Category: Business Tips

Being Flexible in Your Small Business

March 9, 2021

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach Flexibility is a business trait that benefits your customers, you as an entrepreneur, and even your employees. With a landscape that’s constantly changing, it’s important to stay on your toes and adapt for consistent growth. While it can sometimes be hard to change from doing what you’ve always done, being open to new processes isn’t as scary as you might think. Flexible With Customers Being your own boss means that you’re in control of how and when your business operates. Customers certainly appreciate when you go out of your way to accommodate them and make them feel like a priority. Obviously you won’t be able to juggle your schedule all the time, but making adjustments when you can reflects positively on your customer service. Keep in constant contact with your clients to figure out what works the best for both of you. Flexible With Employees A flexible schedule also applies with your employees. They have their own projects and deadlines to meet, which can make coming together for a meeting difficult. Having a good working relationship with your employees can mitigate a high turnover rate. There’s nothing more stressful than having to regularly

Expanding Your Business With Add-On Services

February 2, 2021

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

Keys to Writing a Quality Inspection Report

January 19, 2021

For potential buyers, an inspection report is a crucial part of the process, a sort of roadmap of the property that allows them to make a confident investment decision. That’s why it’s important to make sure you turn over a thorough, well-written report for your clients to review. As you write your inspection report, keep these techniques in mind to create the best experience for your clients. Review Your Notes Rushing anything tends to result in a less-than-polished look, and that applies to writing your reports. Especially when you’re just starting out, it’s important not to worry about hurrying through a property to get to your next inspection. Small typos and larger errors call into question your professionalism as an inspector. With enough practice, you’ll fine-tune your writing and hone your skill so that you’re able to complete reports more quickly. Making your report easy to follow will help your customers better understand their purchase and resolve any doubts they might have. Get Acquainted With Your Software Every inspection writing software is different and has its own unique features. As updates and changes are implemented, it’s essential that you get yourself acquainted with them. When using a tablet, it’s easy

What Makes a Successful Home Inspector

January 5, 2021

By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.’s Technical Supervisor & Training AdministratorPictured: Brian Shabino (middle) and Team, NPI Sioux Empire Home inspectors have a particular set of strengths they continue to cultivate throughout their careers. These go way beyond the inspection process itself in ways that might surprise you! Here are the top traits of the most successful inspectors: DetailedIn a field like inspecting, it’s the little things that count. Thoroughness is crucial in everything from writing a report to communicating with a customer. There can be a fine line between diligence and over-bearing perfectionism, and it’s important to find the right balance. Nobody is perfect, and stressing over it will slow you down. But crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s shows clients that you care about them as people and don’t think of them as just another sale. Desire to Learn Whether it’s picking up a book, talking to a mentor or simply reevaluating after you’ve made a mistake, continuing your education is crucial to becoming a well-rounded inspector. Taking it upon yourself to learn new inspection best practices shows great initiative, and your dedication will shine when you interact with clients and agents. Online classes, following along with updates

Tips to Keep Growing in 2021

December 29, 2020

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach As we head into the new year, now’s the time to start planning for more growth in 2021. Following the events of the past months, the forecast for how small businesses will operate has dramatically shifted. Here are a few of the things you can implement over the next 12 months to stay on track and achieve your goals. Dig in with your social media. It can’t be stated enough how crucial a strong social media presence is to grow your business. This last year especially showed how much your digital accounts factor into keeping your company afloat during uncertain times. Looking ahead, it’s only going to become more important that entrepreneurs leverage their social media. Twenty percent of consumers are likely to choose a brand that they can reach on social media, meaning that you’re missing out if you’re not online. Take the time this year to revisit and rebuild your social media to get the most out of it. Nail down those customer reviews. Going hand in hand with a strong online presence, collecting reviews also needs to be part of your plan. Almost 90 percent of customers read reviews before

How to Perform Effective Employee Reviews

December 22, 2020

By David Stamper, NPI, Inc.’s President & CFO Constructive meetings should be held on a regular basis to continually improve employees’ performance, refine their goals and of course make sure your business is headed in the right direction. Here’s what to cover in your next performance review to give employees and yourself the best insights. When to Conduct Reviews You can set the timeframe for when you want to assess your employees and their work. For newer hires, it’s more beneficial to hold a meeting after a few months of employment. This allows you to catch any issues early on that you can help them iron out. The longer a staff member is with you, the longer you can space out the time between reviews. Eventually, you may not need to continually conduct reviews for employees who have been with you for a prolonged period of time. But if you haven’t ever done a review with them, it can be beneficial to look over their work and use it as a guide for others. What to Include in a Review There are several key performance indicators (KPIs) to include in your performance review. While you can add in others that

Top 10 Customer Appreciation Gifts

December 15, 2020

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Communications Specialist Clients and agents do so much for your business, and showing your gratitude goes a long way in maintaining a strong relationship. A small token of your appreciation makes them feel valued, and they’ll be more likely to recommend your services. Here are a few ideas you can use to keep people coming back. 1. Offer a discount or coupon. More than anything else, people like to save money wherever they can. They may even exhaust every search avenue to find the best deal that also provides great service. A slight markdown on a service you offer will grab their attention. Create a flyer that you can hand out or a post you can share on social media. 2. Give away snack bags. To sweeten the deal with customers and agents, treats are just what you need. They’re a simple and inexpensive option that still shows your customers you’re thankful for their business. Customize your baggies with a thank you note for a more personalized feel. You can also attach your business card that clients can pass along to their family and friends that may need you. These are also perfect to

Navigating Difficult Times in Your Business

December 8, 2020

By Adam Kiesel, NPI, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Specialist Running a business isn’t always smooth sailing, and you’ll likely experience rough waters more than once. One day you’re moving along without a hitch, then the next, you’re facing snags and hiccups left and right. When you do run into a rough patch as a business owner, getting through it means keeping your priorities straight and your thinking positive. Attitude is Everything It’s easy to have a negative outlook when things aren’t going how you’d like. Yet pessimism has a tendency to snowball until everything seems much worse than it actually is. Developing and maintaining a positive attitude goes a long way in helping yourself through struggles. There’s an assortment of ways to stay positive, and doing so will make your hardships feel much more manageable. Reach Out to Others It’s very likely that you aren’t the first person to go through your situation. While each experience will be unique, there will likely be multiple similarities between what you’re facing and what someone else may have already put past them. If you do know of a person that’s been in your shoes, don’t hesitate to reach out! They’ll be able to provide

A Manager Mindset: Using DISC for Smoother Communications

December 1, 2020

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach The world is made up of people with all types of personalities and backgrounds, so naturally, business is no different. From clients to employees, each individual has their own unique style of communication and leadership. Each style can provide a great advantage to your business, but getting over initial communication barriers to reach your team’s full potential can be a challenge. That’s where DISC comes in. Introduction to DISC The DISC personality assessment reveals the four most common communication styles seen in personal and professional settings. Most people are a combination of two styles, though some may find that they’re a combination of three. Technicians and Entrepreneurs You can think of the “C” and “D” styles as being technicians and entrepreneurs, respectively. Cs, or Technicians tend to be perfectionists, and are quick to notice something that’s out of place. They’re also practical, and are more “doers” rather than “dreamers.” Meanwhile, Ds, or entrepreneurs thrive on change and growth. They always want to reach new goals and are determined to do whatever it takes to achieve them. Managers The “S” personality represents a managerial way of thinking. They’re steady-going and like to help others

The Science Behind Brand Consistency

November 24, 2020

By Sydney Arp, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Specialist & Designer We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Consistency is key when it comes to marketing. It’s true in more ways than one. Consistency on social media increases your following. Consistency in customer service improves your reputation. And consistency in branding earns you more money. In fact, consistent branding across all of your marketing channels is proven to increase revenue by 23%. What is Brand Consistency? Consistent branding can involve anything from the colors you have on your brochures to how you interact with customers. It’s the experience–from start to finish–that you want to give each person, with as little variation as possible. The best way to maintain a steady brand is by establishing your operating principles: identify your core values and develop your company’s mission and vision statements: At NPI, we encourage our franchisees to develop their own mission statements using our organization’s core values of Honesty, Integrity and Professionalism. Once you have these important items established, you can use them as a guide in future decision-making. Whether it’s the way you talk to clients over the phone or the design of your business cards, brand consistency is all

Business Resolutions for 2022

January 11, 2022

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI Inc.’s Marketing Coach As we enter a new year, we look forward to new opportunities. About a quarter of people make a resolution to improve themselves in the new year. However, less than ten percent of those individuals will actually follow through on their goals. Here are some simple resolutions you can make as an entrepreneur to grow yourself and your business! Keep Learning One trait that every successful business owner has in common is that they never stop being a student. You can always find new ways to better yourself and make your business operate more effectively. This year, make it a habit to continue your education. This can be in the form of attending conferences, talking to fellow inspectors, and following news updates. Listening to audiobooks or podcasts is another easy way to get useful information. You can play them all day in your car through your phone! Clean Your Email List Email marketing is a highly effective way to stay in contact with your customers and reach out to new ones. But if you haven’t updated your mailing list in a while, you might not be seeing the results you want. Kickoff 2022

How Energy Audits Can Help You and Your Clients

January 4, 2022

By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.’s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator Add-on services are a great way to upgrade your business. Your customers will feel better protected in their home, and you can add an extra revenue stream. One additional service that can be beneficial to add is energy audits. These audits help the homeowner understand where energy is being “wasted” in their home and how to decrease it. More Homeowners Going Green Preserving the environment and decreasing individual impact are important topics to a majority of homeowners. Close to 70 percent of homebuyers would prefer a greener home, with almost half willing to pay more for one. It’s estimated the average homeowner spends at least $2,000 a year on electricity costs. By lowering each monthly bill by a few dollars, the savings will really start to add up. Within the next few years, the green material market will reach over $360 billion. As more and more younger buyers enter the market, the demand for eco-friendly housing will only increase. Equipment Needed Performing an effective energy audit requires some specific tools. An infrared camera (which you may already have) will help identify any equipment that is inefficient or spot heat loss

Pricing Your Services the Right Way

December 14, 2021

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach Finding the right price for the services you provide can be pretty tricky. Set them too high, and your customers will look elsewhere. But price them too low, and you might find it hard to break even. If you’re a new business owner, you might be stuck in a gray area about the best way to set prices. Research is Your Best Friend The best way to figure out what’s a reasonable amount to charge is to check out other businesses near you. Look at their websites and see if they have their pricing listed. You can also look at what other services they add and any deals they offer. Just a little bit of leg work will prove to be valuable as you get up and running. Flat Rate by Square Footage One of the common pricing strategies among inspectors is a set dollar amount based on the property’s size. This system is mainly used for residential properties that aren’t as extensive as larger commercial jobs. You can start at the lowest size you commonly inspect and increase by a certain range to the largest. This helps ensure that you’ll get paid

Why You Shouldn’t Neglect Your Inspection Tools

December 7, 2021

As an inspector, you have a variety of different tools to help you do your job. Drones, electrical outlet testers, gas sniffers, and more all give you the information you need to educate your client. But with so many different pieces, it’s not uncommon for equipment to malfunction. What Can Happen The most obvious answer to what’ll happen if you don’t maintain your equipment is that it simply won’t work correctly, if at all. If this happens to you in the field, you can find yourself stuck in a tight spot. You’ll either have to scramble to replace the broken tool or reschedule the inspection. Perhaps the worst outcome is that you mark a component incorrectly on your report. This can lead you into a wormhole of liability and result in a costly payout and possible lost business. Do Your Research Beforehand To avoid having to constantly repair your equipment, look into the best tools for the job beforehand. There are lots of different brands on the market, and each has their own set of pros and cons. If you belong to an inspector message board, see what others have asked about. Read reviews on the products prior to purchasing

Tips to Streamline Your Report Writing

November 30, 2021

By Jon McCreath, Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator Every small business owner knows that time is one of your most valuable assets. The more time you have and the more effectively you use it, the bigger you can grow. For inspectors, one task that can eat up most of your day is putting together your final report. If you find yourself staying up late into the night to finish reports, you may need to rethink your process. Fast vs. Fine-Tuned First and foremost, it’s important that we differentiate between rushing a report and finding beneficial shortcuts. Remember that as an inspector, your report is your safeguard from liability. A quality report keeps you protected from possible repercussions and maintains your reputation. If you begin to rush through things for the sake of saving a few hours, it can come back to bite you. As a new inspector, it might take a while before you start seeing a difference in your writing time. That’s OK! It’s best to get comfortable first, and then you gradually start smoothing things out. Before the Inspection Saving yourself time on the job starts before you even show up at the inspection. When you book an

Too Many Red Flags? When to Turn Down a Questionable Client

November 23, 2021

Being a small business owner, it’s important to build a large referral base to avoid stalling out. However, sometimes you’ll have to weed out certain customers that have become a hindrance. It can be hard to turn someone down, especially if you’re new to the industry, but it’s something every business owner has dealt with. Here are some early warning signs that you may think twice about signing on with a customer. They don’t communicate well or at all. You can tell a lot about a person based on their communication style, and it won’t take long to figure them out. It’s usually easier to get an understanding of someone over the phone than it is through text or email. You’ll be able to detect certain tones they use with you and how they’ll treat you should you work together. But even digital conversations can raise some red flags. If they take forever to respond to calls or emails, expect immediate responses from you, or try to reach you at inappropriate times, they might have unrealistic expectations of you. While you want your customers to feel like a priority, it shouldn’t come at the expense of other relationships. They want

Crawl Space Safety: What to Know Before Heading In

November 16, 2021

By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.’s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator Performing a complete home inspection means you could find yourself in some tight spots, one of these being the crawl space. Like the attic, crawl spaces can be intimidating, since you don’t know what’s in there until you look for yourself. While you want to inform your clients of any dangers in their new home, you also need to prioritize your safety. Crawl spaces can be full of hidden dangers. Crawl spaces are one of the most forgotten and neglected spaces in a home. Chances are most homeowners have only been in their crawl space a few times (if at all), and likely only for emergency maintenance. In most cases, you’re essentially going in blind, and there are a variety of dangers you can encounter: Each home can vary in terms of what you might encounter in the crawl space. In older homes, you may need to prepare for a more deteriorated underside with rotting wood and substandard framing. If you’ve noticed animal signs around the home, it’s a safe bet you’ll encounter something furry or slimy in the crawl space. Always use your best judgement and your SOPs. First

Millennial Home Buyers Overcoming Obstacles

November 9, 2021

By Adam Kiesel, NPI, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Assistant This past year’s housing market can be best compared to a high-octane car race. Short listing times along with people itching to go from renter to owner made for a hot seller’s market. Millennials were one of the major players, throwing their hats into the buyer’s ring and quickly snatching up homes. As the markets begin to slow down and level off, millennials are trying to keep their footing and overcome some of the hurdles they’ve faced. Don’t Look at the Label Millennials can often times be judged simply because of their age. They may be written off as too young or too inexperienced to accurately navigate the housing market. The reality is that they’re one of the more informed buyer groups. Millennials make up nearly 40 percent of the homebuying market, meaning they’re not going away, they’re only growing in number. In fact, most older millennials are repeat buyers and aren’t uninformed about the process. While it’s easy to assume, doing so could lead you down the wrong path when it comes to serving this group. What They’re Buying Like every buying group before them, millennials have their own wants and

10 Most Frightening Field Finds

October 26, 2021

Every Halloween season, there’s no shortage of freaks and frights that are sure to stand your hair on end. Our inspectors have come across their own collection of spooky finds on the job site. Here are some of the most chilling! 1. Nobody’s home. (Stephen Fotiades)Starting things off, you might not think there’s anything peculiar about this photo. It’s just a curious homeowner checking on the inspection, right? Not this time! While checking out a vacant property, one of our inspectors snapped this phantom face. Hopefully they don’t mind someone new moving in! 2. Fake face, real scares! (Mark Naquin)You can probably see by the inspector’s expression that he wasn’t expecting this surprise! Another curious onlooker in the window, this one at least belongs to a (hopefully) inanimate mannequin. You never know what you’ll find on the job! 3. A different kind of fright.This crawl space looks like it’s been taken over by web-spinning spiders. But it’s really the telltale sign of dryer lint buildup over time. While maybe not as scary as a colony of eight-legged arachnids, mass amounts of lint pose a serious fire hazard. (Check out this blog on how you can prevent a problem like this

Leverage Your Yelp Listing for a Better Reputation

October 19, 2021

By Zach Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s SEO and Marketing Specialist Collecting reviews for your business is essential to attracting new customers. Over 90 percent of consumers use online reviews in their final decision on a business. That means you can never have too many, especially too many positive ones. In addition to collecting reviews via Google and Facebook, Yelp offers another outlet for your customers to rave about the good work you’ve done! Yelp is as popular as ever. A somewhat common misconception is that Yelp has slid into the background behind Google. Yelp is still as relevant as ever, with nearly 200 million visitors to the site every month. 28 million of those unique users come through the Yelp app. As popular as Google has become, Yelp comes in at a close second for the most popular review platform. Nearly all “Yelpers” choose to spend money with a business they find on the site, so not having a listing means you’re missing out! You want a listing you have access to. In addition to not letting business pass you by, you don’t want someone else to control your listing. Yelp allows users to create a listing with your business’s information,