Home Inspector Training Saves Property and Life
The value of home inspector training is one of the best-kept secrets in career education. And here's why.
by Kelly Richardson
Trade School Columnist
According to American Society of Home Inspectors, 77% of the homes sold in the United States and Canada today are inspected prior to purchase. Home inspector training will put you in a position to take on the crucial role of home inspection, ensuring the safety of homes and the people who live in them.
Home Inspector Duties
If you want your career to mean more than just a paycheck, consider becoming a home inspector. This skilled technician conducts inspections of newly built or previously-owned living structures. You’ll be looking for construction errors or contaminants that could erode the structure and possibly harm its occupant. Specifically, you’ll perform the following inspections:
- Electrical. Inspect and recognize problems with complex home wiring systems that control heat, light, and security systems.
- Mechanical. Check for stability of air conditioning systems, hot water systems, and plumbing.
- Defect Recognition. The essence of the home inspector profession: you’ll examine foundation, frame work, basement casing, etc.
Home Inspector Career Profile
And if that isn’t enough to get you excited, working for yourself and earning a nice living might be. The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that employment of construction and building inspectors should grow faster than the national average through 2014. Raging development and rising concern for public safety will make this career field essential.
Median annual earnings of construction and building inspectors were $43,670 in May 2004, with the middle 50% earning between $34,620 and $54,970. Job opportunities will be best for experienced supervisors—those with formal home inspector training and business management skills will land the best jobs.
Being a home inspector is a unique mix of professions—technician, public relations professional, and business owner—all in one versatile career you can feel good about.
About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.
Source(s)
American Society of Home Inspectors
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
