Is Home Inspection The Career For Me?

Becoming a Home Inspector can be a great career. Its comes with a lot of responsibility because your clients are often putting their life’s savings on the line and are depending on you to advise them if the home they intend to purchase is going to be right for them. I would consider the following before taking the plunge.

1. Are you in good physical shape? You will be up ladders, on roofs, in crawl spaces, attics and other tight and awkward areas. You should be reasonably agile and fit.
2. Are you prepared to learn? Even seasoned contractors don’t necessarily understand what makes a building decay over time. They are often called in to fix a problem but may not understand the root cause. You will be expected to understand basic elements of building science and recognize how each system of the home operates. Some defects are caused by poorly conceived architectural elements. Some are unique to a specific area such as beach-front properties. I would recommend finding a mentor and setting aside at least 6 months to get worked up on the basics.
3. Can you be a technician and a people person? As a home inspector, you are acting in the capacity of a building consultant. You must be able to absorb, categorize and crate a detailed list of defects and recommendations in your report while also being able to interact with understandably anxious and sometimes mentally exhausted clients. You have to understand that most people are not prepared for the entire home buying process and you have to be able to advise that client honestly. Even when the news you have to give them is the last thing they want to hear. I love telling a client that they are in good shape and I did not find any major issues but I often have to put their interests first and deliver bad news. Learning how to do this in a way that gives a client the full story and a good direction on options is very important.
4. Be prepared for a long ramp up period. If you are looking to get into the field, make sure you have some working capital to invest and plan on at least a year before the business becomes self sustaining. Some people get going much faster but most people who make it do so around this time. Understand who will be your important contacts in the real estate world and have a basic understanding of both online and offline marketing. Its going to take a while to earn peoples trust and to spread the word. Be patient and make sure you have the time to go out there and advocate for your business and show your competency.

There is so much more than can be put in a simple post but, if you’re ready to take on a challenge and be patient, its a very rewarding field. Its a fast paced world especially with the rate that building techniques are changing and you will learn something new every day. It takes a while to get seasoned but finding a good mentor to catch the early mistakes and get you through the gauntlet to a high level means you’re catching the lemon that a young couple is about to buy and try to raise their family in. I love the people, its meaningful but even better, its a lot of fun.
Caveat Emptor!
Paul