Home Inspectors

Answer 1

A home inspector has been trained to examine and evaluate the entire structure of a home, from the basement to the roof, including the foundation, walls, electrical, Plumbing and heating systems, doors, floors and windows, crawl spaces and insulation. They can spot problems, potential problems, structural flaws, and often, can suggest repairs or solutions. Home inspectors are most often called in when a home is going to be sold or purchased, though they may be involved in appraisals for purposes of insurance or major renovations. Home inspectors are intended to be independent, neutral experts, who are paid whether or not they find problems, and whether or not the sale or purchase of the house goes through.

Becoming a home inspector doesn’t require a college degree, but most home inspectors have undergraduate degrees in fields like engineering, or architecture. Even after college, a home inspector will need additional training in order to gain expertise in several fields, and will frequently need to take refresher courses. Most home inspectors take classes and training from either the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors. Both offer distance learning opportunities as well as classes arranged in cooperation with local colleges. In both cases, the training is intended to help you familiarize yourself with house construction and various technical aspects of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical systems. Home inspectors also need considerable expertise in written and spoken English, since their reports are detailed and complex written evaluations.

In addition, before licensing, most home inspectors spend some time (often several years) working under the supervision and mentorship of an experienced and certified home inspector, and pass state certification requirements. State licensing requirements vary from state to state. Thirty-nine states require a license, but the license may cost several thousand dollars, so many home inspectors spend several years working closely with a senior partner. some states not only require a license and professional certification, they require special insurance.