Posted by PJM/MI on 11/22/09 5:40am
Msg #311852

How many of us are now inspectors?

I'm curious to know just how many of us are doing property inspections.
In my area, the closings are few & far between. (Southern Michigan). I started doing inspections in 2006, and now they have become my "bread & butter".
I partnered up with a realtor a few weeks ago to get even more inspection work.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 11/22/09 7:53am
Msg #311856

I do compliance inspections and recently signed up for home inspections. Pays the gas each wk.

Reply by Yowheelz on 11/22/09 8:05am
Msg #311858

We have been doing business inspections and my husband, a realtor, does construction draw inspections. I only do them if they are in the morning and close to home as I would never give up a real closing for the pittance they pay you for inspections.

Reply by DonR_NYC on 11/22/09 4:53pm
Msg #311883

In NYS Home Inspectors, as of 12/2005, are licensed by the DOS and carry general liability insurance of $150,000/500,000. You must take an approved course of study to take the license exam and there is a continuing education requirement every 2 years.

Reply by John/CT on 11/22/09 9:16am
Msg #311862

I've done a smattering of "field inspections" now and then for NCCI and Vision Compliance ... but apparently only when the person in my territory who accepts their $35 fee isn't available. I don't do the "traditional" inspections for home buyers. Not my area of expertise.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 11/22/09 9:56am
Msg #311866

I used to

But fees got ridiculously low, and I really don't persue the work.
I have secondary and tertiary streams of income that produce more work and revenue than inspections.
The thing is, when the market dumped, many of the SE in the RE/MTG industry all jumped
in and competetive fees went out the window.
I will say that when I get a request and it's profitable, I will accept the work.

Reply by Todd/OH on 11/22/09 11:41am
Msg #311871

I do inspections but I don't get many calls. It's not a growing segment of my operations. The fees are hardly worth the effort.

About 9 months ago, I was actually getting 1-2 calls a week from firms hoping to sign me up. None budged on their fees - so I hung up.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 11/22/09 12:07pm
Msg #311874

I've done a few but found they are just not worth the effort, and payment of the piddly fee is typically 45 days out. The last company that called me wanted the following for mobile home inspections:

knock on door of mobile home
identify yourself
call hiring office so resident can speak to office
take exterior photos - about 10
photo required of HUD #, A/C unit, power box
speak with the park manager to find out if the mobile home resident in question is current on their park rent (no regard to privacy issues???)
leave a note if no one is home
complete report and upload photos

All this for a grand fee of $25 - $35. Sorry, not interested.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/22/09 12:11pm
Msg #311876

That's a delinquency inspection Linda

and I won't do those either - I don't want to be in the line of fire between a debtor and his bill collectors.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 11/22/09 4:38pm
Msg #311881

I was doing the same type lease inspections, but agree with LindaH . . got tired of being in the line of fire, and it just wasn't worth the money. Quit doing 'em.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/22/09 1:55pm
Msg #311880

I conduct inspections, too.

Mainly business verifcations that take 10-20 minutes maximum to obtain info and snap a few photos.. Last month I performed what I believe will be the last true property/insurance inspection. I've already posted in this forum (months ago) reasons why I stopped looking for this line of work. Climbing ladders, going on rooftops, examining wiring, discussing repair work with contractors...not for me.

Reply by Ali/IL on 11/22/09 5:09pm
Msg #311885

Re: I conduct inspections, too.

I used to do reasonably well about two years ago but, lately hardly get any. Ncci called me last week offered me a fee that I agreed to. But, then never sent me the info. I guess maybe they canceled or found someone else to do it cheaper?
I got a call from a company that offered $4.00 for drivebys. He said you could do 5 or 6 in an hour.
Crazy!
Happy Thanksgiving all!

Reply by John Schenk on 11/22/09 6:50pm
Msg #311889

Never did a house inspection...BUT

If you get one to go and see if a lot has Semi Trucks on it, for $150 or so, it's worth it. Done about a half dozen of those, or so. Verify VIN of the trucks...usually less than 6, but you'd have to clarify that...take a pic of each truck...those aren't bad.

Home inspections isn't my bag. They don't pay jack here. I won't drive out of my way for 5 or 10 bucks.

JJ

Reply by OR on 11/22/09 10:52pm
Msg #311905

Re: Never did a house inspection...BUT

I quit my door knocking and Inspections it took way too much time and money yes money to make any money on it. I think they are a pain in the @** if you ask me. Here is the brake down. You have to print the assignment $ Cha Ching. You have gas $. Cha Ching. A camera (with date and time stamp) Cha Ching $$$. Do a report for 30.00 bucks. You have your time to think about... that too adds up fast.

I have done both for 18 months. They all took me about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours on the average to complete. Here is the brake down. You go to the web site...down load the order 5 minutes...get in your car drive only in your 30 mile radius (just your home area ) (which can add up to 60 miles there and back). Lets say it takes you 15 minutes to get there. 15 minutes to drive back you have 30 minutes of just the driving time. Get out take pictures. You have to get inside the house. There is a key in a lock box. Walk around 45 minutes plus taking pictures. You have over an hour of time already. Then you have up load your pictures and do a report 25 minutes. Print your report (cha ching $) Do your accounting. You have 1 hour 1/2 per job. And they give 48 to 72 hours to get it done even if it is the EOM. Here was my cost. MY gas cost me alone on the average $5.00 if I did one with only 15 miles from the office. Then printing is @$1.00 wear on my printer @$0.25 wear on my car @$2.00. = $8.25.
Even if they pay you $35.00 then you are making around $14.00 an hour. Ok that sounds OK but here is the rest of the story...T hey will want you to re inspect for less then that I was paid between $15 to $20. You have to take the whole deal that is the way it works. I don't start my car for $10 for any reason. Let alone do 2nd and 3 trips for less. Like John said they don't pay jack for the hassle. I would rather stay home and spend it with my family Good luck in what ever you decide.

Reply by Allison_MI on 11/23/09 8:04am
Msg #311926

Yep, same here Pam; they signings come and go; I've been doing more inspections too. Can't wait to get some more from MTI. Any good leads in the wayne county area let me know.