at least as much by reading the message board as I did in my schooling. The membership is knowledgeable and very willing to share what they know (and they can be pretty funny too!!).
GOOD LUCK!!
Thank you Wendell…
I am pretty sure Wendell was referring to your picture Tony.
See what I mean? Funny!!!
Brady;
I believe all NACHI members would welcome you to this board and all of it’s beneficial entity’s of learning, education, moral values and ethics.
We would all be pleased that you go about it the right way.
If you are having a difficult time in getting the $289 for the membership fee, study and educate yourself for free on the Internet free bees.
Continue to work on your current job until you are satisfied that you can come up with the knowledge, monies to invest in computer software, programming of all your business cards, portfolios, promotional expenses, and any other related subject that I found cost money.
Hint. I am a part-timer and been in the Contruction business for forty years, I am still taking my time. I felt this would be a good job for me when I decide to retire from the rat race of Commercial Building. Liking challenges, it might not happen for another five years.
Take one step at a time and enjoy and benefit what NACHI has to offer.
We are all here to help you.
Feel free to contact me or others at any time for help. We all need that, at one time or other.
Marcel 
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