Posted by mwm143 on 11/27/09 6:28pm
Msg #312352

Vision Compliance

I recently conducted a property inspection for VC. It was the first one I've ever done. It will be the last one as well, at least at such a low fee. It was for a business and there was a lot of information being asked with regards to the business's operations. ie. brand of computer, software used for various tasks, document handling (shredding, etc.), security measures, in additional to taking pictures. Opinion questions with regards to the neighborhood, attitude and demeanor of the person I met with, what evidence did I see to qualify that this was a real business. The whole process including the actual inspection, filling out the online inspection forms and uploading pictures took about 2 hours.

Personally I just don't see how me, a notary public they found on NR, met the qualifications of the company requesting the inspection. Not that it's brain surgery but one would think there would have been more of a qualification process. I suppose they've heard the word on the street that many notary publics work cheap!!

Reply by LauriecPA on 11/27/09 6:59pm
Msg #312355

I did two of these inspections and found them to be time consuming, as well. Both were within 3 miles.

I've been getting calls from them a lot recently. They want me to travel places that are about an hour and a half ride and they swear the locations are within 5 miles of my zip code.

My favorite was when the guy called and asked if I'd complete one in Phila.

I told him it costs about $30 just to park there.

He asked if I'd do it for a higher fee.

I asked what the fee was.

He said $35.

lol~ That's what I did...laughed out loud.

Reply by A S Johnson on 11/27/09 7:25pm
Msg #312356

When you have been "low balled" and they ask if you will do it for a higher fee, Do NOT let them state the higher fee ($35 is higher than $30).... Tell them what you require "I would need $125 for that which includes $6 to do what necessary and $60 for travel which is for 2 hours travel at $30 per hour. Now it is up to them to use you.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/27/09 7:29pm
Msg #312358

AS Johnson, you are right.

When warranted I have asked for a higher fee. Once I was asked to go outside my home zip code. I stated my fee and they met it. On another occasion, I was stood up. Scheduled the appointment but the guy did not show. I returned later in the day to complete the inspection. I was paid two full fees without a hassle.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/27/09 7:25pm
Msg #312357

I've been accepting assignments from Vision for

more than a year and will continue doing so. It takes me 15-20 minutes to complete a Business Verification. I know you're writing about "property inspections," however, the questions that you listed sound just like the ones I get on verifications. Usually I'm asked to take three photos: signage, exterior of building and work station.

There are two other companies that use me to do the same sort of verifications for them. Normally, they give me 3-5 days to complete. I'm pretty confident that I'm not the only one in my area completing these because I'm rarely asked to travel outside my home zip code, so $35-50 is fine for me. If a company needs a verification completed on a rush basis - they offer to pay more.

Mwm143, I'm sorry your experience with Vision was not a positive one. I would be frustrated too if the assignment took me two hours. I average 15-20 min onsite. 10-20 min travel time - roundtrip. 10-15 completing online report and uploading photos.

Usually, these are small business owners who, like me, are interested in networking. I've met some great people. I don't solicit. I leave my business cards in the car. However, it never fails....they ask me "is this all that you do?" You know the answer to that one.

Now, when I was asked by a totally different company to complete a property inspection which involved: checking the electrical wiring, plumbing, the age of the roof cover, yada yada... I felt the way you felt...not qualified. So I stopped accepting those.

I respect your comments. I guess business verifications are not for everyone. I enjoy them.

Reply by Alz on 11/28/09 8:31pm
Msg #312414

Bravo

Michelle! I like the idea of compartmentalizing the time. I personally try to use a similar approach and evaluation method prior to taking on any assignment, regardless of the venue. Unfortunately, it does not net a profit 100% of the time, but the percentages have improved over the past several years due to the many of the professionals who contribute greatly to this site. We all benefit in various ways.

Reply by Shadinct on 11/27/09 10:13pm
Msg #312364

WHAT WAS THE FEE THEY OFFERED YOU? THat is if you dont mind me asking.

Reply by mwm143 on 11/28/09 8:39am
Msg #312375

$35.00.

Besides verifying and inspecting small businesses, what other inspections are you guys performing? Michelle mentioned roof inspections as part of one and home inspections. Someone else mentioned drivebys. Is $35 the standard fee for all inspections? And I wonder what responsibility, if any, we would have as an inspector if we missed an existing roof leak that caused catastrophic damage when it caves in during the next rain storm. Lastly, who is ordering these inspections? Insurance companies? FHA?

Thanks in advance for any information you can offer.

Sidenote: We (all of us on this site) can knock out a HELOC closing when docs are overnighted to us or borrower in less time it takes start to finish to conduct one of these inspections. And for most times twice the money. And yet $50-$70 seems like an insult.

Reply by Erwin/CA on 11/28/09 10:03am
Msg #312376

NCCI Inspections

I have completed several inspections for NCCI. All of them were to check out a company that was trying to sign on to a Credit Reporting Agency. Most of the inspections took about 3 hours total time, including downloading and printing out the inspection list, driving to the business, taking pictures, filling out the questionaire with the contact person, then driving back home and uploading the pictures and filling out the inspection report on line. They never paid more then $30.00, and tried to pay less when the inspection sight was "less then 5 miles" from my home. I sent them a letter and told them that I wouldn't consider doing an inspection for less then $50.00, and then only if it is close by. They have called me several times after I sent the letter, but never offered more than $30.00.i

Reply by John/CT on 11/28/09 10:48am
Msg #312378

Three hours total is about right for me also ...

from start (out the door) to finish (uploading data and pix) for both NCCI and Vision Compliance. I won't do either for less than $50 ... with one-hour max round-trip driving time.

Reply by John_NorCal on 11/28/09 12:13pm
Msg #312382

You ask if $35.00 is the standard, I don't know about that but there was a company that called me up last year and offered the grand ole sum of $7.00! But you can make it up on volume so they say. Inspections would be in San Francisco (a real b--- to park!) and you could probably do 7 an hour! Now what kind of idiot would accept something like that? I promptly told them take me off their list, I was not interested at all.

Reply by Lee/AR on 11/28/09 10:46am
Msg #312377

try this one

ComplyTrac.... same (either credit or background checks) deal/more money...$65/4 miles. Keep 'em nearby. Work fast at site. Schedule for slow times--usually mornings. Do other errands as you go. Some work. Others don't--and you either don't get involved or drop 'em fast. NCCI delinquency runs is one I 'don't do' anymore.... at first, they were OK. Then they kept wanting more & more.... no more.

Reply by Regal/NC on 11/28/09 2:04pm
Msg #312391

Art of the deal!

I have completed assignments for numerous companies and I have always been able to negotiate my rate or declined the assignment. Each person should attempt to negotiate a rate that is acceptable to them. My average time is under a hour to complete an assignment. I average about 25 assignments per month and have been able to increase MY rate on must requests. Verification, delinquent, equipment, site, audit & inventory are all viable sources of income in my book, as long as they meet my fee/rate. Same applies to signing agent or field agent assignments.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/28/09 4:06pm
Msg #312399

Whew! Regal, I was beginning to wonder if

I was the only one doing these assignments as quickly as I have been. Thanks for your post.

It's funny that you mentioned inventories. I did two of those and did not enjoy it one bit. I don't remember the company I worked for but once I had to inventory these huge tractor trailer beds. Had to locate the VINs which were not readily visible due to the age of the vehicles. I just knew I was going to run into a huge spider somewhere but I didn't. The equipment was outdoors.