About Home Inspections

The Home Inspection industry is one of the fastest growing professions in North America. Many notable business publications list it as an industry with a bright future and an demand that has yet to be fully met.

So how do you get into this business?
The answer is both simple and complicated...

The simple part is that Kaplan is the oldest and most respected and experienced inspection training institution in the nation (established in 1985), and is available to assist you with all of the instruction, and preparation for the required certification testing. Our courses will allow you to learn the business through "hands-on" classroom & field training courses, or through home study, by way of our online courses.

The best thing for you to do is investigate the industry. Your research will likely show that Kaplan Professional Schools is the highest regarded educational institution in the profession. We are on the forefront of the home inspection industry. With our extensive experience in the profession, we design our courses to meet the needs of real life home inspectors. Our instructors are among the most experienced to be found anywhere.

You may ask yourself, "just what does a Home Inspector do?" The answer is: a certified home inspector performs a very important service. He inspects an existing home using professional standards as a measure to accurately report the condition of the home to those involved in the real estate transaction. He does not evaluate the home for cost or value. He does however, report objectively, in writing, the condition of all resident home systems as they appear and operate at the time of the inspection.

To be a competent and professional home inspector you must be fully trained in the proper operation of all commonly found home systems. These systems include:

• Structural Components (foundations, floors and walls),
• Exterior Components (siding paint, windows, decks, garage doors, etc.
• Roofing (coverings, flashings, chimneys, etc.),
• Plumbing (piping, fixtures, faucets, water heating and fuel storage systems, etc.),
• Electrical (wiring, main service panels, conductors, switches, receptacles, etc.),
• Heating (equipment, safety controls, distribution systems, chimneys, etc.),
• Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (cooling and air-handling equipment, controls and ducting, etc.),
• Interior (partitions, ceilings, floors, railings, doors and windows, etc.),
• Insulation and Ventilation (attics, walls, floors, foundations, kitchen and bathrooms, etc.

The home inspection report must be neatly written and conform to the accepted standards of this industry. With proper training any motivated individual who has a basic knowledge of construction can become a valued member of this profession.

If this sounds like a vocation you would like to get into, contact Kaplan Professional Schools and enroll in one of our home inspection programs today!

Why home inspection?
Public awareness, increased liability, and the growing demand for qualified information have catapulted the home inspector into the public spotlight. When purchasing a home, many home buyers have saved literally thousands of dollars through information provided by the home inspector. People who have owned a home for several years have benefited through the home inspector's knowledge of maintenance, repairs and experienced eyes to avert potential problems. In many areas where disasters have occurred, homeowners have relied on inspectors to help them identify any damage resulting from storms, earthquakes, etc.

What is the average income of a home inspector?
According to a 2002 edition of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Home Inspection Business Operations Study, full time home inspectors' annual incomes average between $35k - $150k in wages.

Why Kaplan?
Kaplan Professional Schools' faculty are highly qualified instructors—we say that with confidence! Our instructors across North America have been practicing home inspectors for many years. Many have held top positions in the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professional inspection organizations. Do a careful review of the training opportunities available to you—we are sure you'll choose Kaplan.

• Kaplan gives you real home inspectors as instructors and course developers.
• Kaplan offers the longest home inspection training program available today.
  
• Kaplan provides you with more reference materials (a full library) than any other school.
  
• Kaplan allows students to return to class for review at no additional fee.

How Kaplan Compares
Kaplan Instructors are all experienced home inspectors having performed thousands of paid inspections while operating successful inspection companies. From coast to coast, throughout the United States and Canada, our knowledge of home conditions is unsurpassed. A library of valuable video tapes and technical code and reference books are included with our core inspection courses. No contract or obligation is required for you to participate in the training. You pay only for what you receive! Courses are approved for continuing education credits by the all professional inspection associations and most state licensing requirements. Click here to see what else sets Kaplan apart from other training providers.

Kaplan Objectives

• Assist you in starting a successful inspection business.
  
• Provide quality training with understandable reference books, video tapes, and study materials.
• Aid you in increasing profits and satisfying your customers. Help you with every step of your new profession.

Benefits of Studying with Kaplan

• Study at your own pace in your home or office—we offer both classroom and online training courses.
• Kaplan schools are available nationwide, with new locations constantly in development to better serve you.
• Kaplan courses are developed by the leaders in the home inspection profession.
• Ongoing business, marketing and technical guidance when you need it at no additional cost
• Kaplan is by far the best value for your dollar.

Home inspection is a growing profession, full of opportunities for anyone interested in starting their own business, and participating in an exciting, challenging career, with plenty of room for growth. Investigate this opportunity now. Your future as a professional home inspector may be only a few quick mouse clicks away!

Click here to learn more about available Kaplan home inspection training programs.