Discounts for first inspections?

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by bmullen1

Laura Leyser is NOT employed by any of the CAHPI associations, nor is she a member of any Board of Directors. She is a member of the National Certification Council which is part of the National Certification program. This is basically a committee of eight people. She was chosen for that because of her vast experience in her own field, plus her knowledge of certification processes. She is also one of the most well respected realtors in Canada.

She has spoken at a number of CAHPI meetings, just as I and others have spoken at CREA and OREA meetings.

Bill Mullen

Thanks Bill I can see how the agent was a bit confused .
Roy Cooke

[rwand1]

Who funds the National Certification Council?

Thanks

[Bill Mullen]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Who funds the National Certification Council?

Thanks

It, like everything else in the program, is funded out of apllication and renewal fees. Now that the initial expenses involved with training and setting up procedures has been done in the Pilot Project, this council's costs will not be terribly high. Nonetheless, they will need to meet face-to-face at times and that costs money to fly from various parts of Canada, and then there are hotel and meal costs. They typically meet for an eight or nine hour day and receive a amsll per diem honourarium which is standard in matters like this.

Bill Mullen

[Bill Mullen]

Originally Posted by rcooke

Thanks Bill I can see how the agent was a bit confused .
Roy Cooke

That's an honest mistake considering that even some of us get the various councils and boards mixed up.

Bill Mullen

[Bill Mullen]

Originally Posted by rwand1

http://www.orea.com/index.cfm/ci_id/7727/la_id/1.htm
http://www.orea.com/index.cfm/ci_id/7518/la_id/1.htm

I think this is who you mean.
http://www.pas.gov.on.ca/scripts/en/...&persID=139825
http://www.soldonstratford.com/

That's the lady, and as you can see, she has some pretty lofty credentials.
I met her at a private reception during the CREA annual conference in early 2004 and she expressed interest in CAHPI and the National Certification. Over the years she has helped get some of us named to joint task forces about vermiculite, aluminum wiring, and other matters. I have seen her at work and frankly I have never met anyone so dynamic and charismatic.

I'm proud to be able to brag that I asked her to help us in many ways, using her many skills in organization, etc.

It's nice that she's a realtor, and that has helped us get the NCP accepted so widely within CREA, but she is also a great person who is respected across Canada. It all adds credibility to our program.

Bill Mullen

[Barrie Inspector]

Guys, guys guys!
I thought I was reading a thread on discounting prices. By the time I got in several pages this thread has gone into education and qualifications as well as certifications.
Can those be discussed in their own thread?
Back to discounting the inspection fees.
In the area I am in, there are several who have recently discounted their fees by about 30% to try to get more business. What they do not realize is it is not their fees that suck, it is them. One tells agents that the client think they are important when it is actually him that is important as he has all the knowledge. He does not even blink when the agents walk away from him in a discussion, because of his arrogance. The other guy tells agents he is my partner and to call him, (as he sticks his brochures in my holders, in front of my material.) When I find his stuff in my holders they get filed under "G"
One guy actually advertises as the home of the $99 inspection. When agents ask me to compete with that, I tell them he is still overcharging. I will not enter into that type of situation. All it does is devalue the inspection process and the whole industry suffers from actions like this.
To get agents and others to hire or refer you, simply DO A GOOD JOB.
DO NOT expect everything to come together in one day. Be prepared to market your business, lots of marketing. After you have done your marketing, your next step is to market some more.
There are some charging as high as $450 between Barrie and Toronto but the average appears to be $350 - $375.
You will get situations such as reinspections for the same client as the first deal did not come together or things such as this. but generally most inspections do not have to be cut rate.
Many agents will not think you did them a favor, but all will remember if you do a great job or a bad job. Many are not even involved in the cost of the inspection anyway, they just tell the client to call and the client makes all the arrangements with you.
Overall, it is a good industry to be in, let's all hope some quit scewing up and we all look good

[rwand1]

Good story but how do you expect any of us to believe it with a name like Inspector Barrie? I know I know, you want to hide your identity because you're a member and don't want to admit it that you're a member of an association or to let your competition know your peeved.

No guts no glory hey?

Fwiw, these blood suckers undercharge and are in every association.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by Barrie Inspector

One guy actually advertises as the home of the $99 inspection. When agents ask me to compete with that, I tell them he is still overcharging.

Good point. An inspector will charge what he is worth.

[rwand1]

These type of suckers charge what they charge because they make it up with volume and most likely are part timers with full time jobs. They are in every association, its an indicator of their abilities and you get what you pay for. There is obviously a niche for cash strapped clients or clients who like inspectors feel they should be charged based on what they think they should be charged.

[Barrie Inspector]

Originally Posted by rwand1

These type of suckers charge what they charge because they make it up with volume and most likely are part timers with full time jobs. They are in every association, its an indicator of their abilities and you get what you pay for. There is obviously a niche for cash strapped clients or clients who like inspectors feel they should be charged based on what they think they should be charged.

Raymond,
You are 100 percent correct about many inspectors being part time. Even in this thread one contractor stated he cannot make a living as an inspector, he only does it part time.
That is sad and scary. A contractor who inspects????..... a report from such a contractor can read like this....... let me see now... you need the plumbing repaired, but as a contractor I can do that! You need the roof reshingled, and as a contracotr I can do that!
Bottom line... when people ask me if I do repairs on the side I do not just say no... I point out the possibilities of the conflict of interest. I mention that a contractor/inspector could very easily "create" things in a house that need repaired. To be an honest inspector you need to be an INSPECTOR. If you have other irons in the fire, it can be all too easy to cross any line you feel like.
Or as I also mentioned discounts.... I think everyone can have a special promotion at their chosen time or reason, but overall the $99 deal guys only give us all a bad name in the industry.
And no I am not hiding my identity... otherwise I would not put my very easily tracked website as part of my signature.
Yes I am a member of another organization, but as many are members of more than one professional organization, I am checking out where in the long run I may benefit.
(Because I think the world revolves around me)
Dave

[rrichards2]

Barrie Inspector,

Read a little more carefully please. I did not say that I cannot earn a living inspecting. I choose to do it part time and even then only by referral. I am a licensed carpenter and general contractor. I have been renovating houses and historical buildings for more than 20 years. Who better to inspect a house than someone who fixes them for a living. What special skill do you bring to the table, oh let me guess, "I took a defect recognition course".
I do not repair or replace anything on any home that I inspect within a 12 month period as per Nachi COE, this prevents any conflict of interest unlike some of the cozy arrangements some full time inspectors have with Realtors. I assure you, I am not undercutting any of the "full time" inspectors out there charging $199 and $249, my time is much more valuable than that.

[rrichards2]

I would also like to add that the only thing that is "sad and scary" are the large number of unqualified inspectors out there who have taken a couple of weekend courses and now think they have somehow become experts. This is what is truly sad and scary for the unsuspecting public.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rrichards2

I would also like to add that the only thing that is "sad and scary" are the large number of unqualified inspectors out there that have taken a couple of weekend courses and now think they have somehow become experts. This is what is truly sad and scary for the unsuspecting public.

Here is something scarier.

Legislation has just been introduced in the state of Kansas that would require the licensing of home inspectors. Inspectors with three years in business and 300 inspections would be "grandfathered". Those who are not grandfathered would be required to take an 80 hour course and join either NAHI, ASHI or NACHI for CEU monitoring.

Think about that. 80 hours of training will be equivalent to 300 inspections and 3 years in business.

Graduates of this 80 hour course will be licensed by the state and, accordingly, will be instantly recognized as equally competent and qualified as all other license holders in that state.

Licensing solves nothing.

[George A. H. Luck]

Sorry James. Have to disagree with you. Licensing does accomplish something. It allows the politicians to say to the public ( the few who are interested) and the special interest groups "See we have done something!"

Then they vote themselves a pay raise for all that hard work.

[rrichards2]

Originally Posted by gluck

Sorry James. Have to disagree with you. Licensing does accomplish something. It allows the politicians to say to the public ( the few who are interested) and the special interest groups "See we have done something!"

Then they vote themselves a pay raise for all that hard work.

Sad and true.