How Do I Become a Home Inspector?

If you are the type of person who enjoys adventures, then you may be the perfect fit for a career as a home inspector. You may be able to get a peek inside some of the most exquisite mansions within the United States. You may be able to check out the homes of celebrities and ensure that they meet city ordinances. As a home inspector, you also play an important role for protecting members of society. Your work ensures that a buyer does not purchase a home that is unsafe or poses risks to their health. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a home inspector?” When you want to become a home inspector, it is essential to pass the state licensing exam in the state in which you want to practice.

What’s it like to be a home inspector?

When you become a home inspector, you will need to stay abreast of all of the state laws that govern the maintenance of homes. You may spend your days reading up on property laws in your particular state. You may participate in an online training course that helps you learn new ways to inspect homes. Your major task will be to travel to homes and perform actual inspections. You will need to evaluate the electrical and plumbing systems of homes. It will be your task to ensure that these systems are fully functioning within a home. If there is a problem with one of these systems, then you will need to mark it on an inspection report. You will then need to submit the inspection report to the appropriate housing authority, and the homeowner will be required to remedy the problem with the home.

Education Requirements

When you want to become a home inspector, it is essential for you to obtain a bachelor’s degree in construction management or architecture. You may also need to take a training course in order to learn the proper methods for conducting an inspection of a home. It is also wise to obtain mentoring from an established home inspector. A mentorship will provide you with the opportunity to learn about the intricacies in conducting inspections. You will learn how to conduct an inspection, and you will also learn how to interact with homeowners in a professional manner. You should research whether you need to obtain a permit to be an intern for an inspector. In most states, you need to have a permit in order to work as an intern for an inspector. You should also make sure that you have passed the certification exam for your state in order to practice as a home inspector. It may also be necessary for you to have a certain amount of insurance. You may need to have $100,000 in insurance in order to be a home inspector.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The starting salary for a home inspector is about $52,000 a year. When you want to become a home inspector, it is important to join the local building inspector associations in the community. This will provide you with the opportunity to network and establish yourself as an inspector in the community. You may also want to check out whether any open positions exist at your local housing authority.

References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_4794982_become-certified-home-inspector.html
2. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/construction-and-building-inspectors.htm