How Much Does It Cost to Become a Home Inspector in 2024?
Becoming a home inspector has a relatively low startup cost when compared to other businesses. It’s not often you see a total startup cost for a new and thriving business of just a few thousand dollars. This makes home inspection an attractive field for career-changers, new retirees, part-timers, and those just starting out in a career.
In the home inspection field, your startup costs include more than simply paying for your training. You’ll need to figure in the costs of getting licensed, taking your exam (if your state requires it), and establishing your business into your total investment.
Here’s a peek into your average costs. Remember that many of these fees and estimates depend on the requirements in your state. So, do your research and personalize this chart for your projected costs.
| Average Costs of Becoming a Home Inspector | |
|---|---|
| Home Inspection Training Course | $600 – $2,000, depending on type of program |
| National Home Inspector Examination® Fee (if required in your state) | $225 to take the exam |
| Home Inspector License Application (if required in your state) | $250 on average to apply for state license |
| Home Inspection Toolkit | $500-$700 on average for a starter toolkit |
| Home Inspection Reporting Software | $50 to $100 monthly subscription |
| Errors and Omissions (E&O) / General Liability Insurance | $40 monthly on average depending on your level of coverage |
| Registering Your Business in Your State | $50 to $150, then yearly fee |
| Home Inspection Association Fees (if required by your state) | $50 to $150, then yearly fee |
| Ballpark Startup Cost | $3,000 to $5,000 |
The Cost of Getting Your Home Inspector License
In most states, you’ll need to become licensed in order to legally work as a home inspector. This means completing home inspection training and, if required by your state, taking the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).
Some states don’t require you to have a license. Others have licensing requirements and require you to take a licensing exam. And even in unregulated states, it’s recommended that you complete a home inspection training program to ensure you have basic knowledge of the Standards of Practice.
Today, the cost of a home inspection course runs anywhere between $600 and $2,000. This cost varies and depends on whether you enroll in an online program or in-person classes and what’s included when you enroll.
At AHIT, for example, you can enroll in an online class or an in-person class if it’s offered in your state. You can also take a hybrid approach, completing some training online and some in the field by practicing home inspections and report writing with an instructor. Keep in mind that your choice of class depends primarily on your state’s requirements.
Find out the requirements and cost of our home inspection training in your state.
Many home inspector training programs, including AHIT’s, also include add-ons such as the textbook(s) you’ll need, NHIE exam prep materials, marketing education, and inspection report software. When you evaluate home inspection schools, shop around and compare what’s included for the price of your enrollment.
The Costs of Home Inspector Continuing Education and Maintaining Your License
The cost of earning your home inspector license is just one part of your startup costs as a new home inspector. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of maintaining your home inspection license. This also depends on your state. Generally, it includes the cost of license renewal and Continuing Education (CE) classes.
In states where a license is required, you’ll have to pay a fee to renew it yearly or every two years. To renew your license, you may have to meet a certain number of CE hours each year.
If you live in Arkansas, for example, home inspection licenses are valid for one year, from January 1st through December 31st, and must be renewed yearly by December 1st at a fee of $250. You’ll also have to complete 14 hours of CE.
Find out the cost of renewing a home inspector license and the CE course requirements in your state.
In unregulated states, like Minnesota for instance, there are no home inspector license requirements. That means there’s no need to renew a license or pay for CE courses – though, you may want to pursue CE to maintain a competitive edge in the industry.
Your state might also require you to join a home inspection association – like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI®). Both associations (and others that may be state-specific) have annual membership fees.The Cost of Starting Your Home Inspection Business
With your new business, you’ll also have overhead expenses you’ll need to plan for. Some of these fees will be part of your annual operating budget. Some are one-time costs, and some may recur every few years.
To get started in your business, be sure to figure in the costs of:
- Inspection Tools – Your inspection toolkit should include the recommended tools you’ll need to complete most home inspection jobs.
- Report Software – Professional home inspection report software is an industry standard for creating simple, polished reports to share with your clients.
- E&O Insurance – In most states, you’ll be required to carry Errors and Omissions insurance. Learn why insurance important for your business even if you live in a state that doesn’t require it to work as an inspector.
- Small Business Legal Fees – You’ll need to register your new business with your state’s Secretary of State office and the IRS.
- A Website – To help promote your business, you may want to create a website advertising your services.
- Marketing Materials – Business cards, flyers, direct mailers, and more can all help you generate regular leads.
Your Operating Costs When Running Your Home Inspection Business
Remember to also factor in the practical costs of doing business as a licensed home inspector.
For instance, you’ll be driving to clients’ homes to complete inspections. Factor in the cost of car insurance, gas, and a car payment if you have one.
You may be running your business from home. Factor in the cost of any office equipment, supplies, high-speed Internet, and cell phone service. If you won’t be running it from home, you might need office space. That means figuring in the cost of rent.
How Much Do Home Inspection Certifications Cost?
Home inspectors aren’t limited to performing general home inspections for clients. There’s a whole world of inspection services you can offer for additional fees and to build your bottom line. And fortunately, earning additional home inspector certifications is cost-effective. The most popular certifications – including those in mold inspection, radon assessment, air quality testing, and commercial building inspection – run around $300 on average. Investing in the training you need to offer these services means you can charge more per inspection and build more profit.
Do Home Inspection Training Courses Offer Financing?
Financing, payment plans, and even military discounts may be available to you when you begin your home inspection training. AHIT offers all three. Learn more about our payment plans, financing, and military discount program.
Where Can I Get Home Inspector Training?
One search on Google and you’ll quickly see the top home inspection schools serving the U.S. Bob Vila even has a great round-up of the top five. AHIT is ranked “Best Bang for the Buck.”
As you compare schools, remember to consider your own wants and needs in a training program. You may learn best in a classroom environment or live in a state that requires in-person field training for licensing. Or you may want to complete home inspector training at your own pace via online courses while continuing to work your day job.
Become a Skilled and Successful Home Inspector with AHIT
Your overall cost to become a home inspector depends on many factors. When you train with AHIT, rest assured that we’ll help you meet the inspection training requirements in your state and prepare you fully to run a successful home inspection business. Learn more about AHIT home inspector training and request your free AHIT catalog to learn more about starting new career in home inspection.
About the Author: ashley-roe
