Starting a field inspection business is a lot easier than you think. As I say in my Ebook -- An Inspectors Guide to Field Inspections,” If you enjoy driving and being your own boss, you will enjoy this profitable recession proof business.” Having the right attitude is about 90% of the task; the rest is following simple instructions and getting ready to do the work. Think about it, here is an occupation that can be either part-time or full-time, you set the schedule of work, you select the type of inspection jobs you want to do and you make a nice living doing it. Sounds great, where do I start?
Before I answer that question let’s discuss what a field inspection is and what a field inspector does. As you go about your daily routine just look at the houses, businesses, cars, equipment, buildings they all have one thing in common. Most of them were financed, leased and/or insured through some form of financial institution. Since these companies providing the funding have a vested interest in the ASSET, they must have an updated and accurate “picture” as to the condition of this property. To accomplish this, a field inspection is requested. The insurance company hires a regional or national field inspection company to do the inspection. They in-turn hire independent folks like you and me to do the inspection. It would be too costly for one of these firms to have in-house staff to do inspections across a multi-state area, so a network of inspectors has been created. I have put together some videos on this business, take a look at them.
- Equipment we will need: See my videos at http://www.youtube.com/inspection007
A reliable car/ vehicle, a good digital camera at least a 2mg pixels (you might consider buying a spare battery since these cameras can’t usually be charged in your vehicle), a large wheeled (measuring wheel) and a tape measure (25 ft), a computer with internet access, a clipboard, possibly a fax machine or multi-function machine, a cell phone (PDA), a good flashlight, last A GOOD ATTITUDE AND A SMILE!
- A resume:
Most of the Field Inspection companies are going to want a brief resume, don’t worry they don’t need a multi-page document, they want to know who you are, what zip code you reside in and your availability. In my Guide I outline what you will need.
- Let’s find some work:
So how do I find the field inspection companies? Well you could do a Google search and find a few at a time or a very comprehensive list can be found in the E-book An Inspectors Guide to Field Inspections, there are over a hundred companies listed all with their website addresses. Signing up with them is done through their websites, it isn’t hard to do and the key is to sign up with as many of them as you can, that will insure that you have a steady flow of work coming in. Many of them will ask you to list all of the zip codes you can work in (a rule of thumb is list those that are with in 25 miles of your home or office), the more you list the more jobs will be sent your way.
- Decide on what kind of business entity you want to be:
Why is this important? Well calling yourself an independent contractor is great, but our friends at the IRS will want you to sign what is called a W-9 form. This just makes sure that all that income coming in is reported to our friends at the IRS. When you or your accountant completes your taxes the field inspection companies will send you an accounting of what they paid you. Sometimes thinking ahead can save you money and create tax deductions which you normally couldn’t take. I explain this in my guide in detail.
- Develop the habits to make you successful:
So you are equipped and signed up with a lot of field inspection companies, business has started to come in, now the difference between an average inspector and the one who gets a constant supply of work is reliability! Field inspection companies as I mentioned early on have an agreement with that insurer or bank to conduct an inspection, what they don’t like is the inspector who doesn’t get the work done in a reliable timely manner. So develop good habits early on, check your email regularly, reply to them if you have questions on the inspection, let them know about issues with the inspection and finish the inspection in a timely manner. You follow these simple rules and your inbox will be filled with jobs to do.
So there you have it, my by the numbers way to start a field inspection business. You are on your way to making good money with a job with flexibility and independence that you have longed for. I know you want to succeed at this new opportunity so to learn more take a look at my Ebook, An Inspectors Guide to Field Inspections
