Hello everyone, I am interested in becoming a property inspector, either home or commercial or both. I have been working in Aviation maintenance for while, and I’ve been thinking about changing the path I’m on. I want to know how one can go about getting into the field. I know there’s lots of training and certifications, but do I need to get experience while getting all of the certs? Does one need to work for an inspection company to get experience, or can I get the certs and just jump in working for myself? I don’t know anyone personally that works in this field, so experienced/ professional guidance would be much appreciated, Thanks in advance!
Victoria it would help if we knew where you were located and what attracted you to this field. Do you have any familiarity with homes, home construction , systems etc. Unless you want to spend a lot of money and then find out it doesn’t suit you, these questions need to be answered first.
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Hi Victoria,
As Bob stated it helps to know what stae you’re in, some states require licensing.
Do you have an A&P license?
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Thanks for your response Bob! I am located in Savannah Georgia… I have no professional experience with homes or construction, however I have owned multiple homes (old homes) that have had a variety of issues and I have become an avid DIYer. (I know that does not qualify me for anything) but I have learned a few things and I know I’m not afraid of attics roofs or crawl spaces. I think that my interest was sparked when I was addressing some issues with my current home, and like I mentioned I want to change my career path and doing something that I would enjoy and could work for myself is a plus!
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You’d be surprised that qualifies you as a person who can appreciate the steps to accomplish a project. First step is recognizing the steps you’re not familiar with. Some can’t even do that. Education is the place to start (does your state require it?). The course material will introduce you to aspects of HI you’ll want to pursue further and develop your interest. If you find you’re not interested you can bow out and you will still have learned something.
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Two basic paths to consider - private (which is what we here are) or government. Most states have licensing for private HIs which involves passing a test and maybe some other things. Public inspectors (often called AHJs for “Authority Having Jurisdiction”) pass tests and get “certs”. Carrying multiple “certs” makes you much more appealing to be hired by a city/county. For example if you get a plumbing, HVAC and structural cert a smaller building department would be more likely to hire you as they may only need one or two inspectors. Electrical is often the “odd man out”. The city I used to live in (+/- 50K people) did permits for everything except electrical. For that you had to go to the county.
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However you decide to proceed, KEEP your day job.
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Hello Victoria, maybe @tglaze or @bcawhern1 can chime in with what may be required in Georgia to become an HI. I am not sure if you will be able to see the following links, but it’s worth a shot…
InterNACHI® - International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
How to Become a Home Inspector - Free Home Inspector Webinar - InterNACHI®
How to Become a Certified Home Inspector - Free Home Inspector Webinar - InterNACHI®
Here are the same videos on YouTube:
How to Become a Home Inspector - YouTube
How to Become a Certified Home Inspector Class with Ben Gromicko - YouTube
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Hi Victoria, I am in GA. In GA, home inspectors are not required to be licensed.
I think a mentor will be very valuable. You can seek a mentor near you. I am enrolled in the InterNACHI mentorship program if you do not find help in your area. (I am in Atlanta)
I will be happy to share with you the path I chose. You can email me directly at bc@choosesuperiorinspection.com for further questions.
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Go for it!! You will like it and be good at it, by the sounds of it. I had years of experience in home remodels before becoming a Home Inspector. It helped to understand much of the material.
InterNACHI was my choice to get certified because they had the highest credentials and since have become a University. The support is second to none! They have everything you need to be a good HI.
Once you get Certified, Insured, and registered as a business with your state, you should start inspecting. Experience in the field will make you better so no need to wait. Just follow the SOP and Code of Ethics with every inspection.
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This may also help:
start with this and see how you do , the exam is free
the exam will show you the things you will need to know do be a home inspector. If you want to do commercial inspections visit https://ccpia.org/ to get certified in commercial inspections, they are completely different.
Here is the way it goes…
The Realtor’s weed out most of the unskilled incompetent home inspectors in their 1st year, so yeah being a home inspector who looks, acts and talks like a home inspector is important, Realtor’s are the gatekeeper.
Those home inspectors who actually make it through their third year did so by being able to sell well in their market, the lack of sales skills to me is the biggest impediment to getting to your third year in business.
This profession is dominated by people whose previous technical experience and sales skills have come together for success, it is rarely kind to those individuals who are lacking in these two crucial resources.
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