Hey there. Im 19 looking into doing home inspections. I have about two years of related expierience and think this would be perfect for me. Are there any others here that do this? My older brother became a Realtor and already has good contacts and already about to close on two houses. Id like to hear any input!
Any home inspectors
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Gomez
Gold Member
It sounds like an interesting profession. A friend of mine got into about 5 years ago and he really enjoys it. A lot of states have cracked down recently requiring licensing, rather than slapping a magnetic sign and a ladder on a pickup and declaring yourself an inspector. Like most of these things, having a good reputation and a source of clients is key.
My friend doesn't make a killing, but does OK. He is working for someone else, and you know what the saying is about that.
My advice to you is get the necessary training and get in with an established home inspection agency to get some experience, and learn the business.
On the other hand, no one will fault you if you started your own company at 19 and were successful. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good Luck!
My friend doesn't make a killing, but does OK. He is working for someone else, and you know what the saying is about that.
My advice to you is get the necessary training and get in with an established home inspection agency to get some experience, and learn the business.
On the other hand, no one will fault you if you started your own company at 19 and were successful. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good Luck!
2nstonge
Gold Member
Depends where you're planning to practice. I know MA requires licensing (education and some sort of internship before you apply for the license) & insurance - and the insurance was outrageously expensive.
The last home inspection I had in MA (2 years ago) cost $400, she was in & out of the place in about an hour and somehow generated a 30 page report from that visit. It was pretty thin on detail and recommended seperate inspections for all the mechanicals (furnance company for the heating system, electrician for the wiring, etc). But, the banks required the inspections and the inspector said she was booked solid; 12 per week, booked 3 weeks out. Do the math, not bad.
I'm in VT now and they don't require training, licensing, anything, I can simply hang out a sign saying I was an inspector and no one would care. But, the banks don't require and inspection so the guys around here aren't as busy.
Good luck, -Norm
The last home inspection I had in MA (2 years ago) cost $400, she was in & out of the place in about an hour and somehow generated a 30 page report from that visit. It was pretty thin on detail and recommended seperate inspections for all the mechanicals (furnance company for the heating system, electrician for the wiring, etc). But, the banks required the inspections and the inspector said she was booked solid; 12 per week, booked 3 weeks out. Do the math, not bad.
I'm in VT now and they don't require training, licensing, anything, I can simply hang out a sign saying I was an inspector and no one would care. But, the banks don't require and inspection so the guys around here aren't as busy.
Good luck, -Norm
Inspector507
Super Member
And you got what.....?
Please call an expert in that field.
I wouldn't give 2 cents for most home inspectors that I have dealt with. No licensing, no credentials. But that's my experience.
Please call an expert in that field.
I wouldn't give 2 cents for most home inspectors that I have dealt with. No licensing, no credentials. But that's my experience.
The key word is insurance; that way if someone messes up you have some recourse. Also, the insurance company itself would require some credentials; they love taking your money, but only if the chances of paying it back out are slim.
kenmac
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I agree with you inspector507, same experence here .If you want a home inspection, call an expert in the field of what you want inspected. A/C, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, STRUCTURAL ETC,ETC,. I have been behind many home inspectors that have missed alot, as it relates to inspecting plumbing & hvac.People ask me all the time. Souldn't the home inspector have caught this or that ? My answer is. You can't find a person for $300.00 -$400.00 that is an expert in all the fields that I have mentioned + some others. If you do find this person , he/ she, will cost you more than you paid the home inspector. BTW, all the H.I. contracts that I have read state that, if the H.I. over looks something you have no recourse. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
I should of said in my post that Texas requires 448 hours to get your license. Im very okay with that. There is a set amount of things you inspect such as: foundation, appliances, the MEPs, roof and other things. All other things are optional, and i would think they create a liability. I was just wondering if anyone here did home inspections, if they could give me some information as to how your day goes, your background and some other things. I think this is the perfect career for me considering i have some expierience already.
2nstonge
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( And you got what.....?)</font>
Sorry, but I don't understand what you're asking me.
Sorry, but I don't understand what you're asking me.
Inspector507
Super Member
2nstonge
<font color="blue"> </font> The last home inspection I had in MA (2 years ago) cost $400, she was in & out of the place in about an hour and somehow generated a 30 page report from that visit. It was pretty thin on detail and recommended seperate inspections for all the mechanicals (furnance company for the heating system, electrician for the wiring, etc).
You paid $400 for an hours service and a 30 page report that said to obtain separate inspections from someone else.
Sorry, I guess I didn't say it the way I meant it. I just have personal feelings on the home inspector industry and probably should not have responded here.
<font color="blue"> </font> The last home inspection I had in MA (2 years ago) cost $400, she was in & out of the place in about an hour and somehow generated a 30 page report from that visit. It was pretty thin on detail and recommended seperate inspections for all the mechanicals (furnance company for the heating system, electrician for the wiring, etc).
You paid $400 for an hours service and a 30 page report that said to obtain separate inspections from someone else.
Sorry, I guess I didn't say it the way I meant it. I just have personal feelings on the home inspector industry and probably should not have responded here.
2nstonge
Gold Member
Not a problem Inspector, I'm not a fan of them either. I'm in the trades and could do one myself and get the specialists in for the furnace, etc. But the bank in MA dictated that I had to have an inspection by a MA licensed home inspector as a condition of the mortgage. I'm sure no one at the bank even read the report as long as the box was checked that I had the inspection. As a result of the banks demands, the inspector was as busy as she wanted to be and generating what I considered to be a pretty flimsy report. I certainly gained nothing of value from it - other than the mortgage!
In VT, there are no requirements from the bank and no licensing for inspectors. So, very little demand for home inspections and the going rate for those who want them is in the $125 range.
Don't know where the original poster is from but I just wanted to point out 2 extremes...his location & state laws will determine his business direction for him.
Best, -Norm
In VT, there are no requirements from the bank and no licensing for inspectors. So, very little demand for home inspections and the going rate for those who want them is in the $125 range.
Don't know where the original poster is from but I just wanted to point out 2 extremes...his location & state laws will determine his business direction for him.
Best, -Norm
kenmac
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I think I would have gone to another bank or a mortgage co b-4 I would have paid $400.00 for nothing.
Sigarms
Super Star Member
Hindsight is perfect science.
Following is only my opinion (and we all know what they are like /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).
At your age, if your not thinking about college and don't know what degree you want to get, look at getting into a speceiffic trade (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, sheet metal...). Look at the local community colleges (sp?) and see what classes they have. Is there a union with an apprenticeship (sp?) available?
I've worked with the local community colleges and businesses that "pull" from unions and going the union route would be my first choice.
I know some "techs" who are good/great at what they do and the money is there, you just have to work for it.
Keep in mind, sometimes the hours are not the greatest.
No offense to anyone here who is a home inspector, but some who I know personally (sp?) who are in the field of home inspections really did not do that good in a particular trade and decided to go into business for themselves as home inspectors.
I see it as a nessesary evil to buying a home.
When I bought my house (first one) two years ago, our home inspector was reccomended by both the bank and realtor. He had a ME degree and his "rate" was around $500. He did a decent job, but for the most part, just pointed out the obvious pertaining to the house. As it turns out however, on of my gas furnaces had a recall on the heat exchanger from the manufacturer. This was a BIG issue in the past, and being in the HVAC trade, I recconized (sp?) it once I saw the particular brand (I didn't tell the home inspector what I did for a living, I wanted to "check" to see what he would "come up with" per the HVAC systems). Standard procedure for this brand of furnace was to have a tech do a combustion test on the heat exchanger and to "leave" the results with the furnace to show what the results were (if the furnace "passes" nothing needs to be done, if it fails, the furnace needs to be replaced). Nothing on the paperwork per the furnace, and the home inspector said nothing about it.
As mentnioned here, it's hard to be a master of all trades.
You may be surprised what a good tech can make in a trade, just remember to do each job like it was on your own house, show pride in work, and put your "time" in to learn the trade.
Remember, at your age, you have the time to learn. Whatever you do (again only my opinion) do to the best of your ability and try to be the best person doing it.
People will reconize the difference, and in the end, that is what will determine "how far you can go" and how much money you can make.
Following is only my opinion (and we all know what they are like /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).
At your age, if your not thinking about college and don't know what degree you want to get, look at getting into a speceiffic trade (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, sheet metal...). Look at the local community colleges (sp?) and see what classes they have. Is there a union with an apprenticeship (sp?) available?
I've worked with the local community colleges and businesses that "pull" from unions and going the union route would be my first choice.
I know some "techs" who are good/great at what they do and the money is there, you just have to work for it.
Keep in mind, sometimes the hours are not the greatest.
No offense to anyone here who is a home inspector, but some who I know personally (sp?) who are in the field of home inspections really did not do that good in a particular trade and decided to go into business for themselves as home inspectors.
I see it as a nessesary evil to buying a home.
When I bought my house (first one) two years ago, our home inspector was reccomended by both the bank and realtor. He had a ME degree and his "rate" was around $500. He did a decent job, but for the most part, just pointed out the obvious pertaining to the house. As it turns out however, on of my gas furnaces had a recall on the heat exchanger from the manufacturer. This was a BIG issue in the past, and being in the HVAC trade, I recconized (sp?) it once I saw the particular brand (I didn't tell the home inspector what I did for a living, I wanted to "check" to see what he would "come up with" per the HVAC systems). Standard procedure for this brand of furnace was to have a tech do a combustion test on the heat exchanger and to "leave" the results with the furnace to show what the results were (if the furnace "passes" nothing needs to be done, if it fails, the furnace needs to be replaced). Nothing on the paperwork per the furnace, and the home inspector said nothing about it.
As mentnioned here, it's hard to be a master of all trades.
You may be surprised what a good tech can make in a trade, just remember to do each job like it was on your own house, show pride in work, and put your "time" in to learn the trade.
Remember, at your age, you have the time to learn. Whatever you do (again only my opinion) do to the best of your ability and try to be the best person doing it.
People will reconize the difference, and in the end, that is what will determine "how far you can go" and how much money you can make.
Bird
Rest in Peace
Apparently you're in Texas and know what is required for licensing as a home inspector. One of the guys who used to work for me got his license and went into that business part time after he retired. But he told me last year that he let his license lapse because of changes in the state law that made the license cost too much for an individual who only did it part time.
Years ago a termite inspection was required when a house was sold, but when I bought this house last year, I was told that was no longer required. In fact, the mortgage company required no inspection at all. So I did my own inspection, but I hired someone to do the HVAC inspection (only because I had no experience with heat pumps) and someone to do a termite inspection (just for peace of mind even though I found no evidence of insect damage).
Years ago a termite inspection was required when a house was sold, but when I bought this house last year, I was told that was no longer required. In fact, the mortgage company required no inspection at all. So I did my own inspection, but I hired someone to do the HVAC inspection (only because I had no experience with heat pumps) and someone to do a termite inspection (just for peace of mind even though I found no evidence of insect damage).
2nstonge
Gold Member
They were about a point lower than anyone else at the time. I made the $400 back and then some within a few months, but it was still a pain in the arse.
-Norm
-Norm
Houston is one of the best real estate markets in the US. Home inspectors are trained to find things others dont look at. The amount of hours needed and the training they get is really good here in Texas. By law they cant say you NEED to replace something because thats a liability. Instead they reccomend you get a professional to look at the problem. Just because a few of you may know a trade by far doesnt make you an expert, while a home inspector does. Here in Texas atleast.
2nstonge
Gold Member
Like in any profession, there's good & bad apples. It doesn't matter if their located in TX, MA or anywhere in between.
About 50% of my work comes from a realtor (high end market) who does a home inspection before listing a house. I then go thru and address as many issues as practical; takes all the nitpicks out of the bargaining when the buyers do come thru.
I believe most home inspectors are really expert at one thing - filling out the forms. Liability is a huge issue and the inspection reports I've seen the past few years are written solely to protect the inspector; they read like every loose doorknob is a potential structural failure, every burned-out light bulb is a fire hazard & every roof (no matter the condition) may fail at any time. Other than anxiety, what does a buyer really get out of that??
The better inspectors I work with have a working background in the trades; they've spent time actually working on this stuff and observing other trades do their thing. If your only experience is classroom work and a few hours shadowing another inspector may be a good start but doesn't prepare someone thoroughly enough to advise a buyer who's plunking down $100's of thousands on a home...IMO. If it works for you - great.
Liability or not I think it's ridiculous for a home inspector to spend your/my time & money generating a report that essentially says to hire other pros to inspect all the big ticket items.
If the home inspection business is really something the original poster wants to do I say go for it. Some of these guys/gals make great money (many don't) and it can be interesting work. It's up to him what kind of service & expertise he wants to provide his customers beyond the state mandated training.
-Norm
About 50% of my work comes from a realtor (high end market) who does a home inspection before listing a house. I then go thru and address as many issues as practical; takes all the nitpicks out of the bargaining when the buyers do come thru.
I believe most home inspectors are really expert at one thing - filling out the forms. Liability is a huge issue and the inspection reports I've seen the past few years are written solely to protect the inspector; they read like every loose doorknob is a potential structural failure, every burned-out light bulb is a fire hazard & every roof (no matter the condition) may fail at any time. Other than anxiety, what does a buyer really get out of that??
The better inspectors I work with have a working background in the trades; they've spent time actually working on this stuff and observing other trades do their thing. If your only experience is classroom work and a few hours shadowing another inspector may be a good start but doesn't prepare someone thoroughly enough to advise a buyer who's plunking down $100's of thousands on a home...IMO. If it works for you - great.
Liability or not I think it's ridiculous for a home inspector to spend your/my time & money generating a report that essentially says to hire other pros to inspect all the big ticket items.
If the home inspection business is really something the original poster wants to do I say go for it. Some of these guys/gals make great money (many don't) and it can be interesting work. It's up to him what kind of service & expertise he wants to provide his customers beyond the state mandated training.
-Norm
