Home Inspections

The path to becoming a home inspector begins with education. After completing an education program, you also need to take advantage of the resources that home inspection associations provide. In the meantime, you will also want to consider all of the business aspects of home inspection and decide whether you want to start your own home inspection company or join an established firm.

There are many schools and organizations that offer home inspector training. Many of them use correspondence courses by video, mail or online. Many offer smaller programs to learn or review specific areas of home inspection, which is useful for those who start out with some relevant background knowledge and experience or established home inspectors who want to increase their specific knowledge. Some organizations also have in person classes available, and many of these classes are geared toward the adult learner who may need to study around a current full-time job. No matter which instruction method, these training programs address all of the state specific rules for entering the field and typically culminate in a comprehensive home inspector's exam. Another great benefit of these programs is that they include small business and general customer service overviews. Students learn how to start and promote a business, so these components will be particularly helpful for those who choose to run their own home inspection business. Finally, not only will you learn how to inspect homes but also how to write clear reports for clients. Your instructor may also introduce you to home inspection software and devices used to write reports. With the program completed and exams passed, the home inspector should consider joining a professional organization for home inspectors.

Home Inspection associations offer a variety of membership benefits to those in the field. Many potential clients are actually looking for a home inspector who belongs to one or more organizations because of the high standards these groups expect of their members. In this way, membership may also be used in advertising your services. In order to join, a home inspector usually has to demonstrate some competence in the field by either providing a state license (if the state requires it) or taking an exam given by the association. Once a member, the home inspector must adhere to the "Standards of Practice" for the organization. By providing clear guidelines to follow, these associations protect the inspector, clients and the profession. Beyond that, these groups usually require that inspectors keep their knowledge up-to-date through continuing education, and most associations offer a number of classes and seminars for their members. Besides those opportunities, these organizations also offer newsletters, discussion forums, example cases and other materials to aid the home inspector. Finally, many associations also have local chapters, which are great for connecting with others in the profession. These local chapters may even offer a mentorship program for new home inspectors as well. Considering the professional seal of approval, training aids, and local connections these associations offer, they are an invaluable asset for home inspector.

Home inspection is traditionally a small business venture, but it is up to the inspector to determine how hard they are willing to work to become successful. With a low amount of overhead, a home inspector can certainly launch a solo company, but they will want to put together a good business plan. There are many state-specific rules and requirements, so it may be a good idea to take a small business class or contact a lawyer to clarify the process and paper work. Some inspectors prefer to at least start out with a firm already in place, since these groups offer guidance and mentorship for those new to home inspection as well as an established brand and client network. Another option is to buy into a home inspection franchise, which will give you the control of your own company without the hassle of building it from the ground up. However, no matter how you decide to use your training, it is critical that you have the right training and knowledge to get your business off to a great start.