Business & Marketing Tips for Home Inspectors

[@CoinMan5000]

Great videos my friend, I enjoy listening to them while driving.

[@BenGromicko]

Glad you like them, CoinMan. How else can we help you? Our Home Inspector Podcast is at www.nachi.org/podcast

[@CoinMan5000]

@@BenGromicko I’m actually a CMI with you guys and running a pretty decent inspection business I have myself and another full time inspector and a part-time guy.

[@donlawrence8810]

Ben, First, thank you for doing these videos. They are an invaluable resource. I have a few questions. In building a multi-inspector firm, do you provide vehicles for your inspectors, do you employ them as employees or sub-contractors/1099's? and what is the split between the inspector and the company if you provide the vehicles?

[@BenGromicko]

Tax law defines how to handle employees vs contractors. You may want to consult with your local business attorney for those details. It'll save you a ton of cash and headaches. The answer to your questions about payments and vehicles depend upon what your business plan is. One way that we did it was that we reimbursed the employee for using their own vehicle.

[@donlawrence8810]

@@BenGromicko So you don't see the value in having a fleet of vehicles, which would present a consistent appearance? in addition to marketing displayed on the vans? Sorry if I'm being redundant. I guess I feel I will have more control over how the inspectors keep their vehicles up. I just envision an inspector showing up at the property with his a small bass boat on the truck rack, with his fishing rods sticking out of the back of the truck, and mud all over the tires from his weekend fishing trip. Also, if I hire employees inspectors and I do provide them with a vehicle, should the split be, 70/30%, 60/40% or 50/50%? I know it is hard to factor overhead and profit in this question. I guess I'm looking for an average of the competitions numbers.

[@CoinMan5000]

@@donlawrence8810 I provide my guys vehicles which they do not take home, also I pay them a flat fee of $100 per inspection regardless if it’s a big home or a small one, and they get additional fees if they perform termite,radon, mold or sewer scopes.