Thread: How to become an inspector?

Hi, I am an electrical contractor and general contractor but want to get into inspections? How do I go about becoming an inspector? What is the difference between commercial and residential inspectors, other than the type of occupancies? Thanks.

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Originally Posted by CS Clark

Hi, I am an electrical contractor and general contractor but want to get into inspections? How do I go about becoming an inspector? What is the difference between commercial and residential inspectors, other than the type of occupancies? Thanks.

1st thing check if there is any home inspector association local chapters that has monthy or quarterly meetings.
One association that has a lot very experienced inspectors and chapters across the country is ASHI American Society of Home Inspectors, ASHI. You will find there are countless local inspectors that will share their experiences with you.

If you decide to pursue the profession , get the best home inspector training you can, and accept the fact that many of the things you or your subs did on your jobs may of been wrong..

Be wary of associations that will instantly certify you, and market you to the public as a certified inspector, by paying dues, taking an on-line open book quiz, and promising to do additional training after your certified.

Difference between commercial and residental inspections is night and day.
Biggest difference , residental your dealing with emotions on all parties involved.

What state are you in? Metro area?

I am in Iowa, Des Moines Metro area.

If you read thru the archives here from start to finish, you will know more than 90% of the guys that post here all the time.

Dude, Southern Vancouver Island, are you hiring???? LOL, That sounds like heaven on earth.

If you want to give me a call sometime I would be glad to help answer your questions.

Phone number is on my website
Omaha Council Bluffs Metro Property Inspections | Bluffs Inspection Services

I am a rookie, ( recently licensed ) w/ background similar to yours; commercial electrical contractor and residential developer. No short answer to your inquiry, but my limited experience and abbreviated answer is ~
1) Certified training 2) Certification / licensing 3) Join inspection organizations like this one 4) Work with and field train with experienced inspectors.

It is too easy to under-estimate the complexity of this profession. Most inspectors like myself and potentially you are long in a given category, ( electrical for example ). However; inspecting envelopes all building categories. My training broke inspecting into seven categories / manuals. The largest and most important category was the eighth ~ marketing. My experience adds a ninth, ( acquiring and learning reporting software ). Good luck !

Originally Posted by John Kogel

If you read thru the archives here from start to finish, you will know more than 90% of the guys that post here all the time.

There is a lot of truth in that, with the caveat of understanding what you read and research what you do not. But the experiences and understandings found come from practical experience in each of the trades.