TOPIC: Another example of underpricing

Received this email yesterday w/ personal info removed:

Hello Casey,

I am looking for an home inspector in your area.  I have a number of property inspections that I need done each month.  I am attaching a job overview to describe this position.  This could be part time or full time, depending on your schedule and area covered.

Please contact me by phone or e-mail if you are interested.

Thank you,

Jimmy C.
The Shade Tree Company

Here's the "job description":

Property Inspector Job Overview

This is meant to be a general overview of this job.  Please reply back with any other questions.

Thanks,

Jimmy


Most if not all of these inspections are drive by inspections.  They involve driving by a property and taking approximately 2-4 digital photos of the home/property.  You will also be looking for certain hazards that may be present. (For example: tree limb hanging over the roof, broken or boarded windows, etc...)  You will have a list of what to look for before you go to the property.  It is a good idea to have a notepad or legal pad to take notes, because you will fill out an online inspection report and attach the photos for each property. 

Be sure to keep your notes organized and MAKE SURE to write the property address above each property’s notes.  This may sound like a “no-brainer”, but it makes things go much faster when entering your report on the computer. 

My own experience is that I have been able to complete 10-15 of these an hour, and then another 1-2 hours per 50 inspections to enter them on the computer.  I have found that making $30-40 an hour is reasonable to expect.  Of course, everyone is different and these numbers will vary from person to person.  Some inspectors in other states are reporting doing 100+ per day (full time), and some are reporting 50-75.  Planning out your route before you leave is key to being efficient.  Microsoft Streets and Maps software can be helpful in planning your route.  I also keep a King’s map book in my car, and a GPS can really help, but is not necessarily a requirement.

Turn times:

The company that sends us the work has stated that they will be sending work orders every 10 days.  This is a little different than in the past, but it should make things easier on our end.  Once we get the work orders we will have 72 hours to complete them.  So, three times a month we will receive work orders and then have 3 days to complete the work.  You can get an idea of approximate potential earnings, by looking at the above numbers and multiplying by pay per inspection. 

Pay:

Inspections that are grouped together in close proximity (in a metro area) will pay $4.50 a piece.  Work that is farther from town will pay between $5 and $10 a piece depending on how far you are asked to go.  We want to make it worth while for you and you will know in advance how much you will make before you accept any work.

[move]Have fun guys; let's all have a Happy and PROSPEROUS New Year!  ;D[/move] 

I talked to them a few months ago.  I politely told them they were nuts!

Probably insurance inspections which pay about $65 each, then they're paying you peanuts to do the work!

Agreed, I talked w/ Jeff Jonas about it too...I can't start my truck for those prices, but I wanted some more info from the guy. 
As Jeff and my wife both said:  "Isn't there something funny about the word "Shadey" or "Shade" in the company name?!?!?"  ;D
I don't think my work would benefit if I was "Shady Home Inspections"!

if you coupled the inspection with your marketing on that day, it would pay for your gas to go see realtors and be out there handing out business cards.
You kinda have to use there cash to make it pay for itself. Granted doing one or two a week as an income is foolish, but if your there and your not inspecting that day, this would put the gas in the car to get you out and networking.

I've done a couple of these in the past, they promise lot's of work so I did them. I have not heard from them since. They were not worth the time, $35 to $50. Usually an hour drive each way and an hour to do the report. I turn them down when these type of company's call now. To busy anyway!!