Home Inspection Business
Provide professional home inspections for buyers and sellers
Overview
Home inspectors charge $300-$600 per inspection depending on property size.
Completing 15-35 inspections weekly generates $200,000-$800,000 annually with 60-75% margins after vehicle, equipment, and insurance costs.
In 2025, most real estate transactions include professional home inspections providing buyers with property condition assessment.
Services include comprehensive property inspection (structure, systems, safety), detailed written inspection reports with photos, on-site consultation explaining findings, identifying safety hazards and defects, moisture and mold assessment, specialized inspections (radon, termites, sewers), and providing maintenance recommendations.
Successful home inspectors get certified (ASHI, InterNACHI), carry E&O insurance, provide thorough detailed reports same-day or next-day, communicate findings clearly to clients, maintain professional relationships with real estate agents (referral source), and invest in quality tools and equipment.
Most inspections take 2-4 hours plus 1-2 hours report writing.
Can complete 2-4 inspections daily.
Busiest during spring/summer selling season.
Real estate agent referrals primary lead source.
Can add specialized services (termite, radon, mold, sewer) for additional revenue.
Required Skills
- Building Systems Knowledge
- Attention to Detail
- Report Writing
- Construction Understanding
- Customer Communication
- Professional Standards
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong demand from real estate transactions
- Predictable per-inspection pricing
- Can complete multiple inspections daily
- Flexible schedule as independent business
- Add specialized services for more revenue
Cons
- Physically demanding (crawl spaces, attics, roofs)
- Liability for missed defects (need E&O insurance)
- Seasonal slowdown in winter (some markets)
- Building real estate agent referral network takes time
- Work weekends during busy season
How to Get Started
- Get home inspection certification (ASHI or InterNACHI)
- Invest in inspection tools and equipment ($3,000-$8,000)
- Get comprehensive E&O insurance
- Build website and inspection report software
- Network with real estate agents for referrals
- Complete first 20-30 inspections building experience
- Scale to 15-35 weekly inspections
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