| In response to a flood of inquiries about | | | | |
| pursuing a home inspection career and | | | | Is willing to learn and take initiative? |
| starting a home inspection company, we offer | | | | |
| the following information and also encourage | | | | If that sounds like you, then now is the |
| you to join ASHI. | | | | perfect time to start taking steps toward a |
| | | | challenging and rewarding career in home |
| Home Inspection Opportunities | | | | inspection! |
| | | | |
| Ever since home inspection first came on the | | | | How would you define a home inspection? |
| real estate scene in the mid-1970s, consumer | | | | |
| demand for the service has been growing | | | | A home inspection is a documented |
| rapidly. Home inspection is a young and | | | | professional opinion of a home based on a |
| growing professional consulting service aimed | | | | visual evaluation and operational testing of |
| at helping homebuyers make the biggest | | | | the home systems and components to determine |
| financial decision of their lives. The | | | | their present condition. |
| consumer movement has spawned a new breed of | | | | |
| savvy and demanding buyers who want to know | | | | What does a home inspector do all day? |
| all they can about their potential homes | | | | |
| before making their final decisions. As a | | | | A typical home inspector spends his or her |
| result, the opportunity is there for you to | | | | day inspecting homes for buyers, writing |
| become an ASHI home inspector. | | | | reports, speaking with prospective clients, |
| | | | and marketing to consumers or real estate |
| The Market is There for You to Become a Home | | | | agents. Let's look at a typical home |
| Inspector | | | | inspection: A client or real estate agent |
| | | | calls and books an inspection. In many cases, |
| While the numbers continue to grow, the | | | | the client has bought the home conditional on |
| American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) | | | | the results of a home inspection. When the |
| estimates that 77 percent of the homes sold | | | | inspection is booked, the fee will have been |
| in the United States and Canada today are | | | | set ($250 to $500 is common). The inspector |
| inspected prior to purchase. This means that | | | | may have sent the contract to the client by |
| the market is still underserved and that the | | | | e-mail or fax detailing the scope of work, |
| remaining growth potential is considerable. | | | | often defined by the ASHI Standards of |
| This trend leaves room for many to become a | | | | Practice. Most inspectors invite the client |
| home inspector and construct a home | | | | to attend the inspection. |
| inspection career, or even begin a home | | | | |
| inspection company. | | | | When the inspector and client arrive at the |
| | | | inspection the contract is signed (if this |
| While the market determines what a home | | | | has not been done earlier by fax or e-mail). |
| inspector can charge for an inspection, | | | | The inspector explains the process and begins |
| ASHI’s 2005 Home Inspection Business | | | | the inspection. An inspection may last from |
| Operations Study shows that the average cost | | | | two to three hours under normal |
| of a home inspection is $318— and | | | | circumstances. The inspector looks at the |
| inspectors can expect to earn gross revenues | | | | roof and the building exterior, including the |
| of more then $75,000. | | | | garage. Inspectors will explain the findings |
| | | | to the client as they go, describing the |
| Even more, home inspectors with talent and | | | | building condition and any improvements that |
| ambition can expand their business services | | | | may be recommended. The inspection continues |
| to include commercial inspections and expert | | | | inside the home and includes any basement or |
| witness testimony. Radon, lead-based paint, | | | | crawlspace, the living spaces, and any |
| septic systems and indoor air testing are | | | | accessible attic or roof spaces. Inspectors |
| just a few of the services that home | | | | frequently offer tips for operating and |
| inspectors can provide for additional fees. | | | | maintaining the home as they go, (e.g. |
| The financial investment and overhead needed | | | | explaining how to turn off water and power in |
| to run a home inspection business are small | | | | an emergency, how and when to change furnace |
| compared to other businesses, making this a | | | | filters, etc.). |
| lucrative small business opportunity. | | | | |
| | | | At the end of the inspection, the inspector |
| Do you have what it takes to be a successful | | | | and client review the findings. Some |
| home inspector? | | | | inspectors prepare and deliver their written |
| | | | report on site, while other inspectors write |
| Are you the kind of person who | | | | the report, based on their field notes, after |
| | | | the inspection. The inspection report is |
| Doesn't want to be tied to a desk all day, | | | | delivered quickly to the client, often within |
| | | | 24 hours, because the real estate transaction |
| Has a desire to run a small business, | | | | hangs in the balance. The client often pays |
| | | | the inspection fee onsite, and it is not |
| Is interested in construction and how things | | | | unusual for the client to say something like, |
| work, | | | | "That is the best money that I have ever |
| | | | spent." |
| Has a technical mind and likes to figure | | | | |
| things out, | | | | Most inspectors perform up to three |
| | | | inspections in a day. The inspector keeps a |
| Is organized and clear-thinking, | | | | copy of the report on file and processes the |
| | | | inspection fee payment, back at the office. |
| Enjoys meeting and helping people, and | | | | |