Self Employed vs Working for a Home Inspection Company
Once you complete your training and you pass your exams, your career begins! You’ve probably wondered whether you should join a home inspection company or start your own company. Your home inspection career path is entirely your choice but which path is right for you?
Being a Self Employed Home Inspector
It’s no surprise that most home inspectors choose to work for themselves. There are so many advantages to owning a home inspection company including setting your hours which will give you more flexibility; creating your rates which helps your bottom line, and knowing the business is 100% yours so you don’t need to split your profits or your time with anyone else. Additionally, as a business owner, you have more control in creating a business that reflects you, your personality, and your values with the potential to grow your home inspection business.
Investment is essential for any business, but especially for a home inspector. You may not need a storefront, but you do still need to focus on other financial investments, like marketing and certification or managing other home inspectors as employees. Understanding what is required to develop, maintain, and even grow your home inspection business helps you plan your career accordingly.
This investment of time also extends to marketing plans and social media. Owning a home inspection company comes with special considerations such as figuring out how to market yourself and your company, building relationships with real estate agents, and balancing start-up costs with your ongoing financial requirements. There are other factors that can influence how your business functions, too, like experiencing a slow season or lacking the self-discipline to run a business.
In addition to teaching the skills and knowledge required to be a successful home inspector, our courses will help you learn important strategies for navigating the challenges of being a self-employed business owner.
Working for a Home Inspection Company
If you aren’t interested in managing a business or becoming self-employed, a career in home inspection is still possible. There are many companies and organizations, such as FEMA or regional building departments, that need skilled and knowledgeable home inspectors.
There are advantages to being employed as a home inspector. For instance, you won’t need to worry about start-up costs, finding clients, or building relationships with real estate agents to gain referrals. You will have more stability compared with running your own business, and have a steady home inspector salary that is not reliant on how much work you can find.
The skills and knowledge you gain as an employee can later be transitioned to self-employment if you decide you want to make that change. Many employees later opt to go into business for themselves as they grow their families or as part of their retirement planning, and the mentorship you can get as an employee will only aid in your future success.
ICA School’s home inspection courses will prepare you for whichever career path you choose, while offering you additional educational opportunities to grow and develop as your needs change.