What Makes A Great Home Inspector?

// April 15th, 2009 // Become a home inspector

Well if you are going to become a home inspector, why not be a great home inspector? Lets talk about what it takes to be great. First off the obvious, you have to know how to do your job, you have to know what is right and what is wrong with houses. There are a million different courses and training programs out there, which we will get into at a later time. As much as a good training program is important, hands on experience is where you will really learn, though.

Do you need to have a background in the building trades? Not neccessarily, although it helps. My inspector Brian, the first inspector that I successfully hired and have actually kept around had very little experience when he started. I went through four or five other inspectors that had way more experience, that did not last. As you will see whenever you grow to the point that you become a multi-inspector firm, character and integrity are way more important than knowledge. You can teach inspection skills and knowledge, but you can not teach character.

I always wonder how much I didn’t know in the beginning! I guess I did ok, since I am still in business, although I still learn new stuff everyday. I think the best thing that you can do is to realize that you don’t know everything, even if you think that you do. I have an electrician, plumber, heating and cooling tech, etc., all on speed dial. Any time I have a question or something comes up that I am not sure about, I can easily call them and get the answers that I need. Granted after ten years, I call them less and less, although sometimes I still need a little assistance. Some of the stuff that you see out in the field, your just not going to find in any books!

With the way wireless phones and pda’s can access the internet now, you can easily Google your question and find the answer that you need, without the client even knowing what your doing. Now if you need to find an answer every day at each inspection, you are obviously in need of more training. I’m talking about in the case of an unexpected question it’s nice to have access to an answer. If you don’t know, tell the client that you don’t know and that you will find out. If you pretend to know, they will see right through you. Besides people will respect you more if you are honest.

So don’t feel that you need to know everything before you get started. Get a good base, read and learn continuously, and get out there and get started. Sometimes the best way to get started is to get a good book to give you an overview, although this will only touch the surface. Here is a really good book that can give you some great information on becoming a home inspector. The Home Inspection Book: A Guide for Professionals.Also read the Customer Reviews

Keep checking back and I will give you as much information as I can. Next time we will discuss another topic on what makes a great inspector. . . . . . .How to talk to the clients, Realtors, parents, and sellers the right way while doing the best job possible for your clients. This is an integral part in learning how to become a home inspector.