sepefrio

Well I spoke to my insurance company and here was the reply... The insurance you have with us would cover you but we as well as any other insurance company would drop your coverage. Never cut on a system that has been winterized or cut off by utilities. I told the Realtor and she is trying to get a written waiver of liability, otherwise we are going to reschedule. Scott, you brought up a good point about it being legal, I guess my next call is to the utility company, thanks!

I have been asked like 4 times in the last two weeks if I had a water key. I was told my, well I think everyone, I should NEVER turn on the water (especially at a foreclosure) because you have no clue what is hooked up and what isn't. Further if I did turn it on I could be found liable. What do you guys think? How do you answer these questions? I need work thats true, but I don't need headaches. BTW, tomorrow morning I'm gonna call my insurance guy and ask them if I'm covered for that. A house I'm doing Monday, the Realtor says they have the sellers permission, but what is funny, the seller is the bank?

And for your next magic act, you know where we can get pamphlets about GFCI's and AFCI's? Or down loadable that we can print out and give them?

I'd just like to get some opinions here as to how people would market today if they were just starting out. Don't reply with what you have done the last 5 years, go on the assumption that you have just started in business, have ZERO contacts and are starting from scratch. Also, lets give two types of answers, one where money isn't a concern and the other where your only eating hot dogs every other day as it is. So, your new, how would you market yourself today?

There are no noticeable signs of a current leak. *slowly walks off whistling*

Again I agree on your suggested standards. My condition is that it's not impossible for someone to start their own HI business without first working for others. As for the conspiracy, I'll prove that after I found the shooter on the knoll. (um thats just a joke) I probably am over thinking it to much, which is why I'm trying to learn more about it so I don't make up my own answers. BTW - You certainly wouldn't be the worst choice to be king.

I'd like to ask you why you think that is caused by Pyrite in the backfill? The reason I ask is that Pyrite in backfill and the problems it may cause is not a commonly known subject. If you ask 100 people about pyrite, 99 will answer, Fools Gold. I myself am not an expert in pyrite but the fact that it is lacking the bulging (heaving) concrete and that the cracks seems more straight vice a star type pattern, I'm thinking not pyrite. As for the "white powder", is it dried on and you would need a screw driver or knife to scrape it off or can you rub some off with your finger? Is it very fine or does it have a sandy grit to it? In the second picture, the one with the tennis shoes there are a couple of white lines next to the shoes. Is that the same power? I ask that because that seems to straight for something natural. That looks more like something was sitting on the floor (like a box) and something was spilled next to it. (in another photo, the pattern is round like the bottom of a bucket)Was this room ever carpeted, tiled or other floor covering? Edit: Another thought, I believe that is a washer machine in one picture. Has it ever overflowed with soapy water? We can try and help you but remember not matter what is said here, you certainly need someone to look at it first hand.

For me, I have already met the educational requirements, in fact I have almost double that already. All I need to be "Certified" now is the number of inspections. My beef is IF it becomes mandatory with these same rules. You must complete 50 inspections but you can't inspect until you have already completed 50 inspections? The only way thats possible is being hired by an established firm and being supervised by one of their inspectors. Or worse, having to pay someone for 5 weeks of ride alongs, and thats assuming you did 2 inspections a day 5 days a week. (It could be 10+ weeks of training if there was only 35 hours of classroom training). See the catch 22 here. Add in the no-compete laws and newbies could get royally screwed. A thought that also sits in the back of my mind is that maybe some large franchise is working to a goal of "Training" inspectors with the real intent of doing home inspections but not having to pay the inspectors a real wage. They sign up a guy for 6 months at minimum wage and train them (or worse, the prospective HI pays a fee per inspection). The company collects 50-100 inspection fee's but only gives the inspector $25 per inspection? This could be very lucrative to the company. They could even advertise as a training school, put in in the contract, have the client waive liability and make even more money. Kind of like a barber school.

I thought that is what I was asking and I also thought your reply was don't do a news letter. We both apparently agree that a poor newsletter can do more damage than a good one will help. Which again is why I'm asking. I have some ideas on a newsletter but I'm also positive that I would shortly find it on a HI website with all sorts of, well lets just say comments I have the advantage of sitting on my couch every day yet still earning enough to pay my bills (Military retirement and good financial planning). Thus I am trying to reach the customers more than Realtors. I'm not ignoring Realtors but I don't want to depend on them, I would rather they be a supplement. I have started of very slow but my phone is ringing more and more often and like I said above, it's mostly from customers. In fact, I think I have only had one Realtor referral from an office visit or open house visit. But I have gotten a few after they met me because a previous client of theirs had found me elsewhere. Anyways, back to the point. What I am looking for is help in writing a newsletter. Or information about newsletter services. Or just general advice. Most of all, I'm trying to decide as I believe you implied, is a newsletter and the results it may or may not convey worth the time/effort/money.

Sorry I didn't mention the part about experienced inspectors, I agree with you no problems there. Maybe I'm blind, but I haven't seen the 40 hours of supervised training before. That would be an option, and more importantly, an affordable option. Everyone I have read used X number of inspections as a standard and X hours of formal training, for example in Virginia.... http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... AC15-40-20 Any person who holds himself out as or uses the title of "certified home inspector" or conducts or offers to provide a "certified home inspection" shall have a current and valid certificate issued by the board. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preclude noncertified individuals from performing home inspections for hire provided their conduct is in compliance with §54.1-517.1 of the Code of Virginia 2. The applicant shall meet the following educational and experience requirements: a. High school diploma or equivalent; and b. One of the following: (1) Completed 35 contact hours of classroom instruction and have completed a minimum of 100 home inspections; or (2) Completed 70 contact hours of classroom instruction and have completed a minimum of 50 home inspections. So I can do an inspection, I just can't do a "Certified" inspection or call myself a "Certified" Inspector. Now it may be voluntary because of the infamous non-compete laws in Virginia but I don't know that for a fact. I personally think the law here is a joke but I've heard back room talk of keeping these rules but making licensing mandatory. Just because the government is the government I'm quite confident I'll have the # of inspections handled and thus get a grandfathering. But knowing how hard it is to start out, I feel bad for the next new guy. My thinking is also, if this situation is handled in other states as they discuss it, should it arise here there is an example to use.

I think internet marketing can work anywhere, but you have to make it work. It takes a lot more than just making a page though. I am active in several Real Estate web sites, blog sites, ads and certain links. If you just make a page and thats it, the page wont work. If you put your web page every place you go, it does get traffic. I would have to say I spend a good 10 hours a week promoting my web site on the internet. It's just like any advertisement. It doesn't matter if you have the best flier ever made, unless it goes to the right people it's worthless.

Mike, I'd like to ask you how you would solve the no competition clause factor. My biggest grief with so many licensing bills/laws or suggestions is that the new independent gets screwed over. When I see ones that required inspectors to have performed X number of inspections (with or without peer review) before they can get their own license, I see the franchise monopoly. If it is required to have a license to perform an inspection how can an independent get the inspections required? New inspectors only option is to work for an established HI company. In Virginia, the second I join any HI company I would be required to sign a no competition clause. I would not be able to perform home inspections in the same area for two years after I leave that company. The voluntary license requirement in Virginia is at least 50 full paid inspections. If I had a full schedule of 2 a day 5 days a week that will still take 5 weeks. If it was mandatory, how else could I get those inspections? Although I like the idea of peer review and many other ideas out there, this is an area I see neglected in every bill/law or other licensing suggestion. I strongly believe if licensing was REQUIRED in a state with strict no competition laws such as Virginia, and a condition of that license is to perform X number of inspections first, in 10 years there will be extremely few if any new HI businesses around.

There is a very simple answer to that. Newsletters drive internet traffic. Internet traffic is one factor that drives page ranking. High page ranking puts you on the first page of searches. 83% of people do not look beyond the 1st page of any search. To date more than 75% of all the business I have received has come from my website, either being found or being confirmed. I would also bet that more people use the internet to choose their home inspector than there were people even using the internet when you got started. I know there are many people out there that do not do things that others do. But not all of us are in the same boat or have 20 years of experience, contacts or business history to fall back on. With all due respect Les, I highly doubt if you were a brand new inspector today going the independent route that you would have the same business volume that you do now. Until my name is "branded" like yours surely is, I must take extra steps to get to that point. Starting a business today is not like it was back when you did. What you or other established inspectors did back then simply does not work to the same extent today. Thus us new guys need to do different things. A news letter is not the end all, it is one step in a process. Is one required? Of course not. But if done correctly it will help.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a great newsletter writer. I also know that not only will a well done help promote your business, a poor one can chase business away. So my question is very simple. Does anyone know of any decent newsletter services that I can resend as my own? Or maybe just articles that I copy into my newsletter. Like I said, I'm not to good at this stuff and any help here would be great. Thanks.

I actually have two belt rings. One for my work pants, the other is on my coveralls. I just didn't like taking my belt off and putting it back on when doing crawl spaces. It's also a lot less cumbersome when crawling around in tight spaces. I know most people just keep the flashlight in their hand, but the Stinger battery tends to die when I least expect it, so I always go in with two flashlights.

Who at an insurance company would you contact to do these types of inspections? I've asked a few agents and they know they have inspectors, but no clue who hires them or anything like that?

Woops didn't see your question Brandon, and Mike wins a prize (please see Les to get your prize), it is for the chimney. A note on that too, the fireplace insert has been removed and the wall patched over, there is no fireplace anymore. There is a chimney stack and the gas hot water heater and furnace vent into it in he attic.

Yes it is against the roofer not me. I just don't feel comfortable being called and expert. I can just see it now on cross examination, "So how long have you been in business to gain this expert status, reply "Um, 4 months" The judge would chuckle at that one. I like the way you explained it though and I will stick to the fact witness. BTW Upsom board, I should have known that, thanks. I'm writing the report right now, I'm going to report the roof conditions as they are and recommend further evaluation by a roofer and not make any comments like I think this guy screwed up.

Did a house today and as I drove up I had the mistaken assumption of "Cool, a brand new roof, this is going to be easy." Well, I was only partially right. The shingles were new, but the wood underneath was probably still from 1954 when it was built. At the roofs edge I peeked under the shingles touched the wood and it crumbled. I moved my ladder again and again, every place I looked, the wood was rotten. In the attic, the roof has insulation covered with a 1/4inch think paper board type material covered with multiple water stains. As such I could not get a good look at the roof material. The exhaust vents were insulated over, no soffit vents and only one gable vent. From the attic, I could see daylight around the edges of all the plumbing vents. I was asked by the buyers Realtor if I would be willing to back up my report in court if needed. It seems he called the sellers agent when I found this, who in turn called the seller who then called the roofer who said tuff luck, no warranty. BTW the roof was replaced only 22 days ago. I told them I would tell what I saw, but that the majority of the roof was hidden from view. I recommended, STRONGLY, that they get a new roofer to come out and provide their opinion as it would hold more weight in any legal action. The amazing part is the buyers still want the house. I would run as fast as I could, but I think these people are downsizing their house as they couldn't afford their last one. Actually the most amazing part is that there are contractors out there that do this kind of work and when called on it tell the client "Tuff luck". This is one of the reasons I became a HI. Here are some pictures, some are not the best of quality but if you look good you can see it. Image Insert: 678.45 KB Image Insert: 336.1 KB Image Insert: 366.56 KB Image Insert: 341 KB

so would that make this wrong too? [:-dunce] Image Insert: 370.23 KB Um, BTW, I'm just kidding......

As you can see, some of the concrete has failed. But is that enough to write up and a major discrepancy or just something to keep an eye on? All the others were in perfect condition. Also, the other three sides of this same pier were in good condition. Thanks. Image Insert: 421.87 KB

I put a lot of thought into the name and logo as well. What I wanted to try and do was not be the technical guy as thats been done to death IMHO. I wanted something warmer and more cozy. I don't intend to do commercial inspections so that didn't matter. The logo had to show that too. As if I was part of the family and not a techno geek wizard or grubby contractor.

Thanks for the input guys.....

One other option, if everything fits in the bed of the Titan, is to get a bed cover. Even if you have a tool box they make them that wrap around. By putting on bed cover on a pick-up, you increase the mpg a bit.

I use a Nissan Frontier XE. Good price, good mileage (4 pumper) and plenty of space. Plus since I use magnetics, I just take them off and it's my fun truck too.