WHY A CAREER IN HOME INSPECTION?

Home inspection is an outstanding career choice for many reasons including a great income potential, flexible schedules, and the freedom of sel-employment. We at NIHI have seen our students enter the home inspection industry and their lives improve. Below are some key reasons to become a home inspector today!

Provide An Important Service

Home inspectors provide home buyers and sellers with important information they need to make confident decisions about the buying and selling of a home. Purchasing a home is arguably the biggest investment decisions some one will make in their lifetime and home inspectors provide objective information about the condition of a home. A home inspection is so valuable and necessary that an estimated 90% (Per ASHI) of home purchases in the U.S. are inspected.

Industry Stability

Home sales have ebbs and flows as far as volume is concerned, but homes are always getting sold and home inspections are always needed. Real estate transactions are always taking place and a home inspection is typically a component of these transactions. In addition to standard home sales, there are reposessions and short sale, providing an endless pipeline of work for home inspectors.

Relatively Low Startup Costs

What other business is there with a $100,000 a year income potential, that costs roughly $10,000 to start? These are very realistic numbers and we have many students who are now successful inspectors to verify this.

To get started, home inspectors do not need a lot. The state you live in may require you to get a license. These costs vary by state. In states that do not have a licensing requirement, startup costs will likely be lowered. Regardless of the licensing requirements, you will need errors and omissions and or general liability insurance, a device on which to work (laptop, phone, or tablet), inspection reporting software, brochures, business cards and a website, and a few tools. Recurrung costs may include any continuing education and licensing renewal costs required by your state, ongoing marketing and insurance costs.

Great Salary

The price of a home inspection varies from state to state but the national average is $328 (per Home Advisor) per inspection. Individually, home inspection fees can be far more than that. A full-time home inspector can realistically perform 250 inspections or more per year which would generate an income over $82,000. In addition to the basic home inspection fees, home inspectors can also add ancillary services to an inspection order to add even more revenue such as radon testing, pool/spa inspections, and mold testing. The income potential for a home inspector really comes down to where the inspector works and how much effort you’re willing to put in to your business. While salary average estimates differ depending on the source, the average home inspector in the U.S. makes about $50,000 to $70,000 each year. 

You Control Your Schedule 

As a self-employed home inspector, you control your own schedule. You schedule inspections when it works for you. Home inspection is also an effective side career and is easily done in addition to a full-time job. In fact, many people who have non-traditional schedules like law enforcement, or firefighters, will start a home inspection business as a sideline to bring in extra revenue. Many want to slowly transition to their new career while still working full time to make ends meet, home inspection is an ideal career choice for this. Over time, you’ll a strong referral base and begin to fill your schedule with home inspections and can feel confident in the segway to full time home inspections.

Preserve Your Health

Home Inspection is a career that will allow you to be ‘hands-on’ and not be behind a desk. Although there is a small amount of danger with ladder usage and crawling through an attic, home inspection does not have the day in and day out rigorous physical activity that can be damaging to the body. Why a