1 August An Average Day In The Life Of A Home Inspector August 1, 2023 By sma Franchise, Inspection Tips inspection industry, small business 0 AN AVERAGE DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HOME INSPECTOR August 1, 2023 | Inspection Tips, Franchise | inspection industry, small business By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.'s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator There are many aspects of the home inspection industry that draw people into the profession. Entrepreneurs love the opportunity to become their own boss, others will be drawn to the flexibility inherent in the job, and still others are drawn to the unique technologies that are constantly innovating the industry. Professionals transition into the industry every year, but many do so without having a full picture of what life will be like as a home inspector. For those who are interested in making a career change, the best way to start off is by shadowing an active home inspector for a day or two to get a better feel of the lifestyle and nature of work. However, it can be understandably difficult to find someone willing and ready to train potential future competition for themselves. So, to bridge the experience gap, here is a breakdown of what an average day as a home inspector can look like. Disclaimer: Home Inspectors have an inherently flexible job that can be shaped to fit many different lifestyles and preferences. The described daily schedule in this article describes only one home inspector’s experience after finding what worked for them. Starting the Day Off Strong 5am: Wake Up Before this makes you too nervous: No, home inspectors don’t have to be early birds in order to be successful in the industry. However by waking up earlier, extra time can be spent wrapping up inspection reports from the previous day and sending them off to clients in the mornings. Home inspectors spend a considerable amount of time writing their report, which can be streamlined with experience and practice. Whether this report writing occurs early in the morning, or at the end of the day, home inspectors need to consider how they would like to structure their day in order to allow for availability at their preferred times. For example, many inspectors enjoy reserving evenings for family and friends and plan accordingly. After preparing for the day, most inspectors will set off for their first inspection! Again, this is where things can vary considerably. Many home inspectors serve a larger area and, if that is the case, they will grow accustomed to time in their vehicles and exploring their city or region. Once arriving at the property, the actual home inspection can take place. Note: Many inspectors develop their own preferred process for conducting a property inspection, and there isn’t necessarily one “perfect” way to go about it. As long as the inspection follows the appropriate standards of practice and the unique state, city, or even county-specific regulations, they have the freedom to model their routine to their liking. For more information on developing a home inspection process, give our previous article a read! One exciting aspect of property inspections is that no two properties are the same. Home inspectors see so many unique houses. Some might be old and well-maintained, and others might have a few “creative” DIY fixes that can complicate an inspection. Because of this and the natural added time for inspecting larger properties, an inspection can last anywhere from two hours to four hours. Inspectors will also be expected to examine crawl spaces and roofs, among other physical requirements. The best home inspectors are confident maneuvering throughout properties in a variety of weather conditions. Once finished with the inspection, inspectors will meet up with their agent and client to wrap up and answer any questions. Home buyers rely on home inspectors to provide an unbiased perspective on the condition of their new home, and real estate agents will value the inspectors that can explain their findings in a calm, non-alarmist way. In-person communication skills are sought after in the home inspection industry. Repeating the Process Noon: Lunch With the morning wrapped up, inspectors have the opportunity to grab lunch before heading to another home inspection. Depending on market activity, the number of inspections that can be expected every day will vary, and it may take time for a new business to grow into a reliable, consistent schedule. Still, some regions might be naturally limited to one or two each day due to population or size, while other inspectors may come to expect more. Regardless, the best business owners will find things to do on the days that they don’t have another inspection booked. Making use of extra time can be as simple as reorganizing a chaotic office space or cleaning out a work vehicle. Small business owners should be aware that they are often the face of their company, and simple things like a well-maintained truck can leave an impactful impression on clients. Other great uses of extra time include working on bookkeeping, returning calls from clients and agents, and planning future marketing efforts. Although some inspectors might try to get away with as little marketing as possible, marketing efforts are often the key to what separates businesses from the competition. The best advice for learning about what type of marketing works best is simple: try everything! Home inspectors that are willing to experiment strategically are the most likely to see sustained success in the industry. 6pm: Dinner After wrapping up the afternoon activities, home inspectors can dedicate the rest of their days to whatever they like (dedicating time in the mornings to report writing pays off here!). Full days as a home inspector can be long, admittedly, but the payoff is well worth it when surrounded by the right team. If you are interested in learning more about starting your own home inspection business, start with a free info packet today. More questions? Contact our recruitment team! About the Author Jon McCreath, Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator A former NPI franchise owner and real estate agent, Jon joined the NPI corporate team in 2019. With his inspection expertise and foundation in classroom instruction, Jon teaches and mentors new franchisees during their two-week training course in Omaha. He also handles technical support calls during and after office hours and guides franchisees through the state licensing process. Comments are closed.