Do You Need a Home Inspection License?

A growing number of states have home inspection license requirements for anyone performing the service for a fee. For now, the number is a little more than half. If you’re just starting home inspection training or you’ll soon finish up, here’s what you need to know about licensing before working in the field. Nineteen States…

6 Things a Certified Home Inspector Knows About Fireplaces

It’s still summer, but autumn is on its way. That means it’s time to think about fireplaces and fireplace safety. Usually, a certified home inspector performs a general fireplace inspection. If defects exist, many of them are visible at the time of the inspection. But for a deeper, investigative inspection, customers should call in a…

Understanding the Full Scope of Home Inspector Licensing

It wasn’t too long ago that home inspector licensing was the farthest thing from anyone’s imagination. The industry has only been organized since the 1970s. States have been slow to institute any type of regulations. But now, more states are joining the early adopters and requiring education and licensing to offer home inspection services to…

Where the Certified Home Inspection Industry Has Been and Where it’s Going

If you think home inspecting has always been part of the property buying experience, you might be surprised to learn the truth. Certainly, many buyers over the years have asked a knowledgeable friend or carpenter to kick the tires, so to speak, before making such a large investment. But until the 1970s, home inspecting as…

Top Interior Home Defects and How to Spot Them

Certified home inspectors have a standard process that includes exteriors, interiors, roofs, plumbing and more. The interiors portion covers a lot of ground, but in many cases, material defects are minor.  They can, however, indicate a larger problem that lurks somewhere else. Here are some of the most common that you’ll encounter on the job.…

A Certified Home Inspector’s Guide to Mold

Mold. Just the word can strike fear into the hearts of homeowners far and wide. It’s regarded as irritating and dangerous and can indicate a lurking problem inside a home. Mold can indicate water damage and cause breathing problems. How can one little spore cause so much trouble? Here’s what a certified home inspector needs…

How to Become a Home Inspector in Delaware

Delaware recently instituted new requirements that govern the home inspection industry. The path to licensure appears to be slightly different from the requirements in other states. The Division of Professional Regulation offers two primary options, including a type of on-the-job training and formal education. If you’re thinking about a career switch to home inspections, here’s…

Who is Best Suited for the Home Inspection Industry? (Trick Question!)

If you’re like many people, you probably think home inspectors need a background in construction or a related field. It does help, but it’s by no means necessary. Certified home inspectors come from many different backgrounds. Although the industry is rather male dominated, women are staking their claim and coming up quickly through the ranks.…

Here’s the Path to Become an Illinois Certified Home Inspector

There’s no single path to becoming a home inspector. Every state is slightly different. Fortunately, Illinois makes it simple. From learning about the industry to stepping out with your new license, each gain is a step toward a brand new career. Here’s how it’s done. Choose the Right Home Inspection Education Program According to Illinois…

How to Design a Final Walk-Through Checklist for Home Inspection Customers

Closing day is the pinnacle of one of the most stressful events a home buyer can face. For weeks if not months, they’ve negotiated terms, provided documents, submitted to untold financial checks and weathered one surprise after another. As their certified home inspector, you have the power to make the final walk-through a little less…