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

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.

First I'd get turbo tax and check your taxes yourself if it doesn't sound right, it might not be. I'm hearing from inspectors all over the country that inspections are picking up. In many areas guys are doing 1-3 a day, every day. Just hold on a little longer and work on getting your report time down. Post one of yours when you get a chance so we can look over your photo usage and other comments.

I used to use Turbo Tax, but started having it done professionally as it was getting to complicated for my simple brain.

How can I post a report as they are confidental?

Yes, it seems that business is good. I would assume if I am busy, others are busy. You can tell as you need to reboot your report system as it gets full quicker.

I feel your pain David!

Since I live and operate my business in California I'm very familiar with the entire tax system on small business.  It is brutal to say the least.  Unfortunately, since we don't work for a government agency we have but two options, (Work more and cut expenses). 

I went from driving an F250 to a F150 to a Ranger to a corolla.  The fuel savings and maintenance expense reductions have been substantial and I get the same mileage write off as the bigger vehicles.

I met with my accountant yesterday who was surprised at my communication expenses.  She switched much of her communication system to "Skype" and has saved substantially.  She's even got a "Skype" cellphone system.  "Not sure what Skype is about".

I spend so much time on the road performing inspections out of area, I'm constantly cutting coupons for fast food and hotel deals.

I went from a high end occurance E & O insurance policy to a lower limit claims made policy with Allen Insurnace which save another $1000.00....

I ditched my verizon wireless internet service at $60 p/month and went to ATT hotspot program for $19.95 p/month unlimited.  It works at McDonalds, Kinkos, Starbucks, Hotels, etc... 

I changed my Blue Cross health insurance program to a higher deductable which also saved me a substantial amount of money.

The one area I have not cut back on is my inspection time spent on location with the client.  I hear of inspectors back to performing one hour inspections again.  We've got to maintain inspection quality during these tough times or we won't survive.

Hang in there and "Welcome to the Middle Class!"

David,

Change the address, and personal information on the report before posting it. Then do everything Will said.

Will, I did not know Skype had a cell phone service! I'll have to look into that one.

www.skype.com/download/skype/iphone/

Looks like it might be available for several different phone systems.  What is Skype?  What's the advantage over anything else?  I get the free Skype to Skype, but most carriers offer free within system calling anyway.  Do you use it?