Home Inspector Positions Available

[Faith Greenwell]

U.S. Inspect is hiring inspectors in the following areas:
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Boston/Eastern, Massachusetts
- Northern Virginia

If you are interested or know someone who is, please forward a resume to me at: fgreenwell@usinspect.com

Happy New Year!

Faith Greenwell
U.S. Inspect

[A.D. Miller]

You are always hiring because, U.S. Inspect is a revolving door entertainment center for amateur inspectors, wholly funded by the unsophisticated general public.:D

[Erby Crofutt]

Hey, Faith. Good to hear you're still around.
I hope all is well in your world.

-

[neal lewis]

Erby, did you ever work for USI?

[Darren Miller]

Hey Neal, Did you ever work for USI?

Oh, that's right........

[Erby Crofutt]

Neal,

No, too much of a stick in the mud, gotta do it my way person.

Faith is a friend from Louisville, Kentucky.

We were in the (Kentucky Real Estate Inspectors Association (http://www.kreia.org)) together way back when.

A.D.

US Inspect may not be your cup of tea, but quite a few people do like it. Just like those who work for other multi-inspector firms.

Especially those who like the inspecting part but not the marketing part. I know several of them. They're far from amateurs. They just don't like the marketing part. They want to just inspect and quite a few of them do it VERY well.

Fortunately, there's room for a lot of different ways in our world, even yours and mine.


-

[A.D. Miller]

US Inspect may not be your cup of tea, but quite a few people do like it.


EC: My opinion of them is formed solely upon what I have experienced of them in my area. Short, poorly written reports apparently provided by the under-educated solely for the edification of the franchisor's bank account.



Fortunately, there's room for a lot of different ways in our world,

EC: Yes, the sheep need shepherds and the self-deprecating require abuse. So then, US Inspect fills a need. I get that. What I would prefer to see however, is that the bar be raised universally. A rising tide lifts all the boats.

[Ryan Stouffer]

A.D., that kind of sounds like our federal government.

[A.D. Miller]

A.D., that kind of sounds like our federal government.

RS: That is precisely why their company name is so appropriate.:D

[Ryan Stouffer]

Touche!

[Faith Greenwell]

Wow! Imagine my surprise to come back to the thread I posted on this board. I know that most of us try to keep this a very professional forum, and I believe my posting is very good news in today's market and economy...that a company is actually hiring. Fortunately for us, we began hiring again three months ago in several areas, and I received over 200 resumes from licensed inspectors. One of our areas was actually in Texas where we are experiencing our biggest growth and getting ready to add another inspector to that team. That's really great news for our entire industry - that we would have the capacity to hire new employee inspectors in many of our markets. This board has been very helpful as we have received many professional inquiries from inspectors who visit here. I thank you all for your interest.

There are many comments here that are truly unfounded and certainly not necessary. We are not a franchise as many tend to believe and hardly a revolving door. Currently, we employ 225 people and have a very high employee retention rate. Is any company going to have 100% employee satisfaction? Of course not. Is any company going to have employees that they are not satisfied with? Of course. You can be certain that we wouldn't use a forum such as this to bash a former employee or a competitor.

Our model, of course, is not for everyone, as Erby mentioned. However, what I found in personally speaking with 200 applicants during the last quarter of 2009 was that many didn't like owning their own operation for one reason or another. I'm in that category having owned a successful multi-inspector home inspection company for 15 years before coming on board with U.S. Inspect in 2003. It was one of the best professional decisions I ever made and I haven't regretted a single day. It's a great place to work with great people. I have more of a personal testimony in regards to US Inspect that frankly can't be disputed.

The invitation stands. We are hiring professional inspectors in several areas. I invite those who would like to discuss employment with a great company to call me at 703.293.1445 or email me at fgreenwell@usinspect.com.

Erby, thanks for your support and professionalism. You shine brightly here! I wish each and every one of you a prosperous 2010.

Regards,
Faith Greenwell

[Richard Soundy]

Faith,

What a great response!

I wish you, your company and associates a prosperous and happy 2010.

Regards - Richard

[A.D. Miller]

Yes indeed, flowers began to magically sprout up around my office chair as I read that wonderfully gushing, PC retort!:)

The birds began to sing!:D

The heavens opened up!:eek:

My life is changed!:rolleyes: But not my opinion of US Inspect.

[Ken Rowe]

Faith,

Don't take it too hard. Some of these one man shops get upset when the large companies with great employee benefits show up. I haven't figured out why yet. Maybe just jealous or nervous.

[A.D. Miller]

Faith,

Don't take it too hard. Some of these one man shops get upset when the large companies with great employee benefits show up. I haven't figured out why yet.

KR: It is called i-n-d-e-p-e-d-e-n-c-e. It is what separates the wheat of individual experienced professionals from the chaff of groups of incompetents banded together for profit.

[Ken Rowe]

KR: It is called i-n-d-e-p-e-d-e-n-c-e. It is what separates the wheat of individual experienced professionals from the chaff of groups of incompetents banded together for profit.

That's pretty funny. Unlike independent inspectors, those who work for national companies generally are required to participate in continuing eduction, required to have criminal background checks, required to maintain certifications and licensing and generally have better liability, and E&O insurance. The also provide better customer support for scheduling and after care.

Just because we work for national companies doesn't mean we're inexperienced. My 3 in Minnesota have 10,000 home inspections between them. The lowest with 2,000. Two of them also have 1,000 inspection in Arizona. I'm in the process of hiring two more. One with 6,000 and the other with 1,000.

It's the independant inspectors which the public needs to watch out for. The felons. Those with no insurance. Those ASHI candidates and Nachi certified inspectors with less that 200 inspections under their belts who seem to be all over the place.

[A.D. Miller]

That's pretty funny.

KR: No, actually it is not funny.



Unlike independent inspectors, those who work for national companies generally are required to participate in continuing eduction, required to have criminal background checks, required to maintain certifications and licensing and generally have better liability, and E&O insurance. The also provide better customer support for scheduling and after care.


KR: As an independent inspector I am required to be licensed and insured in my state. I have obligations regarding CEUs from not only my state licensing commission, but from ASHI, the ICC, PTI, et al. I generally involve myself in about 75 (formal) hours of continuing education annually.
My customer support is second to none - view my Angie's List three consecutive years of Super Service Awards and the 2009 Chamber of Commerce Service Award from my city.



It's the independent inspectors which the public needs to watch out for.

KR: Quite the opposite is true.

Multi-inspector firms are parasites. Successful parasites do not kill us, as they merely become a part of us, making us perform all the work to keep them alive and help them reproduce. They are the ones to be avoided at all costs.

[Ken Rowe]

KR: As an independent inspector I am required to be licensed and insured in my state. I have obligations regarding CEUs from not only my state licensing commission, but from ASHI, the ICC, PTI, et al. I generally involve myself in about 75 (formal) hours of continuing education annually.
My customer support is second to none - view my Angie's List three consecutive years of Super Service Awards and the 2009 Chamber of Commerce Service Award from my city.


There is a big difference in what we're referring to. You are commenting on yourself. I am commenting on the 300 inspectors employed by BPG. If you were to take a random sampling of 300 independent inspectors would 100% meet the same requirements as you? Because I can say in all certainty that all 300 of our inspectors do.


My customer support is second to none - view my Angie's List three consecutive years of Super Service Awards and the 2009 Chamber of Commerce Service Award from my city.


Who answers your phone when you're on an inspection. We have office staff so calls never go to voice mail. Do you have online inspection ordering? We do. Do you have a 90 warranty on all inspections? We do, no extra charge. Do you have a Satisfaction Guarantee? We do. If for any reason the client is not completely satisfied with our performance we'll refund their inspection fee. Do you have $2 million in errors and omissions insurance? We do. Do you provide a year follow up advise both via phone and internet? We do. Remember, you're talking about 1 independent inspector, yourself. I'm talking about 300 BPG inspectors.


Multi-inspector firms are parasites. Successful parasites do not kill us, as they merely become a part of us, making us perform all the work to keep them alive and help them reproduce. They are the ones to be avoided at all costs.

It looks like we're talking about different things here also. You're talking about multi-inspector firms, while I'm talking about nationwide inspection companies. A national inspection company will provide better service to the client. Isn't that what it's all about?

[John Arnold]

Couple years ago I inspected an 80+/- year old house north of Philadelphia. They had given my client a copy of a report from a national U.S. Inspect-type company. I think the report was about a year old.

The previous inspector noted that the roof was observed from the ground, with binoculars. Said it was asphalt shingles, about 12 years old, and in good condition.

Here's what the roof looked like from my ladder at the gutter:

[A.D. Miller]

There is a big difference in what we're referring to. You are commenting on yourself. I am commenting on the 300 inspectors employed by BPG. If you were to take a random sampling of 300 independent inspectors would 100% meet the same requirements as you? Because I can say in all certainty that all 300 of our inspectors do.

KR: The fact that you inspectors all "have their shots" does not speak to their competence. If I were conducting the survey, a random sampling of your employees would be found wanting in the skills necessary to do the job the way I do it.


Who answers your phone when you're on an inspection.

KR: I have contracted someone to do this when required. Most of the time I field all calls myself. Why? Because a receptionist is not an inspector and not qualified to answer technical questions.


We have office staff so calls never go to voice mail.

KR: Never?


Do you have online inspection ordering?

KR: Yes, and I had a website before you did.


Do you have a 90 warranty on all inspections?

KR: No, because only an idiot would offer an actual warranty on an inspection service. Now, if you are talking about a limited warranty, then yes.


Do you have a Satisfaction Guarantee?

KR: Yes.


Do you have $2 million in errors and omissions insurance?

KR: Yes.


Do you provide a year follow up advise both via phone and internet?

KR: No, mine are quarterly.


A national inspection company will provide better service to the client.

KR: That is complete BS, and you know it.:D

[A.D. Miller]

Couple years ago I inspected an 80+/- year old house north of Philadelphia. They had given my client a copy of a report from a national U.S. Inspect-type company. I think the report was about a year old.

The previous inspector noted that the roof was observed from the ground, with binoculars. Said it was asphalt shingles, about 12 years old, and in good condition.

Here's what the roof looked like from my ladder at the gutter:

JA: This mirrors my experience on a weekly basis. When asked by a client or agent if I wish to see a previous report my standard retort is, "Only if it is over 50 pages in length and does not contain the phrase "U.S. Inspect".:D

[Scott Patterson]

Personally, I have seen good and bad solo inspectors. Prior to the cleansing period that we have been in for the past couple of years, I would say that the bad outweighed the good.

I have several friends who have multi-inspector firms (more than 1 inspector) and I also have a good friend (Keith Rhule) who has been with US Inspect for about 8-10 years and absolutely loves it. I see nothing wrong with the large nationwide firms, they also have the good and the bad.

It is all about the individual inspector and how they do their job.

[Ken Rowe]

Couple years ago I inspected an 80+/- year old house north of Philadelphia. They had given my client a copy of a report from a national U.S. Inspect-type company. I think the report was about a year old.

The previous inspector noted that the roof was observed from the ground, with binoculars. Said it was asphalt shingles, about 12 years old, and in good condition.

Here's what the roof looked like from my ladder at the gutter:

And we all know a roof will be in the same condition a year after the inspection. Was the first inspection done when the roof was covered with snow? Did the previous owner refuse the let the inspector put a ladder against the roof? You "think" the report was a year old. Could it have been two years old? Could it have been 5 years old? There are too many variables in your statement to make it worth anything.

I've been on at least 200 inspections where the previous "independent" inspector has lied on their report. Claimed to have inspected the attic, but the original seal was never broken.

[Ken Rowe]

KR: The fact that you inspectors all "have their shots" does not speak to their competence. If I were conducting the survey, a random sampling of your employees would be found wanting in the skills necessary to do the job the way I do it.Again, you're not talking about the same thing as I. I'm not comparing BGP's inspectors to you. I'm comparing them to a random sampling of 300 independent inspectors. When a client calls us they will always get an inspector who exceeds the state requirements. Is this true if a client calls every independent home inspection business? No.


KR: I have contracted someone to do this when required. Most of the time I field all calls myself. Why? Because a receptionist is not an inspector and not qualified to answer technical questions. So you take the calls when your meeting with clients or do you let it roll to voice mail and hope they don't schedule with someone else before you can call them back? My office takes the call during business hours, after hours I goes to my cell. We have inspectors in our office to answer technical questions. If the clients need to speak with me directly the office will forward the call to me.


KR: Yes, and I had a website before you did.Really? We've had our national site for somewhere around 12 years. Buyers Protection Group / Minnesota Home Inspectors (http://www.minnesotahomeinspectors.com) is only a local site I recently made.


No, because only an idiot would offer an actual warranty on an inspection service. Now, if you are talking about a limited warranty, then yes. Yes, a limited warranty.


No, mine are quarterly. So ours is better.

Now take everything that we've compare with you personally and apply that to 300 independent home inspectors. Can you tell me in all honesty that you believe all 300 will meet or exceed those specifications?



That is complete BS, and you know it. I know that if I were a regular Joe Homeowner I would trust a national company before some guy with an Inachi certification working out of his basement.

One last customer support question...If for some reason you were no longer around, who would provide support for your clients. BPG would take care of mine.

[A.D. Miller]

When a client calls us they will always get an inspector who exceeds the state requirements. Is this true if a client calls every independent home inspection business? No.

KR: Agreed.


So you take the calls when your meeting with clients or do you let it roll to voice mail and hope they don't schedule with someone else before you can call them back?

KR: When I am with clients I forward my phone to someone who answers it for me at time like this.


We have inspectors in our office to answer technical questions.

KR: An inefficient business model keeps boots in the office that should be on the street.



Really? We've had our national site for somewhere around 12 years. Buyers Protection Group / Minnesota Home Inspectors (http://www.minnesotahomeinspectors.com/) is only a local site I recently made.


KR: Mine went up in 1996.


So ours is better.

KR: Nothing you have is better.


Can you tell me in all honesty that you believe all 300 will meet or exceed those specifications?

KR: No, I agree.


I know that if I were a regular Joe Homeowner I would trust a national company

KR: The only reason that your national company succeeds is on the back of the unsuspecting and unsophisticated consumers.


If for some reason you were no longer around, who would provide support for your clients.

KR: Though I hate to disappoint you, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. But, for the sake of your argument, should I depart this physical plane, I have made arrangements in my will for business continuation by those more qualified than the inspectors you field.


BPG would take care of mine.

KR: Do they also supply the lube?:D

[Ken Rowe]

KR: An inefficient business model keeps boots in the office that should be on the street.

Two totally different business models. I would agree if it were an independent model. But, if we have an injured inspector, or business is slow and we can use them as a tech expert in the office it keeps the income going for the inspector and the worker comp claim to a minimum.


Nothing you have is better. Better than you or better than any 300 independent inspectors?


The only reason that your national company succeeds is on the back of the unsuspecting and unsophisticated consumers.
I really don't understand how you can say this when you have agreed that our inspectors and customer support are better than the general population of independent inspectors.


Do they also supply the lube? We're having a great discussion here. Don't get nasty.

[Ken Rowe]

A.D. You should bring up how poorly we compensate our inspectors. :)

[A.D. Miller]

Two totally different business models.

KR: Agreed.


Better than you or better than any 300 independent inspectors?

KR: Agreed.



I really don't understand how you can say this when you have agreed that our inspectors and customer support are better than the general population of independent inspectors.


KR: Maybe the general population of independents in states without licensing (and a few with). Maybe the general population of independents not ASHI certified. Maybe better than the bottom of the barrel, I agree.


We're having a great discussion here. Don't get nasty.

KR: Agreed, and I'm not.:D

[A.D. Miller]

A.D. You should bring up how poorly we compensate our inspectors. :)

KR: OK, you opened that door. Six figures?

[Ken Rowe]

KR: OK, you opened that door. Six figures?

Yes. We have many. My lowest paid inspector in MN made around $30,000. But he only did inspections and it amounted to about 10 hours of work per week, including drive time. No marketing whatsoever. Just took what he was given. The highest paid inspector in the company probably made around $180,000 but that's only a guestimate looking at the number of inspections he did. They still have to give Uncle Sam his share but that's what they were paid.

In general our basic Home Inspector can make 60% of the inspection fees with commissions and bonuses. It can go higher for additional certifications and even higher for PE's. But they have to be willing to work at it.

All operating costs are paid by the company, except vehicle and gas and basic inspections tools. Marketing materials, business cards, computers, software, continuing education, association fees, professional dues, specialized equipment (like radon monitors etc), liability, E&O, and workers comp. If you do your research you'll find that an independent inspector operating as a legitimate, legal business will have expenses in the 45 to 55% range.

National campaigns like our current Winter Promtion (Free radon test or $100 off) do not effect what the inspector makes. They still get paid as if the client paid the full fee.

BCBS Medical, dental, optical, 401K etc.

[A.D. Miller]

Yes. We have many. My lowest paid inspector in MN made around $30,000. But he only did inspections and it amounted to about 10 hours of work per week, including drive time. No marketing whatsoever. Just took what he was given. The highest paid inspector in the company probably made around $180,000 but that's only a guestimate looking at the number of inspections he did. They still have to give Uncle Sam his share but that's what they were paid.

In general our basic Home Inspector can make 60% of the inspection fees with commissions and bonuses. It can go higher for additional certifications and even higher for PE's. But they have to be willing to work at it.

All operating costs are paid by the company, except vehicle and gas and basic inspections tools. Marketing materials, business cards, computers, software, continuing education, association fees, professional dues, specialized equipment (like radon monitors etc), liability, E&O, and workers comp. If you do your research you'll find that an independent inspector operating as a legitimate, legal business will have expenses in the 45 to 55% range.

National campaigns like our current Winter Promtion (Free radon test or $100 off) do not effect what the inspector makes. They still get paid as if the client paid the full fee.

BCBS Medical, dental, optical, 401K etc.

KR: Ouch!:eek:

[Ken Rowe]

KR: Ouch!:eek:

You'll need to be more specific.

[Rick Cantrell]

Aaron
I just don't see you as the,
" Yes Sir Mr. Rowe, I'll get right on it Sir." kinda guy.
If you know what I mean.
But then again, he did say "DENTAL".

Pucker up Big Boy.:)

[Ken Rowe]

Aaron
I just don't see you as the,
" Yes Sir Mr. Rowe, I'll get right on it Sir." kinda guy.
If you know what I mean.
But then again, he did say "DENTAL".

Pucker up Big Boy.:)

That isn't the way we work at all. I see my guys about once every two months, but generally talk to them weekly. They run themselves as if they were running their own business. I'm only here to help them. If they're happy working 10 hours a week for 30 grand a year that's up to them. I'm generally here to do marketing, remind them to fill out their availability (if they want to work). Make sure they meet the company requirements for CE and Certifications, wading through resumes and updating my inspectors on software and building requirements.

[Rick Cantrell]

"That isn't the way we work at all."

I didn't think so, I was just kidding around.

[A.D. Miller]

Aaron
I just don't see you as the,
" Yes Sir Mr. Rowe, I'll get right on it Sir." kinda guy.
If you know what I mean.
But then again, he did say "DENTAL".

Pucker up Big Boy.:)

RC: Not to worry, they do not have a shop in my neck of the woods (prairie).:D

[James Kiser]

Personally, I have seen good and bad solo inspectors. Prior to the cleansing period that we have been in for the past couple of years, I would say that the bad outweighed the good.

I have several friends who have multi-inspector firms (more than 1 inspector) and I also have a good friend (Keith Rhule) who has been with US Inspect for about 8-10 years and absolutely loves it. I see nothing wrong with the large nationwide firms, they also have the good and the bad.

It is all about the individual inspector and how they do their job.

Very well said:D

[neal lewis]

Couple years ago I inspected an 80+/- year old house north of Philadelphia. They had given my client a copy of a report from a national U.S. Inspect-type company. I think the report was about a year old.

The previous inspector noted that the roof was observed from the ground, with binoculars. Said it was asphalt shingles, about 12 years old, and in good condition.

Here's what the roof looked like from my ladder at the gutter:That doesn't even look like an asphalt shingle roof.

John, a few years back the guys from the USI Philly group all carried extension ladders and walked on most roofs. Not sure what's happened since then.

[John Arnold]

That doesn't even look like an asphalt shingle roof.

John, a few years back the guys from the USI Philly group all carried extension ladders and walked on most roofs. Not sure what's happened since then.

It's not asphalt shingle. Whatever it is, it was breaking up all over the place. I sure didn't walk on it. It would have sent busted shingles raining down below.
I remember shortly after examining the roof, the client told me the seller was refusing to help out in any way and he, the client, has zero money to put into this place. Needless to say the deal fell apart.

[Ted Menelly]

Yes. We have many. My lowest paid inspector in MN made around $30,000. But he only did inspections and it amounted to about 10 hours of work per week, including drive time. No marketing whatsoever. Just took what he was given. The highest paid inspector in the company probably made around $180,000 but that's only a guestimate looking at the number of inspections he did. They still have to give Uncle Sam his share but that's what they were paid.

In general our basic Home Inspector can make 60% of the inspection fees with commissions and bonuses. It can go higher for additional certifications and even higher for PE's. But they have to be willing to work at it.

All operating costs are paid by the company, except vehicle and gas and basic inspections tools. Marketing materials, business cards, computers, software, continuing education, association fees, professional dues, specialized equipment (like radon monitors etc), liability, E&O, and workers comp. If you do your research you'll find that an independent inspector operating as a legitimate, legal business will have expenses in the 45 to 55% range.

National campaigns like our current Winter Promtion (Free radon test or $100 off) do not effect what the inspector makes. They still get paid as if the client paid the full fee.

BCBS Medical, dental, optical, 401K etc.

Ken

I hate to get into this but I must. Am I doubting your figuring...maybe so.

You are talking that one inspector earned 180,000 per year. You are saying that before anything else he did 12 inspections a weak for the entire 52 weeks and pulled 300 off the top of each inspection and then you paid benefits and E+O and the company made a profit off of him.

Again....that is 2 inspections a day for 6 days a week and he pulls 300 off the top plus, plus and you company makes a handsome profit on top of that.

I hate to say this to anyone but seriously. If you can show me the real numbers with out any fixes in there, you don't have to give me his name, and it adds up to what you say I will be in tomorrow for a job.

Now these figures have to be in the 180 range, plus his benefits plus the profit on top.

If he can pull off anywhere near that by hustling out there why on Gods green earth would he be working for another company. If he he dropped what he gets from the company and did all that marketing and hustling to bring the company in that money. Why is he working for your company.

I guess I could be getting older and a little thicker but you just said the other 30,000 dollar guy just takes what is given him. That means the other guy is pulling in 150,000 over that, give or take by hustling with marketing pulling that 150,000 on his own which means if the company was not getting their cut he would be pulling 180000 by himself with out the need for the company.

I am not pulling anyones leg here. I know you are looking at resumes but I look at a companies first. Prove yourself to me and I will prove myself to you. I know what I have done all my life and I have no need to prove it to anyone as an independent. Forget about what else I ever did before coming to Texas. Lets just take 5 plus years as a home inspector in Texas with licensing, schooling and paying my ridiculous amount of bills that accrued getting started here. That is in itself is my resume with out anyone pulling an income in to counter what I do.

Show me yours and I'll show you mine and sign up tomorrow. If your marketing plan is that good, I'm coming.

[James Kiser]

It's not asphalt shingle. Whatever it is, it was breaking up all over the place. I sure didn't walk on it. It would have sent busted shingles raining down below.
I remember shortly after examining the roof, the client told me the seller was refusing to help out in any way and he, the client, has zero money to put into this place. Needless to say the deal fell apart.

The picture looked like Slate :)

[John Arnold]

The picture looked like Slate :)

It looked too fibrous and granular to me, for slate. I think it's some kind of cementitious material, possibly containing asbestos.

[Ken Rowe]

I hate to get into this but I must. Am I doubting your figuring...maybe so.

You are talking that one inspector earned 180,000 per year. You are saying that before anything else he did 12 inspections a weak for the entire 52 weeks and pulled 300 off the top of each inspection and then you paid benefits and E+O and the company made a profit off of him.

Ted,

One of our guys in St Louis did around 500 inspections last year and averaged around $600 per inspection. That includes not only the inspection price but any extras he's certified in such as mold testing, radon testing etc.

He may not even be the the highest paid in the company, as I'm not privy to information out of our region. We have PE's who work less and make more.:)


If he can pull off anywhere near that by hustling out there why on Gods green earth would he be working for another company. If he he dropped what he gets from the company and did all that marketing and hustling to bring the company in that money. Why is he working for your company.


I'm not sure but I can tell you why I do it. I get to make my own schedule, I get full benefits for my family, I don't have any of the expenses associated with running my own business, I don't have to schedule the inspections myself, I get to deduct anything I'm not provided or reimbursed for since I work out of my house and my company is out of state, if I do the inspection I still get paid even if the check bounces or the clients claim a "satisfaction guarantee", complaints are handled by our operations manager so we very seldom have to deal with them. And the biggest of all...all the liability is taken on by the company. I don't have to worry about lawsuits. Plus the company provides a better overall service than the typical independent could ever dream of.


I guess I could be getting older and a little thicker but you just said the other 30,000 dollar guy just takes what is given him. That means the other guy is pulling in 150,000 over that, give or take by hustling with marketing pulling that 150,000 on his own which means if the company was not getting their cut he would be pulling 180000 by himself with out the need for the company.

Not necessarily. Most of our clients are are here for the company, because we can provide a suprerior product, not the individual inspector. I terminated a 350 job/year inspector in 2008. He went on his own. We retained every one the agents who previously referred him and increased our year over year numbers even being short one inspector.

If the Missouri inspector went on his own and was able to retain 50% of his clients that would put his gross at $150,000. Take out his business expenses, radon testing, mold testing, marketing materials and everything else the company previously provided (40%) and he's left with $90,000. So his income is cut in half and he has all the headaches of running his own company.

[CHARLIE VAN FLEET]

AVERAGED $600 AN INSPECTION--- SHOUTING I AM. where do i sign away my children and x-wives

WHAT DO YOU CHARGE PER SQUARE FOOT????--radon- pap smears--mamographs etc.

here in colorado that sounds like "HELP MY SIX YEAR OLD IS UP IN THAT BALLOON"

sorry don't believe it--would like to see his tax return--but i don't think you can back it.

wow

[Ted Menelly]

OK

2 weeks off a year. 50 weeks at 10 inspects a week. Every darn week for 50 weeks. Now at 600 per inspection because he is adding mold and radon and who knows, lead test to every inspection.

That is 300,000.00 per year. I want his name and telephone number and address because I am going to live at his home for a couple months and pay him for his strategy in marketing.

He, himself, is grossing 300,000.00 per year. Even if it were gross your company would be making far to much money off of him and he could do half the work and make the same thing.

I hear fantastic stories like this from time to time and only have to question them. If I had those marketing skills I would not do inspections. I would just market and have everyone else do the inspections..

You know my website or you can email me thru this site. If anything what you are saying is straight up...contact me. It is definitely going to be worth someones efforts.

If his tongue is as gold as you say, I can lay some more gold on it.

[Ken Rowe]

AVERAGED $600 AN INSPECTION--- SHOUTING I AM. where do i sign away my children and x-wives

WHAT DO YOU CHARGE PER SQUARE FOOT????--radon- pap smears--mamographs etc.

here in colorado that sounds like "HELP MY SIX YEAR OLD IS UP IN THAT BALLOON"

sorry don't believe it--would like to see his tax return--but i don't think you can back it.

wow

Here's an example directly from his schedule:

Base fee $310
add $200 as the purchase price is $505,000
add $135 for a radon test
add $90 for wood destroying organism evaluation
Total $735

So his inspection fee would be $510, wdo is required by the state or city I believe and the radon was added by the client.

As I previously stated income is dependent on certifications. If you can do the wdo and radon also, it adds up quick.

[Ken Rowe]

He, himself, is grossing 300,000.00 per year. Even if it were gross your company would be making far to much money off of him and he could do half the work and make the same thing.


Ted,

Read my post, two back now, on why I don't believe he could make that much as an independent.

And it is 100% true.

[CHARLIE VAN FLEET]

let the 180 k man come on here and talk for himself. you have made him my idle. surely he would be proud to come on this thread and take his honors as the greastest inspector of 2009. or his he just a figment of your imagination and what you want to be.

be proud of your men KR and show him off.does he have a name--like bob villa

i will believe nothing more or stop posting--as they say "PUT THE MONEY AND THE MAN WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS"

economy down and you have a superman who pays you--stop

[Ken Rowe]

l or his he just a figment of your imagination and what you want to be.

be proud of your men KR and show him off.does he have a name--like bob villa

i will believe nothing more or stop posting--as they say "PUT THE MONEY AND THE MAN WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS"

economy down and you have a superman who pays you--stop


Nope, not where I want to be. For four years straight I was doing over 700 inspections a year. Sure the money is great, but I never want to do that again.

Unfortunately I can't post his name, Privacy Acts and stuff like that. And he's not my man. I run MN for the company. He works in Missouri.

By the way, I'll keep posting if people keep asking me questions. It doesn't matter if you believe what I'm telling you or not. I have no incintive to make this up. Most of our inspectors don't make that kind of money, but he and several others do.

You say he's paying us? I don't get it. BPG gives him the ability to make the money he makes. We pay his education, licensing etc. We provide a product far better than what an independent inspector can offer. He can't make that money without us and he knows that.

Could most independent inspectors who join a national company make that kind of money? Not from what I've seen. Most don't have the ambition. If they did they'd be running their own multi inspector company and growing it in to a national company.

[CHARLIE VAN FLEET]

kr
that says it all. tell the superman to come on and recieve his HI trophy. you know his name--tell him to log on here or stop the BS. let him make you the hero you made him or go back to the BS barn of home inspectors.
if you can't or won't bring him on here.end the thread because you are full of crap

pitiful BS

charlie

[Dan Harris]

There are a couple guys here claiming to be doing 75-80 a month for the past couple years.
When I was talking to one the other day he asked me how old was I, when I said 57, he replied , YOUR OLD, how in the heck do you climb roofs and crawl attics. Dam kids now a days :D

[Ken Rowe]

kr
that says it all. tell the superman to come on and recieve his HI trophy. you know his name--tell him to log on here or stop the BS. let him make you the hero you made him or go back to the BS barn of home inspectors.
if you can't or won't bring him on here.end the thread because you are full of crap

pitiful BS

charlie

Charlie,

Like I said you can choose to believe me or not, it's up to you. I'm not looking to be a "hero" or anything of the sort. I'm just telling you how it is. What good would it be to have him log on here anyways? You'd just call him a lair also.

By the way, I won't be ending this thread, it's not mine to end.


There are a couple guys here claiming to be doing 75-80 a month for the past couple years.
When I was talking to one the other day he asked me how old was I, when I said 57, he replied , YOUR OLD, how in the heck do you climb roofs and crawl attics. Dam kids now a days :D

Dan,

I have no idea how old our guy in St Louis is. I'm 43, and have been doing this full time for 8 years. ;)

[CHARLIE VAN FLEET]

kr

just go away on this thread and take spiderman with you. i presume you are talking about a usinspect HI. i have plenty in my chapter- i will ask them if they have a champion like you claim. i think your full of #$%^.

even if you didn't start this thread, exit it and go do a freaking inspection.you have voiced your lame brain on too many threads already

give us a break almighty mentor of super inspectors

[Ken Rowe]

Charlie,

I don't work for US Inspect. I work for BPG, the largest employee based home inspection company in the United States. By the way, I didn't mentor the guy in St Louis. In fact, I never met him. I only see the data sheets sent to me.

Please remain civilized. If you don't like what I've got to say either don't read it or ignore it, like I'll ignore you. :)

[A.D. Miller]

KR: You are truly a fabulist, I must give you that. And here I thought that was exclusively a Texas thing. :D

[CHARLIE VAN FLEET]

ken
no problem, but you have to admit those are unrealistic numbers and maybe just hearsay or that guy is blowing the wrong wind
charlie

[rob rehm]

My take on this A.D individual is one who has an extreme amount of time on his hands, or is very uneducated, or very unhappy with himself. Most of his post I have seen are extremely negative. This should be a place for us to learn from each other and support one another. A person like this should really be removed from commenting in the future. Mr. A.D...you are only making yourself look very ignorant. That is why I have blocked him from any on my post.

[Ken Rowe]

KR: You are truly a fabulist, I must give you that. And here I thought that was exclusively a Texas thing. :D

Ok, live in your naive world. I can't force you to take your head out from under the rock.

[Ken Rowe]

My take on this A.D individual is one who has an extreme amount of time on his hands, or is very uneducated, or very unhappy with himself. Most of his post I have seen are extremely negative. This should be a place for us to learn from each other and support one another. A person like this should really be removed from commenting in the future. Mr. A.D...you are only making yourself look very ignorant. That is why I have blocked him from any on my post.

Rob, Do we or do we not have inspectors doing 500/yr and averaging $600 per inspection?

[Ken Rowe]

ken
no problem, but you have to admit those are unrealistic numbers and maybe just hearsay or that guy is blowing the wrong wind
charlie

Like I said, I see the data sheets. It's not hearsay. I honestly don't know how he does it, but he does. Are they unrealistic numbers? Yes, but he does it.

[rob rehm]

Rob, Do we or do we not have inspectors doing 500/yr and averaging $600 per inspection?


Yeah there are some in the company that pull it off. Thats the great thing about working for a National Firm such as BPG...yan can totaly focus on getting and doing inspection. I can focus on making Realtor contacts. Sure, all of is can do that, but I do not have the headeaches of beiing tied down to a cell phone. When I get a call for a job I kinding have the client call my personal Secretary. I have been self employed like so many of the others on here, but I have run the numbers over and over, and I am bringing home just as much working for a national company as I did on my own. Plus I have access to great health benefits and 401K. It is almost to good to be true. The best kept secret in the industry.

[rob rehm]

To work for the best kept secret in the inspection industry go to Welcome to BPG Inspection Services (http://www.inspectech.com) or talk to Ken or I and we will start you on your way!

[A.D. Miller]

My take on this A.D individual is one who has an extreme amount of time on his hands, or is very uneducated, or very unhappy with himself. Most of his post I have seen are extremely negative. This should be a place for us to learn from each other and support one another. A person like this should really be removed from commenting in the future. Mr. A.D...you are only making yourself look very ignorant. That is why I have blocked him from any on my post.

RR: Success does have its perks; one of them being time spent as desired. As for education, I urinate out more each morning than you will ever be obliged to manage.

Should you wish to remove me, please contact the Hann.

Block on.:D

[A.D. Miller]

KR: I suppose I am the only one on the forum who finds it totally incredulous that you have an employee who performed 500 full inspections and brought in 180K, after paying you 40%, and in the worst fiscal year in this profession in the last 20 years.

Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the various heilige invisible friends are a lot easier to believe in.

Flim-flam men such as yourself love to take advantage of slow ecumenic times in order to recruit those who are fear-based and gullible enough to work for someone with little or no scruples.

Your infomercial is over.

[Ken Rowe]

AD,


I suppose I am the only one on the forum who finds it totally incredulous that you have an employee who performed 500 full inspections and brought in 180K, after paying you 40%, and in the worst fiscal year in this profession in the last 20 years.

You can believe it or not. I've told you. Rob (who runs our Indianapolis office) has told you. Remember, that inspector didn't bring in 180K, he brought in 300k. His cut was 180k. He didn't pay us 40%, we paid him 60% and we paid his expenses out of our 40% and took on all of his liability.


Flim-flam men such as yourself love to take advantage of slow ecumenic times in order to recruit those who are fear-based and gullible enough to work for someone with little or no scruples.

Your infomercial is over.

With responses like this I can see why you don't work that much. How exactly do I or the company I work for have "little or no scruples"? We work hard, we pay our employees fairly, we give them great benefits, we stand behind our inspections, we give our clients better protection than an independent inspector can, we require our inspectors to be better than the typical independent inspector. So how is any of that unscrupulous?

Please also remember I have not written anything in this thread attempting to "recruit" anyone. I'm merely trying to defend the original poster from those independent inspectors who don't know any better.

[Ted Menelly]

Ken

I hate to keep getting into this but once again I must.

Now the man made 180000 in his pocket.

He is the one that grossed 300,000.

You paid him 60% I don't know why you say that operating costs are 40% of the gross for an individual. That is an insane figure. If that were the case then you folks are not making anything at all from this man and he is throwing 120000 away every year for the grand thank you to work for you folks. Just out of the kindness of his heart.

And you call that being paid fairly. From what it sounds like to be his is rounding up most of his own work. If in fact that is a fact the true fact is that it would not cost him any more than 20 percent max.

At 40% operating costs you are saying it cost me 40,000 for every hundred thousand I would make. Or 20% for me to get 50,000 worth of work. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOt in the slightest. Try about half of that MAX.

If someone told me that I had to hand them 20,000 right now so I could make 50,000 before Dec 31, I think you know what I would tell them.

An inspector here use to work for Land America about 5 years ago for 6 months. He got most of his own work and had to pay them (the other way actually) or should I say they took 40% or more to basically pay his insurance and medical. He still had to solicit most of his own work.

That may be for some but honestly I think to work that hard doing that many inspections and at the same time round up most of my own work to get my insurance and medical somewhat paid for and still be liable as an inspector (you really don't think they are not going after him as well)....I just don't see it.

Its a mind set and my mind set says sit right here 40% of the time and I keep the other 60% for me anyway instead of handing someone else 40% of what I worked for.

Again, there are a tremendous amount of mindsets in life and it is for the individual to choose which mind set to live by.

[Dan Harris]

Do we know if this inspector did all the work himself, did he have a helper, a couple other inspectors working for him, or sub some of the other, radon, termite inspections, and mold work out?

[Ted Menelly]

Do we know if this inspector did all the work himself, did he have a helper, a couple other inspectors working for him, or sub some of the other, radon, termite inspections, and mold work out?


He said he grossed 300,000 The termite was done by someone else. He said the man took home 180,000. No matter who did what he took home 180,000 that is the dilemma.

I do not personally care but in my worse year in say 20 years someone else is going out and getting 300,000 dollars worth of work for someone else to reap heavy profits from and still brings home 180,000 plus his EO and medical is paid for and any office over head and and and and.

Do I believe it. Sure! Why not, anything is possible. I just rather doubt it. No harm no foul to the messenger.

If someone is out there that good he should be the one getting paid handsomely for his knowledge and I do not me busting his hump marketing and rounding up all this work and then doing all these 2 to 3 inspections a day 5 to 6 days a week and imagine that, he still has time to eat and sleep. I will pay him a serious amount of money to hang with him for a month and learn. Darn, I will even help him do all his work. Then I will slap him in the head and tell him where and what he should be doing and snap him out of the fog he is in.

[Ken Rowe]

Ted,

You must have missed my previous post where I stated that if he didn't work for us he probably wouldn't be able to make the money he's making now.

For example, I terminated a 350 inspection/yr guy in 2008. He started his own independent company. We ended up retaining all of the agents who used to refer him and, as a company in MN, did more inspections the following year without him.

From what I've seen the clients and referring agents tend to stay with the company rather than the inspector. The whole package we can offer as a national company is much better than most independent inspectors can offer.

Also, as far as I know, he's doing his own termite and radon.

[A.D. Miller]

My suggestion is this: everyone should simply bow out of this thread gracefully and let KR's face be saved as his infomercial comes to an end.

[A.D. Miller]

But, before I take my long overdue leave, this just in from Mike Holt's site showing just how a nationwide inspection company can "benefit" the consumers:

Home Improvement Books Recalled



On January 8, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with publisher Oxmoor House, announced a home improvement book recall (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10104.html). Nearly a million home improvement books, including books put out under the Lowe’s label, have been recalled due to faulty wiring instructions and technical diagram errors that could cause people to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring. If the instructions are followed, it could lead to electrical shocks or fires.
The books, sold at home improvement stores nationwide, include Lowe’s Complete Home Improvement and Repair and Lowe’s Complete Home Wiring. Some of the books have been used by consumers for years, dating back as far as 1975, while others were published last year.
Although no injuries have been reported in connection with the books, the CPSC warns that consumers should immediately stop using the books and contact Oxmoor House to request a full refund.
Nine home improvement titles are being recalled, which the CPSC estimates affects 951,000 books. The home improvement book recall includes the following titles:
AmeriSpec Home Repair Handbook, published January 2006.:D
Lowe’s Complete Home Improvement and Repair, published September 2005 and December 1999.
Lowe’s Complete Home Wiring, published May 2008.

[Ken Rowe]

AmeriSpec Home Repair Handbook, published January 2006.:D


AmeriSpec inspectors are independent inspectors who have purchased a franchise. They are not employed by a national company. Thanks for pointing out the inadequacies of independent inspectors. :p

But, if our employees did distribute that book, the company would be liable. If an independent inspector distributed that book, the inspector themselves would be liable.

[billy claggett]

That's pretty funny. Unlike independent inspectors, those who work for national companies generally are required to participate in continuing eduction, required to have criminal background checks, required to maintain certifications and licensing and generally have better liability, and E&O insurance. The also provide better customer support for scheduling and after care.

Just because we work for national companies doesn't mean we're inexperienced. My 3 in Minnesota have 10,000 home inspections between them. The lowest with 2,000. Two of them also have 1,000 inspection in Arizona. I'm in the process of hiring two more. One with 6,000 and the other with 1,000.

It's the independant inspectors which the public needs to watch out for. The felons. Those with no insurance. Those ASHI candidates and Nachi certified inspectors with less that 200 inspections under their belts who seem to be all over the place.
so since i dont have 200 inspections i dont try to take pride in my work and do the most through inspction i can?

[Jack Feldmann]

Pulling up a thread almost a year old to get pissed? You have way too much time on your hands. :-)

[Ken Rowe]

so since i dont have 200 inspections i dont try to take pride in my work and do the most through inspction i can?

You are absolutely correct. All home inspectors who have completed less than 200 home inspections in their lifetime will always do just as good of a job as the inspectors that have done thousands of inspections. :rolleyes: