Depending on what area of the country you work in, you may encounter fuse boxes rarely, frequently, or somewhere in between. Regardless, even if you’ve never seen a fuse box, you should be prepared for the day you do, which will likely arrive eventually. Fuse boxes haven’t been newly installed in homes since the 1970s…
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No matter where you live and work, many homes you inspect will have decks. While more slightly more common in temperate regions, even the most northern of cities will contain at least a few homes with decks. According to the Center for International Trade in Forest Projects, 85 percent of all single-family homes in…
DetailsNo matter what business you’re in, customers are going to complain. It’s inevitable. You can’t stop it, but you can learn to manage complaints effectively so they don’t hurt your business. One way to cut down on the number of complaints is to try to make sure the clients know what to expect ahead of…
DetailsThe home inspection field is especially fraught with lawsuits. Homeowners all too often believe that their home inspector is their guardian angel and will find any and every flaw in a home. In real life, it doesn’t play out this way. First-time homebuyers can have particularly unreasonable expectations. When a problem with their house crops…
DetailsElectricity is powerful and dangerous, so it’s important to always be vigilant when performing your home inspections. Being careful with electricity is different than being careful not to slip and fall. Electricity can be deadly. And while you should respect electricity at all times, there is no reason to be fearful of it, as long…
DetailsElectricity has been a standard part of almost every U.S. home for nearly 100 years. Significant strides have been made over the years to make electricity in homes safer and more reliable. However, as a home inspector, you will likely encounter some old electrical systems that do not conform to modern codes. While these may…
DetailsHome inspectors often have a background in building, whether in construction, roofing, plumbing, electrical, or another important home system. So as a home inspector, you may already know something about inspecting electrical systems. In case you don’t, or your knowledge is incomplete, we’ve put together a short guide for you. First, we want to reiterate…
DetailsThe electrical system in a home must be inspected carefully, not just to make sure it works properly, but to make sure it is safe. Of all the home systems, the electrical is the most dangerous. A problem with the electrical system can result in fire, property destruction, injury, and even death. The most important…
DetailsSwimming pools are not always included in a home inspection. Many years ago, swimming pools were not common and it didn’t make sense to learn how to safely inspect them since a home inspector would come across them so infrequently. This may still be the case if you’re an inspector in Maine or Minnesota. However,…
DetailsThe two main factors affecting the home inspection business are real estate trends and location. The real estate market is dependent on the economy, so it’s up and down. Land and homeowners can wait for prices to come back up — real estate is almost always a good investment — but it can be harder…
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