A Day in the Life of a NPI Home Inspections Inspector ...
The alarm goes off about 6 a.m. I get up, turn on my computer in the home office and look over my calendar for the day. Usually, I will have two inspections scheduled, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Apartment buildings or commercial inspections can take longer. I check my email for quote inquiries and field service work, double check that my tools and ladder are in their places, my computer battery is charged and I have the marketing materials I need. I get dressed.
At 8 a.m., I have all three kids in the car and am headed to my neighborhood schools. I do this on the days my wife works a 10 hour shift at the hospital. Two kids get dropped off at the elementary, and one goes to junior high. By 8:30, I am at the address of my first inspection. I introduce myself to the homeowner/seller and begin my inspection. The tablet computer I use has handwriting recognition, so I pull up the first screen and begin to work my way through each component of the exterior. Because my job is to visually assess everything from the foundation to the chimney, I take my time. I walk all the way around the house, noting things like the type of foundation, the condition of the gutters and drains, the electrical service entrance, the slope of the ground around the house and the safety of stairs and railings.
About an hour and a half later, I am indoors testing electrical outlets and water volume. My clients and their real estate agent arrive. I explain I have yet to check the attic and ask them to follow me upstairs. From this point on, I will be answering questions and "selling" myself while I work on the report. It divides my attention a little more, but it's a great chance to build relationships and future referral contacts. I offer snacks or water to the client and finish the inspection. Around 11:30 a.m., with the inspection completed, I sit down with the clients and review anything significant or interesting that I've found. I try to answer all the questions, but I do not provide cost estimates or recommend specific contractors or engineers. I determine how the client would like the report delivered - either in person or via email - in the morning.
It's time for a quick lunch in the car. My next appointment is set for 2 p.m., so I have a little time to market and squeeze in some field service work. A local bank has requested a draw inspection on some homes being built in an area subdivision. I hit that first, fill out a one page report and then deliver some new brochures to a real estate office. I have a chance to speak to the broker and set up a presentation on pre-listing inspections for next week.
By 2:30 p.m., I am on another inspection looking at a steep roof through my binoculars. My client in this case is a businessman from two states away. The home is vacant, and I am by myself. I will email this report, with a copy of the summary page on top. I will also try to reach the client by phone to answer any questions. In between the exterior and interior of this home, I return some phone calls and quote a price for an inspection of a historical property.
|
.bmp)
.jpg)
