Loan Draw Inspections: How I Make Over $2,000 a Month by Photographing Homes - Side Hustle Nation

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      Did you know there's a side hustle that allows you to earn money by driving around, taking photos of homes under construction, and transforming it into a consistent side income? This lesser-known real estate side hustle was discovered by Lou Shaver from drawinspectortraining.com during his retirement.

      Lou works as a construction loan draw inspector, which requires almost no startup costs, no special licensing, and minimal selling effort. He initially took it up as a retirement side job, earning about $2,000 a month last year, and now averages around $4,100 a month.

      Lou spent his career in inspection, first with the Army and then with the Navy. He is now preparing to teach others how to pursue this work through his own training program.

      Tune in to Episode 748 of the Side Hustle Show to find out:

      - What a construction loan draw inspector actually does

      - How to locate your first jobs using inspection marketplaces

      - The straightforward tools and low costs that facilitate this work

      **What Is a Construction Loan Draw Inspector?**

      When a bank provides funds to build a home, it does not release the total amount at once. Instead, it pays the builder in increments known as draws, which are disbursed as each phase is completed. Before the bank issues the next draw, an inspector must verify that the work is genuinely finished. This is where the draw inspector comes in. Lou drives out, takes photographs, and confirms the builder's claims about the completion of the work. He describes himself as the bank's eyes and ears. This process acts as an internal control that safeguards the bank, ensuring that funds are disbursed incrementally rather than all at once. Lou charges approximately $65 per inspection.

      **How Lou Got Into the Business**

      After retiring from the Army in 2012, Lou worked as an inspector investigator for the Navy. As he was preparing for full retirement around 2022, he was searching for a new venture but struggled to find one. Then, he constructed a house himself, and the inspector who visited became his mentor and taught him the ins and outs of the business. Having prior inspection experience and a basic understanding of home construction helped, but he asserts that the job is easy to learn. To illustrate, Lou guided his daughter, a stay-at-home mom with a side photography business, and in six weeks (two weeks spent on vacation), she earned around $1,200.

      **How the Work Actually Flows**

      Each bank provides a draw sheet, which is a checklist of items to be inspected. This list may contain as few as five line items or as many as 20 to 40, covering aspects such as:

      - permits

      - foundation

      - framing

      - final finish

      Lou follows the checklist and notes the completion level of each item. Speed is essential, as inspection companies typically expect the report to be returned within 24 to 48 hours, allowing the bank to approve and release funds. Lou maintains a flexible schedule since new requests may arise throughout the day. The night prior, he maps out his route using Google Maps for efficiency, and if a nearby job request comes in, he accommodates it as well.

      **Where the Jobs Come From**

      Lou does little cold calling. Instead, he registers with marketplace and connector services that link banks with local inspectors. He sets his own rates and competes effectively to secure jobs. The four services that keep him busy are:

      - Nationwide Loan Inspections

      - Built

      - RAZE

      - Inspection Pros, a North Carolina-based company run by his mentor Steve.

      He has also collaborated with Land Gorilla. Some platforms, like Built, allow lenders to select an inspector from a dropdown menu, so quality work can lead to repeat business. Others, such as Land Gorilla, post jobs for bidding, starting at around $45, potentially increasing to $55 if not filled.

      **The Money: What Lou Actually Earns**

      Lou meticulously tracks all his earnings in what he refers to as his profitability matrix. On average, he brings in about $4,150 each month and incurs costs of approximately $972. Most of these expenses are related to gas, around $780. Other costs include about $30 for software, $35 for insurance, $50 for his cell phone, and $75 for internet. Additionally, mileage can be deducted. Lou works roughly 91 hours a month, usually one full day and two half days weekly. He often spends more time driving than on-site, covering 115 to 200 miles daily through the mountains he enjoys.

      **Tools and Tech**

      Lou’s toolkit is straightforward. Most reports are uploaded through the respective