National Home Inspection

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1 National Career Starter Guide Inspector Training Programs Speciality CE Courses July December 2016 Turn to page 10 to view our courses

2 Career Start Guide Live and OnDemand Courses Course Schedules Table of Contents Career Start Guide Introduction to Financial Opportunities...5 Revenue and Expense Considerations...6 Understanding Your Local Market...7 How to Get Started...8 Prepare to Succeed...9 Live and OnDemand Courses Online and Home Study Courses Live Training Schedule Continuing Education Courses...17 Ready for a Training Class? Skip to page 10 for course offerings. Home Inspectors Provide a Service A home inspection is an objective, noninvasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with a real estate transaction. This inspection is essentially a visual snapshot with a written report of a home s condition, including all of the home subsystems: electrical; plumbing; heating; airconditioning; roofing; insulation and interiors; exteriors; and structures. A well-executed home inspection combines broad technical knowledge of all house systems with an ability to communicate technical issues in terms that a layperson can understand. I feel like you guys did an excellent job in preparing me for the business. There were no surprises. Don McGonagil The Company To learn more about a career in, visit Help People Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make in their lives. Home buyers need to go into the closing knowing what they are getting into. Missing a major defect in a home can be financially devastating. Most home buyers do not know how to recognize these defects, and neither do realtors. In fact, the home inspection industry was actually created more than 30 years ago because realtors did not want to assume the liability of defects in the home discovered by buyers after the closing. Home inspectors are specially trained to recognize the symptoms of defects, and report them to the buyer prior to the closing so they can make an informed decision

3 Career Start Guide Live and OnDemand Courses Course Schedules Entering a new profession any profession is a difficult decision. You should clearly understand not only what that new profession will be like, but the best path to success for you in that profession. What is it Like Being a Home Inspector? A typical home inspector spends his or her day in a wide-range of activities, like inspecting homes for buyers, writing reports, speaking with prospective clients, and marketing to consumers and real estate agents. Benefits Setting your own hours Working outside Leveraging your skills and experience to help people Less physically strenuous than many other professions in the construction industry Challenges Clients and realtors are typically in a hurry appointments are often needed on short notice, within 2 to 3 days typically, and then the report is needed within 24 hours of the inspection. Clients are often nervous and looking to you to provide clarity and understanding at a time when they may have doubts. What is the Financial Opportunity? As with any financial opportunity, there is a degree of risk, so it is best to consider your options within the profession, as well as research your local market. You then want to create a business plan. Whether you have never been in business for yourself or are a seasoned veteran, the importance of a business plan is critical for success. By considering all the questions below, you will create a road map for success. Business Options Will you be working for someone else at a multi-inspector firm, or working for yourself? Self-employment is appealing to many people and can be more rewarding, but it also often involves more work, particularly if you are just entering the profession. If you will be working for yourself, will you be starting a business from scratch or buying a franchise? There are several franchise options in the home inspection field. If you will be starting your own business, how will it be structured? A corporation, partnership, or other? Consulting with a small business accountant, attorney, and bank will help you set up good business practices early. Will you be a part-time or full-time home inspector? Many home inspectors are only home inspectors part-time or seasonally, particularly when they are transitioning into the profession. Will you provide other related services? For example, many home inspectors are also termite or mold inspectors. Home inspectors with talent and ambition can expand their business services to include commercial inspections and expert witness testimony. Radon, lead-based paint, septic systems, and indoor air testing are just a few of the services that home inspectors can provide for additional fees. Will you need anyone to support your business? Many inspectors need someone to help schedule appointments while they are conducting inspections. Understanding all the subsystems of a home can be daunting. Is This the Right Profession for You? Everybody is different. Some people enjoy climbing a ladder to inspect a roof and are willing to get down on their knees and inspect a crawl-space. Other people enjoy record keeping, reports, marketing, and relationship building. All of these are integral parts of the home inspection business. Think about what you enjoy, what you are willing to do, and what you are good at. Are you the kind of person who doesn t want to be tied to a desk all day? Are you interested in construction and how things work? Are you good at identifying problems and defects? If so, then home inspection might be right for you. I think Kaplan is the best in the industry and I have looked at them all. Michael Gard Morning View Property Inspections

4 Career Start Guide Live and OnDemand Courses Course Schedules Top 5 Home Inspector Revenue and Expense Considerations There are a number of revenue and expense considerations that a home inspector must be aware of and take into consideration when creating a home inspection business plan. Whether you are a seasoned home inspector or new to the home inspection industry, take the time to consider the questions below: 1 How many inspections will you be doing each year? You should expect somewhere between 1 and 100 in your first year. 2 How much will you be able to charge per inspection? A good guide would be 100 plus 10 cents per finished square foot house size. You should compare this to your local competition. 3 What are your start-up costs? An estimate would be 15% of your 1st year projected sales. Most full-time inspectors would shoot for 30,000 in first year sales resulting in 4,500 in startup costs. A good portion of that cost would go towards marketing your business to realtors. 4 Inspectors will need reporting systems that are either written forms or a software system. You should always purchase the best system you can afford. This is what your customers will remember you by. The quality of your report will fast become your best marketing tool. Kaplan offers the industries best home inspection print forms as well as home inspection software for the tech-savvy inspector. Turn to page 13 to learn more about Kaplan s popular reporting systems. 5 What will be your cost per inspection? In other words, after you have paid all your expenses how much will be left for your salary and profit. This will vary greatly from inspector to inspector, but most one person inspection companies try to keep these expenses below 30% of sales. That means if 1st year sales are 30,000, you would keep approximately 21,000. Kaplan offers the industry s best home inspection print forms as well as home inspection software for the tech-savvy inspector. See page 13 for more information. Understanding Your Local Market What geographic area will you realistically be able to cover? Keep in mind, during certain times of the year, many home inspectors perform multiple home inspections a day, so distance between homes can be an issue. How many real estate home transactions are there typically in the area you will be covering, and how many of those homes will be inspected? The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) estimates that 77% of the homes sold in the United States and Canada today are inspected prior to purchase. The market is still underserved, and the remaining growth potential is considerable. However, local markets vary; you need to know local conditions. Remember, the home inspection market is driven by real estate transactions, not the real estate market as a whole. For example, if home prices go down but transactions go up, this may be considered a bad real estate market but a good home inspection market. Who are the other home inspectors currently working in the area you will be covering, and what will you be offering that they currently do not? Too many companies simply copy the marketing messages of the competition. To get people to switch to your service, you need to give them a fantastic reason to change. Do not sell your service simply based on price. Many standard market positions exist, such as innovation, speed, experience, quality, and so on. Make sure your chosen position fits your personality. How will you find your customers? Most home inspectors receive more than 50% of their business through referrals often from multiple realtors

5 Career Start Guide Live and OnDemand Courses Course Schedules Prepare to Succeed What is the Best Way to Get Started? Plan for success. Although your state may not have formal licensing requirements, home inspection takes a high level of knowledge and skills to enter this very specialized industry. To begin your home inspection career with confidence, the first step is to complete one of our home inspector training programs. In some states, home inspectors are licensed professionals who must pass a licensing exam after obtaining prelicensing education. Remember, these education requirements are minimum standards. If you want to succeed as an inspector, you should probably consider exceeding these requirements when it makes sense. Recognize what you do not know yet. Most people have some experience that they can leverage and other areas they are less familiar with. Perhaps they were carpenters, but do not know plumbing very well. Or they know current electrical practices, but not the wiring schemes from 40 years ago. Also, if you have never been in business before, then you might need additional training in specialized areas such as business management, accounting, or public speaking. Choose the educational path that works for your current situation. Some people want to learn as much as they can as quickly as they can. Others cannot take time off from their existing job. Fortunately, there are many options, from hands-on classroom courses to online courses and OnDemand courses. Kaplan Training gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enter the home inspection profession and all of the information you need to succeed in the industry. Everything you need to know to become an independent home inspector and pass the National Home Inspector Examination is included in our series. Learn more about available courses on pages Expert Instructors Our instructors are all home inspection and construction professionals who know the industry and are committed to helping you get your business off to a strong start. By sharing personal experiences, they will make your learning relevant and fun. Hands-On Learning We have created a unique learning experience by including a state-of-the-art home inspection lab in the classroom our lab includes hundreds of old and new house components. Practicing what you learn, as you learn it, is the fastest way to build your skills and confidence. With our training methods, you ll develop a competitive edge that will jump start your home inspection business. Live Inspections By including field inspections as a part of our curriculum, we have created the ultimate learning experience. You will perform live inspections and learn how to write up the reports. This real-time learning will give you the confidence you need to get your business started now. Home Study Professional Development If you find it impossible to make it to our hands-on learning locations, no worries; we have the next best thing. We offer a Home Study Essentials complete suite of college-level study texts that are considered the gold standard in the industry, as well as a comprehensive online option for those who enjoy online learning. Registration is Easy To enroll, simply visit or call OnDemand Kaplan s stunning OnDemand video lectures give you the ability to access professional instruction anytime, anywhere you have an Internet connection!

6 Career Start Guide Live and OnDemand Courses Course Schedules Colorado Live Course Colorado Live Course 11-Day Course: Enhanced 2, Hours Eleven solid days of training that will prepare anyone for a successful career in home inspection! If you have considerable construction expertise and can devote nearly two weeks to your training, this should be your second step. This course is designed to increase your inspection and operation skills to the highest standards. During these 11 days, you ll receive worldclass training from entry level through graduate level. You ll enjoy the highly structured and detailed hands-on learning experience as you prepare to launch your own home inspection business. Relevant, Comprehensive Curriculum After completing this course, you will be fully prepared to begin your own home inspection business. Hands-On Training Our state-of-the-art home inspection training reinforces the course work so you can practice what you learn as you re learning. Our exclusive course content and hands-on approach sharpens your skills and gives you a competitive edge. On-Site s There s no substitute for the real thing. You ll complete four live, on-site home inspections to put into practice all that you learn in the training center. 6-Day Course: Fast Track 1, Hours Six intensive days of solid instruction to fully prepare you for a home inspection career! This course will put you in the trenches of how to structure your business and develop the necessary technical skills to perform a professional home inspection. You ll gain technical product knowledge and also hone your verbal and written communication skills. Whether its customer service or explaining your technical findings to a non-technical customer, it s included in this course. Our goal is for your business to prosper. Topics Covered: Day 1 The Business/On-Site Field Inspection Day 4 Electrical Day 2 Structure/Exterior Day 5 Cooling Day 3 Roofing/Plumbing Day 6 Marketing and Sales/ On-Site Inspection Dates and Locations Denver, CO Feb 22 Feb 27 Monday Saturday 8:00 am 6:00 pm Denver, CO Apr 25 Apr 30 Monday Saturday 8:00 am 6:00 pm Denver, CO Jul 18 Jul 23 Monday Saturday 8:00 am 6:00 pm Denver, CO Oct 3 Oct 8 Monday Saturday 8:00 am 6:00 pm Topics Covered: Day 1 The Scope of Inspections; The Business; On-Site Field Inspection Day 2 Structure Day 3 Exterior/Interior Day 4 Roofing Day 5 Plumbing Day 6 Two On-Site Field Inspections Day 7 Electrical Day 8 Electrical Day 9 Heating and Air Conditioning Day 10 Heating and Air Conditioning Day 11 Marketing and Sales; On-Site Field Inspection Dates and Locations Denver, CO May 9 14 May Monday Saturday & Monday Friday 8:00 am 5:00 pm Denver, CO Nov 28 Dec 3 Dec 5 10 Monday Saturday & Monday Saturday 8:00 am 5:00 pm Want to become a home inspector in another state? Visit to view offerings in other states

7 Career Start Guide Live and OnDemand Courses Course Schedules Minnesota Live and OnDemand Courses Minnesota Live Courses Transition into... Part or Full Time: How to Start a Profitable Inspection Business Hours Explore home inspection as a new business opportunity! Home inspection is one of the fastest growing professions in the nation, with some home inspectors completing 500 inspections in one year. Home inspection offers many opportunities for contractors to utilize their knowledge to perform this vital service. In just two days, you will have the chance to learn the ropes of this exciting industry and discover the possibilities for you. This is a great opportunity to launch a new business! Topics Include: Inspection industry Site improvements Management of the business Garage, exterior dwelling, and structure Equipment Electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling Reports OnDemand Transition into 6-Day Course: Fast Track 1, Hours This 6-day hands-on Fast Track course is just what the name implies. If you want to start a home inspection business and have a firm grasp on the basics of construction methods, materials, and building codes, then this course is for you. Our expert home inspection instructors teach you how to apply your construction knowledge to the business of home inspection. Fast-paced, hands-on, and inspection-focused, this course greatly improves your chances of success as a home inspector. Topics Include: Day 1 The Business/On-Site Field Inspection Day 4 Electrical Day 2 Structure/Exterior Day 5 Heating/Cooling Day 3 Roofing/Plumbing Day 6 Marketing/On-Site Field Inspection Dates and Locations Bloomington, MN Apr 18 Apr 23 Monday Saturday 8:00 am 6:00 pm Bloomington, MN Jun 20 Jun 25 Monday Saturday 8:00 am 6:00 pm 11-Day Course: Enhanced 2, Hours This course includes 11 intensive days of solid instruction and hands-on training that will fully prepare you for a successful career in home inspection. This nationally accredited course provides you with a library of reference books, classroom materials, and detailed study guides. And you ll apply everything you ve learned during four actual on-site home inspections, so when you re ready to open your home inspection business, you ll have a competitive edge. Topics Include: Day 1 The Scope of Inspections Day 6 Two On-Site Field Inspections The Business Day 7 Electrical On-Site Field Inspection Day 8 Electrical Day 2 Structure/Exterior Day 9 Heating and Air Conditioning Day 3 Exterior/Interior Day 10 Heating and Air Conditioning Day 4 Roofing Day 11 Marketing and Sales Day 5 Plumbing/Cooling On-Site Field Inspection Dates and Locations Bloomington, MN Mar 14 Mar 25 Monday Saturday & Monday Friday 8:00 am 5:00 pm I would like to thank you and your staff for all of the fantastic training. The confidence I gained as an inspector is worth one hundred times the tuition. Tom L., Senior Consultant, Thomas Levin & Company

8 Table of Contents Career Start Guide Live and OnDemand Courses Course Schedules Online and Home Study Courses Kaplan s Inspection Report Forms National Online Course Hours Whether you are in the process of becoming licensed or just keeping current with your continuing education needs, this 100-hour comprehensive online course reviews all major home systems and provides in-depth coverage of system and component problems, their practical implications, and inspection strategies for finding them. Interactive exercises, graphic devices, and immediate progress tracking make learning more engaging. With clear descriptions, detailed technical illustrations, and useful product summaries, this course is the fastest way to build your skills and confidence. Essentials: A Comprehensive and Flexible Training Program 3, Hours This comprehensive college-level correspondence course authored by Carson Dunlop has been the gold standard in home inspection education for more than a decade. It s perfect for professionals who want flexibility in how and when they study. From roofing and exteriors to structure and mechanicals, all systems that make up the house, as well as all aspects that encompass the home inspection business, are meticulously detailed in this incredible reference set. After completing this program, you will have a solid foundation on the components and materials used in the construction of house systems. You will be able to identify improper installations, defects in construction, and faulty operation systems in a house. If you are serious about the business of home inspection and are not able to make it to our live hands-on training, this is your best solution. Essentials of Modules: Communication and Professional Practice Home Reference Book Structure Roofing Exterior Insulation and Interiors Plumbing Electrical Heating I Heating II Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Generate Repeat Customers with Kaplan s! Paper Inspection Reports MATRIX Paper Forms Kaplan s MATRIX paper report forms will enable you to inspect and report in a manner that has been field-tested in over 100,000 inspections. Our marketplace has proven our system to be the most complete and comprehensive report available today. The Matrix reporting systems will enable you to start building repeat business immediately. Custom Contract Paper Forms Do you want to customize your home inspection report to look as professional as possible? We offer home inspection reports that are customizable with your company name and logo. Just choose the form that works best for you, and we will have your company name and logo printed directly on the contract page. Horizon Reporting Software Horizon software was built by home inspectors, for home inspectors. This software not only helps you produce professional looking home inspection reports, but also features work order, scheduling, archiving, and report/account components. Inspection Reporting Made Simple with Horizon Software Get up and running quickly, for as little as 300 Produce professional quality reports Features fast, easy report writing with customizable, intuitive templates Instantly add photos to reports with simple photo editing Get work order, scheduling, archiving, and reports/receivables integrated at no added cost Use mobile apps in the field with your Android or Apple devices Receive a free trial or attend a free webinar! Visit KapRE.com/HorizonReporting to learn more

9 Career Start Guide Live and OnDemand Courses Course Schedules Colorado Live Class Schedule Minnesota Live Continuing Education Classes Denver, Colorado 2200 S. Monaco PKWY, Unit R January June 2016 Live Class Dates 6-Day Course: Fast Track 1, Credit Hours 8:00 am 6:00 pm 6-Day Course: Fast Track 1, Credit Hours 8:00 am 6:00 pm 11-Day Course: Enhanced 2, Credit Hours 8:00 am 5:00 pm February April May 9 14 May Kaplan s specialty continuing education courses provide valuable tools and information for the home inspector who is looking for career-enhancing opportunities. With a wide range of topics, from energy efficient homes to understanding today s HVAC, we have courses to help any home inspector gain important knowledge and skills. St. Paul, Minnesota 1295 Bandana Blvd 2016 Classes Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Good, Better, Best: When Quality, Price, and Value all Matter 98 (7.5 credit hours) 8:00 am 4:45 pm 6 Course times, dates, locations, and course approvals are subject to change. Bloomington, Minnesota 2051 Killebrew Drive, Suite Classes Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Minnesota Live Class Schedule Good, Better, Best: When Quality, Price, and Value all Matter 98 (7.5 credit hours) 8:00 am 4:45 pm 29 Bloomington, Minnesota 2051 Killebrew Drive, Suite Classes Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 6-Day Course: ITA Fast Track 1, Credit Hours 8:00 am 6:00 pm For more information on each course, visit Course times, dates, locations, and course approvals are subject to change. Some courses are approved for Real Estate, Contractor, and Appraiser CE by the State of Minnesota. Please visit for approved courses. 11-Day Course: ITA Enhanced 2, Credit Hours 8:00 am 5:00 pm For information on each course, see pages Course times, dates, locations, and course approvals are subject to change

10 Forms and Checklists Increase Referrals with These Professional Reporting Options! MATRIX Paper Report Forms Custom Contract Report Forms Horizon Form Software Thinking of Starting a Career in? Take our Transition into Course and discover how to become a successful home inspector! Learn the ropes of this exciting industry Gain knowledge on house structure and components Learn how to manage your own home inspection business 100% of your tuition will be applied to our 6-Day Fast Track or 11-Day Enhanced Course Find us on MRKT-20866