Are there any programs to assist in funding the training fees?
Students from the Washington State Work Source Training and Education Board have attended this course.  Jim is listed with the Department of Social and Health Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, WOIS/The Career Information System, TRAC Associates as a qualified training provider, and Boeing QTTP program (listed as an eligible training source under Corbin Enterprises, Inc. dba Inspection Training Northwest.  Those interested in their eligibility should contact their Boeing QTTP counselor for information, Boeing Supplier Code number #697174).  If you think you qualify for funding assistance, contact the appropriate office for information.   Other funding assistance may also be available through your previous employer's program, if one has been established.  Inspection Training Northwest does not have any other funding assistance options available for the Training Courses other than the use of individual Visa or Master Card.  

     What is a home inspector?
A home inspector is an individual who performs a visual evaluation of the components of a home based upon the criteria of serviceability and durability in accordance with a well defined Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.  He/she does not perform repairs or make estimates for repairs.  The inspector who performs his/her inspections in this manner is considered credible as he/she has no personal interest in the outcome of the report.

      Why are home inspections important?
In the past several years, television, newspapers and word of mouth have made a great impact on public awareness and the increased liability for buyers and sellers of real estate, and the increasing need for highly trained and qualified home inspectors.  With the new millennium comes the growing demand for qualified information on which to base a purchase decision.  For most, the purchase of a home is the single largest investment one will make.  The professional home inspector can provide this necessary information on which clients can base their investment decision.  Most people don't have a trained eye to see all that a professional inspector can see, much less the time to thoroughly go through a home to adequately inspect it.  Even the "perfect house" may have issues that are not apparent to the untrained eye.  There may be many issues discovered that could save prospective clients hundreds or thousands of dollars if left undiscovered.  Routine maintenance information is also passed on to the clients through the report and through the on-site walk-through review of the inspection providing the client real information to protect their investment.  If the home is being sold, the home inspection provides a pre-sales evaluation enabling the seller to correct issues and thereby improve the chance of sale of the home.

     What products and services do you offer & what are the fees for the training?
Inspection Training Northwest provides a combination Home Study and 3-day intensive seminar and field study courses with practical and written examination leading to certification after passing the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE).  Passing the NHIE exam is a precursor to certification with the American Institute of Inspectors™ (A.I.I.®) as well as other Professional Home Inspection Associations, such as ASHI.   You may take just the Home Study Course that consists of the lecture materials contained in 4 DVD's, manuals, study outlines and quizzes for each subject area, advertising and related business materials that are photo ready for copying, a 15 page checklist report and more.  A Pest and Dry Rot 1-Day course, for certification through A.I.I.®, is also available as a 4th day of training following the 3-day home inspection class which provides a solid basis for taking the Washington State Structural Pest Inspector license examination.  The Pest and Dry Rot course is also offered as a home study course, but does not include certification. We also offer a wide range of information on products and services from computer software and business consulting to continuing education, report writing, office organization, two educational conferences per year, and study materials for the NHIE exam.  For more information about fees for the training  and how you can become a professional and successful home inspector, please contact Inspection Training Northwest e-mail: info@inspectiontrainingnw.com .  The materials for both the Home Inspection course and the Pest and Dry Rot course were developed and produced by Ron Cloyd, Certified Inspection Training, Inc., www.certifiedinspectiontraining.com . 

     What is the potential income of a home inspector?

 Building this career is just like any other profession. The income projections for a new accountant, dentist, or attorney have a similar five-year growth curve. But unlike those professions, you can work the inspection career part-time. Some inspectors only schedule inspections for Saturdays so they can continue their current full-time job. Your Instructor, will have much more to share about building and growing your business, during the training. See potential income page.

     What is the best ways to study to become a Certified Home Inspector?
Learning styles vary widely depending on the individual taking a course.  In order to offer the best training to the most people, ITNW offers both Home Study and the Home Study enhanced by seminar hands-on classes and field practical experiences.  This combination has proven most successful to a wide variety of students.

     Why should I want training from Inspection Training Northwest?
ITNW has the tools, knowledge and experience that can help you develop you into a successful home inspector.  The methods that are used and the materials provided are top grade and combine in a proven course for success [see also www.inspection.org and www.certifiedinspectiontraining.com].   Attributes include:

• Experienced instructors and course developers

• The best training courses for home inspectors available today

• Proven excellence in reference materials that can be kept and reviewed often

• Certification through the American Institute of Inspectors™ after successful completion of the National Home Inspector examination

• Hands-on training as well as classroom and home study

• A ready roster of A.I.I.® members with willingness to share their expertise, only a telephone call or e-mail message away once you become a member of the American Institute of Inspectors.

• A ready member online hotline to air questions and gain answers from experts in the field

• A Knowledge Base Forum of archived material and answers to questions that have occurred and are worthy to retain for future review and study 

• Photo ready documents and inspection forms to begin your business

• Ongoing business and technical guidance through the online services and the two A.I.I. Conferences per year

• The best value for your time and money

     What is covered in class?
In brief here are some of the topics that are covered in class:

• Standards of Practice

• A.I.I Code of Ethics

• Electrical Systems

• Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

• Plumbing

• Structural

• Foundations

• Health and Safety

• Attics

• Crawl Spaces

• Roofing/Gutters

• Topography of Property

• Marketing materials

• Reference materials

• Report software examples

• and much, much more

      What are the classes like?
The Home Inspection 3-day Course we offer is an intensive classroom seminar and power point presentation with hands-on field inspections over 2 days followed by one day of both practical field inspection exam and written testing.  In order to be prepared for class, you will receive reference manuals, 4 DVD's to review along with notes, self tests and 15 page inspection report form to review and become familiar with before attending the seminar. These materials cover a wide range of in-depth information and take a measure of time to assimilate and complete, so we get them to you as soon as your inspection training application and fee are received.  It is recommended that you allow at least 3-5 weeks for your home study (the study time varies with students).  After reviewing the DVD's, manuals, self exams and outline notes,  you will need to inspect at least three practice homes (more if you can)  using the 15 page inspection report form so you will become familiar with the report form and process (you may copy the 15-page report form as needed, it is a photo ready master). Comprehensive classroom discussions will be held in the mornings of the first two days with instructor led inspections of real home during the afternoon.  Graduation with a Certificate of Training Completion is held at the end of the third day after passing the practical and written exams.  This certificate provides the basis of training and the study guide enhances the training in preparation fot taking the National Home Inspector Examination.  Classes are held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to save you time away from any other commitments.  A fourth day of training is also offered on Monday, at an additional fee, that provides Structural Pest and Dry Rot inspector training with certification through the American Institute of Inspectors.  This class, along with the study guide, provides a strong basis for taking and passing the Washington State exam for Structural Pest Inspector.

     What materials and aids are provided both during and after my course?
Benefits of the courses include DVD's that you may review at any time,  inspection and training manuals, and references to computer software that can save you time and money.  The materials are ready for use in your new business.  You will always have access to the members and instructors through the on-line chat line and telephone.

      Do I need continuing education?
A.I.I. requires its members to keep their body of knowledge current through continuing education. This may take the form of classes, "ride-along" with trainers, conferences or college courses.  Continuing education units must be earned at 36 units per three year period to maintain currency standing in A.I.I.®  These units are recorded each year .  A.I.I.® holds conferences twice a year and encourages all of its members to attend and get the latest information on topics such as molds, mildews, fungal growth, siding issues, roofing, electrical issues and many more.  Continuing education units are earned at these conferences.  The best part of these conferences is the close association and one-on-one discussions with experts in various fields as well as association with fellow members to share experiences and materials.  Other certification courses are also offered at the conferences, such as Manufactured Home Inspection, Commercial Inspection, Electrical System Testing, Radon Testing, FEMA Certification and others [see www.inspection.org].

     What is the American Institute of Inspectors™ ?
The American Institute of Inspectors™ is the only home inspection organization which requires every member to undergo a comprehensive training program that includes both classroom and field inspection training and written and practical examinations.  The student will then need to schedule and take the National Home Inspector Examination to earn their Certification as a home inspector in the association.  The CODE OF ETHICS and STANDARDS OF PRACTICE for the American Institute of Inspectors™ are not just recommended for their inspectors; THEY ARE REQUIRED! To maintain their membership, each member must complete 36 Continuing Education Units over 3 years to maintain remain a member in good standing.  Your clients can be assured of getting a thorough and professional inspection when they hire an A.I.I. certified inspector.  Check out the American Institute of Inspectors™ at www.inspection.org. 

     What Insurance is available for covering my liability in this field?
A.I.I courses satisfy the underwriting requirements for Marion A Allen, Inc., one of the leading inspection insurance corporations in the nation; www.allenins.com or (800) 922-5536 ext. 172.  FREA is also another reliable insurance carrier with low rates and valuable benefits for home inspectors; www.frea.com or (800) 882-4410.

     How can I reduce or eliminate my liability as a home inspector?
Reducing our liability means skillfully dealing with the most frequently asked questions about our reports and conducting your business under and within the A.I.I.® Umbrella Philosophy. It also means staying out of the area of expertise of other professionals such as the:

• Termite Inspector (unless you become licensed according to your state requirements)

• City Building Official

• Appraiser

• Lender

• Realtor

• And technical fields that may require a state
  license like a:

  • Roofer

  • Electrician

  • Heating Contractor

  • Plumber

  • A/C Technician

  • Engineer

  • General Contractor

Members of the American Institute of Inspectors™ already have a tool that sets a high standard and still limits the liability.  That tool is known to members as the "Umbrella Philosophy" and it encompasses all of these and more.  This philosophy is incorporated throughout the training and is discussed at length.  

     What are the benefits of joining A.I.I.®?
Not only will you receive market proven ideas with camera ready artwork and logos to incorporate into your business brochures, cards and correspondence, but you will also be entitled to [see www.inspection.org] :

• The camaraderie and great support, only a phone call or computer entry away

• Leading edge continuing education at conferences twice a year

• Time proven Service Agreements with frequent reviews at conferences for the latest updates

• Marketing plans that are shared and updated throughout the organization

• A nationally recognized logo

• The A.I.I.® hotline to receive answers to your business and inspection questions and the knowledge based forum to review stellar answers to past questions

• Weekly e-mail trade group newsletters known as the MMM

• Membership in a National Professional Home Inspector association that provides clients, lenders and Real Estate Agents a credible attribute that you are trained and up to date. 

• Check out the American Institute of Inspectors at www.inspection.org. 

     What is the A.I.I.® Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice?
The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Institute of Inspectors™ state the principles by which all members are required to follow to govern their businesses.  They form the basis by which we perform personally as well as professionally in conducting Home Inspections.   For a more complete list and explanation of our Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice please follow the link on this page to the A.I.I.® home page at www.inspection.org. 

     Do you hold annual conferences?
A.I.I.® holds conferences for information and continuing education twice yearly in the Spring and Fall.  Information, displays, products, vendors and new topics of interest are presented to Home Inspectors while we mix socially as well.  Our semi-annual business meetings are also conducted at these times.  The current continuing education conference schedule is posted on this site under Calendar.  For more information on these conferences please contact us at info@inspectiontrainingnw.com. and the A.I.I.® web site at www.inspection.org. 

     Is home inspection a franchise where I pay a monthly fee?
Neither A.I.I.® nor ITNW is connected to or part of any franchise nor do we collect or charge any additional fees from our students for the training or to begin your home inspection business.  There are no hidden fees.  When you start your own Professional Property Inspection Business, the profits are your own!  The association members, instructors and materials are there to provide whatever you may need to make your business a success.  The only additional fees are for joining the American Institute of Inspectors™ association, for conference fees and personal upgrades, such as additional certifications.