The Biggest Mistake New Inspectors Make in January

You just finished your certification. You’re excited. You’re ready to inspect.And then, you sign up for a $99/month software subscription.

Stop.

The hardest part of this business is the first 6 months. It takes time to build referrals. If you start with high fixed costs (overhead), you are putting a ticking clock on your success.

In 2026, successful startups are using the "Zero Overhead" model.

The Problem with 14-Day Trials

Most software companies give you 14 days to try their app. That’s fine for a video game, but terrible for a new business.

• Are you a busy parent?
• Are you working a second job?
• Do you need time to practice mock inspections?

A 14-day timer creates anxiety. It forces you to pay before you are ready.

The Solution: SwiftReporter’s "Free Forever" Trial

We believe you shouldn't pay a cent until you are making money.

1. Unlimited Mock Inspections: Take 3 months to practice. Take 6 months. We don't care. The software is full-featured and free for training.
2. No Credit Card Required: We don't want your money by accident.
3. The "Pay-As-You-Go" Launch: When you finally get that first paying client, don't jump to a subscription. Just pay $12.99 for that single report.

The "Scott" Strategy

We recently advised a new inspector named Scott. He was looking at expensive software for his 4 mock inspections. Our advice: Use the free tool for the mocks. Use the $12.99 pay-per-report for your first 10 jobs. Only switch to a monthly plan when you are so busy that it saves you money.

That is how you survive Year 1.

Ready to launch with Zero Overhead? Create Your Free Account Now

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