Latest vehicle in the inspection industry

[Russell J. Hensel]

In my desire to do things, better, faster and more detailed I finally have finished my inspection trailer. This trailer goes on every inspection. It has 5 inspectors on the job and the reports are written on site and emailed. Ever think of completing a 3000 sq foot job with mold, Radon, termite, pool in 1.5 hours with report written? That is my goal and we can now deliver this. Even at 1.5 hours thats 7.5 man hours. We are very detailed and are always raising the bar.

We are now using this and besides working out some minor bugs...it has been AWESOME and getting better day by day











Mobile office, INTERNET, AC, Full head with shower, range, refrigerator, coffee maker...Can't wait to decide on the next step.

[Gary Farnsworth]

Looks like there is enough room on the front for a BBQ grill.

[Russell J. Hensel]

DAMN......now your speaking my language!

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Impressive. But honestly I can't see how it's cost effective to send out the swat team on a $300, 1200 SF slab home.

[Ed Bancroft]

Now thats a nice trailer!
I would post a picture of the inside of mine but every time I open the doors crap starts falling out the doors. Good idea. Time to put mine back in shape.

[Russell J. Hensel]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Impressive. But honestly I can't see how it's cost effective to send out the swat team on a $300, 1200 SF slab home.

I already have the Sprinter from NACHI TV #4...I think thats the episode. It has already been cost effective. Its not like we do one inspection per day. Its usually 5 or 6, and sometimes we get little $350 condos. We try to cater to the higher end people, but I turn no money away. This was thought out well before it went into production. But there is NOTHING more I love then "Ney" sayers...

One guys pulls up in his truck, gets out spends 3 hours on an inspection then goes home writes the report and it get to them the next sometimes the same day.

A group of 5 pull up, go to their areas, write their respective areas in their computer, send it to the main computer, compile the report and as I am going over the report...they are actually getting it via email.

I do not solely concentrate on money. If I concentrate on Quality first and then get it to them fast and deliver it in a detailed format that is easy to read and aesthetically pleasing...which would you hire? I know it will not be for everyone...but enough will use our services.

I do not decide what happens next in my company. THE CLIENTS DO! I listen to their wants and needs and work on delivering them. I am so absolutely sure that if you do this and always strive to provide a better service...the income will never be an issue and so far that has worked out well for me.

BTW the company has been around since 1980....its not like we are just throwing things into the wind and hope it sticks.

[Brian K. Smith]

time for a vinyl wrap and thats one hell of a rig! NICE!

[cboyd]

The whole concept is very impressive.
You have given me some thoughts for the coming years
Thanks

[Nick Gromicko]

Go Russell!

It is also a marketing tool which helps acquire more and more market share.

Every member should seek 100% market share. You should strive for total, undisputed dominance of your local market.

[Billy Boerner]

Originally Posted by gromicko

Go Russell!

It is also a marketing tool which helps acquire more and more market share.

Every member should seek 100% market share. You should strive for total, undisputed dominance of your local market.

Exactly my plan.

[Kevin M. Leonard]

Sweet.
Awesome marketing tool. Nice job Russell.
I see the perfect spot for the kegerator.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by rhensel

It has already been cost effective. Its not like we do one inspection per day. Its usually 5 or 6, and sometimes we get little $350 condos.

Russell, I'm not slamming your business model. That's what great about this country. But playing Devil's Advocate, I could do 5 or 6 a day with 2-3 inspectors and no trailer. Disregarding the report completion time, who would make more money?

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Russel -

Great marketing ploy for high end areas AND biggie houses.

But its NOT workable for most areas the rest of us work in.

To start with in my area of the country a 1,400sf rancher (3/2/2) with an unfinished basement / 6 years old is selling for $139,000 - $159,000.

The average inspection fee will be $250-$300 and 1/2 of the idiots will throw in a Termite inspection for that $$$

Your 4-5 guys will be falling all over each other in that size house. The client wanted to "tail" the inspector but has a whole herd present and can't do that so feels cheated BECAUSE its so impersonal. In this market we're seeing the seller or listing agent OR both stay around to OVERSEE the inspection AND they're pissed that they've got a small army trooping through the house.

Then we get to the REAL DEAL. How do we pay 4-5 guys AND pay the company, the gas, the trailer payment, etc

I fully well understand the advantages to this on a 11,000 sf - 20,000 sf McMansion BUT many areas don't have but very few of those.

Keep up the good work down there.

PS - By the way, how do you get that bemouth turned around on a narrow, dead-end street like we see very frequently up here. OR on a 1 lane drive with the house sitting back 200 yards from the street?

OR I tried to picture that puppy at the Lake of the Ozarks or down by Cassville on windy butt 1 lane gravel roads with no turn-arounds. Scared me.

[Russell J. Hensel]

The way we work it is that 4 guys actually inspect and I am the one who caters to the client, answers their questions or walks with them. You want personal treatment, how about a guy whos attention does not get interupted by have to "inspect". Instead they get my undivided attention. They also ask what else do I do and I tell them that I am the QA QC guy. Once my people get done I can do a quick walk through certain areas and its more like 2 people inspecting certain areas instead of four.

Once again...many look at it from a point of view from how YOU can gain. I never look at it that way. I always look at how the CLIENT can gain...Money will come with that thought process. We people did a 1000 square house just 15 minutes ago. We do not step all over eath other, instead it a process of systems installed and implamented so that you are a fine running machine and come across as such.

The people said wow...we didn't know a company like you exists...

People keeping inspecting the same way the did 20 years ago with a guy and a truck is what I am hoping for! Keep up the standard way of doing things...I LOVE IT.

It may not be for everyone, but keep doing what your doing and you will keep getting what you get.

[David C. Macy]

Very nice, are you planning to add logos to the outside of the trailer?

How does the client deal with following 4, 5 inspectors?