You’re a responsible home inspector, or you’re training to be one. But what about the guy down the street? If you live in a state that doesn’t require licensing, customers might never know what they’ll get. That’s why areas without licensing requirements are pushing to make it a reality. Some areas have reported significant problems,…
DetailsThere’s a longstanding belief among some home inspectors that it’s bad form or even unacceptable to recommend a contractor who can make repairs. Some locales might have regulations regarding referrals, but many home inspectors think it’s an important part of the job. Your customers probably aren’t well-versed in home systems. After receiving a report that…
DetailsNew home inspectors tend to have the same question about getting their fledgling inspection business up and running: what kind of reporting software is recommended, and where to find it. That’s the topic of this month’s ICA School podcast, hosted by course author and instructor, Steve Preins. Keep reading to the end, because Steve has…
DetailsWhen two or more people are vying for the same home, what’s the last thing that any party wants to do? That’s right, no one wants to fall behind in the bidding process and risk losing the house. An ordinary sale can turn into an outright tug-of-war where the winner takes all. Unfortunately, buyers sometimes…
DetailsIf you’re like most home inspectors, you began your career working from a home office. But there might come a point where you need a little more space. A home office is a great setup that saves you money in those important early years. But if you’ve outgrown the kitchen table or just want a…
DetailsSo your business is really taking off and you have more work than you can handle alone? That’s great! You might get a case of nerves if you’ve never been an employer before. There’s so much to organize and so much to do. But if you set out your plan first, getting through it is…
DetailsAs a home inspector, you depend on referrals to drive more customers to your business. More customers mean more income, but that all hinges on who hands out your business cards and sings your praises. In many cases, real estate agents. Agents are your friends, or they should be. While you can drive business with…
DetailsStucco is one of the most common home cladding materials in the state of Florida. Its uniform appearance covers certain architectural elements, single walls or the bulk of the exterior, and gives a home the classic look that stucco is so famous for. But in Florida, there’s a stucco disaster that’s just now starting to…
DetailsThe primary reason contracts exist is to set forth in clear terms the scope of an agreement. That helps every party involved understand exactly what they’re getting into. No surprises equal a happier inspector and customer, and those are always good things. Your home inspection contract helps avoid the possibility of crossed wires, misinterpretations, and…
DetailsSooner or later it’s bound to happen. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, some day, some way, you’ll probably break something during the course of performing a home inspection. Liability management is a “huge issue for home inspectors,” says Working RE magazine. So much so that insurance isn’t optional, and the utmost care is…
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