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
