Hello, I recently got my home inspector license in Illinois
Where else can I get the license without doing anther exam ? Because I already have a licensing in Illinois
Thank you !!
I'm currently making 35% as I'm not yet experienced. I will top out at 40% once I've been doing this for a year.
I pay for all my own fuel, vehicle, tools, etc. I have a drone, Flir, tablet, ladders, etc. Boss sets appts, keeps insurance, runs business. I set and retrieve radons. I take and drop off environmental tests. I get same 35% of those test fees. Inspections must be completed as per company policy, which is fine. A three hour inspection generally takes 2-3 hours to do the report. I know this is long, but this is just how they want it.
I'm on west coast in a HCOL area.
Is this fair? I'm feeling it is not fair. I see others of you making 40%, but you have tools and fuel covered, or a company vehicle.
Thoughts?
I got licensed last year and have done over 100 inspections with a multi, including training. Most of the people I work with have the mentality that we should do years full time before attempting to go solo.
It’s a good company. I like the people and we have full schedules. But only getting 30% without benefits is a drag, and there’s been a lot of pushback when others have negotiated for more, despite the company doing very well. We also don’t do much ancillary services and that’s something I’m interested in. I know this has been asked a bit, but I’m looking for fresh answers.
So for you solo folks, how much experience did you get beforehand? If you were always solo, did you have trouble in making mistakes or a really slow start? How long did it take to build up consistent business? Focus local or set a pretty large range (I’m driving 2-3 hrs a day rn). Realtors these days prefer multi or solo? Any marketing avenues that have been particularly fruitful? Thanks in advance.
I see a lot of buyers on the home inspection sub that are looking for guidance; "Here's my report, what should I do now?" type thing. I think a lot of buyers have the idea that home inspectors will be able to give them an idea of how much to renegotiate if there are significant defects discovered. The issue is that we can't supply that type of data; it would be a guess. How can we as inspectors, make the inspection and reporting more valuable so that it's clear to the buyer what the next steps are, how to proceed, or at a bare minimum what to focus on? I was thinking of adding a restaurant type pricing guide ($,$$,$$$) but even that would speculative and possibly opens the inspector up for liability. I have a bunch of disclaimers in my report pre-text but does that even get read? Who knows. Maybe include average repair prices for things like per square pricing for a roof install in the region.
Any ideas?
I have had the same message pop up in my personal email Four times in three days.
"Hello, I hope you’re doing well.
My husband and I are currently in the process of acquiring a property and would like to arrange a professional inspection before finalizing the purchase. Could you please let us know if you are available to conduct the inspection and provide information about your services, availability, inspection fees?"
I have not replied to any of them. I did once early in my career and it was a "we'll wire some money" type deal.
Anyone else getting this?
I recently completed the pre-license course for the state of VA, but finding a licensed home inspector that I can shadow has been a challenge in itself. Totally understand the seriousness of home inspections, I just want to observe and learn so I can pass the national exam. Hopefully networking and cold calling will pan out soon.
Hey everyone!
Ive been feeling a little uneasy with the amount of negativity I see online. Im leaving a pretty cushy job in insurance to pursue a Home Inspection business. The stress in claims was surreal and I had to get out.
Ive owned a marketing business pre-2020 and have a decent skill set in advertising.
I also have a ton of connections. I personally know 3 realtors who do 15+ deals a year. Im also well acquainted with the owner of a brokerage where they do around 120+ deals a year on buy side. Ive spoken to all of them concerning using me as their preferred Inspector & have an agreement with all of them.
Its not beyond me to attend conventions or conferences to network. I can get a solid website up with great copywriting and good SEO rankings (takes time). Can run advertising on google or FB. Im good with tech and can create efficient systems & automations. Can draft SoP’s and make training videos & databases.
Basically general business needs for growth are covered.
The start i’ll have seems good & being in the northeast means I should be able to charge anywhere from $300-$1,000+ depending on the inspection. I’ll have my Home inspection license, Radon, and the FAA Drone Pilots license. I have certifications in Pool/Spa, Mold, WDI, and Oil Tank Sweeps. I already purchased all the equipment & tools to conduct all of these inspections.
Eventually i’d like to do commercial as well.
Heres where im experiencing a little uncertainty:
My goal here is to scale this into a multi-inspector firm. I dont plan on doing inspections myself for more than a year or two.
I see so much talk of work being hard to come by for some folks. People struggling as part timers who cant break into full time work. Thats… concerning.
Its makes me wonder if the industry is too slow to scale? Is the general sentiment that realtors prefer solo inspectors rather than larger firms? Is it better to just scale as a solo inspector & stay lean with only a few hires?
I have dozens more questions but generally this paints an accurate picture. Im concerned about the market as an inspector. Not the real estate markets as I understand it well.
Thank you everyone for your time reading all this. I appreciate any & all responses. Im entirely open to the possibility im either thinking of things the wrong way or just expressing angst. Regardless, thank you again!
What additional services, or certificates do you guys have to stand out from the crowd?
For some background I chose this career path as a means to get out of my previous job. Did online schooling and then went to internachi house of horrors. Set up an LLC and was getting ready to give it a go when an opportunity came allowing me to join a multi inspector firm. It was ran by someone who was in business for 15 years and was selling it, so I was able to get tons of shadowing and training with him that has been invaluable.
Fast forward 4 months and I’ve probably done around 50 Inspections, probably 35 solo at this point and feel pretty confident. I have a decent chunk of 5 star reviews where I am named in the company website which is a good feeling.
On one hand it’s really nice having the leads set for me running about 3/4 inspections a week. My weekly paychecks come in around $1500 bi weekly give or take. But I have been curious on when you guys may have had the burning bush moment of when to branch off solo?
What is really starting to push me is I am currently W2 but don’t get insurance/401k match or any of that. I drive my own personal vehicle and obviously use my own gas but am loading miles on what was intended to be my longterm truck. I don’t get paid for any mileage unless I drive over 60 miles in a day and anything after 60 is .50 cents a mile. Feels like I would be better off being a 1099 for him so I can atleast get the deductions and potentially purchase another vehicle under LLC to write off as well.
Thanks for any responses, I was looking to give it a full year so curious to hear what yall have to say!
I'm just starting out as a home inspector running my own business. That translates into zero clients so far. The cost of insurance seems like a waste of money at first until you actually start getting clients.
When it comes to E&O insurance, has anyone forgone insurance for the first few months until you start getting regular inspections?
Thoughts?
I’m currently working as a home inspector for a small company (owner and two other employees). I’d like to know if I’m getting a fair shake, or not.
I’ve been licensed since last summer.
I was required to purchase all my own gear (tablet, drone, Flir, expensive ladder, all regular hand tools, etc). After getting my license from the state, I participated in a shadow training where I initially earned 15% of the fee, and it was gradually increased as I became more competent. I’m currently doing independent inspections, with a review of my findings and report in the evening by my supervisor. I now make 35%.
I have a 25 mile radius limit. I drive my own car and pay for my own gas. Inspections take about 3 hours, plus any time I have to add on for extra services. I get 35% for all extra services. If there is a test drop off, I drive that immediately after to the lab (total drive time to and from about 45 -60 min).
Report writing takes me about 3 hours. These are how the owner likes them written. I’m about 90-95% perfect right now, during review with supervisor. I’m getting rave reviews from clients, and some agents are referring to me specifically (makes me feel good, for sure).
Once I’m fully capable, I’ll make 60%.
I’m a W-2 employee. I believe my company owner to be a very fair person who is genuinely trying to be encouraging and generous. But I’m curious: is this a fair set up?
Thanks!