Is The Home Inspection Industry Becoming Oversaturated?

Originally Posted By: lwillick
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I have over 20 solid years in this business. In the next few years I shall retire. I would love to write a book on the industry. In what other business are you controlled by a third party business in conflict with your own industry ?


Regards,


larry


Originally Posted By: jmurray
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lwillick wrote:
I have over 20 solid years in this business. In the next few years I shall retire. I would love to write a book on the industry. In what other business are you controlled by a third party business in conflict with your own industry ?
Regards,
larry


I think running a casino back in the 70's would be similiar!


--
"A little less conversation and a little more action"!

Originally Posted By: jmurray
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gporter wrote:
Only the strong will survive


Either that or be an inspector in a sunbelt state!
I guess that would make them strong! ![eusa_think.gif](upload://lNFeGuTetUAtwNVgUSOuUzgrGGK.gif)


--
"A little less conversation and a little more action"!

Originally Posted By: gporter
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icon_biggrin.gif



Gary Porter


GLP’s Home and Mold Inspections LLC


Orlando, Fl 32828


321-239-0621


www.homeandmoldinspections.com

Originally Posted By: bkelly2
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jmurray wrote:
gporter wrote:
Only the strong will survive


Either that or be an inspector in a sunbelt state!
I guess that would make them strong! ![eusa_think.gif](upload://lNFeGuTetUAtwNVgUSOuUzgrGGK.gif)


What are you trying to say John??


--
"I used to be disgusted, Now I try to Be amused"-Elvis Costello

Originally Posted By: jmerritt1
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I The great state of Illinois since the license act came to pass in 2002, we now have over 2300 inspectors, with 2/3 of the state a rural area, yes we have to many inspectors, I’am just guessing but more than 1/2 are part time, and low ball the industry, I think this all will change as time goes on. New inspectors will soon find out how hard it can be to start out and give up.


Originally Posted By: rmyers1
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jmerritt1 wrote:
I The great state of Illinois since the license act came to pass in 2002, we now have over 2300 inspectors, with 2/3 of the state a rural area, yes we have to many inspectors, I'am just guessing but more than 1/2 are part time, and low ball the industry, I think this all will change as time goes on. New inspectors will soon find out how hard it can be to start out and give up.



Jeff Is absolutely correct, the State of Illinois now has 2313 Licensed Home Inspectors. Most of the newly licensed Inspectors are part time.
Providing low ball pricing.
Most ,not all, have little, if any practical experience. Some don't even have a report form.

This of course makes it rather difficult for newer Realtors or clients to determine who to hire for their Inspection. Many clients are now calling to check prices.

We use the NACHI response to this.

It's not like the goode ole days, when a handful of us did the entire Chicago Metro area.

Fortunately, we still have enough business to keep afloat, and still provide Inspections to some fellow NACHI Members, who have little or no business.

With our slow season fast approaching, I'm very concerned about the good new Inspectors we may lose.

The way Illinois instituted the License Act, has definitely caused a glut of Home Inspectors in our area.


Originally Posted By: wdecker
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I want to second Russ’s answer.


There may be a number of newly licensed inspectors, but we all know a couple who, sadly, we know don't have what it takes and probably never will. Both Russ and I have taken such people on ride alongs. We have also taken newly liceisned inspectors on ride alongs and these guys are REALLY bright and through and write good reports.

When a state goes licensing, there tends to be a guild mentality grow up. This means that the current licensees tend to want to, through lobbying and political means, control the license process, limit the number of new inspectors and make sure that any new inspectors are beholding to the guild. This is what some in other associations tried to do in Illinois, by setting up the SOP and working to make the education requirements 'gransfathered' for themselves. The state still made them take the test (based on the NHIE) and only 41% passed!

I also think that there is a glut of education providers. In Illinois, one must take 60 hours of state approved instruction before one is eligable to take the licensing test. Many of the older, established inspectors are setting up schools and teaching these required courses. Some charge as much as $2,400 for the course. I took it at a local Community College and paid $345.00. There is undercussting in education, also.

I also agree with Russ that, during this upcoming slow season, many of the good, newer guys, will fail. This would be tragic.

I would like to see a general uplifting of the quality and practices and professionalism of the inspectors in our state. Just because you hhave been doing it for a long time does not automatically mean that you have been doing it right or in a professional manner.

NACHI gives me the ability, and supports me, in the course of action.


--
Will Decker
Decker Home Services
Skokie, IL 60076
wjd@DeckerHomeServices.com

Originally Posted By: rbennett
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Sorry my previous post was too brief


Too many inspectors - yes

Not enough inspectors that conduct their business in a professional manor




In some respects this makes life easier because the good inspectors stand out.



rlb


Originally Posted By: lwillick
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In my area of south western British Columbia, Canada, the majority of the populace is Asian, ie: East Indian, Chinese, Philippino and various other Asian origins. The majority of these people have no idea what a person is talking about regarding credentials or experience. Their bottom line is the price. How cheap…The NACHI formula does not work. You can explain all you want, but you are talking to a brick wall, drawing a blank. They only go by how cheap. Unfortunately most of the realtors are now of the same Asian decent. Also encouraging the cost cutter inspections. Some of my clients tell me, oh my previous inspector is no longer in business. They shop price and not quality. I love it when I can go in and find numerous deficiencies that the previous inspector missed. The realtors don’t like it too much. And yes there are still many good realtors here.


Regards


larry


Originally Posted By: wdecker
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Larry;


I have a similar situation in my area. There are a number of Indian (from India) Roman Catholics in my area, as well as Sunni Muslim Pakastanis. They are very cliqueish. I made contact with a mortgage broker who is incian Roman Catholic and who's wifes father is Sunni Muslim Pakastani (go figure) and approachec him. We had a long talk and I showed him my work. Turns out that he is also a Realtor (on the side) and deals almost exclusivly in these communities. He sent me a referral and I did a good job (42 page report on a tear down new construction, $650.00, including free 12 month warranty inspection). The broker / realtor was VERY impressed. Since then, he has given me 6 more of the same type of inspections (seems these McMansions are selling to this community). He loves (and trusts, very important) me and sees my respect and professionalism for his community. I will see many more such referrals.

Find someone in that community who is respected and who is a mortgage broker and/or Realtor and approach them with respect. I have a feeling that it will work.

Hope this helps.


--
Will Decker
Decker Home Services
Skokie, IL 60076
wjd@DeckerHomeServices.com

Originally Posted By: rbennett
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How about looking at this issue with a little different point of view


"Too many homes do not get inspected at all"

Make the market larger not the number of inspectors less

I don't want us to start to sound like we need "restrictive legislation"

rlb


Originally Posted By: wdecker
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I also agree.


The figures that I have seen, for Illinois, is that only 38% of the houses get inspected.

I know that there are a lot of tear down buys (why inspect a teardown) and that contractors, to do condo conversions, use their own people to do the inspection (not inspectors, but carpenters, plumbers, etc).

We can increase the market. It seems like more and more Realtors are recommending inspections. This is why Nick's outreach to the Realtor community can be useful.

But only if we limit his coffee intake for a little while.

![icon_rolleyes.gif](upload://iqxt7ABYC2TEBomNkCmZARIrQr6.gif)


--
Will Decker
Decker Home Services
Skokie, IL 60076
wjd@DeckerHomeServices.com

Originally Posted By: rbennett
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10-4


Originally Posted By: wdecker
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Yeah.


Nick is a great guy and a genius in marketing and has good personal hygiene habits, but he can be a little overbearing, sometimes.


Subtle is always better than YELLING!!!!!!!

![icon_eek.gif](upload://yuxgmvDDEGIQPAyP9sRnK0D0CCY.gif)


--
Will Decker
Decker Home Services
Skokie, IL 60076
wjd@DeckerHomeServices.com

Originally Posted By: lwillick
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Hi Will:


Appreciate the encouragement and feed back.
That is one of the things I have noticed about this international web - site.
We can all try to help each other.

Regards,
larry


Originally Posted By: wdecker
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Larry;


Cast your bread on the water. What you sow, you will reap.

Helping ALWAYS helps. Both the other guy and you.

Plus, it just FEELS so good.


--
Will Decker
Decker Home Services
Skokie, IL 60076
wjd@DeckerHomeServices.com

Originally Posted By: lwillick
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Right on Will:


God Bless;

larry


Originally Posted By: wdecker
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Larry;


From your lips to His ears. I need all the blessing I can get. (Don't we all?).

Baruch HaShem


--
Will Decker
Decker Home Services
Skokie, IL 60076
wjd@DeckerHomeServices.com

Originally Posted By: jmurray
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Thanks for all of your responses!