I hope I’m being tactful enough to not hurt anyones feelings.
To take the Missouri Septic Installers 3 day course 10 years ago, I went to Columbia, Missouri - spent 4 nights at a Hampton Inn, paid the Tuition to the State, etc. Cost about $550 and lost inspections.
About 1 month ago to take the 2 Day Stucco Class at NACHI in Boulder that was FREE to out-of-state NACHI members I drove 11.5 hours in snow and ice to get there; spent 4 nights in a hotel; food; gas; tolls; etc. Approximate cost was about $650.
To take John McKenna’s 2 Day class in IR in Boulder in the Spring, I drove 10.5 hrs (no snow); spent 4 nights in a motel; the class fee of $450; gas; food; etc. My cost about $850.
Last fall I put on a 2 day educational seminar in Kansas City for the Kansas home inspectors association (KARCI). I held it at a local Marriot Courtyard Hotel. I had 45 inspectors at $195 each. AFTER paying the hotel for the meeting room; meals and breaks; mailouts, postage, labels, brochures; speaker fees; etc. - We made $1,175 on the whole thing.
Thats a whole lot of work for that amount of money.
Bottom line - Education costs. It costs the people that put it on a lot. In both $$$$$ and time.
If $30 is too rich for your blood to pick up some decent education, maybe you oughta do yourself and home inspection a favor and consider another line of work.
IMHO