Home Inspector No More

David Banks · 07-29-2008, 06:37 AM

I have decided to leave the Home Inspection Business. It has been a tough decision as I worked very hard these last 6 years on becoming the best inspector I could. I really want to thank Inspection News for providing such a great forum for inspectors to become better educated in the business. I know I would not be half the inspector I became if not for the information on this site. Special thanks to Jerry Peck for his willingness to take the time and help all. There is no doubt I would not have gotten the job stated below without my Home Inspection License and experience.
A opportunity arose that I could not say no. I have just accepted a job as an Energy Auditor/sales specialist for a non profit in the next town over from me. If you have to work for someone this is the dream job. You work from home. Go to the office once a month to pick up supplies and have meeting.
I get base salary and commission. Full extremely generous benefits. I start Aug 15th and go to classes for a month. I also have to get BPI Certified.
The Company is Conservation Services Group. Conservation Services Group
There client base is includes Utilities, commercial and residential construction.
Mostly I will be doing energy audits for residential homes. You do an evaluation, print up a report on site and if people want to upgrade insulation, heating systems, windows etc I can sign them up and they get great paybacks and no interest loans. I did one on my house (How I found the job)
1953 ranch needed wall insulation. The quote to blow in insulation was $1,800
NStar the local Electric Company will pay almost half. So I can get my house insulated for the price of one tank of oil. The payback is 1 year according to the computer printout. We also install new energy star light bulbs for free. They put in 23 light bulbs for free. They say they last up to 5 years and the auditor says it can save a dollar per light bulb per month on your electric bill.
I think this is good career move as the company is growing fast and the sky is the limit. I have always been into environmental issues and the country really needs to move forward in this direction to limit our addiction to oil.
I will continue to post and maybe as I learn more about energy and building practices I can post some good information.

" One man Gathers what another man spills"

Similar Threads:

**John Arnold** · 07-29-2008, 06:45 AM

David - Good luck with your new job!
I'm looking forward to your expertise in the energy efficiency field.

**Jerry Peck** · 07-29-2008, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by John Arnold

David - Good luck with your new job!
I'm looking forward to your expertise in the energy efficiency field.

Ditto!

**Brian Hannigan** · 07-29-2008, 09:08 AM

David,

I'm sure it was a tough decision. The last thing anyone wants to do is close a business they have put so much time into developing. It sounds like you are using logic and not emotions and moving on to something new that will be better for you and your family.

I really want to thank Inspection News for providing such a great forum for inspectors to become better educated in the business. I know I would not be half the inspector I became if not for the information on this site.

I'm glad you found InspectionNews so helpful and useful. Please keep posting with your new information.

Good luck with the new business!!

**Rick Hurst** · 07-29-2008, 10:26 AM

David,

I wish you and your family nothing but the best. You know what is best for you and the family. Don't think of closing your HI business as a failure, look at what you have learned from it and the experience of being a better communicator with people will only help you in your new job.

Hope you can still contribute to the board.

Best of Luck,
RICK

Ted Menelly · 07-29-2008, 01:01 PM

Sorry to see you go David.

Well, you have your home inspectors license and there are always off days/evenings/Saturday's to do home inspections.

All that time and effort involved, I am sure it will still be of good use.

There is about a thousand home inspectors in North Central Texas that I would love seeing go into another line of work. Please, talk to the company about advertising heavily in North Central Texas.

James Duffin · 07-29-2008, 08:52 PM

I was a CEM (Certified Energy Manager) in NC several years back (I let my certification lapse). I did energy audits on commercial buildings. It was a interesting job with the state. I was able so retire with a decent pension so I can now afford to do home inspections. I did it backwards from you!

**David Wood** · 07-30-2008, 05:21 AM

I did similar work a few years ago.

Very satisfying and enjoyable work. You will enjoy it and now that high energy prices are likely here to stay, you should be very busy.

David Banks · 07-30-2008, 06:19 PM

Thanks all for the encouragement!
"Don't think of closing your HI business as a failure, look at what you have learned from it and the experience of being a better communicator with people will only help you in your new job. Rick"

That is certainly true. I have built a lot of confidence in this area. It came in very helpful in the interview process also.

"Well, you have your home inspectors license and there are always off days/evenings/Saturday's to do home inspections. Ted"

I wish that was the case but the E&O is too expensive and is required here in MA.

"I'm sure it was a tough decision. The last thing anyone wants to do is close a business they have put so much time into developing. It sounds like you are using logic and not emotions and moving on to something new that will be better for you and your family. Brian"

It was a tough one but reality struck hard, it has been very slow here and I did not see things changing soon.
Life is strange some time. My wife got layed off and I was slow so we actually called a Realtor and were moving to Florida to start a new when my wife found the perfect job and about a week later This job came my way. So now we are in good shape after having about a year of financial uncertainty.
We both feel fortunate in this economy.
Thanks again to all.

**Scott Patterson** · 07-30-2008, 07:34 PM

David, I'm happy for you. It is amazing how things work and being the Southern Baptist that I am I have to say, it is also amazing how the He works!

You might want to check and see if you can retire or suspend your license. Don't give it up, they are too hard to get. Most states allow you to do this. You might have to keep up the CE's but not the insurance, etc.

I did almost the exact same thing that you are talking about back in the mid 1990's. Your HI knowledge will pay off.

David Banks · 07-31-2008, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

David, I'm happy for you. It is amazing how things work and being the Southern Baptist that I am I have to say, it is also amazing how the He works!

You might want to check and see if you can retire or suspend your license. Don't give it up, they are too hard to get. Most states allow you to do this. You might have to keep up the CE's but not the insurance, etc.

I did almost the exact same thing that you are talking about back in the mid 1990's. Your HI knowledge will pay off.

Thanks Scott. I have an email into the Division Of Licensure about keeping my License. I thought I read I can do this but when or if I get back doing HI they have the right to make you pass the National Exam again or something similar. I guess they do not want rusty inspectors out there. I expect to hear from them soon.