“Stepping Out of Your Place” and Into Home Inspection

by Carol Dikelsky June 1, 2017

 

Heidi Richards has been on the circuit of checking out properties since the mid-1990s—as a property insurance adjustor. When I spoke with her recently, she said, “Working as an adjustor in the insurance industry and then later as a construction manager, I learned about the broad field of homebuilding and inspections. I gained skills and an interest in pinpointing and assessing the damage that occurs in structures and properties.”

In 2016, Heidi decided to apply these skills in a new way—by launching a career in the home inspection industry. She said, “The purpose of an inspector is similar to that of an adjustor, but one key difference is that an inspector is responsible for checking the entire home.”

“In any career, you have to work hard to earn respect. As an inspector, I feel that my work speaks for itself. People have been very encouraging to me.” She said, “I try to approach every inspection in the same way so that I don’t overlook anything. I stay organized and plan my time carefully so I can provide thorough reports to
my clients.”

As a resident of South Portland, Maine, Heidi was surprised to learn that her state does not require home inspectors to be certified. But she has earned her certification in residential and commercial inspections, even though it is not required.

Heidi is a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). She likes ASHI because ASHI presents information and offers practical classes with experts covering an array of topics at InspectionWorld®, and she is looking forward to heading to Orlando for IW 2018.

Heidi’s immediate goals are to become an ASHI Certified Inspector and continue to gain experience. She advocates finding a person with more knowledge and more experience, and asking that person to let you job shadow with them. She said, “I asked some real estate agents to name a home inspector they recommend and after hearing the same name from more than one agent, I contacted that person. By reaching out to that one person, I’ve tapped into the expertise of an inspector who’s been working in the industry for 16 years. What better way for me to learn?” Heidi is also working toward her certification in radon testing because, as she says, “radon affects a majority of homes up here in Maine and people want to know about it.”

To market her business, Heidi has set up a website, participates in networking events and visits real estate agents. “In addition to traditional home inspections, I offer pre-inspections, which can be beneficial to people planning to sell their home within the next year. Inspecting residential sites is my main source of business, but I’m also connecting with commercial real estate agents and I hope to see that part of my business grow.”

Heidi has a great enthusiasm for networking. She belongs to a chapter of Think Local, an organization that brings together all kinds of professionals, specialists and entrepreneurs. She said, “Our chapter includes people who work in many fields— real estate, lending, title companies.” It can be a struggle to get your name out there at first, but my involvement with this group has helped me get beyond that hurdle. I love seeing how a person you think would be the last person to refer you for a home inspection actually become the first one who does! It seems that everybody in the group knows somebody who knows somebody who needs your service. Also, I’ve participated in trade shows with my colleagues from this group. There are many benefits.”

Heidi also is a savvy user of social media, with a business presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. She said, “I’ve written several posts and even some online articles covering the topics of customer service, mold in attics and other services. This strategy has been working for me. I’ve received direct calls from agents and others looking for a home inspector because of my exposure on social media.”

Heidi lives by this quote from Susan B. Anthony:

“Forget what the world thinks of you stepping out of your place; think your best thoughts, speak your best words, work your best work, looking to your own conscience for approval.”

Good advice for all. Thank you, Heidi, for sharing your story with the readers of the Reporter.


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