Questions on Draw Inspections?

[bskinner]

Hey guys!!! I have been draw inspector for many years now and have had loads of experience. I am not a Home Inspector, I only do draw inspections because that is what I love to do. I have come in here to help you guys and gals if you ever need help in any form with draw inspections a.k.a progress inspection, or completion evaluations, etc.

Also I know that some of you, from what I have read, do not think they are worth while. But I have made a good living at this sort of business. If you can get your foot in the door with some local banks you can do really good.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Welcome Bobby...
And thanks for the offer of helping !!!

[Bob Elliott]

Cool go to it man.
Please explain how banks are intertwined with draw inspections and how you sell them.
Do you call
do you phone
walk me through it.

[bskinner]

I never call. I do all of my business hunting in person. That way I can tell if they are really responsive in using me as a draw inspector. I started by going into the banks and finding out who I needed to talk to (Commercial Lending most of the time). Then I would present myself and what I do. I have a print out with me that details my back ground, experience, and references (a resume more or less). Let them know that you are also a home inspector that should help. Where I live in Chattanooga TN a lot of draw inspectors are appraisers that the banks use to appraise the lots and house plans for the bank before construction begins. In my opinion Appraisers should not be doing draw inspections. Their experise is value of homes not construction. I come from a construction back ground so I know what goes into building a house, small commercial, and residential developements. I also think Home Inspectors have a big advantage over Appraisers b/c you guys know all about houses too. I tell the banks "Look, I know how to build a house. I know all the steps that go into building a house. The appraiser you use does not."
Another point I use is that there are a lot of builders out there that have burned banks. By that I mean they get half way complete with a house and they are at the point of filing bankruptcy. I can tell b/c the builder will start cutting corners. They will put carpet in before it should be or they will put vinyl flooring in house that should have tile, or as i have seen they will make the finished staircase handrail out or sanded spruce lumber. Now the builders do this so they can get funded for work completed and then file the bankruptcy. I have helped numerous banks by telling them when something out line is going on. I am the banks eyes and if you can show them that you will look out for their best interest you will get their business.
The banks that I don't get a good response when I go see them I will return in one year and hit them again to advertise myself. If I get a good response I will visit them every 3-6 months. In the banking business I have learned that there is a lot of movement of personel. For instance I might go into one bank do my thing come back 6 months later and that person I spoke to last time is at another banking company.
My biggest finding on getting business has been local home shows. At home shows all bank lenders have their own booth. I go talk to them, do some small talk and then do my advertising. I know most of these people by name and they do me as well. Just be persistant. That is what has helped me.

[James H. Bushart]

Very good information, Bobby. Thanks.

[Bob Elliott]

Yes ..thank you.
It shows an interesting perspective not often discussed here.

[msylvester]

Thanks for the info. Welcome to NACHI!

I agree about the appraisers. I have a personal friend who is an appraiser and also does draw inspections. He too does them by selling himself to the banks. He charges a hell of allot more than we get from DDN, Trinity, or Granite. I think his average fee is $125-$150.00. Not a bad living at all. I have been in contact with some local banks lately and am in the process of getting my foot in the door. I like the way you approach it, thanks again for the info.

Don't be a stranger to this MB we all learn from each other.

[Doug Edwards]

Did you develop your own forms, checklists or are you using a commercially acquired one? If you did create your own would you be willing to share the info with our membership? BTW, thanks for sharing the above information.

[James H. Bushart]

Bobby....perhaps you can get with Nick and tape an entire show on how you market for these draw inspections. Many of us have had to rely upon networks like DDN, CIS, etc to send us out on jobs. It would be great to have a plan as to how to control my own destiny in this area.

[pwiseman]

Thank You Bobby: I agree with James, I would like to see this on INACHIi-tv.

Thanks again for sharing.

[Mike R. Byrd]

thanks for the info

[klott]

Bobby how much do you charge on residential and commercial draw inspections?

[Richard A. Moran, 2nd]

I was wondering if it would make sense to stop by my local banks to see if they would need my service. I responded to the Nationwide Loan Insp e-mail sent to the InterNACHI mailing list. I sent in my info last weekend and I have done two already. Not much $ but it was close to my house and took 15 mins on site and about another 15 at home uploading the info. I brought it up at my state NACHI chapter meeting last night and most there said it was not worth their time. Maybe so but my situation is different and I will take all they send my way.

Thanks for the info.
Dick Moran

[Emmanuel J. Scanlan]

Originally Posted by rmoran

I was wondering if it would make sense to stop by my local banks to see if they would need my service. I responded to the Nationwide Loan Insp e-mail sent to the InterNACHI mailing list. I sent in my info last weekend and I have done two already. Not much $ but it was close to my house and took 15 mins on site and about another 15 at home uploading the info. I brought it up at my state NACHI chapter meeting last night and most there said it was not worth their time. Maybe so but my situation is different and I will take all they send my way.

Thanks for the info.
Dick Moran

Richard,

Never received that email. What is their WEB site if you would please?

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by escanlan

Richard,

Never received that email. What is their WEB site if you would please?

Emmanuel,

Here's the thread Nick made the announcement in...

http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthrea...ationwide+draw