Being a home inspector is attractive. You join a stable industry that will be here until there are real estate transactions. Because people will keep buying houses, and they’ll need inspections to confirm their choice is the right one. Now, couple that stability with a home inspector’s salary, and you get a profession that’s almost certainly going to be in demand. As a matter of fact, IBISWorld’s report shows the inspection market has grown and is now worth more than $6 Billion.
All this begs the question: What’s it like to be a home inspector?
In this blog, we cover this and more queries like
The Pros and Cons of Being a Home Inspector
Like any other job, being an inspector comes with its own benefits and caveats.
Pros of Choosing Home Inspector as Your Career
You don’t answer to anyone while making a handsome salary as a home inspector.
Your Own Boss
If you’re an independent inspector, you’re your own boss. You don’t have a boss to answer to, can set your own schedule, and do as many (or as few) jobs as you want. So, if you have the energy and time, you can schedule more inspections per week. And if you don’t feel up to it, you can take it easy. There’s no one but yourself to answer to.
Even if you’re working for an established inspection company, this job gives you more freedom than most. You get to meet new people and help them make the biggest financial decisions (with accurate inspections).
Keeps You Engaged
You never get bored because every home, every building is different – even if they are in the same area and were built around the same time. This way, you get to experience something new during every inspection.
In addition to the actual buildings, the customer’s demands and perspectives also change. For the same style of building, you may be expected to perform quite different types of inspections. This helps avoid monotony and keeps you engaged.
Stable, Growing Demand
As we mentioned earlier, there will be a demand for home inspectors. In fact, the demand is only going to go up as more people realize how important inspections are for their real estate deals. So, as long as people are buying or selling homes, you can rest assured there will be a continuous inflow of jobs and cash.
Cons of Being a Home Inspector
Being a home inspector is a physical job that requires self-management.
Physically Demanding
It isn’t for people with physical limitations, as they might not be comfortable with climbing ladders or inspecting tight places. For what it’s worth, being a home inspector isn’t all about climbing ladders. And you do get used to it with proper training.
Sour Clients
As you’re dealing with people about to make a huge decision (buying a home), there’s always a chance they will not be happy with the results – no matter how detailed and unbiased your reports are. They will put your experience and your certifications in question. You have to be prepared for such blowbacks and never take it personally.
Self Management
There are no fixed working hours, which may be a good thing for some. But for others, it is a nightmare. Because, you do get to spend more time with family. But where there’s a crunch, you’ll be occupied without any break in sight. You have to manage your time smartly to avoid burnout. You have to be very good at planning ahead for a good work-life balance.
So, Should I Become a Home Inspector?
Now you understand there will be ups and downs when you are a home inspector. But will it be an experience worth having?
If you’re interested in helping people while earning a handsome salary, becoming a home inspector is a good choice for you.
If you have a keen eye for details and can pen down what you see legibly, you could become a successful inspector.
If you’re an independent person and like to work with your own schedule, home inspection could offer good opportunities.
If you’re willing to put in the work and understand different buildings for what they actually are, this is the job for you.
What is the Average Salary of a Home Inspector?
Home inspector salary can range from $45,000 to $70,000 (and more) annually. The actual salary depends on a lot of factors like experience, certifications, area where you work, etc.
So, if we say, “It depends,” we wouldn’t be wrong. But that’s not what you’re here for. So, let’s break down the different factors that may affect the average salary of a home inspector.
Experience matters. If you’re starting out, you will likely be getting the shorter end of the stick. Still, you can make upwards of $45,000 per annum. With experience, this figure will go up.
Certified inspectors make more. Because these certifications project knowledge and credibility.
Your income also depends on your usual clientele and jobs. If you’re inspecting smaller homes in the countryside, you will not make as much as an inspector who offers their services to an urban clientele.
Reputation and specialized services also impact your salary as a home inspector. So start working, provide extra value, and build a rapport with your clients.
To give you some more context, we’ll discuss
Who is A Home Inspector?
A home inspector is a trained professional who examines residential properties for any issues that might hamper the safety or comfort of the residents. For Home Inspectors in Milwaukee, WI, this examination (or inspection) covers structural elements (like the foundation, load-bearing walls, and the roof), plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, and exterior & interior elements.
There are certain home inspectors who can check for mold, radon, or other contaminants in the home. But they must have certifications for these jobs.
Simply put, a good home inspector is integral to any reliable real estate deal. Because, when someone is about to buy a home, they need to know its actual condition, and a certified home inspector is the only person who can provide that information. This information comes as a home inspection report, containing all the findings and suggestions. Buyers can use this to decide if they want to go ahead with the deal, need to negotiate, or even back out of the deal.
Now that you know who a home inspector is, let’s answer
How to Become a Home Inspector?
The basic requirements for becoming a home inspector are a high school diploma (or equivalent education) and The National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE), which verifies that you understand what home inspection is all about. To pass NHIE, you need proper guidance and a complete inspection training program.
In addition to the exam, some states require home inspectors to be certified by a credible organization like InterNACHI or ASHI. Getting insured is a plus that can help you land more jobs as an inspector.
If you’re in Milwaukee, we have a dedicated guide for you on: How to become a certified home inspector in Milwaukee.
With that said, do you want to know
What Does a Typical Day Look Like for A Home Inspector?
As a home inspector, you are responsible for verifying everything is as intended. This means pre-planning the whole day beforehand.
So, if you were wondering what home inspectors do during a typical day, here’s the breakdown.
Morning
Before the actual inspection, they have to prepare themselves and their tools. They double-check to confirm everything is properly calibrated for accurate findings.
Inspection
The home inspector commutes to the location with their equipment. The actual home inspection takes anywhere between 2 and 4 hours. The actual inspection time depends on the property’s size and the complications in the systems being inspected.
Documentation
After the inspection, all the findings are compiled into a report that has easily understandable explanations with practical suggestions. This report compilation can take a few hours to a full day, depending upon what was found, the number of issues, and how detailed the suggestions are.
Communication
Once the report is compiled, it is shared with the client along with proper communication of what is included. The inspector answers all the questions and ensures the client has all the info they need.
Learning
On days when there are no active jobs, the inspector explores the latest real estate and building trends. They also practice the latest tools to make their inspection reports even more accurate.
We now know what an inspector does during a typical day. Let us share some
Advice for People Considering a Job as An Inspector
Many people choose to become home inspectors because they enjoy the independence and flexibility that comes with the job. However, there are a few things to consider before jumping into this career.
First, home inspectors need to be detail-oriented and have good observational skills. They also need to be able to communicate their findings clearly to both clients and real estate agents.
Second, carrying out a Certified Home Inspection in Milwaukee is a physically demanding job. Inspectors often have to inspect around attics and crawl spaces and climb ladders to access roofs.
Third, inspectors must be comfortable working with technology. They use a variety of tools, including moisture meters and thermal cameras, to help them conduct their inspections.
Fourth, inspectors need to be able to work independently. They typically work alone or with a small team, so they need to be self-motivated and organized.
If you're thinking about becoming a home inspector, make sure you weigh all the pros and cons before making your decision. It's essential to consider whether this career is the right fit for you.
Conclusion
Overall, working as a home inspector can be a great way to earn a living. You get to set your own hours, work independently, and help people protect their investments. However, there are also some downsides to the job. It can be physically demanding, you're always on the go, and there is potential for liability claims if something goes wrong. Overall, it can be a rewarding career if you're up for the challenge and are willing to put in the work. And the market is relatively stable, with opportunities to earn a good salary.
So, if you have a keen eye and are looking forward to learning something new with every job, choose home inspection as your career.
