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

I agree with Will.  Don't cut back on your service.  Doing a lousy inspection just to fit another in later won't fly for long.  I think the key to this thing is to have as many arrows (services) in our quivers as we can handle and get ourselves out there among the real estate professionals.  Our websites are a terrific selling tool.  A great arrow in the quiver, in my opinion. 

And taxes won't be getting any cheaper.  If you noticed, in this year's IRS books, the rates extend down to lower levels of income.  That way they didn't "raise" taxes.  But you can bet they will be getting higher.

So far I have been fine.  I do have a secret weapon, but better not discuss it publicly.  I will say it works every time...

For example, I set up an inspection the other day for Tuesday morning.  He called back this morning to say he found someone else cheaper, and would I lower my price.  I AM NOT LOWERING MY PRICE - I set my prices, not some other jerk.  My answer to him was, "If you can demonstrate that he has my experience and certifications, I will lower my price.  I guarantee you, he won't."  I also said, "You can probably find someone else out there who will charge less than that guy.  And if you do, you will get what you deserve."

Less than one hour later, two other calls came in.  One HAD to have the inspection Tuesday morning.  Well, it was available.  IT WAS FOR MORE MONEY THAN THE GUY WHO CANCELED.  Right after that another call came in for Thursday, also for more money.

I attribute that to my secret weapon.  Like I said, it works every time.  I have proved it works.  That's your best hint right there as to what my secret weapon is.

Dave - hang in there.  You are providing a valuable service at a reasonable price.  You do good work.  You are dedicated and professional.  You need to figure out how to get yourself more time each week to be able to perform more quality inspections (a la Will's comment) each week.  I think right now what is holding you back is your reporting.  Maybe you can streamline it or learn some shortcuts.  I think Dom's suggestion is a good one - let him review things and see what he can do to help you save time.

Remember Churchill's comment --  Nevah, evah, evah, evah, evah give up!

Exactly Jay!

Karma for you....

I do the same thing when people call asking for additional software discounts (can I get double since I belong to 2 associations?). Home Inspectors are a SMALL industry. If we were selling software for real estate agents it would be easy. Or some cheap iPhone program (I really need to come up with one).

I had someone telling me the other day our websites were too expensive. I told him to go check out the competition that charges large startup fees and up to 5 times more a month. Never heard back. I think some of these people that you don't drop the price for realize they are getting less as they WILL ask the competition for certifications, but some of their ego's prevent them from calling back. But down the line they will recommend you to a friend, and many of them will swallow their ego's and call you back. You definitely have to stand your ground if you know you're pricing yourself for what you are worth.

I think everyone tries to get something for less, you cannot kill them for that. If you are willing to let them walk away then they know your price is where it should be.

I'm not bothered by getting something for less.  I get bothered when people agree on a price and then try to change it later, or want something more for the same price.  I have been asked by people if I could just throw in a radon test and then write a special letter to their bank about how the radon procedure went, my protocols, what the results mean, what I charge for a radon, etc.  All that prints on the radon results sheet I produce, but to ask for all that for free, after an inspection, is a bit over the top...

The purpose of the letter is so they can give it to their employer, or the bank, and get reimbursed later.  They never paid for anything, but still want a "reimbursement" anyway.  That smacks of all the people being trained in our society to get a tax "rebate" for taxes they never paid...  and then get upset when they don't get one.

That is one of the main reasons I got out of the contracting business. People would hire you to renovate a bathroom. The customer would then "do me a favor" you to death until you have renovated a much larger portion of the house. Since good news travels fast but bad news faster, I would do things just for a good recommendation. Bad move. Jay , I think you have said this before and it is true, do a quality job and people will notice. (or something to that effect) That is however a difficult thing to believe when times are slow or you are a start-up trying to make it.