I’m looking to become a home inspector in Pennsylvania and I’m a little lost on how to get the experience I need to become certified to start my own business.
I see on this website on how to complete the steps, but from what I’m seeing, it looks like I need to have 100 completed inspections to become certified.
I’m a home owner myself but have 1/4 of the knowledge that I would need to go out and perform something as a solo business owner.
Basically, I’m wanting to know how to get experience - specifically hands on experience to start my own business so I can be successful. I tried looking up the mentor program but the only guy is 1.2 hours away from me and hasn’t responded to me as of yet.
I’m extremely motivated and for once in my life feel like i’m being drawn to this profession so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Find a job on a construction site get hit in the head a few times, pound your fingers with a hammer, slip on ice and mud, fall flat on your face a few times, go home with black fingernails, and fall asleep on the couch, then get up and do it again, HEY, Just messing with you Matthew, Welcome to the forum, Enjoy!!
I am in PA and am working on my 100 inspections myself. Where exactly are you located? It was almost a year before I found a mentor. Covid did not help. Please feel free to contact me for advice. I am in Pittsburgh BTW. Welcome to your new career!!
Hey everyone thanks for response so far! I couldn’t log in to the website on my phone so I had to wait to get on my desktop to reply.
I’m from Pittsburgh in case anyone was wondering. My biggest concern is getting the 100 inspections under my belt. It seems as though as far as the language from the state, an inspector needs 100 inspections until they can operate on their own. I’ve reached out to a few people but I can’t get any solid answers.
I’m in the same boat as you, I completed my InterNachi courses and passed my test this past July. I’m looking to start inspecting homes in PA (Lehigh Valley) but i’m still looking for answers to this. I have spoke with 2 established inspectors and I even reached out to InterNachi. What InterNachi told me was that they were not sure of the specifics of PA law and recommended I reach out other inspectors. When I reached out to the two inspectors, one told me he wasn’t sure about the wording of the law but recommended that take it literal and shadow all 100 inspections before practicing independently. The other home inspector told that the 100 inspections are not entirely necessary due to PA not having a Governing body other than the Attorney Generals office. He said I could start inspecting now if I really wanted too. I shadowed a dozen or so homes so far but I’m still in the process of getting my 100 and i’m not having much luck finding any one willing, which makes sense. Inspectors don’t want extra competition down the road. You may have travel away from where you live/plan on working to find someone who will help you. While i’m searching for shadowing opportunities i’m taking the time study and get my business setup.
Alexander, Matt and others, contact some CMIs or CPIs within 40 to 50 miles, or closer, to your area and communicate with them. Maybe one, or more, will help you. Some inspectors feel as though they are training their competition by ride-alongs or mentoring or hiring.
