Tag: inspection industry

What Does NPI’s National Accounts Department Do?

June 19, 2018

By Kenn Garder, NPI, Inc.’s National Accounts Manager At NPI, we continue to support our franchisees long after they leave our Omaha training academy. Not only do we continue to offer advice, marketing coaching and general guidance, we also help you land paid inspections. Here’s how our National Accounts Department helps refer our inspectors commercial work across the U.S. We Do the LegworkWe know training our franchisees for commercial inspection work helps them diversify their offerings and sharpen their skillset. We also realize that knowing the right people is a huge part of owning a successful small business. National Property Inspections’ National Accounts Department aims to offer our franchisees an advantage over other inspection companies by referring business directly to them from clients across the country. Our Omaha office acts as a central point of contact for commercial clients, among them brokers, investors and large companies, many with recognizable household names. Most of these individuals and operations have the need for multiple commercial inspections in one or more states (think a retail chain with hundreds of locations across the country.) This need comes with unique challenges for not just the client, but also the inspector. How do the client and

Global Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Greg Mathias

March 26, 2018

Global Property Inspections’ Franchisee Spotlight recognizes our most innovative and successful GPI and NPI franchises. By sharing their stories, helpful tips and lessons learned, every franchisee can learn what it takes to grow their business. For our March spotlight, we’re proud to feature Greg Mathias of Lloydminster, AB. Greg bought his GPI franchise in 2009. He was the first inspector to be named a CCHI (Canadian Certified Home Inspector). In just three short years as a GPI franchisee, Greg earned the title as our GPI top producer for 2013. What was appealing to you about the inspection industry?Greg Mathias: I’m a people person. I really liked the idea that I would be helping someone make the biggest decision of their lives. What skills from your previous job have helped you grow an inspection franchise?GM: I have always been in the construction industry working on full home, commercial buildings and renovations. I use the skills I’ve amassed over 31 years in the trade to market my inspection services. Clients like to know that you have the skills and the expertise to do the job. Why did you decide on GPI?GM: I looked at many franchises before deciding on GPI. The reason

Why It’s Important to Diversify Your Business

March 19, 2018

By Bill Erickson Let’s say you just heard about a great stock you want to invest in. It’s such a great buy, in fact, that you’re planning on putting every last cent you have into it. You go to talk with your financial advisor, and what do you think he says? He tells you that if you do that, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll lose your whole retirement fund. He recommends diversifying your portfolio to minimize the amount of risk you’re taking on. That’s smart investment advice. Just like in the world of investment, business owners need to diversify their services to be successful. We’ll explain what’s so important about diversification and how National Property Inspections, Inc. prepares franchisees for long-term stability and growth in the property inspection industry. What is diversification?Diversification is a business strategy that helps you minimize the risk of capital loss inherent in any industry. If you’ve heard the old saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” you already have a grasp of the concept. To go a little further, though, diversification in business aims to boost your returns by investing resources in related-but-separate areas that would respond differently given a certain event

6 Ways to Know It’s Time to Go into Business for Yourself

March 2, 2018

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator Do you have a feeling you might be cut out for small business ownership? If any of these points describe you, you may be on to something. Here are six ways to know it’s time to go into business for yourself as a National Property Inspections franchise owner. You want to make money.This one is a no-brainer. If you feel as though you’ve maxed out your earning potential according to your current industry’s standards, the best way to make more money may be to go into business for yourself. When you’re your own boss, how much you make is only limited by your own level of dedication. The more time and energy you devote to your business, the more money you can potentially make. You aren’t fulfilled.It’s normal to get into a work rut every once in a while. The daily grind can be tough and we’re only human! But if you’re consistently feeling as though there’s something missing in your professional life, it could be time to make a change. According to a recent Gallup study on the American work place, up to 51 percent of the 100 million full-time employees surveyed

National Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Doug and Margaret Versaw

February 20, 2018

National Property Inspections’ Franchisee Spotlight recognizes our most innovative and successful NPI franchises. By sharing their stories, helpful tips and lessons learned, every franchisee can learn what it takes to grow their business. For our February installment, we’re proud to feature Doug Versaw and Margaret Herrera of Golden, CO. Doug and Margaret started with NPI in February 2012. Doug previously worked as a critical situation manager in the high tech industry before joining the NPI family, while Margaret worked as a marketing professional. Since 2012, National Property Inspections, Inc. has awarded them the Pacesetter Award (2013), the Pinnacle Award (2014-2016) and the President’s Club Award (2017). We asked Doug and Margaret to share their insights on joining NPI and growing their franchise. What was appealing to you about the inspection industry?Doug & Margaret: Doug’s always been interested in homes and structures in general. During his time working in the high tech industry, he kept his sanity by providing remodels and basement build-out services on the side. In New Mexico, we lived in a new development that built custom homes. We befriended one of the builders and in the evenings, Doug would check out home mid-build to learn about the construction

National Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Stephen Fotiades

January 29, 2018

National Property Inspections’ Franchisee Spotlight recognizes our most innovative and successful NPI franchises. By sharing their stories, helpful tips and lessons learned, every franchisee can learn what it takes to grow their business. For our first installment, we’re proud to feature Stephen Fotiades of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Stephen Fotiades first started with NPI in 2015 after purchasing an existing franchise. Stephen previously worked as a commercial real estate agent and business owner before joining the NPI family. He runs his franchise with his wife, Taylor, and also has two children, Hayden (age 4) and Callan (age 16 months) with another on the way this year. We asked Stephen to share his insights on joining National Property Inspections and growing his franchise. What was appealing to you about the inspection industry?Stephen Fotiades: Without knowing a whole lot about the inspection industry, the first two aspects that I found appealing were that I didn’t have to spend all day in an office, and I was able to constantly interact with and meet new people. I have always had an outgoing personality and enjoy being around people so making sure that I was not confined to an office all day was an absolute necessity

5 Ways A Commercial Property Inspection Will Help You Save (And Even Earn) More Money

November 8, 2017

By Kenn Garder As a commercial investor, you want to feel confident about your property’s value and earning potential. The key to smart buying? Ordering a commercial property inspection. Here are five ways commercial inspections can save you from hidden costs while allowing for maximum return on investment: 1. Predicts future property earnings.An inspection could tell you what sort of profit you can expect from your investment. Physical aspects of a building are a large part of the financial reports that are prepared to predict the property’s future revenue stream. This examination process is called “due diligence,” and it’s just one of many services your property inspector offers during the acquisition process. 2. Checks for damage from previous tenants.Most property sellers don’t disclose superficial damage or structural problems outright during a sale. For property buyers, a pre-purchase inspection will ensure you won’t be caught off-guard by surprise repair costs down the road. And for current property managers, research shows 1 in 4 occupants shouldn’t receive their security deposit back due to significant property damage. A post-occupancy inspection will help legitimize any decision you make about a tenant’s deposit. 3. Reduces insurance claims.According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average

Everything You Need To Know To Make Your Next Email Campaign A Success

November 22, 2022

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior Communications Specialist All business owners know the power of email marketing to capitalize on leads and convert sales, but the numbers are striking. According to Litmus’s “The CMO’s Guide to Email Marketing,” email marketing has the highest return on investment across industries, averaging $42 for every dollar spent! Though these numbers fluctuate depending on the industry, it is no secret that email marketing can be incredibly powerful. However, sometimes it can be tough to figure out how to get started. Whether this is your first email marketing campaign, or your fiftieth, here are some ways to make your next campaign a hit! 1. Identify Your GoalWith any monetary investment, small business owners should always consider how each dollar spent will lead to growth. Goals for a single email marketing campaign can be more than just securing more business. Campaigns can be geared towards increasing your brand recognition within a specific demographic, community, or area that might be underrepresented. Alternatively, a campaign could focus solely on gathering feedback on your business with previous clients, or introduce you client base on a new or underutilized service. Whatever your goal, identify it as a starting point, and

How to Make the Most Out of Your Indeed Job Ad

November 15, 2022

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Communications Specialist Making new hires is always an exciting venture. Either your business is growing, or you’re ready to fill an important vacancy to satisfy a need. In this position, it is important to know how to hire right and make the best use of the tools at your disposal. In the inspection industry, it can be difficult to find qualified individuals to add to your team. We have found that personal referrals from industry professionals (such as real estate agents or other inspectors) tend to result in the most successful hires. But when these contacts aren’t providing many leads, it may be worth trying Indeed. Indeed is a popular job-finding platform, recording over 250 million unique visitors each month, and hosting over 150 million resumes. With such impressive traffic, Indeed provides a great opportunity to get your job ad in front of a large audience. However, there are a few things to consider to ensure you get the most out of your investment with Indeed. Screener QuestionsA frequent experience that employers can have when working with Indeed is a barrage of applicants. Too many options are better than too few options, but many

4 Ways to Create a Positive Work Culture for Your Small Business

November 8, 2022

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach As your small business grows, you may find yourself in a position to hire additional employees, expanding your team and delegating duties as far as your finances allow. While growth is exciting, it also comes with its own set of problems. A successful small business owner must also become a successful team manager. They impart their vision for their business to new team members, who must become productive workers and genuine brand advocates. After making your new hires, you need to earn their loyalty and create an ideal environment for them to operate as optimally as possible. This, of course, all hinges on the quality of your work culture. Do your employees dread work, or do they look forward to it? Are they willing to make concessions when times are tough, or will they back out when they are most needed? Consider these tips to strengthen your company culture and develop a family-like atmosphere that makes work something to look forward to. According to a Globoforce study, happy employees are 85% more efficient in their work and stay in their positions twice as long. Although it might be common sense, sustaining a team

Pre-Inspection Agreement: Why They’re ALWAYS A Must-Have

November 1, 2022

By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.’s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator In establishing a successful inspection franchise, there are so many things to worry about. From learning how to best market yourself and your services, to offering the best possible product, new inspectors have plenty of areas that can command their attention. In these moments, it is important not to overlook the standards and the basics of the business. One standard process that you should never skimp out on is the pre-inspection agreement. Let’s review the pre-inspection agreement and its unique importance. BackgroundA pre-inspection agreement is a standard form which outlines standards, scope of work, and expectations for an upcoming property inspection. There are many reasons why this form has become a stock-standard part of every inspector’s business plan, but of particular note are the liability protections that they provide. Although no inspector intends to find conflict with a client, a disagreement is likely to come up at some point. The pre-inspection agreement is the rule-setter that keeps every inspection fair and clear. Some basic aspects that a pre-inspection agreement describes include: ConsiderationsSome inspectors are more strict than others with how they administer and handle their pre-inspection agreements. Some inspectors may

5 Podcasts to Grow Your Small Business

October 25, 2022

As a National Property Inspections franchise owner, you are one part inspector, one part marketer, one part entrepreneur. Needless to say, there can be a lot on your plate. To stay on top of the competition and to become the best leader in your industry, it might be valuable to find a podcast to help you on your way. Today, experts are freely offering their years of experience and personal stories to listeners through an easily consumable medium. Here are a few podcasts that could help you grow your inspection business! 1. Home Inspector Podcast by InterNACHIAverage length: 1-5 minutes, with an occasional “webinar” podcast that can be between 1 and 3 hours.Releases: Twice a day every weekday. As inspectors, a great starting point podcast is the Home Inspector Podcast by InterNACHI. The majority of releases are extremely short, sometimes with no introduction at all. These topics briefly explain how to perform a specific task relating to property inspections. The Home Inspector Podcast is a great option for inspectors looking to brush up on their knowledge or looking for quick, easy review material. The webinar releases are obviously much longer and seem to be direct uploads of online classes and

Test Taking Strategies

October 18, 2022

By Jon McCreath, Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator As an inspector, there are plenty of licenses and certifications that require strong test-taking skills in order to succeed. Perhaps the most difficult examination out there for inspectors is the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). Everyone tests differently, and some people have a tougher time when tasked with demonstrating their knowledge in scenarios where the stakes are high. Here are a few techniques to consider for setting yourself up for success in high-pressure exams: Study the MaterialNothing beats good preparation, but what is good preparation? Slowly moving through covered material can be difficult and time consuming, which is why many resort to cramming. Cramming is the technique of covering a wide range of topics in a very small amount of time, typically right before a test or exam. According to one study, 72% of students felt that cramming was more beneficial than evenly spacing their study time. Despite this belief, this same study found that methodical studying was more beneficial to 90% of the study’s participants. Cramming can be a helpful review tool, but when reliably retrieving information in a high-pressure setting, slower, evenly-spaced studying leads to more consistent results. In short,

Entrepreneurship 101: How to Set Your Employees Up for Success

October 4, 2022

After a brief pause to enjoy the sun and hit the beach, we return to our Entrepreneurship 101 series. Here, we outline some of the best tips for running your franchise like a seasoned pro. In our first entry we discussed how to lead your franchise, and in our second entry we covered the best hiring practices. Now that you’ve got a new batch of employees, it’s time we made them into rockstar members of your company. Here’s how you can put your team on the fast track to success. Start Strong New hires have a lot to think about. They want to prove their competence, they want to give off a positive social impression, and they want to ensure they made the right choice for themselves in accepting their new position. It can be a stressful time! As an owner, a manager, and your team’s leader, it’s your job to walk them through an onboarding process that instills confidence for everyone on the team. First things first, set clear expectations so that your new employee knows what success looks like. Start with the basics. What does their first week look like? Their first month? Give them a clear picture

Entrepreneurship 101: How to Hire Right the First Time

July 19, 2022

To see continued growth and development in your business, you may consider growing your team. To ensure that you’re hiring the best individuals for your needs, here are three crucial questions to ask during the interview process. What to Ask: What do you know about the company? What Their Answer Reveals: This question is one of the most telling regarding whether the applicant has done their research on NPI. If the applicant knows nothing about the company, or provides incorrect information regarding NPI, it’s a no go! What to Ask: What about inspection interests you? What Their Answer Reveals: Answering this question correctly is very important in this industry, as it’s essential to look for people pursuing this position for career purposes rather than just a regular job. Those who are not able to provide a clear answer to this question should set off alarms for you. What to Ask: When would you be able to start? What Their Answer Reveals: If the applicant implies that they can start right away with little to no regard for their current employer, it’s another red flag. At minimum, a two weeks’ notice should be provided. After all, how you get them is

Entrepreneurship 101: How to be an Effective Leader

July 12, 2022

As a National Property Inspections franchise owner, you’re so much more than just an inspector. You’re an office manager, a marketing coordinator, an accountant, a boss, a mentor, and a teacher—just to name a few. In our Entrepreneurship 101 series, we’ll cover leadership traits and tips specific to running a successful inspection empire. As part of a national network, your resources as an NPI inspector are plentiful, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned about effective leadership in our industry. Lead By ExampleAlthough it may sound cliché, it’s important to align your business goals with your mindset. Even if you’re currently a one-man show and don’t have plans to hire in the near future, getting into a leadership mindset will help you elevate your thinking to that of a boss. After all, being a leader is not about being front and center. True leadership comes in the form of behind-the-scenes hard work and dedication. To be successful in your business, it’s vital to have goals set for where you want to see yourself in the next year, along with a plan of action for how you hope to achieve your goals. In the pursuit of your goals, it’s helpful