| This is our flagship course for home inspectors. It covers in detail how to inspect every major system in a house, and features classroom training, hands-on training, and in-the field inspections. The content of this course is based on the Standards and Practices of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), and the course is approved by ASHI for 56 Membership Renewal Credits (MRC's) and by NAHI for 56 Continuing Education Units (CEU's). Our course has also been licensed and approved by the State Board of Career Education. Our instructors are all Licensed Contractors or ASHI or NAHI certified home inspectors who have performed thousands of home inspections over their careers. Several of our instructors have also established significant home inspection businesses in various areas of the country. Meet them here >> Trainers. Finally, our class size is limited to make sure that you have the most favorable learning situation, both in the classroom and in the field.  | Home Inspection Training | | New Construction Inspection training | | Certified by the Department of Education | | Extensive hands on training | | Outstanding training materials and teaching aids | | First hand tools of the trade experience and testing | | Full marketing packages and office management services available |
Regular Tuition: $1799.99 Early Bird Registration: $1499
(must be paid in full, 6 weeks prior to class)
Books included in Price! A TYPICAL SCHEDULE FOR OUR FIVE-DAY COURSE IS AS FOLLOWS:
DAYS ONE THROUGH FIVE 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM:
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM:
12:30 PM - 07:00 PM: Classroom Training
Lunch
Classroom Training, Lab Demonstrations & Practice A TYPICAL SYLLABUS FOR OUR SIX-DAY COURSE IS PRESENTED BELOW: DAY ONE Standards of Practice - Code of Ethics - Purpose & Scope | All training is based on the recognized Professional Standards of Practice of ASHI and NAHI. Their scope, limitations and exclusions will be discussed. | | Report writing: what must be inspected, identified and reported; professional requirements. | | Business Overview | | Historical look at the inspection business; the business today; what the future holds. | | Players in the real estate transaction: buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, title companies, relocation companies and corporate transfers. | | Customer relations: minimizing complaints, maximizing profits. | | Accounting and finance business and marketing plans. | | Inspection Techniques | | Age determinations of building components, systems, mechanical equipment. | | Red flag issues; high claim concerns; providing estimates of repair costs. | | Inspection tips; providing life expectancies of building components. | | Liability and Legal Issues | | Home inspection liability; inspection agreements; adjusting client expectations. | | A carefully worded report. | | When the claim comes in: arbitration; when to speak with your lawyer. | | Sole proprietorship. | | Sub-chapter S corporations. | | Errors and omissions insurance. | | General liability/Bodily injury insurance. | | Foundation, Basements and Structural Components | | Good construction methods and types of buildings. | | Foundations, columns, exterior surfaces; sidings, flashings and trim. | | Basements, crawlspaces, including evaluation of insulation and ventilation. | | Slab on grade construction and components. | | Evaluation and diagnosis of problems: unstable soils, expansive clays, settlement, expansion/contraction, retaining walls and lot drainage problems. | | Floors, walls ceilings and roof structures; doors, windows, eaves and soffits. | | Functional vs. cosmetic defects. | | Lab | | Demonstrations and Practices |
DAY TWO Foundation, Basements and Structural Components - Continued | Site evaluation; vegetation, grading and lot drainage | | Site improvements: driveways, walkways, patios, steps, porches, decks, stoops& balconies including railings | | Wood destroying insects | | Requirements to report, methods used to observe under-floor and attic crawl spaces | | Commercial building inspections | | Report writing Exterior Finishes & Surfaces | | Stucco vs. EIFS | | Brickwork vs. blockwork | | Siding composites / wood | | Moisture intrusion | | Caulking & sealants | | Flashings | | Grading / French drains Lab | | Demonstrations and Practices |
DAY THREE Roof Coverings, Flashings, Gutters and Downspouts | Roof structures and sloped roof covering materials | | Chimneys, skylights and roof penetrations | | Requirement to report on the method used to observe the roof covering(s) | | Defect recognition and life expectancies, liability concerns | | Built-up and flat roof analysis | | Roof soffits, fascias and ventilation | | Roof framing, sheathing, insulation and ventilation, signs of leaks/condensation | | Attic inspection: insulation; ventilation; framing; signs of leaks and condensation. | | Fire-resistant treated plywood (FRT) sheathing | | Diagnosing moisture signs | | Report writing Plumbing Systems | | Water supply/wells; interior supply and distribution piping and materials. | | Fixtures and faucets including functional flow and drainage. | | Leaks and cross connections. | | Drain, waste and vent systems, including materials, supports and insulation. | | Water heater: types, age and fuel source; normal operating and safety controls. | | Chimneys, flues and vents. | | Bathrooms, shower pans and enclosures. | | Private waste disposal systems. | | Report writing. |
DAY FOUR Electrical | Determining amperage and voltage; service entrance conductors and equipment. | | Main and distribution panels and location; system grounding type and means. | | Evaluate the type and presence of over current protection devices. | | Branch wiring evaluation; light fixtures; switches; outlets. | | Evaluating conductors; polarity; grounding; GFCI devices, if present. | | Requirement to report on the presence of aluminum branch circuit wiring. | | Advanced electrical systems. |
Cooling Systems | Analysis of the compression cycle; determining age, size, types. | | Inspecting and testing the air handler and condensing/compressor unit; energy source; heat pumps; life expectancies. | | Normal operating controls; thermostats. | | Distribution systems; cooling source in each room. | | Air cooled and water circulating systems. |
Heating Systems | Types of systems: forced-air furnaces heat exchanger problems; hot water/steam systems; electric resistance; heat source in each room; determining age and capacity. | | Heat distribution systems: fans, pumps, ductwork and registers. | | Automatic safety controls and concerns; normal operating controls. | | Flues, chimneys and vents. | | Solid fuel heating devices, including fireplaces. | | Report writing. |
Work in the field at an inspection site DAY FIVE Interior | Environmental concerns; asbestos, urea formaldehyde. | | Walls, ceilings and floors, including evaluation of fire separation at attached garage/house. | | Windows and doors, steps, stairs, balconies and railings. | | Countertops and cabinets. | | Report writing. Appliances | | Evaluate built-in kitchen appliances as a value-added service. | | Detection of little known problems. | | High claim concerns; when you should and should not inspect. |
Professional Business Procedures | Developing a business plan. | | Marketing techniques. | | Sources of business; residential, commercial, pest and radon; where you should start. | | Including repair cost estimates in the report as a value added service. | | Tools of the trade. |
Marketing Strategies | How to market your business; finding customers. | | Developing a brochure; press mailings. | | Speaking engagements; real estate office presentation methods. | | Dealing with REALTORS and other sources of referrals. | | Effective use of public relations, media opportunities |
Office Procedures | Business forms; necessary office supplies and equipment. | | Telephone technique; scheduling the inspection. | | Credit card sales. | | Bookkeeping and accounting overview; data management. | | Computer software and office machines. | | Tour of an inspection company office. |
Week in Review 
|
