Why the CMI Designation Will Fail

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Originally Posted by dmoore3

NAHI and ASHI and their misinforming cronies are DEAD WRONG - especially if they are talking about NACHI Inspectors who operate in licensing States - Tennessee REQUIRES one pass the National Home Inspector's Exam prior to licensing (that is a proctored exam by the way). That means that EVERYONE - NACHI, ASHI, NAHI etc are no better than another in this state.

Besides, the ASSOCIATION doesn't make the person, the person makes the ASSOCIATION.

I think it's YOU who need to apologize.

I am a proud NACHI and CMI member. I will not apologize for ever defending NACHI or CMI. His comments to destroy the CMI organization was uncalled for. I do not promote the harm of any inspector or their association, unless they are trying to harm another inspector or organization. You may think it is right for him to want to destroy another association. If you do than you have no morals and I pitty you. [-o<

Believe or not most ASHI and NAHI members I have meet says that we need a protoctored exam. I do not care if we do or not, it's the benefits is the reason I joined. So please do not shot the messager.

[John Onofrey]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

Some Realtors do indeed send their Client to a thorough inspector,
but it seems to be the exception, by far, than the rule.

Most Realtors want easy inspections done by easy inspectors.
The idea that Realtors prefer nit picky inspectors, who charge
more than the others, does not play out in the real world most
of the time..IMHO.

I am glad you have built such trust with some Realtors and
I also trust that your nose is not brown.

John,

I started my business avoiding Agents because at the time I did not find pleasure in pursuing their business. Over time, I built relationships with some as a course of doing inspections. I have about 30 of them that refer business to me regularly and have done so consistently. They ask for no quarter, I give none. Must be mutual respect I figure. Personally, I now prefer inspections where these Agents are involved in the process. I find these Professional agents most helpful with insuring that the inspection process goes smoothly and expectations are set. Clients are better prepared and informed so it takes less of my time. It's also more likely the client will show for the inspection and I will get paid. Agents have also kept hovering buyers off my back. Not that I can't handle them but I kinda like that.

Case in point - you can have all the FSBO's you want. I price myself out of their market if I can.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by jonofrey

John,

I started my business avoiding Agents because at the time I did not find pleasure in pursuing their business. Over time, I built relationships with some as a course of doing inspections. I have about 30 of them that refer business to me regularly and have done so consistently. They ask for no quarter, I give none. Must be mutual respect I figure. Personally, I now prefer inspections where these Agents are involved in the process. I find these Professional agents most helpful with insuring that the inspection process goes smoothly and expectations are set. Clients are better prepared and informed so it takes less of my time. It's also more likely the client will show for the inspection and I will get paid. Agents have also kept hovering buyers off my back. Not that I can't handle them but I kinda like that.

Case in point - you can have all the FSBO's you want. I price myself out of their market if I can.

I see your fee for a 2500 s/ft house is $250.
Your price is pretty normal for the area.

If you raise your price to $450, you might
loose some of your Realtor base. That's
what we were discussing (in the last few
post)...How can we raise our prices?

I have nothing against you, your reports,
or your prices. They are all fine to me.

How many inspections can you do in one
day and how long do they take?

BTW... I see you have the Marine Corps
medal for Heroism.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
TO OUR COUNTRY.

[John Onofrey]

I do three inspections per day with an apprentice. We average about 1 1/2 hours per inspection or 3 man hours.

[Bill Mullen]

Originally Posted by jonofrey

I do three inspections per day with an apprentice. We average about 1 1/2 hours per inspection or 3 man hours.

Hi John:

Until about four years ago, I also charged an average of $ 250. per inspection, fully believing that I would lose a lot of business by raising my prices.

Someone (Roy Cooke Jr.) sat me down and gave me a quick math lesson, and I will share it with you. It might not work in all markets, but I know it sure did in mine.

Using your scenario of three per day, that means you do about fifteen in a five day week, or 780 per year. At $ 250 that's $ 195,000.

If you raised your price to $ 300., you would only need 650 inspections to gross the same income. Automatically you have less work to do, more time off, and less liability exposure. The 130 inspections you might lose would be only those who were price-shoppers, and as we all know, they are usually the worst complainers later on.

My numbers were similar to yours four years ago and I did exactly what I just mentioned. My volume dipped by only about five percent and gradually returned to the previous levels within six months. Suddenly I was earning an extra $ 25 grand a year for the same work...........so six months later I did it again with the same results.

My firm now does about 1,000 inspections a year and our minimum fee is $ 350. and I charge an extra $ 100. if people request me instead of one of my other inspectors.

Our gross revenues are now more than $ 400,000 per year rather than the $ 250,000 they would be had we never raised our rates.

As I said, it worked for me, and I find I have a more reasonable and well informed clientele, with fewer price shoppers.

Bill Mullen
Sarnia, Ontario

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by bmullen1

Hi John:

Until about four years ago, I also charged an average of $ 250. per inspection, fully believing that I would lose a lot of business by raising my prices.

Someone (Roy Cooke Jr.) sat me down and gave me a quick math lesson, and I will share it with you. It might not work in all markets, but I know it sure did in mine.

Using your scenario of three per day, that means you do about fifteen in a five day week, or 780 per year. At $ 250 that's $ 195,000.

If you raised your price to $ 300., you would only need 650 inspections to gross the same income. Automatically you have less work to do, more time off, and less liability exposure. The 130 inspections you might lose would be only those who were price-shoppers, and as we all know, they are usually the worst complainers later on.

My numbers were similar to yours four years ago and I did exactly what I just mentioned. My volume dipped by only about five percent and gradually returned to the previous levels within six months. Suddenly I was earning an extra $ 25 grand a year for the same work...........so six months later I did it again with the same results.

My firm now does about 1,000 inspections a year and our minimum fee is $ 350. and I charge an extra $ 100. if people request me instead of one of my other inspectors.

Our gross revenues are now more than $ 400,000 per year rather than the $ 250,000 they would be had we never raised our rates.

As I said, it worked for me, and I find I have a more reasonable and well informed clientele, with fewer price shoppers.

Bill Mullen
Sarnia, Ontario

Bill

I love to hear of success stories like yours. One thing I don't understand is why more inspectors are not doing the same.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by bmullen1

Hi John:

Until about four years ago, I also charged an average of $ 250. per inspection, fully believing that I would lose a lot of business by raising my prices.

Someone (Roy Cooke Jr.) sat me down and gave me a quick math lesson, and I will share it with you. It might not work in all markets, but I know it sure did in mine.

Using your scenario of three per day, that means you do about fifteen in a five day week, or 780 per year. At $ 250 that's $ 195,000.

If you raised your price to $ 300., you would only need 650 inspections to gross the same income. Automatically you have less work to do, more time off, and less liability exposure. The 130 inspections you might lose would be only those who were price-shoppers, and as we all know, they are usually the worst complainers later on.

My numbers were similar to yours four years ago and I did exactly what I just mentioned. My volume dipped by only about five percent and gradually returned to the previous levels within six months. Suddenly I was earning an extra $ 25 grand a year for the same work...........so six months later I did it again with the same results.

My firm now does about 1,000 inspections a year and our minimum fee is $ 350. and I charge an extra $ 100. if people request me instead of one of my other inspectors.

Our gross revenues are now more than $ 400,000 per year rather than the $ 250,000 they would be had we never raised our rates.

As I said, it worked for me, and I find I have a more reasonable and well informed clientele, with fewer price shoppers.

Bill Mullen
Sarnia, Ontario

Super!!! I like your story.

[James H. Bushart]

With the renewed emphasis on increasing fees and the commitment of CMIs to lead the way in this effort, the title of this thread needs to be changed to "Why the CMI Designation Will Succeed".

With this as their goal, who among us cannot support them, their efforts, and their designation?

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

Frank, thank you so much for calling me !! It just proves again to me what great people we have here at NACHI!! Thank you for all the advice... Mark

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

Frank, thank you so much for calling me !! It just proves again to me what great people we have here at NACHI!! Thank you for all the advice... Mark

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by jbushart

With the renewed emphasis on increasing fees and the commitment of CMIs to lead the way in this effort, the title of this thread needs to be changed to "Why the CMI Designation Will Succeed".

With this as their goal, who among us cannot support them, their efforts, and their designation?

That sounds like a good idea... go back and change the title of the thread.
Well done.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

That sounds like a good idea... go back and change the title of the thread.
Well done.

I do not think you can change a thread after it has been posted .
How about James starting another showing how he now feels ? ......... Cookie

You got my vote James

Quote: Originally Posted by jbushart With the renewed emphasis on increasing fees and the commitment of CMIs to lead the way in this effort, the title of this thread needs to be changed to "Why the CMI Designation Will Succeed".

With this as their goal, who among us cannot support them, their efforts, and their designation?

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by jbushart

With the renewed emphasis on increasing fees and the commitment of CMIs to lead the way in this effort, the title of this thread needs to be changed to "Why the CMI Designation Will Succeed".

With this as their goal, who among us cannot support them, their efforts, and their designation?

There is something good to be said about a nice crisp about face.

My daughter, who recently got married, noticed I changed my mind about something the other day and said she must have gotten her ability to learn and change her mind, as needed, from me and was very pleased about it. It is refreshing when a good chip off the old block takes hold.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by lkage

There is something good to be said about a nice crisp about face.

My daughter, who recently got married, noticed I changed my mind about something the other day and said she must have gotten her ability to learn and change her mind, as needed, from me and was very pleased about it. It is refreshing when a good chip off the old block takes hold.

Gee I thought all ladies could change their mind in an instant, and again, and again,'



>.... Cookie

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

That sounds like a good idea... go back and change the title of the thread.
Well done.

Done.