Considering making a living in the HI industry.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by gromicko

Brian, once licensing in adopted in your area the fella who has no credentials and was issued his license yesterday afternoon will be placed by the government on the same "licensed list" (for all the REALTORs to point to and all the consumers to find)... as you. Hope his name doesn't start with a letter that comes before "M" alphabetically or he'll appear on the "licensed list" ahead of you and all your credentials which do not appear on the "licensed list."

So much for your credentials, the government doesn't care... the "licensed list" lists you with everyone else alphabetically.

Get it yet?

SPIN! SPIN!! SPIN!!! SPIN!!!! SPIN!!!!!

Do you think everyone is going to go to a gov't list to pick an HI. I don't solicit realtors and as far as I know none of my cards sit out in realtors' offices. I get my work from repeat customers, their friends and families, a Yellow pages ad (cost: 1 inspection/month), the 4-5 realtors out of 6-700 that will recommend me (Most don't like my thoroughness and honesty), and my website (with no association or inspector level claims).........period!!

Reputation, Reputation, Reputation

In the last 17-18 days, I have been referred inspections by 3 municipal inspectors or inspector supervisors and 2 CAHPI RHI's for work they didn't want to tackle.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by jbraun

Brain, are you not making at least a $100,000 a year?

We get by!! My 18 year old daughter spent March break in Italy and this summer, she's spending 2 weeks in Costa Rica aiding in building a school but we have to pay her expenses. You make sacrifices for stuff like this.

[Nick Gromicko]

Brian writes:

the 4-5 realtors out of 6-700 that will recommend me (Most don't like my thoroughness and honesty)

Less than 15% of all agents won't refer an inspector because the inspector is "too thorough." A weak inspector gets the agent sued and 85% of all agents know that. But you get less than 1% of them recommend you? Less than 1% recommendation???? This simply can't be attributed to your "thoroughness." Mathematically impossible.

There must be some other reason agents don't recommend you to thier clients.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by gromicko

Brian writes:

Less than 15% of all agents won't refer an inspector because the inspector is "too thorough." A weak inspector gets the agent sued and 85% of all agents know that. But you get less than 1% of them recommend you? Less than 1% recommendation???? This simply can't be attributed to your "thoroughness." Mathematically impossible.

There must be some other reason agents don't recommend you to thier clients.

Yes, I do an "above the SOP inspection" and take "too much time" but when some of these same realtors want to purchase or build a home who do they call?

Recent examples:

1)I live in the country along a bay off the Atlantic Ocean and this area is the hottest real estate market in my province...the local realty agents have done well....so well that one just recently completed a $7-800,000 house (+ $250,000 for the lot) on the water directly across the road from me. This gent has not recommended me once.....even though we have other connections through his relatives and his sister invited me to his birthday party a couple of years ago. He called me twice to consult on this house during construction and also to see if I wanted to do the HRV system!! Each time my response was: "Sorry, I'm too busy!!!"

2) A broker called me for the second time (the first time his absentee client, buying from a web presentation of a property, requested that I inspect the house!) to inspect a house. I was quite surprised and asked who the client was? ......His brother. On the day they wanted to book I already had 2 inspections booked so had to refuse them (I will not do 3 house inspections in a day....period). The night before the inspection, I get a call directly from his brother to see if things have changed...maybe I could do his tomorrow.......sorry, i'm still booked up!!

3) Couple of years ago: An agent had me do 3 inspections for him in a week so I figured...OK another agent going to recommend me regularly......then nothing for 6 months when he calls again. I was puzzled and ask who's this inspection for...his daughter!! Then nothing for 6 months again.......until a call to inspect his retirement home!!!

Nick, I have more stories like this. They've seen most on the inspectors in the local market but they know I do the kind of inspection they'd want on their own house but their clients......??????

I have only been back into the HI market for about 6 years here now. It's a new market for me as I moved to this area from another province to write and enforce the energy regulations for this province in 1992. Just starting to get up to speed as I'm in a market with too many HI's (sound familiar, folks) Last year, about half my income was from HI....litigation, training, gov't contracts were the rest. This year it looks like I have to make a decision to start refusing some work.......I've been going for 16 days now without a full day off and have another inspection this PM.......billed for a gov't contract on wednesday.....all morning yesterday worked on and sent out a litigation report at 2 pm....then did an inspection at 4pm......have another today and tommorrow and then......it seems to be going on and on.

So, Nick, as you and some others try to diminish my credibility or make disparaging remarks about my level of HI Designation.......I sit back and smile. As I said earlier.....just hitting stride now.....presently really have too much work and....... I don't solicit realtors or have cards/brochures in their offices. In the last 3 weeks, I have had inspections referred to me by 3 municipal building inspectors (one after the client had his father, an inspector, go through the house first) and 2 other CAHPI RHI's on inspections they didn't want doe issues they didn't want to tackle. OH, yeah!!...and really just starting to get the repeat calls from clients of 4-5-6 years ago now hiring me for their next house....2 last week!

Don't do your calculations and then start worrying about me!! I'll do alright!! Just get some real credibility into your certifications and maybe I'll join.

[Adam Veitenheimer]

Originally Posted by ldapkus

Congratulations Adam,
Watch out PA inspectors, you have a sharp new home inspector to compete with.

thanks Linas I appriciate the support...

Adam T. Veitenheimer

[Steven C. Meyer]

BRIAN

Why are you so afraid/concerned about a little competition coming from new inspectors?

Competition is good, for the consumer and for the Home Inspection industry.
Competition is the driving force behind a business to excell, set themselves apart from others, keep up with current trends and issues in the industry.

Consider this as a good example of competition"
Sears vs Wal Mart.
Sears was at one time the largest retailer in the world. But along came the newbie, Wal Mart, that offered consumers a option. Sears did not keep up with consumer trends, wants, needs, thus they became an "also ran", and became a follower, not a leader.

So, my point is, continue to be the leader, market your strong points, keep up with the ever changing market, and also keep looking over your shoulder at your competition. This will keep you focused on what you need to do to excell and offer a better product. The rest will come with time along with marketing to your target group of customers.

So, competition is good, with out it there would be no incentive rise above the crowd, set your self apart, and compete on the merits of your ability, knowledge, and business ethics.

If you are as good as you say you are, and with all of those "credentials", you should not have any fear of competition from the newbie. Customers usually go with guy with the most experience and knowledge. A known quanity.

I don't spend my time worrying about the new inspectors, time is better spent promoting myself and my company, and growning a customer base. Quit counting on the government, licensing, associations, etc. to "provide" you with an endless supply of customers, not going to happen. In a free enterprise economy, it is your responsibality for the success of failure of your efforts.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Steven C. Meyer

BRIAN

Why are you so afraid/concerned about a little competition coming from new inspectors?

Competition is good, for the consumer and for the Home Inspection industry.
Competition is the driving force behind a business to excell, set themselves apart from others, keep up with current trends and issues in the industry.

Consider Sears vs Wal Mart. Sears at one time was the largest retailer in the

Consider this as a good example of competition"
Sears vs Wal Mart. Sears was at one time the largest retailer in the world. But along came the newbie, Wal Mart, that offered consumers a option. Sears did not keep up with consumer trends, wants, needs, thus they became an "also ran", and became a follower, not a leader.

So, my point is, continue to be the leader, market your strong points, keep up with the ever changing market, and also keep looking over your shoulder at your competition. This will keep you focused on what you need to do to excell and offer a better product. The rest will come with time along with marketing to your target group of customers.

So, competition is good, with out it there would be no incentive rise above the crowd, set your self apart, and compete on the merits of your ability, knowledge, and business ethics.

If you are as good as you say you are, and with all of those "credentials", you should not have any fear of competition from the newbie. Customers usually go with guy with the most experience and knpwledge. A known quanity.

I am sure Brain is like me we see new inspectors come all the time they are the new broom and going to make a great living ,
Then usually about three years or less they are gone.
When information is given trying to let them Know the odds are defiantly in their success we get attacked .
. To bad you are not a member and could go into the Ark hives and see how many who where great people and tried so hard to succeed and are gone. I have seen it so often in Ontario .
Three years and about $10,000;00 poorer and gone.
Breaks my heart to see so many try so hard and have no idea the pot is only so big and every one wants a part of it.
I wish you all the best ....Cookie

[Steven C. Meyer]

RCOOKE

I can, and do agree with you that this hype by HI schools is pure bunk!! And that they paint a rosy picture marketed to the unaware. In my view, it's "buyer beware" If it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is.
This applies not only to the "schools" but to HI franchise also. Both are in a business, and tout a grand future. If a person does not do his/her own research, no matter what business opportunity they are looking at, they are setting themselves up for dissapointment and failure.
There is not a business opportunity in the world that is easy nor guranteed success. It all depends on your desire to make it work, marketing, and a lot of luck.

I started in this business, in 1980, probably the worst time in economic history in San Diego County, but I surived. I was a general contractor and bought/remodeled &flipped homes. I knew several realtors, and did some repairs on houses they sold. Several asked me to look at houses they were listing and report on any items that might be best taken care of now.
Thus, I entered inspections, helped supplement the declining construction opportunities.

Talk about competition!!: In those years, we in the construction business were competing with labor from accross the southern boarder only a few miles away.

I was fortunate, I had a good reputation, some contacts, and the marketing ability to focus myself on what would give me the best return. I made it by working smart, others not so lucky.

The point I was trying to make is that: Going into any business is not easy, takes long hours, dedication, and time to mature. Many go into the HI business, having been convinced it's a cake walk, with that outlook, they are bound to falter. All business endeavors has a failure rate, that's just the nature of the beast. Yes, it is tough to see those who enter the HI business work very hard and fail, their hopes and dreams in shambles. In any business decission, you better have a back up plan or keep your "day" job until you are comforable this will work for you.

Consider the restaurant business. It has, if not the highest, one of the highest failure rates in the country. Yet, people still give it a try.

Completing a HI school is no gurantee of succes.
Same as having a college degree is no gurantee of success.
It's what you do with the education that makes the difference between success or failure.

Originally Posted by rcooke

I am sure Brain is like me we see new inspectors come all the time they are the new broom and going to make a great living ,
Then usually about three years or less they are gone.
When information is given trying to let them Know the odds are defiantly in their success we get attacked .
. To bad you are not a member and could go into the Ark hives and see how many who where great people and tried so hard to succeed and are gone. I have seen it so often in Ontario .
Three years and about $10,000;00 poorer and gone.
Breaks my heart to see so many try so hard and have no idea the pot is only so big and every one wants a part of it.
I wish you all the best ....Cookie

[Russel Ray]

People going into business for themselves need to (1) understand marketing or hire someone who understands marketing and (2) read "How To Use Your Time Wisely."

[Steven C. Meyer]

Russell Ray

Is Correct!!!!


Marketing is the key to the door of success, if customers can't find you, knows nothing about you, you're in trouble. You absolutely have to get your name out there, and on a constant basis.

For those of you that fear the pie is getting smaller, and more are showing up for a piece of it, may be a good time to rethink what you can do to get your share. Target that piece of the pie you want, then market the heck out of it. Trying to market for the entire pie, the "shotgun approach" spreads you out to thin to do much good.

Originally Posted by rray

People going into business for themselves need to (1) understand marketing or hire someone who understands marketing and (2) read "How To Use Your Time Wisely."

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Steven C. Meyer

Russell Ray

Is Correct!!!!


Marketing is the key to the door of success, if customers can't find you, knows nothing about you, you're in trouble. You absolutely have to get your name out there, and on a constant basis.

For those of you that fear the pie is getting smaller, and more are showing up for a piece of it, may be a good time to rethink what you can do to get your share. Target that piece of the pie you want, then market the heck out of it. Trying to market for the entire pie, the "shotgun approach" spreads you out to thin to do much good.

Steve how many inspections have you done with other Home Inspectors.
I did almost 100 with my son and landed running.
I am Mentoring two Home Inspectors at this time one has been out with me 20 times and the other 30 times .
Their chances of being successful in this industry are very high from what I see.
Every one I know who has been out for many inspections has made a good living.
To try and learn on the job is not so easy .
There are so many things you can learn from a successful Home Inspector.
...Cookie

[dharris]

Originally Posted by rcooke

Steve how many inspections have you done with other Home Inspectors.
I did almost 100 with my son and landed running.
I am Mentoring two Home Inspectors at this time one has been out with me 20 times and the other 30 times .
Their chances of being successful in this industry are very high from what I see.
Every one I know who has been out for many inspections has made a good living.
To try and learn on the job is not so easy .
There are so many things you can learn from a successful Home Inspector.
...Cookie

If I recall steve, claimed a while back, he forgot more that what I'll ever know due to all his years and extensive knowelge building homes.
Why would a person with all that building knowelge even consider thinking they would need to learn anything from a lowely home inspector?

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by dharris

If I recall steve, claimed a while back, he forgot more that what I'll ever know due to all his years and extensive knowelge building homes.
Why would a person with all that building knowelge even consider thinking they would need to learn anything from a lowely home inspector?

Gee The new homes I have inspected are not built to the extensive Knowledge you feel Steve has.
I have Inspected some extremely old homes.
Do not think Steve was around 150 years ago.
If he had any thing to do with one I did the He should be extremely proud of it pristine to this day. .
I think we all can learn from others.
...Cookie
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[Steven C. Meyer]

DHarris

You are a pathalogical liar!!

Your statement that "I forgot more than you will ever know", is a flat out lie, I never made such a statement, to you, on this BB, nor anywhere else.

You are boarding on flat out slander, and there can be consequences for that.

But from what I have seen of your posts on this BB, you've been called to task for out right lies, or taking things out of contex to fit your warped view of the truth.

I have learned a lot from honest, hard working, ethical home inspectors on this board. Fortunately, I got past the scum that you wallow in, and got to what really counts.

Originally Posted by dharris

If I recall steve, claimed a while back, he forgot more that what I'll ever know due to all his years and extensive knowelge building homes.
Why would a person with all that building knowelge even consider thinking they would need to learn anything from a lowely home inspector?

[Steven C. Meyer]

RCOOKE

Was it not you that was lamenting about those who spent thousands of dollars for HI schooling, then didn't make it??

On the "job" experience (mentoring or other method) is the best teacher.

When I started doing inspections, (late 70's early 80's), there really was not a cohesive home inspection industry, and many if not most inspections were done by general contractors. My start in this business was when a realtor asked me to look at a house he was listing for any potential problems they might encounter at closing. Home inspection was not my main focus as construction was my main focus at that time.

In those years, the HI industry was in start up mode, there were no SOP'S
nor COE'S. Most people looked at a GC as the best choice to look at a house for them.

It was not until later on that I decided to do home inspections, but never gave up my "day" job as a General Contractor.

My original post on this thread was concerning marketing, as I agree with Russell Ray and his post concerning marketing. Having the on the job experience, schooling, etc. is not worth a hill of beans unless you can get customers, and that is where marketing comes in. It;s great to hit the ground running, however, you should have a direction in mind!

I have learned much from the sucessful home inspectors who have posted on this board, much more than a school can offer. Information from those "still on the ground" is more valueable than any text book learning. I have printed out reams of information to keep for future reference.

My best wishes to those you are mentoring and to their success. If they take in all you offer them, am sure they will do well.

Originally Posted by rcooke

Steve how many inspections have you done with other Home Inspectors.

I did almost 100 with my son and landed running.
I am Mentoring two Home Inspectors at this time one has been out with me 20 times and the other 30 times .
Their chances of being successful in this industry are very high from what I see.
Every one I know who has been out for many inspections has made a good living.
To try and learn on the job is not so easy .
There are so many things you can learn from a successful Home Inspector.
...Cookie