Brand reputation is everything. You can’t buy it, but it’s one of the most valuable things that you possess. In a small business such as home inspections, your reputation is one of the most powerful tools that you’ve got. But it might also be a significant detriment if you think your reputation will take care…
DetailsAs a home inspector, you don’t issue a rating or measurement for a customer’s indoor air quality. However, some of the systems that you inspect have a direct effect on it. There was a time when air quality concerns were limited to keeping down dust and other allergens and airing out paint fumes during home…
DetailsEveryone thinks they have a great idea for marketing and advertising. But wait five minutes, and some of them will be hopelessly outdated. That’s why it’s so difficult to use any ad for very long. But with the building blocks of what makes an ad work, you can design the framework of a strategy that’s…
DetailsAlthough home inspecting isn’t an especially dangerous job, there are plenty of opportunities to get a bump on the noggin. It might feel like a minor bump to you. But even a seemingly slight injury can have dangerous effects that you might not realize until much later. Be safe, and wear a hardhat. Here’s why:…
DetailsYou’ve finished your ICA School training, or you’re about to. In no time at all, you’ll be ready to take on your first client. Not so fast. You’ve got a lot of work to do before you set out to perform home inspections, and all of it can help determine the success of your fledgling…
DetailsSelf-paced, online study sounds awesome! But then the reality of late nights and finding the time and peace to focus on learning sets in. Many people who enroll in online study programs drop out, but that doesn’t have to be you. Here are 5 habits that can help you be among the ones who don’t…
DetailsWhat have you done for yourself lately? That’s the subject of ICA School director of education, Steve Preins’, latest podcast. And it’s a timely one. Spring is here, and the real estate market has done well for the past few years. That’s the ideal scenario for doing something genuinely beneficial for yourself by making the…
DetailsThere’s a lot of stress on a home inspector if he worries too much about a home sale hinging on the report. Sometimes that’s the case, but it’s not always a bad thing. More buyers are relying on the inspection report to help them make an informed decision, not just to tell them whether or…
DetailsSometimes what separates the busiest pros from the average Joes isn’t the quality of home inspection or level of service. Sometimes, it’s just the impression that prospective customers get when they spot your truck on the road or find your company online. With so many other things at the forefront as you start a new…
DetailsBuilding code changes with the times, but that doesn’t mean older homes have to comply. With a new addition or home renovation, the contractor abides by the most recent set of regulations. But when a home is original, or mostly so, you might encounter some interesting “grandfathered-in” hazards. Whether or not to report a hazard…
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