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Frequently Asked Questions

 Would I make a good home inspector?
 How much money do home inspectors make
?
 What do
home inspectors inspect?
 What are the
requirements for my state?
 Is PHII's course
approved in Canada?
 What is a
national association requirement?
 What is the
Illinois lab requirement?
 How long does
the course take?
 How much does
the course cost?
 What is
errors and omissions insurance?
 What are your
professional affiliations?
 Why should
I choose PHII?
 What is your
return policy?
 How do you
ship the course?
 What is your
privacy policy?

Would I make a good home inspector?
Home inspection may not be physically difficult, but it does require good people skills and the ability to look for details that an average home buyer may not notice. Home inspection is also more complex than it may appear, requiring you to understand all the systems in a home along with the ability to recognize red flags when they appear.

If you have an interest in the real estate field, have an eye for details and enjoy the challenge of running a high-income business, then home inspection may be right for you. Today's most successful home inspectors have good computer skills and work more efficiently than their competitors. PHII's interactive training will help prepare you to compete in today's high-tech home inspection market.


How much money do home inspectors make?
Professional home inspection is the fastest growing occupation in the country. An estimated 5.37 million home inspections were conducted in the United States last year and this number is steadily increasing. There is a strong, long-term demand for qualified individuals to start careers as home inspectors. Depending on the area of the country, home inspectors charge from $275 to $375 to inspect an average home. In areas with high numbers of resales, home inspection is a volume business where home inspectors can earn $1,000 or more in a single day by inspecting several homes.


What do home inspectors inspect?
Home inspectors use visual methods to evaluate the physical condition of real-estate property, usually prior to the sale of that property. A home inspector examines the grounds, structure, exterior, roof, plumbing, electric, insulation, ventilation, interior, attic, bathrooms, kitchen, basement, crawlspaces, heating, air conditioning, and garage or carport. National standards of practice determine which components are inspected and how they are inspected. The inspector provides a complete, written report.


What are the requirements for my state?
States have a wide range of regulations and many have legislation pending. For this reason it is important to start now and get "grandfathered in" before new laws are passed. To find your state's pre-license education requirements and PHII's approval status, go to the PHII home inspection
state regulations page.


Is PHII's course approved in Canada?
Yes. This course is also designed for those who live in Canada. Home inspections in Canada follow the same national standards of practice as in the United States. This course currently meets all requirements to work as a home inspector in any of the provinces of Canada. Canadian inspectors also receive free membership in NSHI. PHII's Residential Home Inspection program has also been granted recognition equivalent to the maximum hours possible by the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) Admissions Review Committee/Board of Examiners.


What is a national association requirement?
Some states including Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Maryland require membership or approval by a national home inspector association as a condition for licensing. For example, Pennsylvania law requires all inspectors to be a member of a national association in order to inspect homes. National associations must be nonprofit, and currently only ASHI, NACHI, NAHI, and NSHI meet the requirements. PHII is the only school that offers free membership in a national nonprofit home inspector association. All PHII graduates receive a free $199 membership in the
National Society of Home Inspectors (NSHI), which meets the PA and other state requirements. Click to read NSHI's Pennsylvania Compliance Document.

PHII Graduate Benefits


What is the Illinois lab requirement?
The IL home inspector law requires inspectors to attend 10 hours of field training in addition to classroom or distance training. Students have several options for attending these labs: they can be taken for free the third Saturday of each month at our training facility in Madison, South Dakota; and we also offer labs in the Chicago area about every 6-8 weeks for an additional fee. Labs can be taken at anytime during or after your training. Chicago labs can be purchased on the enrollment page. Visit out
Field Training page for more information, or call us at 800-983-6322 to check on the lab schedule.


How long does the course take?
The basic course is 90 hours and the optional advanced course is 30 hours, but both can be completed in considerably less time by those with some experience. However, you can take as much time as needed, and there are no limits on re-taking exams. The total course time is broken up into 70 hours for course instruction, 25 hours for field assignments/report writing (field assignments are done on your own property), 10 hours for course assignments, and 15 hours for testing. PHII's course allows you to take your time or push yourself through quickly. There are no constraints!


How much does the course cost?
Professional Home Inspection Institute's course comes complete with all required instructional materials including CD-ROM, online access, workbook, VHS/DVD, and other materials you need to complete the course. You can view the current prices by going to the
enrollment page or by calling 1-800-983-6322.


What is errors and omissions insurance?
Errors and Omissions Insurance is a professional liability policy covering the policyholder for negligent acts and omissions that may harm his or her clients. A good Errors and Omissions liability policy can help limit your out-of-pocket expenses in the event you are named in a lawsuit.

Our coursework is approved by the Allen Insurance Group and the Foundation of Real Estate Appraisers (FREA) for home inspector errors and omissions insurance. E & O insurance is required in many states and requires training by an
approved provider in order to qualify for coverage.


What are your professional affiliations?
We are affiliated with home inspection societies on the state and national level. Some of the benefits for our students include
free membership in the National Society of Home Inspectors (NSHI), reduced fees to apply for other national society memberships, and reduced fees for Membership Renewal Credits (MRCs). We are a member of the Better Business Bureau and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), America's most powerful small business lobbying organization. For our complete credentials and affiliations, go to the credentials page.


Why should I choose PHII?
PHII gives you experience, a reasonable price, plus a guarantee. Over the years we have successfully trained thousands of people at traditional brick-and-mortar schools, and online using the Internet. We have the most up-to-date home inspection course material of any school, and we are the only school that provides a turn-key system for setting up your own home inspection business! We are also the only home inspection school you will find that stands behind their course and guarantees your satisfaction. Go to the
comparison page to see what PHII offers.


What is your return policy?
For returns, everything must be returned in as-new condition within 30 days of receipt. Returns that have been opened may be subject to a 10 percent re-stocking fee. Worn or damaged items will be prorated. Refunds are credited within 7 business days of receipt of the return. Shipping and handling is not refundable. You must contact us first to obtain a return form.


How do you ship the course?
Products are shipped the next business day via UPS Ground and USPS, and typically take 5-7 business days for delivery. We ship to the U.S. and Canada.


What is your privacy policy?
We do not share personal information collected on this web site.

 

I want to emphatically recommend this course to others! Sacramento has a fantastic market for home inspections, and your course helped my husband and I launch a very successful home inspection business! PHII took away the mystery from home inspection and showed us exactly what to do. We still use your inspection forms to compile our finished reports! Thanks so much.

C.L., Sacramento, CA
              -More-

BASIC HOME INSPECTION

 1.Common Terminology
 2.Limits and Exclusions
 3.Site, Grounds, Grading
 4.Exterior & Structure
 5.Roof Components
 6.Plumbing Systems
 7.Electrical Systems
 8.Attic Inspection
 9.Insulation & Ventilation
 10.Interior Components
 11.Bathrooms and Kitchen
 12.Basement & Crawlspace
 13.Heating/Air Conditioning
 14.Garage and Carport
 15.Conducting an Inspection
 16.Setting up your business
 17.Equipment and supplies
 18.Taxes, Licenses, Permits
 19.Record Keeping
 20.Advertising & Marketing

     -Course Objectives-


ADVANCED LESSONS

 1. STRUCTURE
 2. EXTERIOR
 3. ROOFING
 4. PLUMBING
 5. ELECTRIC
 6. INSULATION
 7. VENTILATION
 8. INTERIOR
 9. HEATING
10. AIR CONDITIONING
11. ETHICS/STANDARDS
12. REPORT WRITING