How To Become a Home Inspector

The consumer movement has spawned a new breed of savvy and demanding home buyers who want to know all they can about their potential home before making their final decisions. As a result, the opportunity is there for you to become a successful home inspector.

Becoming A Certified Home Inspector

While the numbers continue to grow, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) estimates that 77 percent of the homes sold in the United States and Canada today are inspected prior to purchase. This means that the market is still underserved and that the remaining growth potential is considerable. This trend leaves room for many to become a home inspector and construct a home inspection career, or even begin a home inspection company.

While the market determines what a home inspector can charge for an inspection, ASHI's 2005 Home Inspection Business Operations Study shows that the average cost of a home inspection is $318— and inspectors can expect to earn gross revenues of more than $75,000.

But before you go any further in the process, ask yourself these questions.

Are you the kind of person who…

• Doesn't want to be tied to a desk all day
• Has a desire to run a small business
• Is interested in construction and how things work
• Has a technical mind and likes to figure things out
• Is organized and clear-thinking
• Enjoys meeting and helping people and
• Is willing to learn and take an initiative 

Home Inspection Career

If that sounds like you, then now is the perfect time to start taking steps toward a challenging and rewarding career in home inspection!

Home Inspector Salary

On average, certified home inspectors will perform up to 250 home inspections per year and are generally hired by real estate agents and appraisers, lenders and banks, as well as relocation companies and home buyers. Since home inspectors will not need to make any fixes to the home, the work is often well refined. You show up, audit, and the home inspection process is usually completed in a single call with no loose ends to tie up and without an intricate follow-up.

How To Become A Home Inspector

Fundamentals to become a home inspector fluctuate depending upon where you reside, but when it comes to home inspection training, you should seek out a training program consisting of many encompassing lessons. Certified home inspectors evaluate homes for many different items. They observe numerous components of a home and test many others.

Make sure to know all state requirements even after you obtain your home inspection license. Governing bodies are subject to change their requirements at any time, and are not entitled to hold grandfather clauses. Many states and associations also require continuing education upon license renewal.

Make sure to market, market, market yourself. Becoming a home inspector requires finding your niche in this area that will really make you stand out from the others. Some home inspection training schools will have a marketing section of their program, which is a helpful tool to getting started in this industry.

A qualified home inspector must learn a number of subjects and have a keen eye, but because of their specialized knowledge, they remain sought after.

Home Inspection Business Opportunity

Finally, the financial investment and overhead needed to run a home inspection business are small compared to other businesses, making this a lucrative small business opportunity.

If you're ready to pursue your career as a Home Inspector and start up a business, we'll be giving you access to our "Home Inspection Business Plan" audio webinar.