what course do i need to become a house inspector

by Kade Fritsch 3 min read

  1. Research home inspector license requirements in your state. There’s no national standard for certification. Every state has different requirements to become a house inspector.
  2. Study up with pre-licensing home inspection classes. This job is half property inspection, half customer service. If you’re coming into home inspection from either field, congrats.
  3. Get a home inspection certification & get educated. Not every state requires training, but any home inspector worth their salt with take a number of educational courses and follow ...
  4. Make sure you stay certified by getting Liability/E&O insurance. People are protective of their homes. ...
  5. Get hired by a home inspection company – or start your own business. ...

Many states require you to complete pre-licensing training and pass the national or state home inspection exam to receive your license. Some states allow you to complete the training online, while others require you to take a classroom course.

What education is needed to become a home inspector?

What Education is Needed to Become a Home Inspector. The requirements for home inspectors vary in every state, which is why it’s incredibly important that you stringently check your home states requirements. Some states, such as Texas, require everything from coursework to apprenticeship, while others, like Idaho,...

Why take home inspector pre-licensing courses?

A little knowledge goes a long way. Pre-licensing courses help you learn the ropes before your first inspection, giving you an advantage over competitors. ATI offers home inspector pre-licensing classes online and in-person, keeping you on-track to dominate the field no matter your schedule.

How do I study for the home inspection exam?

Study for the home inspection exam. The National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) offers a comprehensive list of content that will show up on your exam. Go to their website to get a copy of the outline and research each of the tops in greater detail.

Do you need a license to be a home inspector in Texas?

In Texas you need to pass pre-licencing courses and complete 128 classroom hours before you can take your inspector's exam. In New York you need to pass pre-licencing courses and complete 140 classroom hours. Idaho does not require you to have a license to be a home inspector.

How do I become a home inspector UK?

Overview. You must apply to the Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR) if you want to become an approved building inspector. You'll be assessed every 5 years to keep your approval - CICAIR will contact you around 18 months before your approval expires.

How do I become a home inspector in South Africa?

Inspector Exam & Inspection Training Courses for South AfricaTake the free, online InterNACHI® South Africa Home Inspector Exam to assesses the core knowledge areas, critical work functions, and skills typically found across a representative sampling of home inspectors in South Africa.Take the Exam.More items...

How do I succeed as a home inspector?

Technical knowledgeFind a mentor.Get licensed or professionally certified.Join a professional home inspection association, such as InterNACHI or ASHI.Continue inspection training.Go on walkthroughs with different specialists (even later in your career)Ask a lot of questions.More items...•

What are the risks of being a home inspector?

The hazards of being a home inspectorContaminated air. Dangerous gases and fumes and contaminated air are hazards to home inspectors. ... Cuts. ... Electrocution. ... Falling. ... Head injuries.

How much does a home inspection cost in South Africa?

between R2000-4000An average home inspection report will cost the buyer between R2000-4000, depending on size, but the peace of mind and potential monetary savings are invaluable.

How do I become a health inspector in South Africa?

Health inspectors typically earn a bachelor's degree in occupational health, a natural science or environmental sciences. Whether or not you earn a degree, you need to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of natural sciences to work as a health inspector.

Are home inspectors knowledgeable?

Home inspectors essentially need to perform at the same level as a licensed contractor. They need to be experts in all facets of the home, from foundations to roof shingles, from furnaces to electrical panels, from wet basements to mold. In other words, today's home inspector must be highly trained in order to succeed.

How much does it cost to become a home inspector in Florida?

Option #1: Complete all 120 hours of training online (free to members). Course # 0000517. Option #2: Complete 80 hours of the training online and 40 hours in a classroom. The cost is $1,899.

How much does a home inspector make in NY?

$74,563 per yearHow Much Does a Home Inspector Make in New York? The average annual salary for a home inspector in the state of New York is $74,563 per year or $31.92 per hour. Salaries can range from $78,997 to $103,624 depending on where you work in the state.

How stressful is being a home inspector?

You should expect long days, long drives, physical demands, and that you will make mistakes. So many havea fear of making mistakes; you will and every inspector has. Because you may overlook something, a good business will carry the proper insurance, have a written contract, and adopt a Standard of Practice.

How many home inspectors are there in the US?

The North American home inspection industry is made up of only about 30,000 inspectors in the U.S. and Canada (nearly 25,000 of whom are members of InterNACHI®), and most of you are about to get swamped with home inspection jobs.

How long does it take to become a home inspector in Florida?

120 hoursThe Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR website for home inspectors) requires individuals to complete 120 hours of state-approved training, pass a state exam, and submit an application to the state. InterNACHI has a state-approved pre-licensing course and a state exam available.

Q. How Much Does a Home Inspector Make Annually?

Home inspectors can expect to make a median salary of around $66,000 yearly. The range of salaries begin near $57,000 and cap off around $78,000.

Q. What Kind of Education is Required to be a Home Inspector?

Home Inspectors educations will vary by state, but it’s typically a safe bet to assume that you’ll need a high school diploma or GED equivalent, a...

Q. What Does a Home Inspector Do?

As a home inspector, you’ll be evaluate the conditions of home and building (both interior and exterior) for prospective home buyers in order to re...

Q. Which States Require License to Work as a Home Inspector?

Each state varies on the requirements needed. To check your home state’s requirements, check out the map below:

How to become a home inspector?

To become a home inspector, you have to obtain the necessary licenses, gain years of industry experience and pursue vital certifications that enable you to perform your job expertly. Here are the steps you can take to become a home inspector:

What do you need to know as a home inspector?

As a home inspector, you must clearly understand a problem and communicate your observations and recommendations in a clear format. You must also be capable of writing accurate and thorough reports with clear instructions for repair and maintenance.

What is a home inspector?

A home inspector is an independent person who examines a property for significant issues when it is on the market or when a client wants to get their property inspected. It involves checking the safety and functional performance of a real estate property before the buyer purchases it. It is important to understand that home inspection does not include reporting on the design and aesthetic aspects of the house. A potential buyer appoints a home inspector to identify any safety and functionality issues in a property so that they can raise them during price negotiation.

Why do potential buyers appoint home inspectors?

A potential buyer appoints a home inspector to identify any safety and functionality issues in a property so that they can raise them during price negotiation. Related: How to Become a Building Inspector.

How much does a home inspector make?

On average, the base salary for a home inspector is around $53,645 per year in the United States and approximately $32,000 as commission per year. The home inspector's salaries may vary depending on the geographical location and employment type. A candidate's qualification and experience may also impact potential earnings.

What is the importance of attention to detail in home inspection?

Attention to detail. As a home inspector, you must be meticulous and thorough in your inspection process. This helps you identify any potential problems and report on them for the safety of the home inhabitants.

What is the job of a housekeeper?

Ensure every functionality of the house is working correctly and keep a record of any repair or maintenance

How Long Will it Take to Become a Home Inspector?

Becoming a self employed home inspector takes more than a 3-day course and a bare minimum certification. If you want to become a boss in the industry and make more money than you ever have before, you need MORE and BETTER experience in the field than your peers.

What does it mean to be a home inspector?

Being a home inspector means great pay, flexible hours and—most importantly—job security. With every house bought and sold, home inspectors stay in demand, setting you up for life. If you want to become a home inspector, but the process seems complicated (it’s not), these steps will guide you through it. This is how to become a home inspector, ...

What can I do with an ATI certification?

With an ATI certification, you can be your own boss, get stable employment and even purchase a home inspection company for yourself.

How many classes does ATI require?

ATI offers more than 40 state-specific training courses so you can become a home inspector fast.

Do I need an engineering degree to be a home inspector?

The good news: You don’t need to be an engineering expert to be a successful home inspector. But you’re going to be inspecting buildings for a living. A little knowledge goes a long way. Pre-licensing courses help you learn the ropes before your first inspection, giving you an advantage over competitors. ATI offers home inspector pre-licensing classes online and in-person, keeping you on-track to dominate the field no matter your schedule.

Can a realtor find a home inspector?

A good place to start: realtors. More often than not, homeowners trust their realtor to find a qualified home inspector (you). When realtors find a home inspector they can trust (queue: technical smarts and people skills), they’ll hire them again and again.

What is the best way to become a home inspector?

By getting the right education and certification and continuing to hone your skills , you can have a fulfilling career as a home inspector. [1]

How to get a home inspector license?

Take home inspection and licensing courses. There are various organizations and educational institutions that offer home inspection courses. If you don't want to go to a physical location like a Kaplan University, you can take online courses to achieve your license. Organizations that offer online courses include Inspection Certification Associates, American Home Inspectors Training, and the American Society of Home Inspectors.

What is a home inspector group?

A home inspectors group will provide you a wealth of knowledge in the form of distance education and classroom training. The top organizations for home inspectors in the U.S. include the NAHI (The National Association of Home Inspectors) and the ASHI (The American Society of Home Inspectors).

What is the National Home Inspector Examination?

The National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) offers a comprehensive list of content that will show up on your exam. Go to their website to get a copy of the outline and research each of the tops in greater detail. Make sure to study the content that will be on the test sufficiently before registering for the test.

How much cut does a company take from inspection fees?

A drawback from working for a firm is that they will typically take a 40-60% cut of your inspection fee.

What franchises offer home inspections?

Popular home inspection franchises that you can purchase include Ameri-Spec Inspection Services, Home Team, WIN, and A Pro.

How many hours do you need to take the inspector's exam in Texas?

Some states require you to also pass a background and criminal history check. In Texas you need to pass pre-licencing courses and complete 128 classroom hours before you can take your inspector's exam. In New York you need to pass pre-licencing courses and complete 140 classroom hours.

What is a home inspector?

A home inspector is responsible for inspecting recently purchased properties to make sure there are not any issues. They closely review homes' structures and their details by taking note of any concerns in order to prevent immediate or future problems. For instance, they may identify issues with a home's walls, roof, plumbing or electrical wiring.

How much does a home inspector make?

The national average salary for a home inspector is $52,786 per year. Home inspectors' salaries vary depending on where you live, your years of professional experience and your education.

Requirements to be a home inspector

To become a home inspector, you must meet certain requirements, including:

How to become a home inspector

To become a home inspector, it is important to first research your state's license requirements to become certified. Use an online search engine to find your state's required home inspector certifications, necessary training courses and the number of required training hours, if applicable.

How long does it take to become a home inspector?

But if you want to be a top home inspector in your state it takes more time. It can take two weeks to three months to take the education and training courses prior to the exam depending on the state. Your other time obligations and limitations also play a part in the time it takes.

How many hours do you need to be a home inspector?

There are a few states that actually require 400 hours of education to become a real estate inspector.

How much does a home inspector make?

Based on the reports of the Bureau of Labor home inspectors across the United States make a median salary of $58,000 per year. There are multiple states with averages higher than this but over all, those who become a real estate inspector will make around $28 an hour or $450 per inspection.

What is the most important part of being a home inspector?

The most important part is making sure the inspectors career goals can be met. The two different directions can decide job security as well as income possibilities. They will also determine the amount of initial legwork that is needed to launch a career as a home inspector.

How much does it cost to start a home inspection business?

With education, business cards, and supplies the minimal start-up costs could be around $500.

What is the first step in home inspection?

For most states the first step will be the pre-licensing home inspection course offered in your state. There are many education companies that will offer this program, but make sure it is tailor made for your state.

Why do people become home inspectors?

One of the top reasons people become home inspectors is to work for themselves. Being able to set your own schedule as well as have some much needed work/life balance is appealing to many students. The self-employment route is a popular way to begin a career as a home inspector.

How long does it take to become a home inspector?

However, since most states require some form of education, examination, and licensure, the typical time to go from unlicensed to working as a home inspector is about six weeks.

How many hours of continuing education do you need to do a home inspection?

Each state’s continuing education requirements are unique, but typically, you’ll be required to complete from 10 to 20 hours of some kind of formal professional development or CE every two years.

How much does a home inspector make?

Yes. The median income for a home inspector in the United States is $58,000, and more if you own your own business. This earning potential is excellent news for anyone considering entering the home inspection industry. But wait—there’s more.

How much does it cost to get a home inspection license?

They typically must be completed on paper and mailed to the state’s licensing board. Application fees range from $75 to $300.

What is the NHIE exam?

If your state requires a licensing exam, it is typically the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). It may seem counterintuitive that while there isn’t national regulation or licensing of the home inspection industry, there is a national exam.

Do home inspectors work in real estate?

Yes. Since home inspectors are a critical link in the residential home purchase process, they are almost always in high demand. Since the home inspector’s role is so closely tied to the real estate transaction and market in general, market fluctuations often result in changes in consumer demand for inspection services.

Do home inspectors have to have an apprenticeship?

Finding a job is the direction most new home inspectors take, and, in fact, it is the required choice in states where there is a mandatory “apprenticeship” period, which is the case in about a third of the country.

So you want to be a home inspector?

Becoming a home inspector requires more than knowing how an HVAC system works or looking for issues in a crawl space.

Become a licensed home inspector

If the state in which you will work requires that you obtain a home inspector license, then you will need to obtain that license through a state-approved program.

Pre-licensing and certifications

Future home inspectors can complete pre-licensing courses. For home inspectors, pre-licensing courses are preparation for the license examination.

How to succeed as a home inspector

Once you are working as a home inspector, you will have to maintain regular customer inflow and continually improve your knowledge of home inspection. Some states require continuing education. If your state does not, then opting in for continuing education will set your business up for success.

Navigating your home inspection business

If you are interested in becoming a home inspector, it may seem difficult and frustrating to identify the right way to start this process. Find the right resources to help you to navigate this process.

How to become a home inspector?

If you live in a regulated state 1 Identify regulatory body and determine requirements for your state. Your state’s regulatory body is the best source to answer any requirement questions. 2 Meet state requirements for education, training or experience. 3 Study for and pass an approved exam, such as the National Home Inspector Examination®. The NHIE is used in 35 states. To find out if your state uses the exam, visit our State Regulations page. 4 Submit an application and pay fees. 5 Undergo background checks and moral character determinations. 6 Purchase insurance. 7 Get to work! 8 Get master-level certified, such as ASHI Certified Inspectors or Certified CREIA Inspector. 9 Renew license over time.

How to become a home inspector in a regulated state?

Your state’s regulatory body is the best source to answer any requirement questions. Meet state requirements for education, training or experience. Study for and pass an approved exam, such as the National Home Inspector Examination®.

How long does it take to become a home inspector?

Becoming a certified home inspector doesn’t take long. It only takes a few days in some cases. Just pass the exam.

How much does a home inspector make?

The better you get, the more you charge, the more you make. The average home inspector salary in the United States is nearly $60,000. Are you ready to become your own boss and make more money than you ever have before?

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