Table of Contents
As the US housing market continues to recover, home inspections have become more critical. These seven steps will lead you in the right direction for those looking to enter into this career field.
The home inspector’s salary is the amount of money that a home inspector makes. The average home inspector salary in the United States is around $30,000 per year.
The house inspection sector is predicted to develop in the next years. Home inspectors are specialists that conduct extensive inspections of residential homes, usually on behalf of purchasers, to uncover structural flaws or repairs that are required. It’s an excellent place to start with an average yearly salary of $62,860, infinite earning potential, and a flexible schedule. Every state has different criteria for state-approved education and experience, so here are the seven stages of becoming a home inspector in your state.
1. Check your state’s licensing requirements.
Because there is no uniform worldwide standard for a professional in-house inspection, the first step to becoming a home inspector is to fulfill your state’s criteria. While not every state requires a license to be a home inspector, the bulk of them needs you to finish 60 to 140 hours of training and pass a test. Many jurisdictions also require you to take on-the-job training under the supervision of an experienced inspector, which may range from 12 hours to a year.
Check your state’s licensure and experience requirements, as well as application documents.
2. Find Courses & Training That Work for You
Although not all states need house inspectors to be certified, you should still set aside time to attend courses and learn more about the intricacies of a home inspection to be successful in your chosen profession. If your state requires a license, you must finish the required curriculum within the specified time limit. Many home inspector schools provide both online and in-person training and the flexibility of weekend classes.
Whether or not house inspection training is required by state law, it will benefit you to understand better building and the challenges you’ll encounter in the field. Concentrate on issues such as:
- Types of houses
- Infrastructure and home systems
- Construction of a house
- Practice guidelines and a code of ethics
- Business best practices
- Tips for house inspectors on risk management
Pay particular attention to American Home Inspectors Training while looking for the top home inspector training courses (AHIT). All of these subjects and many more are covered in detail in AHIT, an entirely online system. It’s an excellent option for getting the training and assistance you need to begin your new profession.
3. Pass the Home Inspection Licensing Exam in Your State
Not all states need you to complete an examination before becoming a home inspector, similar to required courses. If it does, once you’ve fulfilled your state’s educational requirements, that’s the next step to take.
The National Home Inspection Exam, a four-hour exam with 200 multiple-choice questions, is used in most states. The test is graded on a scale of 200 to 800, with 500 being the pass mark. The price varies by state, but it is often between $200 and $300.
Check out the map below to see whether a licensing exam is necessary for your state, as well as the testing provider:
You may go to the next stage if your state does not need an exam; otherwise, you will take your test via PSI/AMP or Pearson VUE. Both are nationwide suppliers of real estate industry-based tests, often delivered on a computer at a local testing facility.
You’ll need to establish an account to access the scheduling portal on either website to register for your home inspection test. You may then schedule a test at a location near you and pay your charge with a credit or debit (ATM) card straight on the internet. Visit the National Home Inspection Examination website for additional information about testing in your state.
With a 55 percent pass rate, the house inspection test is unquestionably difficult. Consider using an exam preparation tool like CompuCram to ensure you pass on your first try. CompuCram offers flashcards, interactive study games, practice examinations, and a readiness indicator to measure your progress for $99 per month. Furthermore, they promise you will pass the test or refund your money.
4. Decide on a career path as a home inspector.
There are three primary career avenues to explore if you pass the license test or are otherwise qualified in your state:
- Working with a reputable company
- Starting your own company
- Purchasing a home inspection business
Each career path in the home inspection business has its own set of obstacles and benefits, so carefully explore all of your options before deciding on the one that best suits your objectives and aspirations.
Working for a Reputable Inspection Company
Working with a well-established organization is the most straightforward method to get started as a home inspector. You won’t have to start from zero in terms of customer or marketing plan; yet, this method may restrict your earning possibilities. Consider the following factors while deciding whether or not to work for an established inspection firm:
How to Start Your Own Home Inspection Company
You can manage every part of your business by creating your home inspection firm. Only your capacity to expand your home inspection firm will restrict your revenue potential.
According to AHIT, an experienced independent home inspector can make anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 per year doing eight to 10 inspections per week.
When starting a home inspection business, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Like many other occupations with boundless earning potential, starting your own inspection company comes with dangers and expenditures. Here are a few price factors to consider:
- Costs of advertising and marketing
- Purchasing your tools and equipment is a great way to save money.
- Errors and omissions insurance and liability insurance
- Dues to the association
- Office space, furniture, and technology
- Bookkeeping and tax preparation are examples of operating expenditures.
- Vehicle costs and upkeep
How to Start a Home Inspection Business
Having continuing contacts with real estate and mortgage lending professionals is the simplest method to keep your revenue steady as an independent home inspector. On the other hand, professional agents are inclined to deal with experienced house inspectors they already know and trust. It may be difficult, but not impossible, to persuade real estate agents to cooperate with you rather than an inspector with whom they already have a connection. As a new inspector, you might provide complimentary consulting services to start a working relationship.
Showcasing your unique abilities or expertise is another strategy to attract customers. If your community has a lot of historic properties, for example, knowing more about them than other home inspectors might be a huge advantage. Prepare marketing materials and attend networking events to meet prospective customers and other real estate professionals while researching and showcasing your skills.
Purchasing a home inspection business
When you buy a home inspection franchise, you’re getting a turnkey business whose brand is already established, even if you’ll be opening a new office. It’s essential to weigh your options before purchasing a home inspection business.
5. Acquire Errors & Omissions & General Liability Insurance
If you own an inspection business or your employer does not provide insurance, you will need to purchase errors and omissions (E&O) and general liability (GL) insurance. The costs and specific insurance requirements vary from state to state, but it’s a necessary part of every home inspector’s business.
E&O insurance protects you and your company if a client or homeowner accuses you of failing to report findings and decides to take legal action against you. GL insurance protects you from claims of missing or damaged items from the property.
Home inspector insurance policies are available from firms like Next Insurance or directly through the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). You may also look for home inspector insurance coverage tailored to your state.
6. Begin your career as a home inspector
When working with prospective homeowners and real estate professionals, you’ll need excellent communication skills to attract new customers and gain repeat business. Attend networking events organized by your local Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Realtors (NAR), National Association of Home Builders, and similar groups to begin creating connections with real estate and mortgage lending agents.
Joining industry and networking organizations might also help you advance in your profession. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), for example, offers members ongoing education, networking opportunities, and the opportunity to earn industry-recognized professional certifications.
Also, following your first meeting or recommendation, be sure to keep in touch with agents. That way, they’ll think of you first when inspections are required. Sending them a thank-you email for a client reference or setting up a lunch or coffee get-together may help you build a long-term friendship.
7. Take advantage of CE opportunities to keep learning.
Inspectors must complete continuing education (CE) programs in 29 states to keep their licenses current. These are the states:
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire is a state in the United States.
- New Jersey is a state in the United States.
- New Mexico is located in the United States.
- New York
- North Carolina is a state in the United States.
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Dakota is located in the United States.
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Even if your state doesn’t mandate it, all home inspectors should continue education. To remain competitive, a job in house inspection necessitates continual learning of new abilities, so consider attending professional development and CE certification seminars for home inspectors throughout your career.
The following are six of the most general continuing education and certifications for house inspectors:
- Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO): This certification course teaches you to spot termites, beetles, and various wood-decaying fungi in a house.
- This course teaches you how to detect structural deterioration and building flaws in and around the garage.
- This certification will teach you how to inspect a deck’s structural and construction concerns for buyers and sellers.
- Radon Tester: Take this course to learn about the radon detection procedure and how it might harm households.
- Mould Inspector: This certification course teaches you how to recognize various varieties of mold and how they damage the structural integrity of a house as well as the health of its residents.
- Commercial Inspector: A commercial inspection course teaches you how to check critical parts of various areas utilized for business, such as retail, manufacturing, office, and industrial spaces, such as wiring, construction, plumbing, and framework.
Additional credentials might help you stand out from the crowd and earn the confidence of future customers and recommending agents. Furthermore, many of these certification courses are available for free. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors offers approximately 60 different qualifications (InterNACHI).
