Did you know that a vehicle delinquency interview (called a car chase) pays on the average about $25, or more? A residential mortgage delinquency interview pays about $3 and requires 7 digital photos. The vehicle delinquency interview pays about 800% more that a mortgage delinquency interview for about the same amount of work.
Most field service inspectors only perform a few difference types of field service inspections every year. Many have never heard of a sign inspection, a lease inspection or a business verification. Many just perform the mortgage inspections … the lowest fee inspections in the industry. They are unaware of better inspection opportunities. They don’t know about collateral inspections. Many inspectors are not aware that with some additional classroom training they can move to higher fee inspections.
SOFI has been a leader in the field services industry since 1992. We have reviewed our records over the last 21 years and have discovered that there are well over 250 types of field service inspections within the general categories of mortgage, insurance and commercial inspections.
SOFI has assembled into one 400-page E-book the descriptions of over 250 field service inspections. Many of these field service inspections require no experience or training to get started. The firms that are sources for most of these inspections are listed in the National Field Service Directory.
SOFI will include a copy of this great E-book (DOWNLOAD in PDF format) with every Field Service Business Starter Package shown at the top of the product list.
SOFIBlog.com ... 352-324-6042 Florida 
It’s true. I do get them from time to time. Maybe I need to find some more companies that have these…
So what happens when you got to the address and the vehicles not there? At least I know the H/O isn’t going to be at work or running errands in their house….
Jeff, I’ve done a lot of these. With the companies I work for, you just take photos to show that the vehicle isn’t there at the time of the visit. You usually have to leave a letter taped to the door of the residence or with the customer or adult who answers the door. Pay is fairly flat- rate, but it may be more depending on the location. In a couple of instances, I’ve been asked to go and make a special trip at a specific time and day… those usually pay more… I’ve been paid from $30 to $80 (sometimes more) for each one of these, usually $30-$40 each. I tend to get more because of the area I cover. Thing is, getting in with those companies is difficult. My favorite took several years of occasional inspections (one or two a month, if that) before they finally put me on their regular list and did a full background check, etc. Another company keeps me as their backup, and has for several years because they have another inspector in the same area. My contact there said they are always turning away new applicants because between the two of us, they just don’t need anymore. Each situation is a little different. In one case, on an odd hunch once I actually found a target vehicle parked in a neighbor’s driveway a couple doors down. The bank sent a bonus that the company passed on to me. That was kind of nice. That was just once, though.
I’ve always been paid whether I locate the vehicle or not, whether I speak to the customer or not… so long as I’m thorough with my photos and report and make and effort, there’s no problem. BUT… that’s because I don’t screw around. I make an effort with each one. The companies I work for know this, which is why they’ve never not paid me. A few times I’ve been asked to make a return trip and I always got paid for the additional trips(s) too unless I agree ahead of time to make x number of trips first.
You bring a letter to give to them regardless if home or not. Some places pay a flat rate (like the one I deal with) whether you make contact or not. Others will pay a bit less for no contact.