Home inspectors are in demand due to the current housing market. They are needed to provide potential home buyers with an unbiased opinion of the condition of a home. Some home inspectors typically have a background in construction or a related field, and they must be licensed in order to practice. This doesn’t mean that you need to have a construction background, it’s good if you do but not needed.
Home Inspection as a side hustle is a great idea because its VERY lucrative.
Most of the time, Home Inspectors are just going off a checklist to see if something is wrong or not. ( We will provide that checklist to you later in this article)
Home inspectors typically work for themselves, so they have the ability to set their own hours and rates.
This is a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time career.
What Is An Home Inspector?
A home inspector is a professional who inspects homes for potential buyers. Home inspectors look for any problems with the home that could potentially turn into costly repairs. They help buyers to make sure that there are not any hidden defects in the home, they primarily want to make sure that the foundation, AC, and plumbing are in decent condition.
How To Become A Home Inspector?
1: Get A GED or Highschool Diploma
The first step toward becoming a home inspector is to get a high school diploma. You will not be able to get a job as a home inspector without obtaining a high school diploma. Most states will also allow you to get a GED.
A GED is a high school equivalency credential. It is awarded to people who pass a series of exams that measure their knowledge and skills at a level comparable to that of a high school graduate.
2: Finish Home Inspection Course
The next step is to obtain a certificate or degree from a college or university that offers courses in home inspection. There are many colleges and universities across the country that offer courses in this field. Most people take online classes to fulfill this requirement. This will prepare you to take the state certifications.
Some of the most popular online home inspection institutions :
National Home Inspector
Home Inspector Pro
Kaplan Home Inspection
3. State Certifications
After completing your certificate or degree from college, you will need to get a license from your state’s department of professional regulation. Each state has different requirements for licensure, but most states require that you pass an examination. Each state will have its own kind of requirement for this, some might not require this at all.
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee DO NOT require any certifications.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Home Inspector?
Most home inspectors complete a training program that lasts between two and four weeks. This side hustle requires you to actually put in money for education.
How Much Does It Cost To Become Home Inspector?
Generally, the cost of taking the necessary courses and exams, as well as the cost of the licensing application, will range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
How Much Do Home Inspectors Make?
Home inspectors typically charge between $200 and $500 per service. The typical service call will last about 1-2 hrs or even faster as you get better at your job.
Can I Do Home Inspection As A Side Hustle?
Yes, you can do a home inspection as a side hustle because you can set your own hours but this could also be a full-time job as well because it pays really well.
How Do Find Customer As A Home Inspector?
The best way to find customers as a home inspector is to have a good relationship with realtors in your city. What you can do is go to realtor.com and find realtors that are active in your city and see if you can give them some sort of incentive or commission for every client they refer to you.
Go here: https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/
What Equipment Do You Need To Become Home Inspector?
You will need a few things before you can start your own home inspection business.
1. Home Inspector Certification – In order to become a certified home inspector, you will need to complete a home inspection course and pass an exam.
2. Home Inspector License – Once you are certified, you will need to apply for a home inspector license in the state where you wish to practice.
3. Insurance – You will need to purchase liability insurance to protect yourself and your business.
4. Home Inspector Tools – You will need to invest in some basic home inspection tools, such as a ladder, a flashlight, and a moisture meter. The most inspector also get a software that they can use to take notes and create reports for their customers.
Resources: Download Home Inspection Checlist