I’ve been doing similar inspections since Denver started these last year. I was fairly busy with them last year with only 5 of us doing them, but this year there are around 40 inspectors doing the inspections and that business has plummeted.
Business has slowed, but I am still decently busy with regular inspections.
The key is to provide better service. I make sure my clients, some of whom don’t have web access, have all the needed information and paperwork to file for the license. Many just complete the inspection sheet (1 page in the county) collect their fee and leave. Not much in the way of service.
Right now it’s good for me being slower due to family issues. This got me thinking though. I’d thought of offering Radon testing only as a side service to other inspectors, etc. but was too busy with inspections. Now, family concerns mean I couldn’t even try that and keeping up with setting and picking up radon kits is even too much so selling that equipment. Maybe someone’s interested in starting up a radon only testing service though? Just put the post up on classifieds (6 Radelec Radon).
Retired from the inspection business but I still have a handful of rental properties. Then there is also Social Security.
I like to buy and sell vehicles on the side. It’s a tough market too. My inspection businesses are definitely feeling the downturn for the first time in over a decade. Deep pockets help but I agree with Matt Fellman. Having a side hobby that generates funds is a good thing. Here’s a picture of what I bought yesterday.
Oh man… that is a NICE ride. I’ve always loved Corvettes but have yet to own one. The value of some of the older once is pretty insane. I’ve been looking at the C5/C6 era and can’t believe how much car you can get for +/- 20K.
That’s my dream car right there.
I have a contracting company doing home renos, building decks, fences, etc. I have since started building a home/cottage, 3 bdrm, 2 bath bungalo, for myself and am near finished. I have decided that once I am finished building it, I am going to give up contracting and will focus efforts on performing home inspections. Its a way for me to keep involved in the industry I enjoy and not have to physically work quite as hard. In my past life I was a manager in the utility sector focusing on fire protection and emergency response.
Look into Field Inspection work. Here in FL the insurance companies all contract out to have simple follow up inspections completed to finish the underwriting process. Per inspection $$ is of course much lower but the normal inspection can be completed in 15 minutes, 30 minutes on a high value.
Totally, my side hustler side jobs are Electrical Inspections and of course Electrical Contractor. For more downtimes, Deliveries and Ride Share covers the cash flow
My side hustle is conducting home inspections. I’m 100% service connected with the VA, so I do it to stay busy, make some extra revenue, but I don’t actually need to work, so as a former jurisdictional inspector, I choose to stay busy doing stuff I like, like home inspections.
Morgage/insurance/forclosure inspections, field inspections and notary work.
Eye of a good accurate inspector… 
Wish you were closer to me Rob… 
Me too. I gotta couple trees that need a “climber.”
The more I know about you, the more respect I have for you. That’s Bad Ass!
Thanks Burt. For me it’s more of a hobby but I do enjoy climbing. I also find it to be safer than some of the things I do on my day job as a commercial electrician.
They are all “side hustles.” I like multiple streams of income. But my wife Lena won’t let me start any new ones at my age.
