JOB MARKET - RICHARD MacArthur, the owner of National Property Inspector, gives a rundown of a career in property inspection.
"I see a huge potential in South Africa for this kind of business. I brought the concept back from the US, where I lived for seven years.
"In the US, almost 85percent of homes are inspected before being sold. I have noticed a marked increase in enquiries and activity related to property inspections in South Africa in 2007.
"As a serial entrepreneur, I decided that this is a market that will become lucrative, as well as very satisfying in the future.
"I see it as my dream job, in the sense that I'm building a nationwide property inspection business," says MacArthur.
Basics
This is dependent on whether you own your own business. As a property inspector working for someone else, you would earn in the region of R5000 to R8000 a month.
If you own a business, earnings will be limited to the number of clients using your services. Expenses primarily include marketing and transport costs, so you generally have low overheads. If you market yourself well, you will be able to earn a lot more.
An average owner-operated property inspection business (with good marketing visibility) can expect to earn in the region of R35000 a month.
Job description
Visiting clients' buildings, both commercial and residential, and inspecting the buildings for flaws. This could include structural, as well as cosmetic issues.
You would look over things like the driveways, walls, roof and foundation, check showers and baths for water flow, check for damp and, generally, complete an overall and thorough inspection of the property for any defects.
In most companies, a report format is followed, making the inspection a rather simple affair.
The key is being trained to find the flaws.
You work with clients and sellers of properties, so a personality that enjoys people is an advantage, if you are looking at expanding the business through professional service.
Required studies and experience
You can be trained on site, but there are some technical colleges starting to offer home inspection as a course. The best experience comes from the hands-on situation and training on the job with existing companies.
Personality types
"You will need good people skills, an enjoyment of building practices and the ability to pay attention to detail," says MacArthur.
An average day
"This would involve visiting a client and carrying out a full inspection, taking photographs and documenting everything, from flaws to general safety comments," he adds.
The best thing about the job
"The pros are that this is an exploding industry.
"If you get into the industry now and build a good base business, or train with a good, reputable company, you will be ideally positioned to expand."
The worst thing about the job
"The con of the business is that, at the moment, there are no regulations on who can become an inspector, but this will change and more regulations will be put in place over time.
"The worst part about the job is having to inform clients that the home they thought was a dream home is, in fact, problematic.
His advice to anyone wanting to go into this industry is: "Get in and learn the business quickly, and then set up your own operation." - SACareerFocus
A dream job worth trying
JOB MARKET - RICHARD MacArthur, the owner of National Property Inspector, gives a rundown of a career in property inspection.
"I see a huge potential in South Africa for this kind of business. I brought the concept back from the US, where I lived for seven years.
"In the US, almost 85percent of homes are inspected before being sold. I have noticed a marked increase in enquiries and activity related to property inspections in South Africa in 2007.
"As a serial entrepreneur, I decided that this is a market that will become lucrative, as well as very satisfying in the future.
"I see it as my dream job, in the sense that I'm building a nationwide property inspection business," says MacArthur.
Basics
This is dependent on whether you own your own business. As a property inspector working for someone else, you would earn in the region of R5000 to R8000 a month.
If you own a business, earnings will be limited to the number of clients using your services. Expenses primarily include marketing and transport costs, so you generally have low overheads. If you market yourself well, you will be able to earn a lot more.
An average owner-operated property inspection business (with good marketing visibility) can expect to earn in the region of R35000 a month.
Job description
Visiting clients' buildings, both commercial and residential, and inspecting the buildings for flaws. This could include structural, as well as cosmetic issues.
You would look over things like the driveways, walls, roof and foundation, check showers and baths for water flow, check for damp and, generally, complete an overall and thorough inspection of the property for any defects.
In most companies, a report format is followed, making the inspection a rather simple affair.
The key is being trained to find the flaws.
You work with clients and sellers of properties, so a personality that enjoys people is an advantage, if you are looking at expanding the business through professional service.
Required studies and experience
You can be trained on site, but there are some technical colleges starting to offer home inspection as a course. The best experience comes from the hands-on situation and training on the job with existing companies.
Personality types
"You will need good people skills, an enjoyment of building practices and the ability to pay attention to detail," says MacArthur.
An average day
"This would involve visiting a client and carrying out a full inspection, taking photographs and documenting everything, from flaws to general safety comments," he adds.
The best thing about the job
"The pros are that this is an exploding industry.
"If you get into the industry now and build a good base business, or train with a good, reputable company, you will be ideally positioned to expand."
The worst thing about the job
"The con of the business is that, at the moment, there are no regulations on who can become an inspector, but this will change and more regulations will be put in place over time.
"The worst part about the job is having to inform clients that the home they thought was a dream home is, in fact, problematic.
His advice to anyone wanting to go into this industry is: "Get in and learn the business quickly, and then set up your own operation." - SACareerFocus
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