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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    2,048

    Default insurance inspections

    Has anyone heard of / dealt with Castle Inspection services, division of Overland? They claim to be a national insurance insp outfit.
    They have an ad up here looking for ins insp. Sounds like a possible side revenue. However, their site says they pay $10-15 per res insp and $20-25 per comm insp. It states basically take pictures, measurements and a few forms to fill out. Sounds simple enough but at those prices you'd be working for free.
    With gas, paper, pen, electricity to write/email, there's no money in it.
    I guess it's no surprise they are looking for inspector's
    Anyone have any experience with this?
    Thanks, Markus

    Similar Threads:
    Crawl Space Creeper
    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: insurance inspections

    Those fees don't even pay for gas.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia PA
    Posts
    3,177

    Default Re: insurance inspections

    I would inspect my neighbor's house by glancing out the kitchen window while making a sandwich for $15. Maybe I should give them a call.


  4. #4
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Talking Re: insurance inspections

    But would inspect it for $ 15.00 and a sandwich?

    Most insurance work is like that. you need to get the work from the owner or a law firm.


  5. #5
    Brian Cooper's Avatar
    Brian Cooper Guest

    Default Re: insurance inspections

    I do similar work for $20 per house here in Columbia. I only send photos. I don't measure.

    I made $400 on it in two weeks last month, and i have $500 worth of invoices ready for this month. It's worth it to me!


  6. #6
    David Banks's Avatar
    David Banks Guest

    Default Re: insurance inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Brian Cooper View Post
    I do similar work for $20 per house here in Columbia. I only send photos. I don't measure.

    I made $400 on it in two weeks last month, and i have $500 worth of invoices ready for this month. It's worth it to me!
    What else do you have to do besides pics?


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Osceola, AR
    Posts
    311

    Default Re: insurance inspections

    I have done a few of these for an outfit called Advanced Field Services. Pic to verify address, pic of front of structure, pic of rear, note any hazards (include pic of hazard) or conditional problems. Thats it, takes about 15 minutes from start to finish at the most. Upload the pics to their website + simple report which takes maybe five minutes. You can hold a report request for up to two weeks, so I wait and group them together by general vicinity. Did 4 of these last week in less than an hour, including driving time, and I was already in the area doing one of my jobs so it wasn't to bad.
    Alton


  8. #8
    Brian Cooper's Avatar
    Brian Cooper Guest

    Default Re: insurance inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by David Banks View Post
    What else do you have to do besides pics?
    E-mail the pics to the agent. That's it. Nothing else.


  9. #9
    Philip Canter's Avatar
    Philip Canter Guest

    Default Re: insurance inspections

    I work for Castle and they keep me busy. They are good to work with and pay is on-time. The per inspection seems low, but when you can do 10 to 15 in a day, it adds up. No crawl spaces, attics, or real estate agents! Sometimes you may have to speak with an insurance agent. You just can't tell the "real" home inspectors that you do these. It's alright money if you want to lower yourself.

    Phil Canter


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    2,048

    Default Re: insurance inspections

    Thanks for the input to all. I think I'll pursue it a little more and then make a decision. The pricing is dirt cheap but it may be good filler work in between other things. If I can use my motorcycle to do them then it is more appealing cost wise. As with all work it may lead to other referrals.
    Thanks, Markus

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  11. #11
    Jimmy Breazeale's Avatar
    Jimmy Breazeale Guest

    Default Re: insurance inspections

    My personal advice, unless you live in a major metro area, is to stay way from the low-value insurance stuff. Insurance work in any case only makes economic sense if it is based on volume. A scattered 15 bucks here and there is a waste of your time. Contact higher value companys such as US-Reports or Collateral Specialists. Be advised that in all cases, insurance services work is a whole lot of sugar for a dime, but it can pay your bills in these tough times as long as you have a 10-30 day turnaround and can schedule a number of jobs in a contiguous area.


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