Kaplan Graduate Benefits The only ASHI Endorsed Classroom Training Program for Home Inspection in the United States!

New York Enhanced Home Inspection Course (Modules 1-4) Outline
12 days - 100 hours
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Course Description:
This comprehensive training program includes how-to inspect a home in accordance to the Standards of Practice of recognized professional organizations. Home inspections are an integral part the real estate transaction. This enhanced twelve-day, 100-hour training program has set the industry standard for more than a decade. Many state educational requirements are modeled after this proven educational curriculum. The course includes extensive pre-course homework, classroom presentations, hands-on training and field inspection work.

Learning Methodology:
Classroom theory becomes practical reality through the hands-on inspection of working furnaces, air conditioners, electrical panels and roof displays in the classroom. Instructors use their extensive libraries of digital photos to bring the "real world" to the classroom. Students also receive valuable field training while accompanying an experienced inspector on a residential home inspection. Finally, business development and marketing strategies are addressed to help the student launch a successful inspection business.

Module 4 – Overview of the Profession, License Law and Report Writing (Days 1-3)

Day 1: Overview of the Profession

• The Inspection Process.
• Scope of a residential home inspection, with inclusions, limitations, and exclusions, as published by nationally recognized inspection organizations.
• Pre-inspection agreement and elements of a contract.
• Liability issues.
• Tools and equipment used during the inspection.
• Inspector Safety concerns.

• Definitions.
• Licensing requirements.
• Qualifications for License.
• Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements.
• Duty of Care of Home Inspectors.
• Suspension and Revocation of License.
• Denial of License; Complaints; notice and Hearing.
• Practice of Architecture and Professional Engineering.
• Insurance requirements.
• Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics (nationally recognized).

Day 3: License Law (continued) & Report Writing

• Unlicensed activities.
• Violations and Penalties for unlicensed activities.
• Report types - narrative, checklist, combination.
• Preparing the report.
• Report delivery.
• Meeting the standards with reports and report writing.
• Meeting the standards with reports and report writing continued.
• The do's and don'ts of report writing.
• Effective communication and report writing.
• Final exam for Module 4

Module 1 – Structural, Exterior, and Roof (Days 4-6)

• The scope of the structural inspection.
• Procedures for inspecting the structural components.
• Types of Framing (balloon, platform, post-and-beam).
• Floor framing - sills, columns, beams, joists, subflooring.
• Footings and foundations - materials, construction.
• Types of cracks and determining implications and client recommendation.
• Soils - types and performance.
• Piers and columns.
• Basements - finished/unfinished.
• Procedures for inspecting.
• Water/moisture, stair wells, window wells, walls, floors, egress.
• Crawlspaces - access, safety, walls, posts, framing, ventilation, water/drainage.
• Wall Framing.
• Roof framing and terminology (rafters, collar ties, kneewall, purlins, sheathing, joists, ceiling joists).

• Exterior inspections.
• Procedures for inspection.
• Lot - grading, drainage, gutters, downspouts, retaining walls, landscaping.
• Walkways/driveways - materials.
• Patios.
• Decks, porches, & Balconies
• Stairs, landings.
• Handrails & Guardrails.
• Columns, beams, joists.
• Roofing.
• Flooring.
• Stoops.
• Doors/Windows - types.
• Insulation.
• Materials - wood, steel, fiberglass.
• Components and installation.
• Soffits/Fascia.
• Trim/Flashing.
• Garages/Carports.

Day 6: Roofing

• Scope of the roof inspection.
• Procedures for inspecting the roof.
• Roof types - steep slope, low slope.
• Asphalt shingles.
• Wood shingles.
• Wood shakes.
• Slate.
• Tile.
• Low slope roofing material.
• Copper.
• Metal.
• Installation.
• Common problems and identification.
• Drainage systems - types, installation, maintenance common problems, repair.
• Flashing - materials, locations, common problems.
• Roof penetrations - chimneys, skylights, vents/pipes.
• Final Exam for Module 1

Module 2 – Electrical, Interior, & Insulation and Ventilation (Days 7-9)

Day 7: Electrical

• The scope of the Electrical inspection.
• Procedures for inspecting the Electrical system.
• Service drop, service lines, service entrance.
• Main Service panel/breakers/fuses and main panel grounding.
• Main Service panel/breakers/fuses continued.
• Sub-panels.
• Amperage/voltage.
• Wiring methods including aluminum branch circuit wiring.
• Equipment Grounding.
• Switches.
• Outlets.
• Light fixtures.
• Ceiling fans.
• Smoke detectors.

• Scope of the interior inspection.
• Procedure for inspecting the interior components.
• Doors and windows and egress.
• Floors.
• Walls.
• Ceilings.
• Stairs.
• Steps.
• Railings.
• Balconies.
• Appliances - dishwashers, ranges, cooktops, ovens, trash compactors, garbage disposal, ventilation/range, microwave ovens, refrigerators, clothes dryers & washers.
• Countertops.
• Cabinets.
• Final Exam for Module 2.

Module 3 – Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing (Days 10-12)

Day 9: Insulation & Ventilation

• Scope of the insulation & ventilation inspection.
• Procedures for inspection.
• Insulation materials, types, heat & air flow, moisture.
• Attic insulation.
• Foundation insulation.
• Air/vapor retarders.
• Ventilation - attic.
• Basement ventilation.
• Crawlspace ventilation.
• Exhaust systems.
• Supply systems.
• Balanced systems.
• Bathroom & kitchen ventilation systems.

Day 10: Plumbing

• Scope of the plumbing inspection.
• Procedures for plumbing inspection.
• Water sources.
• Public - meters, valves, problems.
• Private - wells, pumps, flow, storage tanks, pressure tanks.
• Water main lines - materials, sizes, installation.
• Valves.
• Main shutoff valves.
• Drain/waste/vents - piping, traps, floor drains, venting systems.
• Sewage & sump pumps.
• Waste disposal systems - sewers & septic systems.
• Fixtures - sinks, tubs, showers, toilets.
• Faucets - indoor & outdoor.
• Water heaters - fuel source, capacity, temperature installation, leaks, chimney, flues and vents.

• The scope of the Heating system inspection.
• Procedures for inspecting the Heating system.
• Energy Sources - Fuel oil, natural gas, propane, electric, wood, solar heating.
• Hot water boilers.
• Steam.
• Wall unit and free standing.
• Chimneys.
• Vents.
• flues.
• Furnaces.
• Distribution systems.
• Controls.
• Thermostats.
• Returns.
• Safety controls.
• Exhausts.
• Fireplace components.

• Scope of the Cooling system inspection.
• Procedure for inspecting the cooling systems.
• Doors and windows.
• Types of systems.
• Energy sources.
• Capacity.
• Components - compressor, condenser, evaporator.
• Duct systems.
• Thermostats.
• Heatpumps; components.
• Final Exam for Module 3.