TOPIC: Working my *** off but not making any $$$$$$

LOL  I wish! Its obvious I'm recording as I talk into the recorder.

I really hate this time of year. I love Easter, but I hate tax time.

April is typically my busiest month. Last year I did 25 and it was an overall down year. Once again I am down and I would expect to do about 20 inspections this month.

Between running radon monitors, inspections, report time and office work I am not having much free time. My Wife and Son left for a 6 day vacation to the outlaws(inlaws) Now if I go I would of already missed 5 inspections.

Now I am charging more for my services but I am not making any money. (Or so it seems)

I do not understand my accountant who did my taxes. I am making much less than last year but yet my estimated taxes are more.

I typically only do 1 inspection a day because of the time involved for report/travel/inspection.
I really am a tortoise when it comes to the report time. I need to just cover my ass and get it done.

So please explain to me how I can actually make some money doing home inspections.

My wife offered me to quit doing Home Inspections as she may be presented a better job but would travel and I would need to watch my son.

I really need a vacation. It has been 4 years.

I really got burned out trying to become a Certified Energy rater. (Still bummed I did not achieve an 80% on test) I have no time to study, retake test, do Remrate plans. I got busy.


Thanks for listening.

I feel your pain also David
Last week I performed an inspection on a 1910 home, spent 6 hours in the field and at least another 3 in my office doing the report.
I did not charge extra for the age factor even though my price schedule says so. I need the business.
Fortunately I was asked to do a radon test also which helped put me back in the black.
I'll email you a copy of this report. I still believe a good report will pay when things pick back up. My report includes over 200 anotated pic's 

Only problem with voice recorders (and I've heard quite a few inspectors say this) is that guys can only use it when the agents or sellers aren't at the inspection site. If they are, they run over every time a problem is verbalized to debate it. Works fine if it's just the seller though.

True Dom, I had this problem at first, then I got smart. This is now part of my "routine" at the beginning of every inspection. I tell them how I use it and that not everything I say is a huge deal and most of the things I just need for verification. I tell them I am not there to work a deal for them but to make sure the home is safe and in good working order, but I do welcome questions, just please hold them until the end.

John, for the camera, I have a binocular harness that goes over my shoulders and around my chest, that way the camera is there but I don't have to hold onto it the whole time. Everything else goes in the bucket boss and is there if I need it.

To just tell a client not to mind what you say into the voice recorder is too easy. I think the recorders are dangerous for the client hearing the wrong thing. I feel a tablet is the fastest way to do it and your report cane be done before you leave. The thing with a tablet may be to get rid of the narratives that you do not commonly use, or bury them in the bottom of the list. I feel it is quicker to type a new narrative than to scroll through 30 or 40 to find the right one only to have to change a few words anyway.

Definitely reorder your narratives. I have a few ideas that Bob and I have been discussing off me as well to narrow down narratives (like typing in a word into a box and all narratives with that word are highlighted)