Some Field Service Inspectors Just Do Everything Wrong … They Just Don’t Get It!

Some field inspectors do everything wrong. They perform some of the lowest-fee mortgage inspections while working for some of the worst firms in the field service industry. They pay a background check fee (99% of firms require no background check fee) to get the privilege of working for a firm that pays in about 30 days, or longer. Sometimes inspectors pay fees up front for background checks and insurance … and then they get no work. When they get work, it is often only a short time before they are replaced by another inspector who has been hired to work for a lower fee. Comparing firms that require that you pay for a background check to firms that require no fee, the firms requiring the background check fee usually have a higher turnover of inspectors. The firms that require you to pay for a background check expect that you will not hang around very long. Why don’t you get it? Some inspectors work taking lots of photos for firms that only pay $2 … $3 … $4 … $5 for a mortgage inspection. They are asked to provide a lot of extra free services. These are the same firms that have charge backs and play lots of games. These same firms also usually require a $1,200 errors and omissions insurance policy. Some will tell you where you must buy your insurance. These firms treat inspectors like plantation slaves and not independent contractors.

Success is all about making great decisions. The difference between successful inspectors and unsuccessful inspectors is the decisions they make. I believe that most field service inspectors get what they deserve. John Wayne said that “life is hard … it is really hard when you are stupid.”

The higher quality firms pay the higher fees and they do NOT require you to pay for a background check. If you look at ALL U.S. businesses that require a back ground check, you will find that 99.9% of these businesses do NOT require a job applicant to pay for a background check. I have never paid for a background check and I expect that I never will pay for a background check.

Your services have great VALUE. When a hiring firm requires that you pay for a background check, they are taking value away from your services. They are taking away from your professional status. Learn to be difficult when it counts. Learn the art of refusal. In field services, as in life, having a reputation for being assertive will help you receive preferential treatment without having to beg or fight for it every time.

I talk to inspectors earning $4 an inspection and I talk to inspectors earning $1,500 – $4,000 a week performing inspections. In many cases the $4 inspectors are working harder and they are paying for the background checks. The higher paid inspectors are NOT paying for a background check … they won’t pay. Not all of your customers are created equal. There are good and bad versions of all things. The better field service firms with the higher fees will not ask you to pay for a background check.