How do I become a home inspector?

[Colin Cutler]

I'm not currently a home inspector but have been in the trades for many years, my question is, does NACHI help one become an inspector or, do I have to find a school prior to becoming NACHI certified. thanks

[relliott]

It depends on where you live.

Either way NACHI certification is a big plus.

[Ian A. Niquette]

Colin, as Bob stated it depends upon what state you reside in or do business. Some states are licensed and some are not. Check the government site for your state and go from there, or ask others in the trades in your area about licensing. Also, iNACHI will help get you prepared if you do need to get licensed. There's alot of greatr info in this organization. Utilize all the info this organization has to offer and that will get you started.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by Colin Cutler

I'm not currently a home inspector but have been in the trades for many years, my question is, does NACHI help one become an inspector or, do I have to find a school prior to becoming NACHI certified. thanks

The simplest way to become a home inspector is to find a state that licenses them.

Read the bill. There are only about one or two steps....some classes, maybe a test, then pay a fee. Abracadabra!

Now...being a licensed home inspector does not necessarily mean people will flock to your door so you will be forced to entice them in some way. What most do is offer inspections at a fee that is around half of what most of the inspectors in your area offer. Anywhere from $99 to $125, should do it.

It is really and truly that simple.

[Colin Cutler]

Thanks for your responses, I live in N.W. Indiana along the IL. state line

[ccurrins]

Originally Posted by Colin Cutler

Thanks for your responses, I live in N.W. Indiana along the IL. state line

Indiana and IL. are both License States. Certified and Lic. are 2 different things. Pass all of the iNachi requirements and become a member you'll be iNachi certified. In Indiana you need to meet all of their pre-license requirements to obtain a License.

[Nick Gromicko]

InterNACHI is not very newbie friendly like come-only-with-cash ASHI (they have a 30 second online application process that requires nothing but a valid credit card). ASHI also pushes for very low, minimum standard licensing (which lets every bozo into the industry). .

ASHI even goes as far as using the minimum standard NHIE (used by many states to license a newbie) as ASHI's full membership exam! They really are the Wal-Mart of the inspection profession.

InterNACHI on the other hand doesn't help a newbie much and despite being the inspection industry's largest school system and education provider... doesn't even offer pre-licensing courses.

InterNACHI is much more geared to the existing inspector, helping him/her with marketing, legal matters, insurance discounts, offering other inspection services, membership benefits, search engine optimization, advanced education, business success tips, and state approved continuing education.

You say you are on the IN/IL border... Nearly all our courses are approved by Illinois for continuing education purposes: http://www.nachi.org/moreillinoislicenses.htm and ALL our courses are approved by Indiana.

Like Jim said, getting a state license is less than 1% of that which you need to become a successful inspector. The other 99% can be found within www.nachi.org/success.htm

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by iniquette

But, it does sound quite easy when you put it that way.LMAO

It is that easy. What better opportunity to illustrate it, than when someone actually asks the question?

[Nick Gromicko]

To be fair, we do offer one pre-licensing exam tool: www.nachi.org/qa.htm

[James H. Bushart]

Yep....and then, once you have your license, keeping up with CEUs can sometimes cause you to leave your comfort zone and interact with other inspectors in the various classes and seminars that are offered by different folks throughout the year.

Since licensing is a process of "dumbing down" the profession by reducing it to a three step process....NACHI has added to this by providing free training that you do not even have to put on your pants to attend. That's right. Online training courses (most of them regarding things that you should have already known before performing your first home inspection) that you never have to leave your comfort zone to take.

Now....in unlicensed states, it's a different story.

There is no state agency available to fool or otherwise convince the public, by virtue of a "license", that you are qualified to inspect a home. You have to work a bit harder at creating a resume that would impress a client and then actually perform at a level that would not only prove yourself worthy of your higher inspection fee, but would also place you above your competitors as you compete for referrals.

Much of this is done by attending seminars, training courses, and other live educational opportunities where you acquire additional skills and knowledge to add to your resume and your tool box. Even the worst of seminars will find inspectors learning from other inspectors during the "smoke breaks".

But your licensed state provides the easiest route of least resistance. Good luck.

[Nick Gromicko]

I wouldn't have quite put it that way, but Jim is basically correct.

[John McKenna]

I get the feeling that someone could ask a question about what color
shirt inspectors wear and James could spin it into an answer regarding
how bad licensing is...

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

I get the feeling that someone could ask a question about what color
shirt inspectors wear and James could spin it into an answer regarding
how bad licensing is...

Bad? What did I say that was "bad"? The guy is looking for a quick and easy way to be a home inspector.

What did I say that was not true, John?

[Kenneth Lott]

Originally Posted by Colin Cutler

I'm not currently a home inspector but have been in the trades for many years, my question is, does NACHI help one become an inspector or, do I have to find a school prior to becoming NACHI certified. thanks

Yes Nachi can help you to learn how to be an inspector, don't be afraid to take the entrance exam, it does not really matter if you fail at first, it will show you your strengths and weakness's

[Linas I. Dapkus]

Originally Posted by Colin Cutler

I'm not currently a home inspector but have been in the trades for many years, my question is, does NACHI help one become an inspector or, do I have to find a school prior to becoming NACHI certified. thanks

Do you read the newspapers or go online and follow the real estate market??? Now is not a good time to start a career in any real estate related business. Duuuuh!!!