It’s one thing to read a cookbook; it’s another thing entirely to bake a complicated soufflé. Similarly, successful home inspectors can’t confidently enter the field until they have sufficient field experience as part of their training. That field experience generally involves shadowing an established inspector on the job. But why is field experience necessary to become a successful home inspector? Read on to find out about this important step for new inspectors.
What Is Field Experience for Home Inspectors?
During the home inspection training process, future inspectors are often encouraged to observe experienced inspectors in the field. While requirements and best practices can vary widely by state and professional association, fieldwork is incredibly valuable for new inspectors. Fieldwork allows future inspectors to ask questions, apply their skills, and watch inspections occurring in real time. Depending on your state or professional association’s guidelines, field experience will likely involve completing ride-along inspections with a licensed home inspector, which is required in multiple states including Illinois. Other states require a set number of inspections before certification; for example, Alabama requires that future home inspectors complete either 35 home inspections in the field or a 35-hour course, which includes participation in 100 home inspections with a licensed inspector.
Why Is Field Experience Necessary to Become a Successful Home Inspector?
Field Experience Makes Training Tangible
Sure, you’ve been hitting the books to prepare for your home inspector exams — but field training is another story entirely. So, why is field experience necessary to become a successful home inspector? First, field experience makes your training tangible, giving you an important opportunity to apply the skills you’ve picked up during your studies. Physically conducting a home inspection is a dramatically different experience than reading about it online or in a workbook; additionally, applying your skills to real-life situations is the best way to develop confidence in your craft. The more you practice your skills, the more valuable you’ll be to your future clients.
Successful Home Inspectors Are Ready for Anything
Life happens, and successful home inspectors must be ready to go with the flow. That includes dealing with no-shows and difficult clients, traversing a potentially unsafe part of a property, and uncovering nasty surprises before a homeowner closes a deal. Shadowing a successful home inspector is the best way to learn on the job. That way, you’ll be ready when your own surprises crop up.
Field Experience Connects You with Successful Home Inspectors
Fieldwork training can be a great way to connect with experienced members of your future field. Be sure to ask questions and actively engage while shadowing a successful inspector — this shows that you’re serious about your craft and could result in job leads after you’ve completed your training. Fieldwork is also an opportunity to learn about established inspectors’ business practices and marketing strategies. Ultimately, an established inspector’s on-the-job experiences could be more valuable than any hypothetical scenario you’ll find in a book.
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For new home inspectors, studying is only the beginning. If you’re ready to begin an exciting career as a home inspector, fieldwork is one of the best things you can do to start your journey. Field experience allows future home inspectors to learn on the job, think on their feet, and network with experienced inspectors who have valuable insights to share.
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