Brand new interested in the business. hello

LEIF KARLSSON · 09-24-2007, 11:58 AM

Hello everyone.

My name is Leif Karlsson I live in the Don mill and Eglinton Area. I am just a bit over 60 but in good health and have been interested in the home inspection business for some months now.
I have tons of experience in the all areas of home construction but now I think I would rather inspect them than build them.
I am way behind. I have not even started any courses yet but have been trying to gather information as to the best way to do this.
I have been helped by a home inspector Robert Schenck who has been extreemely helful in providing information for me. Thank You Robert Schenck.
I have information from CarsonDunlop regarding courses and I guess that is where I will start.
Nice to meet everyone and please feel free to give any advise that you think I might need.
Thank You all in advance. Leif

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Leslie Stone · 09-24-2007, 01:39 PM

Hi Lief,
My name is Les. I just started a new inspection business in Sterling, VA. (1st Reliance Home Inspections, Inc.) I have performed inspections as a general contractor for years in the Richmond, VA area, but when I moved to Northern VA I felt it would be a good idea to get a certification. I took an 8 day - 80 hour training course with "AHIT" (American Home Inspection Training Institute). The website is WWW.ahit.com. I personally found the training to be very helpful. It cost about $1800, but it was worth it. If you, like me, have extensive experience in the building industry, this or other similar courses could be just the ticket. It will give you all of the ins & outs of the home ispection industry. I found it to be especially valuable in helping me to understand how to keep myself out of trouble with liability issues. Don't get me wrong, the technical training was good as well, but I personally didn't need much of that. What I needed was to learn the dynamics of the business...what to do and what not to do, how to fill out an inspection report, what the best tools are, what kind of insurances you need, software, marketing etc. AHIT greatly helped me in these areas.(no...I don't work for AHIT, nor do I get any perks for writing this, it was just convenient for where I live). I strongly recommend that you enroll yourself in a good certification training course. A lot of these training schools work with the Fannie Mae Foundation to help with financing. The next step would be to check out some organizations such as ASHI, NAHI, or NACHI...these can all be found on the web. Log on and take one of thier practice exams to test your overall knowledge. You may be suprised.
Best of luck to you!

LEIF KARLSSON · 09-24-2007, 02:11 PM

THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH AND I AM GOING TO CHECK THOSE SITES OUT THAT YOU SUGGESTED. THANKS AGAIN.
LEIF KARLSSON

**Rick Hurst** · 09-24-2007, 05:07 PM

Welcome to the board Leif.

How strange. My youngest son is named Leif. He's 26 and we have never met another Leif in all our time. Great Norwegian name I know.

Best wishes in you pursuit in the HI biz.

Rick

daniel nantell · 01-13-2008, 08:59 PM

welcome aboard, I started at 60 like yourself after retiring with 42 of working. It takes around 2 years at least for me to start making any money, It takes quite a bit start up money. Course around $2000, all your equipment at least another $1500 another $1000 for advertising, e and o and gen. liability insurance another $1000, attorneys fee to set up corp. another $1000, accountant for taxes and keep records ?????? the market is pretty bad now , but it probably will come back. I have a good retirement income or I would be picking up tin cans , ha ha.

**Rick Hurst** · 01-13-2008, 09:01 PM

Daniel,

There's more money in picking up copper and condensing units at this time.

**John Arnold** · 01-14-2008, 04:14 AM

Originally Posted by daniel nantell

... e and o and gen. liability insurance another $1000, ....

Wow. I need the name of your insurance company! I'm paying over three times that much.

daniel nantell · 01-15-2008, 08:52 PM

Rick;

In my neighborhood its aeration motors, you can pull one in 2 minutes , ha ha.

Ben Christianson · 01-20-2008, 11:34 AM

snip <e and o and gen. liability insurance another $1000>

Wow! Who are you dealing with regarding your E&O and GL? How many inspections is that based on? Is this for $250,000 each? What is your deductible. Heck of a good deal.

I was happy with $2750. This is for $250k for each and a $10000 liability bond. That's with a $1500 deductible per claim through NAPLIA.

Ben