Without knowledge of home systems and their myriad potential defects, you couldn’t perform an inspection. But without communication skills, you couldn’t complete the most important part of the job, which is the report. Some states require home inspection training and some don’t. But none of them require you to learn how to communicate effectively. Here’s…
DetailsIt’s February, it’s freezing outside, and someone somewhere is running late for work. Imagine their unhappy surprise when the shower faucet only releases a trickle of water or worse—nothing at all. Frozen pipes are the wintertime bane of a homeowner’s existence. For the most part, newer homes with don’t have a widespread problem. But in…
DetailsHome inspection work is sometimes solitary with not even the homeowner present. When something goes wrong, no one may know about it for several hours. If the real estate market where you work has lots of farms and other rural properties, here are 5 ways that you can stay safe while getting the job done.…
DetailsNow that summer is slipping away and fall is nearing, you can expect to see an influx in critters making themselves cozy in residences. If you are a home inspector, this does not spell good news. Fortunately, you can arm yourself with education to ensure that you do not find yourself troubled by common pest…
DetailsEvery homeowner knows (or should know) that attic insulation is critical to energy efficiency and comfort. Heat rises, after all, and attic insulation keeps more heat inside the living areas instead of losing it through the roof. But too many homeowners never think about the crawl space. When they do, they often get it wrong,…
DetailsWhat would you rather do all winter? Try to drum up home inspection business, or move into a different seasonal job phase? Spring and summer are the classic high-volume seasons for all aspects of the residential real estate industry, from listing and buying homes to inspections and home improvements. But commercial properties need inspections year-round.…
DetailsEven if you are just beginning to work on your home inspection license, learning more about industry ethics is always smart. Even if you are not a licensed home inspector, learning how to adopt an ethics code is beneficial. Not only will you ensure that you keep up your business, but you will not find…
DetailsWhile home inspectors are starting to embrace drone technology, there are still plenty of misconceptions about their use and whether or not the technology is safe. Some people worry about privacy. Do drone pilots really want to peek inside residential windows? And some believe they’re dangerous. In the wrong hands, that’s true. But the recent…
DetailsIn Hawaii, home inspectors don’t have licensure regulations. That simplifies the path between deciding to become an inspector and going to work in the field. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for the job. An education ensures you know how to perform the job correctly. Knowledge about construction, plumbing or electrical makes a good…
DetailsThe structural components of a house are its skeleton. The whole house will suffer if its bones are weak or damaged, but not every house is built the same. Typically, certified home inspectors in America find three distinct wood construction styles: post and beam, balloon frame and platform frame. The latter is the most common…
Details