A home inspection involves a less-invasive assessment of a property aimed at establishing flaws or defects, if any. For decades, since home inspection made its way in real estate in the 1970s, home inspectors services have helped millions to make an informed decision while buying properties.
Homebuyers, in pursuit of ideal homes, require more than a quick scan of their target home, and with a skilled home inspector, they get a thorough report to guide their purchase. From how the building is constructed, its features, and how well-off they are, home inspectors help buyers to understand a property’s condition as well as receive valuable advice, including measures they need to take to keep the property in good shape. If you are taking an interest in the ever-growing home inspection business, here is how to become a home inspector in Florida.
Meet The Licensing Requirements
Florida’s home inspector licensing is a must-have as you work towards a successful career. The good news is that the licensure process is not complicated. What’s more, with a reliable and reputable Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) approved home inspector training school, you can fast-track the process. The licensure requirements are;
120-Hour Study Course
The course prepares you for the home inspection tasks, covering areas including plumbing and gas, air conditioning and heating, electrical systems, roofing, as well as the structure’s interiors and exteriors. Apart from buildings properties, the course also introduces you to Florida home inspection standards, contracts, as well as report writing, ensuring that your endeavors follow the state’s approved methodologies. As you learn how to become a home inspector in Florida, meeting the set course requirements goes beyond getting the license. It equips you with the relevant skills to ensure your clients get a systematic service since you can handle a thorough inspection and deliver an actionable home inspection report.
Pass State’s Test
The written exams include 100 multiple choice questions covering areas of study included in the 120-hour study course. The two-hours proctored exam is administered by DBPR approved institutions. The department requires you to score at least 70 or better to pass the test.
Apply For The License
Once you meet the requirements, you can apply for licensure. The process includes submitting your fingerprints for a criminal background check, as well as acquiring liability insurance set at $300,000. You will also have to pay the set application fee you’re your application to be processed. Once you are licensed, you can either start your business or work for home inspection companies as you strive to take your career to the next level.
Running A Successful Career
As you strive to fast-track your home inspector career, you need valuable home inspection tips to keep up with the market demands, including social skills to create engaging relationships and effective marketing strategies, to mention a few. For instance, as you work towards meeting the 120-hour study course, ensuring that you seek reliable and reputable DBPR-approved training, school comes in handy.
Apart from preparing you to pass the state’s exam comfortably, such home inspector schools provide valuable resources to supercharge your career. Moreover, you get to meet like-minded individuals who you could partner with and ease your quest of establishing your business. With their professional insights, you also get valuable information to fast-track your home inspector endeavors, such as pointing you towards home inspection professional associations in your area.
Affiliating your business with established professional organizations such as the Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), among others, while not mandatory, gives you an edge. Membership to such institutions enhances your home inspection reputation as clients can easily trust your services. Moreover, with their updates such as conferences, among other home inspection materials, you can comfortably keep honing your skills, allowing you to offer quality service to your clients. The associations also provide an opportunity to network with other home inspectors, expanding your professional circles and enabling you to score more businesses such as via referrals.
As people will continue buying properties, a home inspector career provides reasonable job security, not to mention its profitability and flexibility. With the above information, you can ease your quest for a successful home inspector career.
