Sheryl,
Way to go gal!! You're off an running. Well, off and starting anyway and that's what counts.
This business is a never-ending learning process... get ready to start a long journey that will find Saturday almost laughable in a couple of years. You will think back on this (in a couple of years) and think, "What the hell was I doing!". It will be a hoot, that's for sure.
My advice to you will try and not be distracted by all the questions and hangers-on during the inspection. The men will want to know if you know squat, the Realtors will want to tell you what is right and what is even more right. If yo can, take an extra pad of paper and pen with you and give it to the buyers and maybe even a tape measure, then let them know that you will be very busy going through the home and it's systems and will not want to miss anything because of getting distracted away from a thought or being in the middle of something and then being pulled-away to answer questions. Have them write their questions down and tell them you will be glad to review those questions/ concerns with them at the end of the inspection.
First things first!!!! Get a signed inspection agreement first. I quickly review the agreement (I know it by heart) line-item by line-item verbally as they are looking at it and tell them that this agreement is simply to hire me to do the job of inspecting the property and these are the conditions which we operate under. This being your first, out of the gate, I highly recommend that you do not conduct an inspection without a signed agreement.
Set the customers expectations-- let them know that the inspection will take how ever much time it takes and to bear with you as you are not going to hurry through and will try to be as thorough as possible. Then tell them; "However, I am only human and cannot see through walls or under insulation, under carpeting, etc... those things that are not visible or accessible will not be reported on. I can only inspect what I can access and is visible to me during the inspection."
If I can help in any way, please feel free to contact me direct at;
richard@aa-inspection.com
Sheryl, I wish you all the good luck and would like to be a fly on the wall during that inspection.
Take care...