I’m in the process of becoming a CPI, although not required in my area. I still believe that proper training for anything you charge money for is a basic prerequisite. Here’s my question: I’ve purchased a pinless moisture meter, a thermal camera, and an inspection camera, used off facebook marketplace to keep startup costs down. I already own several ladders as well as electrical testers such as a gfci tester, as i have been working construction since i was 13. What tools in your opinion are must haves for someone starting out, to provide a quality inspection. I want to be thorough. I also have a 4k camera drone and the qualifications to fly it. Any advice is appreciated. If I stay on track I should have my certification completed, including some extra courses by the end of August. I am in Ontario, Canada if that helps
Get your advertising brochure’s and business cards from Inspector Outlet.
IMO… The first and most important “Tools” you should invest in are your Website and Report writing Software!!
Both of these take time to set-up, learn and master before they will actually perform as needed!
Much of what you stated you have purchased already may have been a waste of money if you never get the business and clients to pay for them. You need to learn how to crawl then walk, before you can run. Stop sprinting and get crawling!!
Get a great flashlight…minimum 1000 lumens, but 2-3K lumens is much better. A good headlight for crawlspaces and attics. Regarding crawlspaces, coveralls/light jumpsuit, knee pads, and gloves. For your report software, first consideration is pick a company that has been around for at least five years.
Besides the online courses, what are you doing to get training? The InterNACHI schools are the best.
Get a good quality ECX or FPH2 bit and driver for electrical panels. It’ll do most of newer stuff.
I think you should have an NCV tester. I carry three in the van ;).
I think you should get a low impedance tester, i.e. a Wiggy or the Klein one.
A digital multi meter as well.
I think a camera pole and a camera you can remotely control is very useful for hard to get to spots. I don’t use it much, but when you need it, you need it.
A good headlamp or 4 and at least a 1000 lumen main flash light.
I didn’t copy you, I swear. lol. Parallel thinking.
my tool belt contains a flat head and phillips head screw driver, a small crescent wrench, outlet, gfci tester, moisture meter, flir camera, flashlight, cannon elf 360 camera, tablet, and 4 band aids.
my van (ford transit) has,
32ft ladder, 8ft ladder, mold test kid, septic gear, septic camera, prods, shoves, rakes, tarps, buckets, lids, hose, jack hammer, drill, fittings, all kinds of suff.
It really comes down to what your doing. ladders, cameras, software, get standard comments for writing reports. make your own in a word document. copy and paste. when ever you write a new defect. put it in a file.
Bring this into the kitchen when you are going to meet the high volume realtor for the first time.
Get a couple of suits of “thick skin” to be prepared for any questions you have here. 
Plenty of amphetamines! Seems you Canadians get quite riled up as displayed on this BB. Must be the extended Winters??
Hardly! Their population location numbers indicate at least 50% of them are further South than many areas of the USA, including where I am located in Minnesota!
I got plenty of that, I asked the question wearing my hazmat suit, knowing some people were going to throw excrement at me lol
I am actually originally from Germany lol, I see what you mean though, Toronto is especially moody
I’m doing my full certification through InterNachi, lots of mock inspections as well to get comfortable with the report writing process. Inspection software I’m still shopping around for so right now I’m doing it the old fashioned way. I have a website for my contracting business that I currently operate, once I am ready to maje the switch to exclusively offer home inspections I will restructure that for my inspection business.
Very nice! Then change that to plenty of Jagermeister not for you but the clients to keep them calm!
Whereabouts in Germany? I spent 5 years between an area near Köln and then in the Hunsrück. If I wasn’t married and/or had family I would most likely still be there!
I’d recommend a little door opener thingy. I think Jeffrey first recommended it to me but i can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten locked into bathrooms checking doors with block windows and needed that tool. It comes in handy so many times, mostly for other random things. Grabbing pocket door, etc… Probably one of the tools I use regularly. Other than the other bs. we should always carry.
My basic kit that I use every day on all my inspections. Outlet testers, both the 3 prong thingy and the wiggy, Multi Screw driver and and auto one. I use one by dremel. Its great, and fits in my tool bag. Multiple bits. I charge it as needed from my truck (also a vehicle that can charge stuff). Non-invasiove moisture meter. flashlight (I use milwaukee), copenhagen, zip tool for vinyl siding (not necessary but nice to have), decent 6inch level and a decent smaller level for smaller tailpipes. I also keep a thermal camera in my bag, but not necessary. Geeze I’m forgetting a lot thats what I keep on me. More in the truck. Start out basic and keep your inspections to the SOP. You shouldn’t need more than that.
Oh and I keep mace and carry. Last year I man got stabbed in my area doing inspections, so… While I hope thats the minority. Things happen and be prepared.
Also… Multiple flashlights. The Milwaukee does great for general lighting but not for spot lighting, so I keep another by energizer.
It’s a handy lil’ bugger, isn’t it?
https://forum.nachi.org/t/advice-for-on-body-tool-carrying/208894/7
24 years ago, I got locked in a garage of a vacant HUD home. I sat there for four hours until an agent showed up. I had resolved to knock a hole through the drywall into the house if I was there until it got dark.
The next time I got locked up was last month when a closet door latch knob wouldn’t work from the inside.
Note to self…operate doors from the outside
That is (now) my protocol also, BUT… shit does happen, especially when a huge segment of my work involves Historic/Century homes.
Curious, how often do you consider that a house may be haunted?