How to Start a House Inspection Company
Home inspectors check the physical structure, plumbing, duct work, electrical wiring, furnaces, appliances and every aspect of a house before it is purchased. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, 77% of all home buyers use a home inspector before they buy a house. Home inspection is unique career for those who have some knowledge or interest in home construction. Following are some tips on how to start a home inspection company.
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Instructions
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How To Start Your Home Inspection Company
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Search online for a local chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), or call 800-743-2744. Attend some of their meetings and determine whether or not home inspection is a business you would enjoy.
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Browse the Internet for home inspector training and licensing requirements in your state. Visit the NAHI website for specific state regulations and home study programs or franchise training courses. Enroll in the a training program and complete the necessary number of hours required for your state for your home inspection certification.
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Determine if you need to be certified by both the NAHI and ASHI. Ask your trainer, school or franchiser if you need help or have questions about license requirements. Apply for a home inspectors license in your state. Register your company name or DBA through your county administration office. Obtain your vendor's license through the same office.
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Find a mentor or another home inspector and shadow them on the job. Ask questions and take notes on what you will need to successfully run your home inspection business. Work with your mentor for several weeks or months. Consider taking a job assisting a larger home inspection company until you learn the business.
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Join one or more of the aforementioned home inspection associations so you can be listed with real estate agents and home buyers in your area. Create a website and get your company listed in major search engines such as Google and Yahoo.
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Determine the reporting method you plan to use for customer inspection reports. Search the Internet for home inspection report templates and pick the one that best fits your needs.
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Start out operating your business from home. Set up an office area and voice mail to handle incoming calls. Get help from your family or hire employees for secretarial tasks.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you understand all of the laws about operating a home inspection business in your state. Most of this information is included in your training. You can also gain a wealth of resources by joining a home inspector association.
More people tend to get into home inspection during economic downturns. Never get into the home inspection field just because you need a job if you do not have some sincere interest in home inspection or construction.
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