So, I am a licensed inspector in Arkansas but I have not left my day job as a automotive technician to start my home inspection business, yet. I have been on about 10 ride-alongs. I am very nervous about jumping from a guaranteed paycheck to trying to make it in the inspection world but the goal is to be a full time inspector. I’ve spent a lot of time preparing marketing strategies and I would have about 4-6 months living expenses in savings when I start. My main fear is having confidence in my ability to give good inspections. I realize no inspector has that confidence when they first start out but I’m just looking for some advice and hopefully assurance that I will learn as I go.
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You’ll never hit a home run unless you take a swing
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Don’t quit your day job. Work both, schedule your inspections on your days off. You’ll have a better sense of when to go full time once the inspection phone starts ringing.
There is a TON of information in the archives on this forum to help you through the process.
Good luck
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What is your market like?
Will you post your website or how you plan to get clients?
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So true. Gotta get in that batter’s box, lol!
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That’s the immediate plan. I was thinking I could offer myself as a weekend emergency option and explain that I am trying to build experience and get some reps under my belt. The good thing is, that my retired dad has been doing inspections with a local inspector that lives next door to him and when I go my dad is going to ride with me as my helper. That will give me time that I haven’t had to hang out with my dad, a second set of eyes, and someone that has some inspection experience. So I am blessed in that way.
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Pray about it. Often. 
^^This
There’s a saying amongst agents that, “all real estate is local”, meaning anything is possible or could be happening in your market and it may not be what’s happening elsewhere. Same goes for inspectors. Some markets have a demand, others have excess supply. If you’re in a supply-heavy market, best to stick with the day job.
As a whole, the industry is not in a great place compared to past times. Biggest factor is rates that have doubled or tripled in the last +/- 5 years and people with those low locked in rates don’t want to move. Also, lots of general economic chaos in the world right now which makes people less likely to make a big life change like upgrading to a new house.
But, again, it all depends on your market so get out and do some local research.
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Evening, Joseph. Pleasure to meet you.
You are relatively new to inspections. Stick with your technician job. Keep studying the home inspection class material.
Keep doing what you are doing and be proactive in shadowing.
I have had inspectors shadow me for months. At times every day of the week. Not many became successful businesses but your education lasts a lifetime and has intrinsic value.
Keep at it and don’t stop your full time job for now. As well, do not tell anyone at work your dreams. When the time is right you will know it.
Personally I would never say- explain anything like that. I don’t think too many people would feel confident letting you practice and get experience under your belt by inspecting their huge investment.
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Inventory is lower and houses are staying on the market longer right now in my area. I would be a bit nervous about giving up guaranteed money and jumping in full time at this point.
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Agreed. Agents don’t like to refer newbies and people that are shopping for an inspector wouldn’t want to hire someone with little to no experience.
Keep at it and best of luck to you!
BTW, fill out your profile… NEW MEMBERS, Filling Out Your Profile & Signature
Visit often and never stop learning!!!
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I never had the option. I got laid off, and had no choice but to go in head 1st…
Everyone freaks out about doing a good inspection.
Quite simply: Doing the inspection is the easy part (and it’s not that easy)
Getting the phone to ring is the hard part.
Need more confidence? Inspect the homes of friends and/or relatives that are NOT buying/selling as practice. I did like 20 of those before my 1st paid inspection. I’d create the report. Then I’d compare it to sample reports of inspectors all over the country.
To be brutally honest, it takes most businesses, HI or otherwise, roughly a full year of marketing to get going. And most inspectors don’t see a profit until after 2 years.
In that regard, I’d keep the day job for a while. Get your website going, social media going, business cards, rack cards, and find out where the real estate agents hang out. There is a lot to do before one can be in a position to get a call.
Though it gets tough to compete with inspectors who are available all day, 6 days a week, if you’re not. But it’s not impossible.
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It took me three years to get to a level that I considered “a good living”. The past few years have been getting better and better business wise (East TN).
Luckily we had savings and were never in a pinch financially and my wife makes good money also. It sounds like you are starting off right with some money saved up, and having dad work with you sounds like an awesome situation. Do lots of practice inspections like Ian Mayer suggested. Don’t let your paying customers think you are practicing on them.
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With the above in mind, I find it funny that it is fine for “doctors” to be practicing on every patient they encounter.
Really it is fine and good that you are practicing/learning on every inspection you do. It is more about how you present yourself. Is it with confidence or apprehension?
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It is a hard thing to do! You should be scared as fear is what will motivate you to succeed! But, keep in mind that success will not happen overnight. For most, it takes around two years before you will see a light at the end of the tunnel and fairly good income. For some it might take three years, it all depends on the area you are servicing. A more rural area will take longer than a urban area.
Start out doing inspections part-time!! If you have a 9-5 Monday thru Friday job, do inspecitons on weekends! If you have a day off during the week, do inspections on your day off. Maybe even reduce your current work schedule if that is possible to where you wil have time to fit in some inspections. When I started in 1994-95, I worked from 1PM-10PM, three days a week and two days 8AM to 4PM, in a sporting goods store! This allowed me to work three mornings on my inspection business and a day off during the week. After two and a half years I was able to leave the sporting goods store and work full-time doing inspections.
You might need to find a part-time job to keep that income comming in while you build your business.
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Yep, all those years of education and they are still “practicing”. lol 
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Keep your day job and do inspections after or before your “day job”, depending on your hours. If someone wants to schedule a job during your day job hours, tell them sorry, but those slots are already taken.
Keep your day job until your phone is ringing enough that you’ll feel comfortable quitting your day job and doing home inspections full time.
It takes time to get the phone to ring, my first couple of years I would call myself to make sure my phone still worked. Stick with it, and although it can be hard at times, try not to get discouraged.
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Study more learn more go to construction sites. Learn about the construction cause once if you knew the business, you wouldn’t be nervous. Your confidence would come from knowledge.
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