How To Become a Home Inspector in 5 Simple Steps

Are you looking for a job that pays well and doesn’t require many higher degrees? You’re not alone

Many people consider doing a career shift at some point in their lives but don’t know which job is suitable for them.

Luckily, you have a few options. Among the best jobs is being a home inspector, but which way should you go to pursue such a career? How to become a home inspector?

This article provides all the details regarding doing home inspections for a living and how good this job can be.

An Overview of Home Inspectors: A Primer

Home inspectors help potential buyers discover any underlying problem with a given house before purchasing it. They also aid house sellers to figure out defective parts and address them before selling the house.

As a home inspector, you get to examine houses for issues and provide a written report on the building’s status. These problems can be on the inside or the outside, whether mechanical or structural.

The list of some of the areas and systems that home inspectors examine includes:

• Foundation and structural components
• Roof, windows, and doors
• Basement and attic
• Floors and walls
• Electrical systems
• HVAC systems
• Plumbing

How Much Do Home Inspectors Make?

A home inspector is a job with high potential, securing you earning between $30,000 and $90,000 per year. The exact number depends on many factors, with the location being top of the list of reasons.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a home inspector in 2021 was a bit over $60,000 per year.

Among the highest-paying states for a registered home inspector job are New York, Idaho, and California, with an hourly rate of over $30. As for the lowest paying states, Louisiana, South, and North Carolina pay below $22 per hour with a staggering $8 per hour difference.

Aside from the location, many other factors can play a part in a home inspector’s salary, including:

• The number of home inspections you can fit into your busy schedule
• The experience you possess
• The amount of money you charge for an inspection
• The number of additional services you offer, such as thermal imaging, radon testing, and mold inspection
• The career path you choose to follow

What You Will Need To Become a Home Inspector [& Associated Costs]

Before you think about making money, you should consider how much you need to spend to become a home inspector.

Here’s an overall idea about what you should expect to spend to become a licensed home inspector.

• Education: While some states require only 60 hours of education, others mandate a whopping 400 hours. The cost of attending such schools varies between $400 and $1000, sometimes more.
• Licenses: The licenses you need also vary from one state to the other. In most cases, the national home inspector exam is included in the tuition fees you pay for education.
• Maintaining License: In states requiring licenses, you must pay renewal fees once every year or two. You also may need extra hours of continuing education classes.

How Much Does It Cost To Become a Home Inspector?

Getting the needed home inspector training and licensing shouldn’t cost you much. On average, you only need to pay around $1,000 in addition to some of your time.

Any additional charges depend on whether you choose to work for a home inspection firm or start your business.

Starting a home inspection business with quality equipment, software, and licensing costs between $3,000 to over $5,000.

Starting your business, you should keep in mind some additional costs, including:

• Basic Equipment: A ladder, dust mask, flashlight, moisture meter, etc. cost a minimum of $500, depending on the equipment type.
• Specialized Tools: As your business grows, you need to invest money in some specialized tools. This should cost between $300 and $1,000 worth of equipment.
• Software: Home inspection software helps make your job easier. With such programs, you often get what you pay for. So, it’s best to invest in decent software, expecting to pay a minimum of $800 per year.
• Marketing: This is one of the careers where you can market your business face-to-face for free. A more costly yet effective alternative is having a website and online marketing campaigns, costing over $1,000.
• Insurance: Having insurance is essential, as it protects you and your assets from liability in case of accidents. Getting business insurance can cost you between $600 and $1,200 per year.

Is It Hard To Become a Home Inspector?

Becoming a home inspector doesn’t happen overnight. It requires hard work and dedication, even for those who have experience in similar jobs.

To get a home inspector certification, you need to get plenty of education, extensive home inspection training, and many tests.

This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a hard process. It just takes a lot of time and training to gain the proper experience.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Home Inspector?

You only need a few days to take the exam and become a certified home inspector. However, before being able to pass that exam, you need proper education and training.

Most of the U.S. states require the completion of 60–140 hours of courses. The time you dedicate for such education depends on your free time and the pace you’re moving at.

On average, most individuals take three to four weeks to finish.

How To Become a Home Inspector in 5 Simple Steps

Reasons To Consider Becoming a Home Inspector

When thinking about what job is right for you, you often consider the hours and pay, among many other factors. Being a home inspector has its perks.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider becoming a home inspector.

• You Become Your Boss: Working as a home inspector, you can become your boss, accomplishing a convenient work/life balance.
• No Limit to the Money You Can Make: As a home inspector, there’s no limit to the number of jobs you take every year. The more homes you inspect, the more annual income you get to make.
• It’s Always a Job on Demand: People never stop buying and selling houses. The majority of buyers prefer to hire a home inspector before they purchase a house. So, a home inspector is always needed.
• It Doesn’t Require Much Money To Start Your Business: Compared to other careers, the cost of starting a home inspection business is fairly low. A few thousand dollars can get you all the tools and training required to build a startup of this kind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Gigs To Check Out

If you think becoming a home inspector isn’t what you prefer but still want to stick to the real estate field, these ideas are for you. Here are similar gigs to check out.

• How To Become a Real Estate Agent: Becoming a real estate agent is a rewarding career with the amazing potential of earning money.
• How To Become a Property Manager: As tough as being a property manager is, this career has its advantages. Whether it’s the money or the social relations, there’s something to like about it.
• How To Become a Real Estate Appraiser: Appraisal is the valuation of real estate. A real estate appraiser is a demanding job requiring years of experience to master.

Wrapping Up

Whether you have prior experience in the real estate field or not, becoming a home inspector can be tough.

It requires plenty of work and dedication. However, learning how to become a home inspector is the first step on your path to success.

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