Wind Mitigation Services Bolster Business for Home Inspectors

Ancillary services have become a critical part of the home inspection business over the last several years as a way to continue to keep revenue streams steady. In Florida, HomeTeam Inspection Service’s franchisees have recently added wind mitigation to their portfolio of services, opening an opportunity for heightened revenue.

Colin Conroy, HomeTeam franchisee in Pompano Beach, Fla., estimates that 75 percent of the homes his team inspects also include a wind mitigation inspection. Of the remaining 25 percent, he said many will call back to have a wind mitigation inspection performed after their initial inspection.

“It has increased our business substantially,” he said. “The number of inspections we’re doing is about the same as last year, but we have seen a substantial increase in the number of wind storm mitigations we’ve been asked to perform.”

Historically, wind mitigation inspections in Florida have been performed by the state-run home insurance group, which created the service when many insurers pulled out of the state due to heavy losses associated with hurricanes. Licensing for home inspectors became available in March this year, allowing home inspectors in the state to perform wind mitigation reports.

The process involves photographs, use of metal detectors and taking exact measurements — all carried out by an inspector who has credibility with insurers. Conroy estimates his revenue is up 22 percent from last year, and attributes 75 percent of that increase to adding wind mitigation inspections to his service offerings.

But the service isn’t just a way for HomeTeam franchisees to add to their offerings, and their bottom line, but is also something homeowners have a proven need for. Homeowners can have the wind mitigation inspection completed during the time of an initial inspection and now Realtors® in the area are also becoming educated about the process in order to better prepare consumers.

“Typically if you have a home that meets all or most of the standards, you’re looking at the homeowner saving $500 to $1,000 in the premiums they will pay,” Conroy said. “It’s always worth the cost of doing the inspection.”

Although wind mitigation inspections are more typical in Florida right now, many believe it won’t be long until other states follow suit. By getting into the wind mitigation service early in Florida, HomeTeam is now prepared should other states be affected by similar weather patterns and begin to offer incentives to homeowners. This will ensure that franchisees are ready to begin implementing wind mitigation checks in the future if they are needed in other parts of the country.

HomeTeam featured in G.I. Jobs

HomeTeam was featured in GI Jobs in a cover story titled “Franchises that Fit, Why Home-based franchises are ideal for America’s Returning Veterans”, that tells military readers all about HomeTeam, and the success of one of its many military franchisees. The article highlights five brands that are a perfect match for military veterans. Of the five, HomeTeam was featured, including Brian O’Rear’s entrepreneur story and why he got involved with HomeTeam. Read the full story below:

HomeTeam Inspection Service Adds Wind Storm Mitigation Inspection to Services

By Greg Haskett, VP of Shared Services, HomeTeam Inspection Service

Over the 20 years that HomeTeam Inspection Service has been in business, they have continued to add ancillary services like pest, mold and radon testing in order to provide consumers with a “One Call Does It All” place for inspection services. This philosophy has been key in HomeTeam’s professional reputation in the markets it serves.

Even in the down economy, HomeTeam Inspection Service keeps abreast of the trends and recently has added a service which will keep its franchisees profitable and provide value-added services to the consumer. This year, HomeTeam provided certification to all Florida-based franchisees in Wind Storm Mitigation Inspections.

In 2007, the Florida legislature passed a house bill (#7057) which requires insurance companies to give discounts to home owners who have certain mitigation features included in their home. There is a 9-point checklist which a certified home inspector must fill out in order for the home owner to qualify. Home inspectors are required to be certified in this specialized inspection in order for the home owner to receive the insurance discount, which requires the inspector to fill out a form on the mitigation features of the home and take photos for proof.

There is such a large market for this inspection as a result of the passing of the legislative bill in Florida that HomeTeam Inspection Service has trained all of its Florida-based franchisees on how to perform this inspection and will be rolling it out to other franchisees throughout the system as well as other states adopt similar bills.

“HomeTeam ensures that its franchisees are equipped to professionally handle all issues related to the home inspection industry,” said Greg Haskett, VP of Shared Services. “Not only does our adding services help the consumer, it also puts money into the pockets of our franchisees.”

For more information on franchising with HomeTeam Inspection Service, call Greg Haskett at 800-598-5297 .

Local HomeTeam Inspector Appointed to TREC Inspector Advisory Committee

Texarkana owner/operator tapped for six-year term with Texas Real Estate Commission

Greg Eakin, owner and operator of HomeTeam Inspection Service in Texarkana, was recently recognized for nine years of hard work and dedication to the home inspection industry in Texas with a nomination to the Texas Real Estate Commission’s Inspector Advisory Committee. This committee draws six home inspectors from the over 3,000 registered inspectors across the state of Texas. Eakin is the second HomeTeam Inspection Service franchisee to be named to the committee, joining Curtis Carr who was appointed in 2007.

The TREC Inspector Advisory Committee provides expertise in correcting and updating the “Standards of Practice,” oversees state approved continuing education providers and classes, and enforcement for home inspectors across the state of Texas. This year, over 100 applicants applied to the prestigious position and Eakin was one of only three named to the state committee.

“I am honored and excited to be given a seat on this committee,” said Eakin. “At HomeTeam, we strive to present the most professional inspectors and provide the highest level of service to Realtors. Being appointed to the TREC is proof of how much we care about every inspection we perform.”

Establishing a successful second career after working in the manufacturing industry, Greg has served Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas for the last nine years and has brought a new level of customer satisfaction to the home inspection industry in the area. Greg and his team of inspectors are prepared to inspect everything in the home from pools to structural and mechanical systems. In addition, they also can perform testing for radon, lead paint and carbon monoxide within the home.

To get the job done faster and more thoroughly than their competitors, HomeTeam never sends an inspector to a job alone. No matter how small the inspection, clients always get at least one master and one supporting inspector. Over the past 20 years, HomeTeam has proven its methods are superior with an impressive track record and a growing base of satisfied customers across the United States.

Franchisee Profile: Michael Henry, franchisee of Bellevue, Ontario

View Larger Map



Location: Bellevue, Ontario

Something Interesting About Michael’s Story…
Having had a bad experience with home inspection in the past, Michael was impressed with HomeTeam Inspection Service before he became a franchisee. He appreciates the fact that the HomeTeam inspectors are, as suggested by the name, organized into a team, facilitating quicker yet more thorough inspections. As a HomeTeam franchisee, Michael underwent extensive training and earned a certification as a home inspector in order to become a qualified member of his own home inspection team. He now takes a very active role in his business, personally inspecting homes along with a team of licensed professionals, including a heating and cooling technician.

What Michael Did Before HomeTeam…
Prior to becoming a HomeTeam franchisee, Michael worked for 21 years in the printing industry. After a while, he decided he wanted to start his own business and began looking for opportunities to do so. Franchising seemed like the right choice since it offers him the kind of business where he can work out of his home and be his own boss, while having a solid infrastructure upon which to base his business model. These prove to be valuable assets in a down economy.

How Michael Specifically Found Out About HomeTeam…
Michael found HomeTeam after researching franchises online. He had experience with bad inspectors in his own home in the past, so he had a good idea of what to look for in an inspection company. The team-based inspections and superb organization of HomeTeam proved an immediate draw.

Why Michael Became and Loves Being a HomeTeam franchisee…
Michael says the best thing about being a HomeTeam franchisee is the great support system HomeTeam has in place to help its franchisees. Corporate frequently calls to help out with the business aspect, while a technical advisor is always one call away to make sure the inspection process is carried out properly. He’s also been able to work with his wife, who helps out on the accounting side of the business, and has a readymade part-time job for his 14-year-old son, once he’s ready to work.

HomeTeam Featured in the San Antonio Business Journal

HomeTeam was recently featured in the San Antonio Business Journal in an article called “Alamo City earning reputation as a good market for franchises,” which discusses HomeTeam’s expansion plans for the San Antonio market. Ranked #6 for remodeling activity, San Antonio is a hotbed for business in the home sector, and HomeTeam is moving in.

HomeTeam Goes to Clearwater Beach

Annual Convention Hosts Top Franchisees; Introduces New Strategies and Tactics

By Greg Haskett, VP of Shared Services

Every year, our HomeTeam Inspection Service franchisees get together to celebrate another great year of business and discuss hot topics and what's new for the year ahead. This year we met in Clearwater Beach, FL in the city of our host franchisee Mitch Rothenberg. Themed Chart Your Course, we had several sessions, large and small, where franchisees gathered together to discuss all aspects of their businesses. As a leader in the home inspection industry, this convention in particular was special as we introduced several new items that our franchisees can use moving forward, including:

1. A new and improved online software that will keep us ahead of the competition. Cloud computing is the way of the future and our franchise owners can now respond quicker than their competition with better data.

2. New financial benchmarks and tools specifically designed to maximize the profit of each franchise owner which also gives them a unique tool to hit their personal income goals.

3. A strategic rollout of social media efforts that will broaden the reach of the HomeTeam brand and meet our current & future customers where they are.

4. Lastly, and the best part of any gathering like this, is when
the attendees can spend time together. We included extended breaks, franchisee-only meetings, and very successful role-playing sessions where franchise owners from across North America interacted with each and discussed their shared interests in building the HomeTeam name.

Overall this year's convention was the best one yet. We received some very positive feedback from our franchisees.

• "The leadership and direction of Jim Hunter is contagious! The entire staff is on board in attitude and actions. Thanks to all for $50,000 or more in value for about a $500 price." Ray Fonos, Pittsburgh, PA
• "I've already booked an inspection from a price shopper based on some of the ideas from the role-playing session." Mike Henry, Belleville, ON
• "I am excited about this year and look forward to the ISN
  addition to our teams. I truly believe that this will take my business to another level." Bobby Cox, Savannah, GA
• "I can say with great confidence that EVERYONE that attended went away recharged and invigorated, ready to take on whatever 2011 throws at us! You will find that your 'return on investment' will easily be 10 to 20 (or more) times the costs involved in attending." Bill Jurek, Ft. Meyers, FL
• "Coming up on 16 years and haven't missed one yet. Still can't imagine anyone in this business, especially with THIS franchise, who wouldn't strive to make it to every convention. It's the motivation, encouragement and pick-me-up we all need to kick-start our year!" John Gambill, Ashland, KY
• "Hard to imagine any franchisee not seeing the value in this and not attending. I can't wait for next year!" Scott Whitbeck, Colorado Springs, CO