Kaplan Graduate Benefits

Enhanced Residential Home Inspection Course
11 days - 90 hours*
Course Materials     Fees     Course Outline     Register Now

This enhanced training program includes home inspection courses on how to inspect a home in compliance with Standards of Practices for numerous nationally recognized home inspection associations. "Hands-On" home inspection, report writing, setting up your business, and running a successful home inspection company will be covered.

The Scope of Inspections

• The scope of a residential home inspection, with
  inclusions, limitations, and exclusions, according to the ASHI Standards of Practice
  
• The home inspector's role in a real estate transaction
  
• Basic tools needed for a home inspection
  

• Overview of starting the business
  
• Telephone inquiry and booking the inspection
  
• Presentation of the inspections and report delivery
  
• Insurance options
• Contracts
  
• Payment and pricing methods
  
• Who will buy or refer inspections to you
  
• Hidden business opportunities you must know about
  

• Report writing options
  
• Exercise: creating a report that meets standards
  
• Advantages of different reporting formats
  
• Sample reports will be provided and reviewed
  

• Basic structural components, including:
  
• Foundations
  
• Floors
  
• Walls
  
• Roofs
  
• Structural component inspection.
  
• Problem identification (You will view hundreds of examples of structural defects)
  

Structure (Part 2)

• The real art of the structural inspection
  
• Home inspection versus engineering
  
• Concise and accurate reporting of your findings

• Exterior walls, flashings, and trim
  
• Doors and windows
  
• Problem identification
  

• Decks, balconies, steps, porches, and railings
  
• Eaves, soffit, and fascia
  
• Driveways, walkways, and landscaping
  
• Retaining walls
  
• Walls, ceilings, and floors
  
• Stairwells, balconies, and railing
  
• Cabinets and counters
  
• Windows and doors
  
• Dwelling units/garage separation
  

• Asphalt shingles (composition) roofs
  
• Wood shingle and shake roofs
  
• Tile roofs, including clay and concrete
  
• Flat roofs, including built-up roofs and single ply roofs
  
• Other roofing systems, including metal and slate
  

• Roof drainage systems
  
• Flashings, skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations
  
• Detection of leakage and condensation
  
• Hands-on field inspection and report writing exercise
  

• Supply piping system
  
• Drain, waste, and vent system
  
• Fixtures and faucets
  
• Functional flow and functional drainage
  
• Leaks and corrosion
  

Plumbing (Part 2)

• Water heater equipment
  
• Practical demonstration: Hands-on inspection
  

• Saturday field inspection of local area home
  
• Inspection process
  
• Technical demonstrations
  
• Report presentation

Electrical (Part 1)

• Service entrance wires and equipment
  
• Main disconnect
  
• Grounding equipment
  
• Distribution panels
  

• Distribution wiring
  
• Fuses and breakers
  
• Light switches and receptacles
  
• Ground fault circuit interrupters
  

• Practical examination: Hands-on inspection of electrical panels and components
  

• The combustion system (fuels, burners, etc.)
  
• Combustion air supply
  
• Normal operating controls
  
• Safety controls
  
• Exhaust flues, vents, and chimneys
  

Heating (Part 2)

• Furnaces
  
• Boilers and steam heat
  
• Electric Heating
  
• Distribution systems
  
• Insulation, ventilation, and vapor retarders
  

• Practical examination: Hands-on inspection of heating systems. Experience the actual process of inspecting blowers, thermocouples, heat exchangers, and more inspecting...
  

• Principles of operation
  
• Evaporators and Condensers
  
• Normal operating controls
  
• Distribution systems
  
• Hands-on demonstration
  

• Marketing strategies
  
• Do's and Don'ts for building a successful business
  
• Client relationships
  
• Allied organizations and how to build credentials
  
• Diversification opportunities
  

• Home inspection
  
• Standards and report writing
• Defect identification

Final Examination

• Taken on-line on your own at the end of the class.

Preparation

We believe that a combination of classroom, field training, and home study are appropriate for full comprehension and retention of the course. Kaplan provides you with a library of reference books and materials. Study guides and videos will be provided and approximately 60-70 hours of homework are part of this course. The homework should be completed before taking the course in order to achieve maximum benefit from the course. (Homework also can be completed after taking the course.)

Note: Course completion qualifies for 90 Continuing Education Credits and 90 hours of core inspection education for most states with licensing.

Materials Included in the Course Fee

• Getting Started in the Home Inspection Business Book
• Systems & Standards Book Set, Principles of Home Inspection
• Getting Started in the Home Inspection Business DVD Set
• Matrix Advantage Report

Note: Course materials may be substituted, added, or deleted at the discretion of the instructors. Prices subject to change without notice. Kaplan handout binder and Matrix Advantage Sample are provided in class as opposed to being shipped prior to class.

Course Fees

Registration - $2,999** plus applicable tax and shipping for course materials

* Course approval hours may vary depending on the approval of membership organizations or state regulatory agencies.

** Price includes books and materials. Register early to complete the pre-class homework.

Arizona and Connecticut Inspectors: Please be advised to become a state of Arizona Licensed Home Inspector, students are required to conduct 30 home inspections. To become a state of Connecticut Licensed Home Inspector, students are required to conduct 100 home inspections under the supervision of another licensed home inspector and pass state exams. Such inspections are not included in this course.