Home Inspection Service Naperville
ByHome Inspection Service Naperville is another example of how businesses can capitalize on the Local Search trend…
In a short period of time I’ll dominate the search term of home inspection service Naperville -
This term and others like Naperville home inspection & inspector are also searched for, but I’m choosing this one based on the amount of people searching. Let’s move on before I get accused of “keyword stuffing” this page, which isn’t how you get rankings that last – so DON”T Do it!
So, imagine you’re a local home inspector and you’re either launching your business or it’s established and things have slowed down – in either case you’re looking for ways to market to new customers.
Well, it’s already been stated on this site that people are now throwing away their Yellow Pages and turning to the search engines (like Google) to find local businesses…with that in mind how do you think a potential customer would search for your business at Google?
That’s right! They’d use one of the keyword phrases above or some kind of variation. For instance if you go to Google right now and search for “home inspection service Naperville” you’ll get over 69,000 results. #1 right below the maps (Google happens to dance so it may be somewhere between #1 & #5) is a link to a website I created using a free service. Now it’s not the website itself – it’s a social bookmark that will redirect a person to the website.
You’ll notice the handful of Home Inspection businesses located next to the map, marking their proximity to Naperville – most of these businesses have a website (good), but…they’re no where to be found below the maps (bad). As a matter of fact you will have to go to the #6 listing (besides my listing) below the maps to find a local Naperville home inspector.
With a little on-page Search Engine Optimization and a little SEO marketing one of those sites listed next to the maps could dominate this local market and rake in new home inspection service customers.
It’s not rocket science, but to those business owners who don’t know how to properly market their business online…it might as well be! That’s where Local Targeted Traffic comes in!
We will walk you through the process of marketing your business online – you can work with a proven Expert who gets RESULTS – just look through our case studies.
If you’re in doubt – bookmark this page and watch as my case study using a website built for free takes over the top spot in the search engines: http://HomeInspectionServiceNaperville.weebly.com
My business is helping local businesses drive Local targeted traffic to their site and to their door. One of the best ways I know to do this is by putting their mesage at eyelevel on street furnature where people see it every day.
I have a little over two hundred customers I assist in this way. In order to assist them further I am going to pass on some of the information I find on this site. Great work!
great tips. I enjoyed reading this
Very informative post
Hiring An Independent & Qualified inspector
1) Find names of home inspector with sources that do NOT have a vested interest in the sale!
You can find a bunch of home inspector on your own by asking your attorney, going through the Yellow Pages or based on referrals from your friends or family … basically any source that does not have a vested interest in the sale!
Now, just because you get the name from an “independent” source does not necessarily mean that the inspector is truly independent!
One way to protect yourself is to ask the Real Estate agent for a list of home inspector and see if the name referred to you is on it. Then you’ll know that he plays on both teams!
2) Once you have gathered some names and checked them for independence, you should then get on the phone and “interview” them!
The following questions are those that I think are good gauges for determining whether the inspector is qualified and should be someone worth considering.
These questions could be asked over the phone.
Now, if an inspector refuses to be “interviewed,” drop him like an old shoe!
And I mean this! Good home inspector like to help new homebuyers through this process and are very open to discussions about themselves, their abilities, their certifications, their services, etc.
Refusal to want to be interviewed is likely indicative of you having found an inspector who really does not have much backing up his ads!
CAUTION: Because many inspector are “one-man” operations, don’t mistake a comment like “I don’t have time now” with a refusal to answer your questions over the phone. Just ask him when would be a good time to call and schedule an appointment for the “interview.”
Now, following each question, I have provided answers that reflect the home inspection services that I provide which you can use as a basis for comparing services offered by other home inspector. You can ask the questions in any order.
a) What kind of formal INSPECTION training have you had?
You should never assume that a background in construction trades, engineering or other building fields is a substitute for training as a home inspector.
But, you shouldn’t completely rule out an inspector who doesn’t belong to a professional association, if you know that the inspector has a good reputation and has been in business for a number of years.
I have been a full time home inspector since 1993. I have been certified by and a Member of the American Society of Home inspector (ASHI). In order to become a Member of ASHI, I had to pass the National Home inspector Examination and ASHI’s Standards of Practice and Ethics Examination. I also had my inspection reports successfully verified for compliance with ASHI’s Standards of Practice and submitted valid proof of performance to demonstrate that my home inspections and reports meet or exceed the ASHI Standards of Practice.
My ASHI Membership number is 102273. You can call ASHI and verify this or go to their website. Their phone number is (800) 743-ASHI and their website address is http://www.ashi.org.
I hold State of New Jersey Home inspector License # GI0121. It is very important that you determine if the inspector is licensed in New Jersey, many inspector do not even meet the minimal qualifications necessary to have a home inspector license. Ask to see the inspector License and State Issued Home inspector Identification Card at the inspection. If you want to know if an inspector is licensed go to: http://accurateinspections.com/listoflicensedhomeinspector.htm
My outstanding qualifications allow me to serve as an instructor for the State of New Jersey Home inspector Licensing class … where I train students, to prepare for the National Home inspector Licensing Examination, in all areas of home inspection, including roofing, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, structure, electric, interior, exterior, reporting, professional ethics, standards of practice and New Jersey State Regulations.
I am licensed to perform wood-destroying insect inspections and radon testing. I am bonded and insured for your protection. For more information about my inspection training and background, please visit: http://www.accurateinspections.com to see my resume.
b) How long have you performed inspections and how many inspections have you completed?
The more inspections that the inspector has performed, the better. Inspections in excess of 1,000 are a pretty good indication that he has been around the block bit.
I started Accurate Inspections Inc. over 10 years ago (1993), and have completed over 6,500 inspections during that time. Before 1993, I was a construction project manager for 7 years.
c) What geographic areas do you cover? What types of homes do you generally look at?
I cover all of Bergen and Passaic counties and portions of Essex and Morris counties in New Jersey. I limit my coverage to these areas so that I can provide my clients with better services. I also typically limit my inspection services to residential properties representing homebuyers in home purchases, but also have experience with commercial buildings.
Watch out for inspector that cover too large of an area, like an entire state. There is no way that these inspector could have a feel for the community that you are trying to move into and the local codes or ordinances that the property may be subject to.
d) What do you charge? Do you offer any other services besides home inspection services?
The costs are an obvious question that you have to ask. But remember … the cheapest is not necessarily the best deal. Consider costs along with the other factors identified in this report.
If you want a cheap inspection, we do not offer one! We used to when we were trying to gain experience, now we offer the best value for your money! Short term we cost more, amortized over the time you are in your home, the extra cost will be perceived as a great value.
Some homebuyers will also need a PWTA well test, which costs about $500, and an open pit septic inspection, which costs about $ 425.
In addition to the traditional home inspection services, I also can perform radon measurement, carbon monoxide measurement, well-water testing in conformance with PWTA requirements, wood destroying insect inspections and schedule asbestos, septic and lead testing.
e) Can you make repairs if they are needed?
If the inspector says “yes” — LOOK OUT! This raises the same conflict of interest problems that I talked about before. If he can make money on you after the sale transaction is closed, he will have a vested interest in the outcome of his report and may overestimate the problems with the home.
I don’t do any repairs and I refuse to make estimates. In fact, I am bound by ASHI’s Code of Ethics, which forbids any actions by me that could be viewed as a conflict of interest.
f) How long does your inspection take?
You should be careful if the inspector sets any fixed time limit on the inspection. An inspection can only be considered complete when you are fully informed as to what the inspector has found.
I will take whatever time is necessary to tell you all there is to know about the home … and only at that point will my inspection be done.
But, to provide you with a general estimate, my inspections usually take about 2 hours to complete, depending on the size, age and components of the home. This is consistent with the standards required by State of New Jersey law as well as ASHI and ensures that you will receive a thorough and high-quality inspection from me.
g) Can I walk with you through and ask questions during the inspection?
Some inspector may not permit this. It is really a question of style.
It’s no problem with me! I want you to see what I see and discuss it as we go! I am proud of the service I provide and I insist you tag along and ask me anything that’s on your mind!
I am there only to serve YOU!
h) Will you go over the report in person with me?
Be skeptical of any inspector who will not the time and discuss his report with you!
I always go over the entire inspection process and report with homebuyers. I have found that the best way to do this is to discuss issues as we walk you through the home together so that you can see firsthand anything that I discovered during the inspection and will report on.
I will fax, email or mail the report to you (at your option) … and mail a copy to your attorney. If you wish I will also send a copy to the Real Estate agent, all at no additional charge.
i) What kind of report do you use?
Much of what the inspector will tell you at the inspection may be forgotten afterward.
That is why I will issue a comprehensive narrative report to describe the issues uncovered, how they may harm the home if not corrected and provides recommendations for a course of action. I will also provide check sheets indexed to the Home Inspection Book that you will be provided with at the end of the inspection, the book provides back up information as well as useful diagrams. Many of our clients find the Home Inspection Book alone to be worth the price of the inspection.
I use a software program that takes the information that I discover at the home and it helps me generate a nice, easy-to-read report, customized for you. Illustrated, narrative pages in the Home Inspection Book back up the report describing any referenced problems and potential repairs. In addition energy saving recommendations are provided in the report. Four copies of the report are generated to facilitate timely and complete information dissemination to sellers, agents, attorneys, etc.
j) When do I get the report?
Depending on how technologically proficient the inspector is, he should be able to get his report to you very quickly.
The program I use to generate my reports enable me to either e-mail, fax or mail the report to you (at your option) the evening of the inspection! Fast enough for you?
k) Does the inspection company have an efficient office staff or just an answering machine?
How does the company handle initial inquires? If the person who answers the phone cannot answer simple questions or worse yet the phone is answered by a machine, what will you do if you need an urgent answer to a question later? Personal service costs more because it is worth it!
People who are trained to assist you answer my office phones. My office staff does not just take messages; they assist clients or arrange for me to call clients back when necessary. If your call requires a call back I will call you back as soon as I finish my next inspection! Fast enough for you?
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
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