Home Inspectors FAQ’s
Make an Informed Choice About Your Home Inspection Career
Here’s a list of frequently asked questions about the home and property inspection – We offer both classroom and webinar training. If you have any additional questions please contact us a 1-800-676-3006 or email rich@floridacontractor.com. A helpful representative is available to assist you with all of your learning needs.
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is an objective limited visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation, sometimes pool, docks, outbuildings, and more…
Why do customers need a home inspection?
The purchase of a home is probably the largest single investment someone will ever make. They should learn as much as you can about the condition of the property and the need for any major repairs before they buy so that they can minimize unpleasant surprises and difficulties afterward.
Of course, a home inspection also points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, they will have a much clearer understanding of the property they are about to purchase.
A home inspection may be used to identify problems in the making and to learn preventive measures which might avoid costly future repairs. If a customer is planning to sell their home, you may wish to have an inspection prior to placing the home on the market. This will give them a better understanding of conditions that may be discovered by the buyer’s inspector, and an opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.
Also, banks, lenders, realtors, and property management companies require license home inspections.
What does a home inspection include?
A standard Florida Home Inspection will include the;
- heating and central air conditioning system (HVAC)
- Plumbing system
- Electrical system
- the roof system and components
- All Interior components; walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors
- the foundation, structural components
- The exterior of the home
- Site condition affecting the structure
- Wind Mitigations
- Roofs Condition Reports
- 4 – point Inspection
Do I need a college degree or any License?
No / Yes. You do not need a college degree to become a home inspector. Becoming a home inspector is an excellent option for those who want to get into a growing industry and enjoy a solid career, but who don’t have a college degree. Note that some states require that you pass an exam to become licensed (Florida)
Do I need industry experience?
While basic experience in construction or home building helps, it is by no means a prerequisite to becoming a home inspector. All you need is an interest in working in the housing and real estate industry, and home inspection training to know what to look for during real estate home inspections.
In order to obtain a license in Florida, you must have 120 classroom hours of training, and pass a proctored exam.
Do I need to belong to one of those expensive associations?
Absolutely NOT! Anyone that uses scare tactics to make you pay they are not worth joining. They show their “Ethical Standards” right upfront. They are only voluntary certifications. After joining the school you become an automatic member of the nationally recognized ACICP. (The Association of Construction Industry Certified Professionals)
What are the employment options for home inspectors?
Home inspectors have a solid set of career options, thanks in part to the flexibility that conducting a real estate home inspection offers. This is no 9-to-5, sit-behind-a-desk-all-day, and report-to-a-boss job. Home Inspectors set their own schedules, and have plenty of options. While some home inspectors opt to work full time for a home inspection company, even more, opt to branch out on their own and create their own lucrative home inspection careers where the opportunities are limitless.
Most home sales require a home inspection, and real estate agents, brokers, and lenders all need inspection professionals to verify the general condition of a house prior to purchase. By partnering with local agencies and brokerages, you can quickly build a profitable home inspection career, while working according to your own schedule, free from the constraints of a routine job.
How do The Contractors Institute courses compare to other schools?
I’m sure there are other good schools out there, but you get the advantage of partnering with a nationally accredited home inspection school without paying more for it. Our home inspection programs are competitively priced with other online training options that don’t offer the same quality courses that you’ll get from other schools. Keep in mind we only train Florida Home Inspectors, so we only deal with Florida issues, not Wisconsin’s.
Can you really get your home inspection training online?
Of course. In fact, it’s the most convenient and inexpensive way to become a home inspector, and with The Inspection Institute, you get the advantages of a traditional live course and more without spending extra money and countless hours in a classroom. With the economy the way it is, inflated hotel cost, and gas prices going up, it’s more cost-effective for our students and they can learn at their own pace.
Can home inspectors specialize in certain expertise?
Yes. Many home inspectors offer specialized inspection services that are not covered in a general home inspection, including mold testing, termite inspections, swimming pool and spa inspections, well and septic system inspections, home maintenance inspections, troubleshooting inspections for homes with problems, pre-listing inspections for homes about to be sold, and inspections of new homes throughout the construction process.
Lead, asbestos, and carbon monoxide testing, as well as radon testing and commercial building inspections, are other specializations. Getting home inspection training in a specialization will not only increase the number of real estate home inspections you can conduct, but it will also increase how much money you can make per inspection, as home inspectors charge more for specialty inspections.
What is an affordable Home Inspection Software Program?
Where can I get more home inspection training information?
If you need more information please email me or call us.
Still, have questions? Call us at (800) 676-3006 for assistance today