What an outstanding presentation you have just offered to us regarding the charge approach to participating in inspection assignments! We are certainly going to apply your suggestions. An interesting observation about comparing your intelligent approach to estimating and various fees that are being paid. We have thoroughly enjoyed your guidance and being part of the SOFI advertising assistance you have given us. In the eleven or so months we have advertised with you, we have received a host of numerous calls, requests and job assignments. The SOFI name and your names, are HIGHLY RESPECTED in the field inspection field.
Many companies, prefer paying far lower rates, than the very, very reasonable and realistic rates that you suggest.
For example, [Firm name deleted] only averages some $30.00 per inspection, which when computed, falls far below the normal rate charge, an honest inspection should receive. One inspection involved some six or so hours, plus mileage and the payout was only $45.00. When mentioning a higher rate, we were told that the companies they work for pay them double, what the inspectors received. For example, if we receive $30.00, they likely receive $60.00
Another company, [firm name deleted], pays $55.00 and refused to go beyond that amount, again falling below the reasonable charge spoken about. After repeated attempts at seeking to collect, a payment was finally rendered, beyond the time stipulated.
[Firm name deleted], will pay a general $40.00 per inspection and with an ad on for travel of some $5.00 to $15.00. There are a series of hoops to go through to accommodate the additional amount. With a request for some four or so jobs within the [area deleted] area, to help keep costs down for [firm name deleted], the overall payout would still be some $100.00 or so less than the reasonable estimation guide that you spoke about.
It had almost gotten to the point, where we felt that NO COMPANIES WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY A REASONABLE RATE TO US. Out of some thirty or so companies, perhaps two would be willing to pay a normal rate. When adding the time factor in carrying out the work, it is not inappropriate to mention that in some instances we have received below the minimum wage for services rendered.
At the present time we have a great company that is having the two of us do supermarket related inspections, nearer the amount of charge you spoke about.
Thankfully, your instruction presentation helped steer us back to what is a NORMAL RATE, instead of an ABNORMALLY LOW ONE, due to the reactions of companies we have dealt with. Numerous companies, for the most part wanted nothing to do with our charges beyond the very low rates they are paying out.
Again, we want to give you both a big THANK YOU for your guidance and direction. We are just sorry we did not avail ourselves of your coaching services at the very beginning. Your charges pales into insignificance, compared to the gains, by choosing the right companies. We are going to see what the weeks to come will bring. WE HAVE AS OUR OBJECTIVE, ALWAYS BEING EARLY WITH OUR INSPECTIONS, making as our goal, an eight-day window in advance of the due dates, AND we have a number of companies that want us to go on board with them or to continue to stay with them.
Unfortunately, some of the present companies will not tolerate the reasonable rates you spoke about. We will be in further communication with you for possible added services you can offer. Fortunately, as you know we are real estate licensees, and may need to explore a plan B, in case we only work on a few small inspection assignments, so that we are properly compensated. Commission only work, will pay in some eight to twelve months of a listing.
We are grateful to the two of you and will continue to rely upon your wonderful expertise and services. Thank you both, so much, again!
SOFI comment: You are responsible for the decisions you make. Always do the math when pricing inspections. The difference between successful inspectors and unsuccessful inspectors is the decisions they make.
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The presentation is very interesting and the information worthy of consideration. It remains my contention that many factors do ultimately dictate whether we will perform a specific inspection for an offered amount: Total time to perform the inspection – including travel, the transportation costs – both direct and indirect, the volume of work that the client firm has you perform relative to the total amount of additional work that you accept for other client firms and finally, the “real world” market-based rates that are being offered for similar work to be performed in your area for other firms taking into consideration whether or not they are taking on new inspectors or are expanding into the specific area where you do or can perform inspections.
There are likely to be additional or different criteria that other inspectors will apply, but those above tend to be those that are used for my business decisions and they have tended to serve me well during my years in this business.
I hope to see additional posts that address this subject.
This is well said. The best way to get around things is to work with a company directly, not through a middleman because they are always going to get paid and always get twice or more then what they pay you. Why should they otherwise?
My stuff always tends to average around a $25-30 mark per hour, namely because I can group stuff. Couple times that dropped because I took on what looked like decent places/work, only to price it out after running it for a while and finding it was NOT worth it.
My experience is that firms pay what they pay and not a penny more. I have one major client who pays weekly and has the best rates of any firm out there. Even at that I manage a very low income. Because I work in a rural area, my average trip one way is 50 miles. I have to be able to group 5+ inspections in order to make enough to live on, and by live I mean that I don’t have any extras at all. It would be great to be able to buy anything other than chicken when it’s 99 cents a pound or some meat that is not made from ground-up ears and lips. Using the outline of figuring travel time and hourly pay would not be possible in my experience, the inspection companies simply will not pay it.