I just completed my certification and trying to figure out what to do next. I feel like there are still so many things I can learn before I start diving into starting a business and doing inspections. I plan to keep getting education and certifications. The drone course is high on my list. I’ve heard of a lot of people doing ride alongs with other inspectors. How do you find inspectors willing to do this? Anything else not listed that can help me get prepared to start this?
Thanks,
There’s a ton of information recorded in the archives of this forum. I went back through a bunch of it when I found this place. Website, SEO etc. there’s plenty to do. 
Get good at writing reports. That is much harder to do than it is to learn to identify issues while inspecting the home and property. It takes a long time to become efficient, have the right narrations, have good work flow, communicate well, and have the right report format.
If you have minimal construction experience and minimal roof framing and roofing experience, forget the drone. Inspect the roof from the roof edge on a ladder and/or inspect it by walking the roof.
I have 40 years construction experience. That’s why I don’t use a drone for roof inspections.
A drone does not make you a good inspector.
Good advice from Mike.
A drone wouldn’t be anywhere near high on my list if I just received my "certification”.
Practice, practice, practice…inspections, communications, observations and narratives would be a good start.
Good points by Dave, Mike and Larry. But before you spend money on websites and tools etc. I would use that to seek ride alongs with established inspectors in or close to your surrounding area. Some inspectors may want a fee to assist you, others may be generous to have you tag along as a helper, carrying ladders, fetching tools and so on.
If you do this first, it will give you a good idea of what is expected as Home Inspector, if you really are cut out for it and what you really need to get started trying to establish your own business.
JMO and Good Luck in you endeavor!
Congratulations on getting your cert. 
I recommend doing a search for inspectors that are outside of your service area for ride alongs. Most inspectors aren’t too keen on training the competition.
If you haven’t already, I would start with a business plan.
As others have mentioned, it’s best to start out learning how to and doing inspections. Crawl before you walk and walk before you run.
I think walk before you fly is more apropos
Where are you located? Maybe someone will see your message and volunteer to show you the ropes.
Also, including your location and website on your posts here could help with SEO for your new business.
Good luck.
State license
I should have mentioned, I’m in Colorado, so no state licensing here
Agreed. However, there will be homes/structures where only pole mounted camera or a drone will get the best inspection coverage while also the safest for the inspector. So, yes, start crawling without a drone, but get a pole-mounted camera in the near future and within a few months think about getting the drone and FAA Part 107 license since you will be flying as part of a commercial business.
I generally use this order of priority for the roof:
And, sometimes (many times) you will need to use a combination of techniques.
Agreed…
99% of the time a drone will add time to my inspection. It will be flown only after all other options are exhausted and allow me to get eyes on those areas which were not visible or accessible.
If I’m short on time I skip the drone. I do use it for sure on real tall, steep or slippery roofs.
I have a camera pole and personal I think it was a waste of money.
They’re pretty expensive and then add the cost of a decent camera for it and it adds up pretty quick.
I think I used it once.
As for the drone you need to spend some time on roofs before you will be able to interpret what the drone images are showing you.
Nobody is willing to do “ride alongs.” I asked five companies very diplomatically when I started. Which gives me a sense of the industry…and lack of generosity. As if we work for NASA. There is no reason to be so protective and competitive. It’s not good for the entire industry to avoid mingling with others and even learning something yourself. After all I came to inspection after 30 years of high end contracting and I wasn’t asking for much, just to see how someone flows through an inspection. I will say industries with very high intelligence people in science, and in building trades Definitely share more information than in this trade… they know their game improves when they do that, reciprocal learning and growth.
As both an inspector and a mentor, I can say my most valuable asset is time. I’ve done dozens of ride alongs, my gift is my time. My reward is a thank you (most times anyway) and the hope I improve the industry.
No one realizes the time and energy a ride along extracts. New inspectors with the best of intentions still make a subtraction.
I understand your frustration, but be careful not to criticize. Every extra moment spent with you is a moment less with my wife and grandkids.
I still mentor, I still enjoy it. But I’m not always available. Also, other reasons include distractions, not knowing how the newbie will behave, safety issue, sensitive clients etc.
Same. Bought one when starting out just so I had it. Have never used it. A camera pole is a significant downgrade from using a drone.
I had to recently cut back on mentoring. I seemed that it was frustrating for some mentees to not have me available to answer every little question or picture sent 24/7.
I found it amusing that having another life was so off putting to some.
I, too, am not always available…
Maybe it came off critical, but I don’t have any resentment. It’s just I spent decades helping younger guys and in the end I kind of enjoyed the meaningful nature of teaching younger guys how to be a good carpenters. Was just funny not to see that in this industry. But that’s only my experience - other people may have different experiences.
Well, I certainly took it as criticism, and maybe I am a bit defensive of our industry. I don’t think ride-alongs are an indicator of a lack of generosity. I see this at a very personal level, where people in this industry, even strangers, have poured out a ton of support for me, my family, and many others. Hang in there, I am confident your perspective will change over time. And if you are near Atlanta, let’s have lunch or even ride-along. 