Are you thinking about becoming a home inspector? Here are a handful of things you’ll want to know, as well as resources to get you started.
Firstly, all states have different requirements for getting licensed, and in some states you don’t even need to get licensed at all. There are a number of industry bodies that support licensing with training courses. This resource from one such body allows you to click on your state, province, or country to learn the requirements for becoming a home inspector.
Taking Indiana as an example, you can see there is a free course, followed by some mandatory time in the field, and then a state exam. In Florida, budding home inspectors-to-be will need to complete 120 hours of training that is approved by the state, pass the state exam, and submit an official state application.
If you’d like to get more familiar with the industry, HomeGauge, which provides a suite of tools for home inspectors, including inspection report writing software, put on a free virtual conference in 2020. You can watch the recordings here.
New home inspectors typically go down one of two paths:
- Being an independent inspector
- Working for a multi-inspector firm
Most people start with the intention of taking the independent approach. Flexible hour, and working as much as you can makes a lot of sense. In reality, more than 80% or so of inspections are referrals from a home buyer’s Realtor, which means the inspector has to build relationships with Realtors over time to get the business. That likely results in a slow first year, or possibly two.
The alternative path is to become part of a multi-inspector firm. Sometimes these jobs are salaried, while other multi-inspector companies hire contractors.
Two big chains are:
All that said, there are other avenues to explore, such as becoming an RV inspector. This is a growing market, and some people make it a real lifestyle business. The official certifying body is the NRVIA. Here is the NRVIA’s take on how to become an RV inspector.
If you decide to pursue any of these paths towards becoming an inspector, what the official bodies charge for training or licensing, the cost of report writing software and other tools, and sometimes a state application fee, are likely an amount you would have to pay.
If you are just starting out as a home inspector — or if you are thinking about becoming a home inspector, here are articles that are relevant for the stage you’re at in your career:
Should You Work for a Home Inspection Company or Be Your Own Boss? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself
What Should a Home Inspector Charge for a Home Inspection?
The Keys to Setting Your Home Inspection Business up for Success
How Home Inspectors Can Win Over Real Estate Agents
What Tools Does a Home Inspector Need to Succeed?
What’s the Best Business Structure for Your Home Inspection Company?
How to Promote Your Home Inspection Business
How to Improve as a Home Inspector
Even experienced home inspectors might find these articles to be helpful, too!
