Guide to Becoming an ASHI Home Inspector

Find Your Focus

Finding your niche as a home inspector can be very advantageous and lucrative, and it's never too early to consider a certain concentration. Specializing in a skill gained from a past career or exploring an emerging trend are both great ways to standout and generate more business.

Join an Association

Joining a professional not-for-profit organization like ASHI offers various resources for home inspectors at any stage of their careers. As a new home inspector just starting out, ASHI opens the door to many opportunities and provides a support system to network and help you establish your business.

Education

Some states require approved education to become licensed, while other states don't require any form of training to practice home inspection. Whichever category your state falls into, The ASHI school will teach you the fundamentals of home inspection and how to apply that information in the field.

Know Your Turf

It's imperative to familiarize yourself with the types of houses and buildings that are in your community. You want to be aware of any potential obstacles or specialty issues that are prominent in the houses you will be inspecting. These can include such things as regional weather and climate effects or damage due to insect infestation.

Marketing Plan

Home inspectors need to market themselves to realtors & prospective clients. There are various platforms of media to utilize ranging from conventional methods - like brochures and pamphlets - to digital strategies on social media. Any form of marketing is going to cost time, money, or both: it is important to prepare your plan early and account for the expenses.

home inspector

The ASHI School is Your Foundation

Each person’s path to becoming a home inspector is different. Your state requirements and previous experiences are some factors that will influence this process. The ASHI School believes these first steps are the most important to be considered and completed when you decide to pursue home inspection. Through the ASHI School you will receive a strong educational foundation and support system to help guide you as you build your business.

perceptive

A home inspector objectively assesses systems and components within a home and highlights any potential problems, maintenance & further expenses. There is no “check engine” light for a house, and in most cases homeowners don't realize there is a problem with the house until the damage is already done. However, home inspectors rely on their keen senses and expertise to analyze and report, early warning signs of a house.

professional

In 1976, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) was founded, with a goal to build consumer awareness and enhance overall professionalism of the budding home inspection profession. Since then ASHI has been committed to progressing the home inspection field by advocating high standards of practice and adhering to a code of ethics, all to keep the profession prosperous and robust.

passionate

Buying a home is often the largest single investment that most people will ever make. Most home inspectors find that one of the most rewarding aspects of the profession is being able to help clients find a new home and avoid any dangers or surprises throughout the process. It is crucial for home inspectors to thoroughly relay the findings to the client, having them fully understand the investment they are making and ensure their home is safe.

Learn about all the ways in which The ASHI School will jump start your new career as a home inspector

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qualities of a successful home inspector

Booking, Inspecting, & Reporting:

A quick rundown of a Home Inspection from start to finish

Booking
& Pricing

The process begins when a client contacts you to receive a home inspection. After pricing and scope of work is discussed, a date and time for the inspection is decided.

Contract & Client Rundown

On the day of the inspection, you will need to have the inspection contract signed by your client before you begin. Once that’s taken care of, it’s important to explain to the client all that you will be looking for during the inspection.

The Inspection

This is your time to shine! You will go throughout the home inspecting the various systems and structures for any problems or potentials issues. The inspection can take anywhere from 2-4 hours on an average single family home.

The inspection will cover:

Structures

- Foundation
- Roofing
- Chimney & Fireplace
- Walls
- Windows & Doors

Systems

- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Electrical
- Appliances
- Insulation
- Ventilation

Explain Findings to Client

During the inspection and afterwards, you will point out areas of concerns to the client as well as ways to solve the issues and what the potential costs are.

Write Report & Deliver to Client

After the inspection is wrapped up, the client then pays the inspector for their services. A report detailing all the findings of the inspection is written by the inspector and sent to the client within 24 hours. On to the next one!

Behind the Scenes

Between inspections and during slow seasons, inspectors will focus their efforts on various supplemental and auxiliary tasks that go into running a home inspection business such as working on their marketing plan, bookkeeping, and continuing their education.

income potential

23% of inspectors earn over $100,000 per year

75% of houses sold in the usa are inspected

$350

average cost of an inspection

5 million

houses sold per year in the us

$70,016

average gross annual revenue

AVERAGE NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS PER YEAR

EARNING POTENTIAL CHART

Choosing Your Career Path

There are many different paths you can go down in the home inspection industry, and the way in which you practice home inspection is entirely up to you!

build your own business

Many home inspectors establish their own single inspector shop, where they only have themselves to answer to.

JOIN A MULTI-INSPECTOR FIRM

For those who are just starting out or simply want to focus exclusively on their inspections multi-inspector companies and partnerships are another viable option.

Ready to Start Your Training?

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Can a Home Inspector Diversify?

Many home inspectors diversify, offering a variety of inspections, such as termite, swimming pool and spa, well and septic system, and home maintenance. Troubleshooting inspections for homes with problems, pre listing inspections for homes about to be sold, and inspections of new homes throughout the construction process or at the pre-delivery stage can also be offered. Some home inspectors do radon, lead, asbestos, and carbon monoxide testing; mold inspections; and inspections of commercial buildings. There are many opportunities to offer a full range of services to consumers.

Home inspectors with talent and ambition can expand their business services to include commercial inspections and expert witness testimony. Radon, lead-based paint, septic systems and indoor air testing are just a few of the services that home inspectors can provide for additional fees.