Why it is difficult for new home inspectors to gain experience
Q: Your column often advises people to find the most experienced home inspector possible. That's all well and good, except for those of us who are just starting out in the inspection business. How do we get the experience we need if no one will hire us because we are not yet experienced?
Most home inspection companies are one-man operations, with no need to hire another inspector. So there's little opportunity to gain experience as employees. This has been a big problem since starting my business. Whenever people ask how long I've been inspecting, I have to be honest, so they don't hire me. Additionally, unless you've performed many home inspections, you cannot obtain full membership in a recognized home inspection association. Candidate memberships don't impress potential customers.
How can new home inspectors overcome this entry-level impasse?
A: All home inspectors start out with little or no experience and without full memberships in professional associations. At first, business is slow, as with most business startups. A few jobs might be lost when people ask how may homes you've inspected, but most people never ask that question.
To generate increased business, new inspectors must continually market their services to Realtors. Most agents will not respond immediately, but a few will. And if they're happy with your services, they'll call again. Many agents actually prefer new inspectors, rather than ones who are experienced. These are often not the most ethical agents, but they do provide new inspectors with the opportunity to become experienced.
Little by little, experience is gained, and home inspection skills are refined. Most home inspectors start out in this manner. The only exceptions are those who are able to be hired by large inspection companies. Unfortunately, that avenue is not available to most novice inspectors.
Another obstacle for start up inspectors is an overabundance of new home inspectors in the real estate marketplace. Home inspection schools have become a burgeoning business, pumping out more fledgling inspectors than are currently needed, and many retiring contractors view home inspection as a part-time career. Consequently, many new inspectors are encountering the same obstacles that are now confronting you, as you work to establish a business foothold.
The problem of gaining initial experience is definitely a challenge, but as difficult as it may appear, there are many who eventually overcome the resistance. In every field of endeavor, perseverance and determination are essential.
Q: In a recent article, you discussed the problem of ungrounded outlets in old buildings. In my home, the screws that hold the cover plates on the outlets have turned out to be grounded. Is this the case in all older homes?
A: The screw at the center of the outlet cover plate is only grounded if the wiring system in the home includes a ground wire to each outlet box or if the outlet is contained in a metal box and the wiring is contained in metal conduit. In many older homes, no such ground wires or conduits are provided.
• Email Barry Stone, a certified home inspector, at barry@housedetective.com.
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