The Hard Truth About Stagnant Growth in the Home Inspection Industry

In recent years, there has been much debate about the stagnation of home inspections, especially regarding fees. As home prices have soared, home inspection fees have made little movement. Many home inspectors talk about the need to elevate the profession of home inspection, but I believe home inspectors themselves hold the key to this growth.

Throughout my professional career, I had the opportunity to serve as CEO of one of the largest home inspection companies and spent most of my energy navigating opportunities to stand out from the competition and grow revenues and profits. As the Chief Revenue Officer at Fixle, I've spent the last year and a half talking to hundreds of home inspectors about their businesses. This experience has led me to conclude that the industry has tremendous potential, and it's up to us to unlock it which in part will require a shift in perception.

For example, tools like Repair Pricer or repair list generators have enabled clients to pull repair lists from home reports and get estimates. While useful for negotiating home prices, these tools can reinforce the notion that inspections are merely for generating a list of negotiable items. However, this perception can change. By demonstrating the broader value of home inspections, we can shift the focus from mere negotiation to comprehensive home management.

Moreover, many inspectors I've spoken to are hesitant to make changes to their workflow or invest in new features, believing it’s not required or would take too much time. Embracing change and innovation is crucial for growth. By enhancing our services, we can significantly increase their value. The real opportunity lies in helping homeowners transition from buying to living in their homes, providing ongoing support and expertise.

Not only is buying a home difficult these days, owning a home involves ongoing maintenance and knowledge that many modern homeowners lack. The good news is this gap presents a significant opportunity for a trusted home inspectors. By offering services that help homeowners manage their homes, inspectors can elevate their profession and provide ongoing value beyond the initial transaction, all while growing the perceived need and value for the service.

This is where Fixle comes in. Fixle allows inspectors to scan or input appliance and system data, generating a comprehensive guide for the homeowner. This guide details model numbers, serial numbers, active recalls, operation manuals, and warranty details of all added appliances and systems. The guide, branded to the inspector, is called the Fixle Home Report and is available as a PDF with live links and through the app.

So why does this information bring so much value to the homeowner? A home inspection report is a snapshot of the condition of the property at the time of inspection. This includes reporting on the roof, electrical system, plumbing, the structure of the home, and whether systems and appliances are operating as intended. But it is the appliances that the homeowner will engage with from the minute they take possession of the home to stay warm or cool, clean dishes, and cook meals. By providing the resources to manage these systems, inspectors can deliver immediate and ongoing value, setting themselves apart and creating lasting impressions on clients and real estate professionals.

Adding an ongoing resource like Fixle and the Fixle Home Report may require a bit more time and effort, but it can significantly elevate your business, increase referrals, and enhance the overall value you provide. To truly elevate the home inspection profession, we need to redefine the value, be willing to invest our time and money to deliver more and go beyond the transaction to support homeowners in managing their homes.

Ready to elevate your home inspection business and provide ongoing value to your clients? Start today and see the difference it can make for your business and your clients.