How to Make Your Vision Become a Reality

The economic law of diminishing returns refers to “a point at which the level of profits or benefits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested” (oxforddictionaries.com). In our business, that means there is a point at which profit is maximized with the minimal, efficient effort.

For example, one inspector charges $350 per inspection and does 10 inspections per week. That equals $3,500 gross profit. Another inspector who includes additional services charges $500 per inspection. To make the same amount of money as the first inspector, the second inspector only has to do seven inspections per week…thus working smarter, not harder. The second inspector also will have more time to spend with family or on vacation.

One way to make more money per inspection is to add services. Where can you learn how to offer these services? Look no further than The ASHI School. This month, I interviewed Michelle Santiago, Executive Assistant of The ASHI School.

Tell me about the general home inspection courses that the ASHI School offers. Our method is to offer “hands-on training.” In other words, besides receiving instruction in the classroom, our students perform real-life inspections in real-life homes. We offer one-week, two-week and online classes that are open to anyone who wants to become a home inspector. We are proud to share that The ASHI School has been approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to accept GI Bill education benefits for any qualifying student. Our instructors are all ASHI Certified Inspectors who are committed to preparing students for the National Home Inspection Examination (NHIE).

Two-week course: This traditional course features live classroom instruction, as well as more time spent in the field doing home inspections than any other home inspection school in the nation. The course focuses on starting and operating your own inspection business and launching a successful career, as well as performing inspections that comply with the ASHI Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics. 

One-week course: This “Fast Track” course consists of 40 hours of home study and five days of live classroom instruction, plus in-the-field events on Day 6. The focus is on learning the components of homes and how to inspect them, as well as how to perform inspections that comply with the ASHI Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics. 

Both the one-week and two-week courses are designed to be an intelligent blend of home study materials, live classroom lectures and in-the-field home inspection training. Some components that will be taught in class include electrical, plumbing, roofing, heating, exteriors and interiors.

60-hour online course: The main benefit of the 60-hour online course is that you can complete it totally at your own pace. Whatever your schedule—whether you’re a full-time student, have a job or only have time to complete one or two hours of coursework a week—you can make this online program work for you. Need to review what you already learned? You can backtrack through the topics you’ve viewed, and watch them as many times as you need to take the test and demonstrate your understanding of that section.

The online course also provides a wonderful opportunity for home inspection companies to offer to their new employees. Whether the modules serve as a refresher to home inspectors who may have previously attended class, an introduction into the home inspection field for brand-new inspectors or as an overview of the inspection business for office support staff, the online course modules can provide the instruction you are looking for.

What other courses does the school offer?
Radon: This convenient course consists of two eight-hour sessions, planned on two consecutive days from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm ET. With no travel to a classroom site required, this course saves you time and money. It includes real-time participation, with a webcam and microphone required for the class.

Mold: This class is designed to educate, enhance and expand an inspector’s knowledge of the microbial growth field and the damage factors precipitated by moisture intrusion. Students learn through applied empirical observation while gathering quantitative data with instruments from the outside to the inside, and from the attic down to the basement or crawl space.

Commercial inspection: This course covers everything from business practices to technical inspection, with a special emphasis on the team approach to commercial inspections. Students learn where and when a consultant is required, and how to find and work with consultants.

Wind mitigation: This three-hour course is required by insurance companies in the state of Florida. Often, a four-point inspection is required when obtaining a new homeowners’ insurance policy or renewing an existing policy. The four-point insurance inspection includes a limited- scope evaluation of four systems: roofing, electrical, heating and air conditioning, and plumbing. The focus of the inspection is to determine the approximate age, components and general condition (as well as how much life might be left) of these systems. The goal of the class is to learn to properly perform wind mitigation inspections, and complete a wind mitigation inspection form for homeowners and insurers.

More topics to come: The ASHI School is developing classes on the topics of termites, infrared technology, EIFS, how to run a business, how to write reports and preparing for the NHIE. 

Where can I take these courses?
We have locations in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington. New schools will be opening in Arizona, North Carolina and South Carolina in 2018. Our online class can be accessed from anywhere! 

How can I find out more information?
Visit The ASHI School’s newly redesigned website (www.theashischool.com) or call 888-884-0440.

“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything.” —Vince Lombardi