Are you a full time home inspector if....

[RAY THOROMAN]

You offer other services such as radon, water, energy audits, mold testing and so on?


What happens if you offer additional services like those above and they total over 25% of your gross income? I know lots of us offer these other services. To be honest I really don't know what mine is or has been. When I file taxes, I lump all these under the same business.


Do you guys have seperate businesses for all services you provide?

[Tim Spargo]

Some proponents of the "badge" *DO* have several business's...

How can you be "Full Time" if you have *other* business interests...

Or, you have other interests that demand your attention, even if they are inspection related...

should this fall under the *conceal* premise as *other* business interests exist?
Good Point.

[James H. Bushart]

A "Full time Professional Inspector" would inspect residential, commercial, radon, termite, energy efficiency, mold, etc.....but would not earn more than 20% of his income doing home repairs, remodeling, frying hamburgers, selling men's suits, or repairing automobiles, collectively or excusivley.

[Sean Fogarty]

Does making more than 20% at somthing else make one less then qualified to inspect houses James??

[ldapkus]

Originally Posted by sfogarty

Does making more than 20% at somthing else make one less then qualified to inspect houses James??

No 20% is the established standard, no deviation allowed!!!

[Tim Spargo]

Kinda sounds like we're going into the

Full Time *Inspection Related* Logo

I agree as well, the 20% is/has/always will be the standard. Has been for, well, as long as I can remember. At least since *this* discussion has gotten started.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by sfogarty

Does making more than 20% at somthing else make one less then qualified to inspect houses James??

You'll have to ask Nick why he proposed that particular number.

As far as I am concerned, a logo of this sort will help the public discern between a full time professional inspector and full time contractors who inspect on the side (whether for job bids or to supplement their income, either one). It will make a difference in my area and for my marketing plan, at least. Perhaps those who fear it can convince their competitors how "insignificant" it is. I really don't care what happens outside of my own market.

At any rate, NACHI has a very large arsenal of marketing tools that some use and some don't. The bottom line is...it's there if you want it.

I've seen some working sketches. It looks pretty good, IMO.

[Bob Elliott]

This one cat I know has an opinion that he would like to share.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdxHnxDAMjA

[Tim Spargo]

The immediate *distance* I've seen created is that of the distance between the majority of inspectors who are full time, experienced inspectors who say it's an idea with little merit and little value, and the proponents(s) of the idea. How many actually like the idea?? Who would display "Full Time Home Inspector" on their marketing material and website? Most have said "NO", even those who don't object to the idea.

Seriously, isn't it easier to *imagine* radon/mold/termite/water/energy audit blah blah blah professionals, selling *extra* services than that of the *contractor* that is *choosen* time and again on this message board to act in an unethical manner? Yet the message portrayed here continues to paint a different picture, for an *obvious* and different purpose.

[James H. Bushart]

You seem to be giving a lot of your time and attention to a matter that you claim to be without merit. Why not just wait and let Nick do what he will do and continue your business as usual?

Frankly, while I thought Nick had the beginning of a good idea I did not come to fully appreciate it and decide to post such a logo on my own site until reading all of the many objections to it by contractors who also perform home inspections. This may come as a shock to some, but my marketing plan has nothing in it related to impressing, finding agreement with or otherwise appeasing home inspectors. No money in that.

Now, after reading these posts, I fully plan to implement it and add it to my marketing plan. Actually, the fewer around here that do...the better I think it will work for me so I am in no way encouraging or suggesting that anyone else use it. Like everything else, it's a personal business decision.

I appreciate Nick for adding another tool to the NACHI tool box.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by belliott

this one cat i know has an opinion that he would like to share.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdxhnxdamja

[Tim Spargo]

I think the idea has little merit, others think the idea is worth gathering support for. We'll see where it goes. I think the continued painting a broad stroke of the *evil* contractor and the *now* less-than capable part timer does more to *distance* members than to bring them together. These are *worth* continued discussion, as I think this community is *worth* the discussion.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by tspargo

I think the idea has little merit, others think the idea is worth gathering support for. We'll see where it goes. I think the continued painting a broad stroke of the *evil* contractor and the *now* less-than capable part timer does more to *distance* members than to bring them together. These are *worth* continued discussion, as I think this community is *worth* the discussion.

Perhaps you can explain the advantage to us of "bringing members together". I'm not familiar with that priority or need.

In fact, show me five people in business together who agree on everything and I will show you four people who are totally unnecessary.

[Brian K. Smith]

Ok I am just now reading all this tonight for the first time and my 2 cents; this is all great but my question is do your clients really care or ask you if you are full time or part time? I have been doing real estate inspections for 10 years now and I cannot recall when I’ve been asked such a question?

[Brian K. Smith]

Originally Posted by jbushart

A "Full time Professional Inspector" would inspect residential, commercial, radon, termite, energy efficiency, mold, etc.....but would not earn more than 20% of his income doing home repairs, remodeling, frying hamburgers, selling men's suits, or repairing automobiles, collectively or excusivley.

So as I pull up my quick books for this year I see I have about 48% of my income from home inspections and around 52% from roof inspections/repairs ect. So does that make me a part time home inspector then? Keep in mind this is my 10th year doing real estate inspections. That’s just how the numbers work out; I am 100% full time at doing real estate inspections. I most likely have more time “worked on the clock” as a home inspector than on the roofing contractor side. So how could you say I was part time if I am reading this right? A full time logo would be great to have on flyers, cards, ect. however I do not see it as a must have in my eyes. Heck 98% of the people that I give me card to do not even know what INACHI is and I have to spend 10 minutes explaining what it is and why I chose to be a member of what I feel is the best HI org. out there today.