The most commonly asked questions about a career in home inspection

Yes, you'll have to get up on the roof! The more you cover in a home inspection, the more likely you are to 1) gain the trust of realtors 2) get referred more business 3) not get sued. You'll want to be a pro in exteriors, foundations, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and much more.

Want the broad strokes? If you're looking for a general idea of what a career in home inspection looks like, here's what a home inspector does.

Here's where ATI-Training is your real partner - making money. Becoming an adept inspector is one thing - becoming a profitable home inspector is another. ATI puts you on a path to beat the average annual salary for home inspectors.

How long it takes is really up to you. You could get trained and licensed within a few weeks or a few months depending on your level of commitment early on. Learn more about how long it takes to become a home inspector.

Home inspections usually take 2-3 hours with some room for error depending on the type and age of the house. Schedule too many in a day and you'll risk annoying buyers and realtors alike. Even if you're able to knock out just 2 or 3 per day at something like $350/per you're on a profitable track. 

A few hours of test prep from Google searches and sample exams doesn't equip you to become a home inspector ready to make any kind of money. Getting started as a home inspector is straightforward (and can be pretty quick) when you sign up with ATI-Training and get educated INCLUDING real, on-site field training.

As an independent home inspector entering the field from scratch, barriers to entry are much lower than something like a franchise. But a lot depends on the requirements in your state. ATI-Training helps you start a home inspection business and make a killing as a self-employed home inspector.

In many states you don't need to get a license as a home inspector, but without getting the best education and passing the NHIE your reputation takes a hit and you'll never compete. You best bet is to get trained properly and be BETTER than just licensed. 

Yes, definitely. If you stay busy as a home inspector - even if you are REALLY good at it - expect to get sued. Here's why you need to get insurance as a home inspector. Best way to get insured is to sign up with national home inspector association AAAHI and get access to some of the best home inspection insurance available in the industry.

Yes. Before you get certified, though, you’ll be subject to a background check — and potentially declined a license if you’re not careful. But if you play your cards right, you can still become a home inspector with a felony.

Home inspectors are their own boss. Depending on if you work independently or with a company, you can decline, schedule and conduct inspections at your discretion, making home inspection an ideal part-time job. But it’s not all fun and games — becoming a part-time home inspector requires serious training and expertise. That’s where ATI’s award-winning home inspector training comes in; get trained, work for yourself and enjoy the benefits of part-time work when you get trained with ATI.

Home inspectors are always in demand. As long as property is exchanging hands (which it always is), home inspectors are in business. By 2026, experts are predicting the housing inspection business will keep growing beyond the national average; homes will sell faster, and buyers will be younger, giving you repeat business down the road — meaning once you become a home inspector, you’ve got job security for life.