By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.’s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator
Additional services can be a strong source of income for a home inspection business. They set you apart from your competition and can be a great value to your customers. If you’ve been interested in adding on services to your business, there are a few things to take into account before starting.
What to Offer
There’s an extensive list to choose from when it comes to add-on services. The good news is you don’t need to master them all. Not all of them will serve your customer’s needs, but having a solid number of choices to pick from is a good starting point. Some examples of services you can provide are:
• Pool and Spa
• Radon
• WDO
• Infrared
• Mold
Determining Demand
Before you fully dive into new services, you need to know how popular they are for your market. This might take a bit of research. For starters, you can always ask your agents about what services they see requested the most. Your ability to offer what they most require can translate into an increase in referrals. Second, customer feedback is a great primary source. Keep your ears open for problems you commonly hear about and pay attention to reviews. Lastly, if you notice your competition is offering various add-ons, you’ll want to consider offering those same services–and more.
Getting Certified
The next step to getting your add-on services in full swing is making sure you have the right certifications. Different states and territories have varying regulations on what you need to do to complete training. Costs for courses and time for completion will also differ, which is something you’ll have to account for. You’ll have to stay up to date on new practices and renew your certifications every so often. If you get a badge or some other sort of decoration, they can be a great marketing tool on your site, flyers, and brochures.
Added Revenue
A big attraction to proposing add-ons to your clients is of course the extra income that can come with them. If you do a dozen radon inspections each month for around $100, that’s $1,200 more that you’re bringing in! The more services you add, the greater your chance to generate more money and grow your business. Having more money saved up definitely comes in handy when your business slows down. Diversifying your income allows you to keep strong momentum in your business and make it more well-rounded.
Drive Home Your Skills
Promoting a diverse skill set shows you’re an expert in your field, which gives customers the confidence that you’re the best choice for the job. Home-inspecting is all about helping people make the right purchasing decision, and add-ons only bolster that by giving your customers the information they need to cover all their bases and stay safe and happy. Add-on services aren’t just about making more money, they can also create great relationships between you and your clients.
Interested in adding ancillary services to your résumé? Contact the home office to learn more about the process of getting certified at 800.333.9807, ext. 33.
