Could use some advise

[troyatfandm]

I don't post much. I usually stay pretty busy (thank God), but do appreciate everyones response when I do. You know how it is, even when your not busy with appraisals, their is always something that has been sitting waitng. If not business, the dreaded honey do list.

Anyway, I had a business with myself a partner, part-time appraiser, full time appraiser and part time office help. We split back in December and opened our own companies. Basically since that time myself and wife have been running the business and I give a few appraisals a month to my part time appraiser. The work load got a little crazy in March and April, but has since slowed.

I am strongly considering hiring a full time appraiser/office person. On the other hand its nice not to worry about supporting someone elses family. I do also like to take a couple weeks off a year, in fact the wife demands it. Uncertain times also add to the risk. I tend to think by the time they are ready to go full bore, it will be busy again. I can always increase my coverage areas also. Any suggestions? How does everyone else deal with it?

 

[Kali the Boston Terrier]

Why do you need a full time appraiser...why not a independent contractor that you can trust? When you're busy you give him work, when you are slow you keep it for yourself. He/she is free to get whatever business they want for themselves, and you are not on the hook for any responsibility including Workmens comp, health ins, payroll taxes...etc

 

[troyatfandm]

First of all, how do you know who to trust? I taught my expartner a lot about running the business, once he got confident, he split. I know thats the business, but I don't know how many times I can do it. I also want someone to do office work while I am gone. Not sure if independent contractors working with another company will want to do that.

 

[Mr Rex]

You answered your own question. It seems you trained someone you can't trust. I still talk to the guy that trained me at least weekly and send my work to him when I take time off and vice versa. I have 2 other appraisers that I cover for when they go on vacation, 1 who I covered for for over a month after he was almost killed in an accident. I suggest a better class of friends and associates.

 

[troyatfandm]

Thanks for the for the input guys. We do still talk(the ex) a little and he wants us to still work together helping each other out. I tend to hold a grudge and know if I did share work, he would be out trying to take my clients. Not sure he could, but I dont want to take that chance. I used to be very trusting, but now I don't want to trust anyone. I keep thinking if I find someone I know, a friend and treat them right, they will never leave. A friend from high school is considering becoming an appraiser and quit being an iron worker. It is very hard on the body. Of course he knows it will be a cut in pay and benefits. I guess it will work out somehow. It always does, but need some plan.

 

[Kali the Boston Terrier]

People rarely get into this business with the aspiration to work for someone else. If you need office help, hire a secretary. If you need an appraiser, use an independent...why give your self unneccessary overhead?

But try and mix the positions, it will not work out. Also on the trust front, that's a managerial problem...which has nothing to do with being an appraiser and everything to do with your compentency as a manager and/or business owner.

 

[BRCJR]

Why do you need a full time appraiser...why not a independent contractor that you can trust? When you're busy you give him work, when you are slow you keep it for yourself. He/she is free to get whatever business they want for themselves, and you are not on the hook for any responsibility including Workmens comp, health ins, payroll taxes...etc

Many lenders will not accept work done by anyone other than the appraiser named in the letter of engagement. The "contracted appraiser" may need to be on the approved appraiser list for the lender.

If the lender utilizes a proper rotation the "contracted appraiser" will get their fair share of work from the lender anyway, thus it does not work to contract your work out in many cases.

 

[troyatfandm]

Brian,

I was trying to keep it short, so I left out some important details. My wife and I run the office. This potential full time person would only cover the office when we were on vacation. I would stop some of the work while I was gone. He would also only be an independent appraiser. He knows I eat first, still you feel obligated. I know there are appraisers who never go on there own. Thats what I need. I know some people do it all and just tell there clients they are leaving. Not sure I am comfortable with that. Thanks for the input.

 

[Walter Kirk]

Your problem is one of trust. I have a friend who is an appraiser also ( and a member of this forum), we once worked for the same company. When he goes on vacation or has an overload I help him out. When I need help I call him. I would never think of approaching his clients and I know that he wouldn't approach mine. He is a true professional whose work I respect.

Look for someone that you respect and trust, offer to help that person when needed and you will add value to your business and your life.

 

[jeanwillick]

We have been in business since 1993. When we go for our 5 week vacation to Florida every winter, we close the office and put a message on the recorder that the office is closed until such and such a date - sorry for any inconvenience.

We post vacation message on our email account. We call or email all our regular clients. Some clients have a place on their vendor site to post that your office will be on vacation. When we return, we call all again and take vacation message off recorder and email account.

I don't think we have lost many customers over the years. I do know that all the packing and getting ready for vacation along with prepaying bills, etc. is a BIG hassle. Then have to do a lot of catch up on mail and emails when we're back to work. I don't have a laptop and use library while on vacation to keep up with some of the emails.

Anyway, we are planning on semi-retiring this January 1st and will close the office for 3 months during the winter. I guess you have to start hanging it up a little bit at some point and we have reached that point. Will still work for 7 to 9 months a year and get a little more choosey on work, but it will give us something to do and some extra $$ for that expensive gas we will need to travel in our 5th wheel.

We have run this by some of our clients already and they said have fun and we'll call you when you're back. I'm sure we will lose some clients and some work, but that is why we have been working and saving for, for years.

We also have a husband/wife only in home office.