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Fountian Inn, SC
Posts: 1
Joined: Aug, 2012
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Kenmore, WA
Posts: 15386
Joined: Dec, 2003
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Possible career change at 50.
[#2] Posted: 08/08/2012 - 10:52:04 PM |  |  |
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Well,
This is a tough gig and it's even tougher to get started in. It's not so hard to start up a HI business but once you've hung out your shingle, getting the work is pretty tough for a newbie. Then it takes about two to three years of being in the red before you can garner enough steady work to ensure you make a profit every month.
Now, that's the normal reality. Here's a dose of reality. Since the recession began, this profession's numbers have probably dropped by at least 30%. People who were in business for decades had to close their doors. I know one guy who has been in business since 1989. When the bubble burst he had to sell one of his investment properties a couple of years ago to pay his bills. He didn't get anywhere near what the property was worth and he's barely hung in there. Now they say we're heading into another housing slump.
Unless you have enough to tide you over, this recession is the worst possible time that you'll be getting into this gig.
ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!
Mike
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Springfield, NJ
Posts: 1212
Joined: Dec, 2003
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Possible career change at 50.
[#3] Posted: 08/09/2012 - 05:02:18 AM | | |
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Grass is greener.....
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Steven C. Hockstein, AIA
www.AHMArchitects.com |
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Samantha, AL
Posts: 1569
Joined: Sep, 2004
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Possible career change at 50.
[#4] Posted: 08/09/2012 - 05:17:25 AM | | |
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Like Mike said we all know folks that was in the business for a long time that has closed their doors and no longer doing inspections.
Some of us took on jobs to help make ends meet.
If you will do an search you will find a lot of topics on starting out.
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Have a good day inspecting.
Phillip R. Smith Sr.
Samantha (Tuscaloosa) AL
www.homesweethomeinspectionsal.com
"When you inspect crap, you find crap." Phillip 2010
"Always desire to learn something useful."
- Sophocles
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Lafayette, Louisiana
Posts: 3841
Joined: Nov, 2009
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 Possible career change at 50.
[#5] Posted: 08/09/2012 - 05:32:02 AM | | |
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There's no school to prepare you for a career as a home inspector. All you will find is schools of a few weeks or so that meet regulatory requirements. Accomplished inspectors have necessarily taught themselves the profession and industrial plant management won't contribute much towards a career in home inspection. I've been there. That's one reason it's so tough getting started in this gig.
Another reason is that you'll likely need to start your own business. Most inspectors are one-man shops. You won't find an abundance of home inspection employers out there taking applications. You'll have to learn all about running a business, managing advertising, what works, what doesn't, the ethics problem, etc. There's a lot involved.
Do it because you love the work, don't do it for just the money. It's a poor provider unless you toss ethics out the window.
None of the guys here stand to make money by encouraging you to join the profession so they're telling it like it is. Home inspector associations or franchises will have a different story.
Marc
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"If Guam gets too overpopulated, it might tip over."
Congressman Hank Johnson (D) GA |
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Spring Hill (Nashville area), Tennessee
Posts: 3381
Joined: Nov, 2003
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Possible career change at 50.
[#6] Posted: 08/09/2012 - 06:18:17 AM | | |
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Yes, this is a great profession. As with any self employed business it takes time to build your business. It also depends a great deal on the area you live in. I'm fortunate to be in an area that is going strong and homes are selling and being built.
Before I made the switch I would check on just how many homes are being sold and how many home inspectors are in the area. Keep in mind that about 30%-40% of the home sales will have an inspection.
At one time SC had a bunch of inspectors in it due to their easy license law. You need to check on that..
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Scott Patterson
http://www.traceinspections.com
"Minds are like parachutes they only function when open"
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Victoria, British Columbia
Posts: 2390
Joined: Nov, 2009
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Possible career change at 50.
[#7] Posted: 08/09/2012 - 12:29:42 PM | | |
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One more bit of info, maybe unsubstantiated - 20% of the inspectors in your town get 80% of the work.
Performing inspections and reporting are the easy parts. Marketing your biz and getting consistent results is the hard part.
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Collins, NY
Posts: 3138
Joined: Apr, 2008
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Possible career change at 50.
[#8] Posted: 08/09/2012 - 1:18:09 PM | | |
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That's the second reference to the 80/20 rule I've seen today. Painfully true.
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Tom
http://clearcreekhomeinspection.com/
Life is tough enough as it is, it's tougher when your stupid. Don't do stupid things.
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Samantha, AL
Posts: 1569
Joined: Sep, 2004
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Possible career change at 50.
[#9] Posted: 08/10/2012 - 05:23:14 AM | | |
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I guess that I'm part of the 80% that only gets 20% of the work.
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Have a good day inspecting.
Phillip R. Smith Sr.
Samantha (Tuscaloosa) AL
www.homesweethomeinspectionsal.com
"When you inspect crap, you find crap." Phillip 2010
"Always desire to learn something useful."
- Sophocles
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