I’ve toyed with the idea of becoming a home inspector for a while and I’m excited to finally starting the process. I come from a background in working in a few different trades (electrical, plumbing and carpentry) and I’ve worked in maintenance for a number of years now and I’m ready for a change. I just passed my first Internachi course and I’m looking for some more tips and resources on how to help myself with this education. Any advice from experiienced people or anyone in the same spot as me is welcomed. Thanks
Welcome aboard.
It would be helpful if you fill out your profile so folks familiar with your state might have regional specific answers.
Thank you. I just did!
Welcome Anthony! Its great to have a background in the trades. I’m not in NH so I can’t speak to specifics in your state but here is an InterNACHI link to point you in the right direction.
How to Become a Licensed Home Inspector in New Hampshire - InterNACHI®).
I’m in an unlicensed state so I didn’t have to pass the NHIE. I completed the CPI and constantly continue taking additional CE. I’d also look into getting your Part 107 FAA drone license.
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Advice?
Begin with the end in mind.
Are you looking to be an inspector or a business owner?
Once you become a CPI, then what?
This thread is several years old, but it’s still relevant:
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Thank you! I am also looking into getting a drone license. I think this would be a great tool for any inspector to use.
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I don’t know your roof situation in NH, but I suspect that many of the roofs are steep and often snow covered making drones quite useful because it’s unsafe to walk.
I know where I inspect that 99% of homes have walkable roofs and a drone would mostly be a waste of time. The only roofs I don’t walk are pre-drywall(builders don’t allow walking) and those I use a 24’ camera pole and a ladder at the eave.
I have had a Mavic Pro drone since 2017 and while it’s super easy to fly, if I had to get that out, get it in the air and inspect a roof, it’d add at least an hour to my inspection time plus more time reviewing the footage. While every home takes what it takes, I can inspect a roof with a ladder in about 10 minutes and get super close to any problems.
I guess I’m saying, walk before you fly 
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Here’s a piece of information that many people don’t consider, (or even think about), until it’s too late. Add in other factors and conditions, and a drone in northern states are useless 4-6 months of the year!
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Totally disagree! You’ll miss a lot if critical issues if you don’t walk the roof or at least lean a ladder against the edge and inspect it that way. You’ll miss even more critical issues with a drone if you don’t have direct roofing and construction experience, thus knowing what to look for. Ditch the drone idea! You’ll miss issues that will force you to settle through your E&O Insurance.
Whenever you can walk the roof, like said above, it’s also way faster than any other roof inspection method. I don’t own and doubt I’ll ever own a drone for roof inspections.
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I have first-hand experience that this is not the case, despite the listed specs. I have flown my DJI in temps well, well below 32 F. and have had no issues. I’m sure I have flown it in below zero weather. A drone is extremely valuable in winter, maybe even more so than summer.
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Not to get into a pi**ing match, but with snow on the roof, one can safely walk it in most snow conditions. It’s safer with snow. Your feet are planted into depressions in the snow.
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I suppose next you’re gonna tell us that your drone automatically inserts it’s info into Spectora so it only takes 3 minutes for the complete roof portion of your inspection? 
No, as Michael pointed out, drone inspection takes longer than walking the roof. The drone is used when you can’t walk the roof. It is a limitation, but less of a limitation than other methods.
Obviously, my drone/Spectora comment “flew right over your head”!
(Pun intended)!!
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Crawl before you walk and walk before you run.
The first thing I would recommend you do is join InterNACHI. It was one of, if not the best, business decision I made when I started 21 years ago.
I would not recommend overburdening yourself with too many ancillary services or extras starting out, learn the basics and move on from there. What I found helpful when I started out was recognizing my weak points and putting more emphasis on those until I was comfortable with that particular system.
Take the InterNACHI courses until you’re able to pass them with confidence. I have found, and still do find, that I learn something new every time I take a course.
After you open your business, don’t get discouraged if your phone’s not ringing off the hook right away. When I started, I was actually calling my own business phone to make sure it was still working, it takes time to build it.
Never be afraid to ask questions, even if in your own mind you think it’s a stupid question. The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask.
Never compromise your work ethic, thinking it will bring you more business.
Best of luck to you moving forward.
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I would wasn’t thinking of solely relying on a drone to do roof inspections, however I saw it as just another tool take could be usefully in some cases. Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.
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Thank you Ive joined up and I’m all ready blown away by the amount of information there is here. Than you for the advice.
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All good advice for you Anthony, especially from Kevin.
Regarding a drone, I have one and do not use it very often. Even in winter with our snow covered roofs I prefer to walk them. (though, I am not sure I agree with Mike S. that is it safer to walk a snow covered roof!)
I’m old and not as steady even on dry roofs. I use the below type ladders most of the time.
Good luck in your new career!
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I’d miss a lot of critical issues if I didn’t use a drone for the many 3-story homes I inspect. I don’t carry a 32’ ladder and don’t plan on it. My 35’ ext pole and ferret don’t come close to the quality or “reach” my drone provides.
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