Do you Trust your Home Inspector? (Pottstown)
Trust is probably one of the most important things to me, personally and in my business as a home inspector in Pottstown, PA. I naturally trust people and want them to trust me back.
When I started my home inspection business in Pottstown over 10 years ago, I knew I would have to prove myself over and over again to establish a good base of agents and clients who would trust me as the best professional inspector for their needs. Looking back, how did I build a successful business as a home inspector?
It all came down to trust and that takes many forms:
Background
Highlighting things like my Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and my background in real estate rehabbing still gives me credibility today. People want to trust me based on this background. If a prospective client compares me to another home inspector whose background is "unrelated" such as a store manager, accountant, salesman, etc, I have the advantage.
Consistency
By consistently giving a thorough home inspection, I'm giving people what they expect. Building confidence and trust also involves consistency of ones character. I encourage the client to be at the home inspection because I want them to see the things I find, I want to answer their questions, and I want them to feel like I gave them as much time as they needed. By following the ASHI Standards of Practice and being consistent in where I start inspecting on a home and where I finish, I'm also giving the agent peace-of-mind that the home inspection is consistently thorough.
Being Available
Another way I build trust with clients is to make myself available after the inspection for questions. I don't show up for a quick home inspection, throw a report together, and disappear. If the client has questions about something in the report or needs advice on an item they are concerned about, I will make myself available to them and get back to them the same day. They don't have to chase me. I want to help them to be informed so they can make the best choices regarding one of the largest investments they might ever make.
Inspecting, Not "selling"
When I go to home inspector conferences or even a local meeting at Keystone ASHI, I will have other companies marketing to me about things I should offer during my home inspection like home warranties, energy audits, etc. Most recently, I was contacted by an alarm company that was offering compensation for every client I could refer. I am there to provide a professional home inspection and I don't feel it's my place to "sell" these additional services or products. I'm put in a position of trust and the alarm company knows this. They also know I have a targeted audience, but I refuse to exploit my professional position of trust for such a sale. My clients can trust the information I give them is truly in their best interest.
So....... Do you trust YOUR home inspector with that next big investment? If not, it's time to re-evaluate!
This post is a submission to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize. You can find out about the contest by clicking here.
David Artigliere with ARTI Home Inspections LLC is a home inspector around Pottstown, Reading, Norristown & surrounding areas of Greater Philadelphia.
He's available for home inspections 7 days a week. David can be reached by calling (610) 220-1907 or visiting www.artihomeinspections.com
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