Home Inspection Classroom Education

This course is Virginia and Maryland State approved for 72 contact hours required home inspection pre-licensing classroom education.

The following is a summary of the topics that will be covered during the home inspection classroom education:

Home Inspection Overview:

Here we provide an introduction to the home inspection industry, topics covered are:

• ASHI and InterNACHI: Home Inspectors organizations
• Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice (SOP): ASHI and InterNACHI code of Ethics & SOP as adopted by the States of Virginia and Maryland as fulfillment for the educational requirement
• Business Entities and Legal Aspects: What type of business entity is suitable for you to run  a home inspection business
• Home Inspection Opportunities: running your own business or affiliating with a company? Pros & Cons
• Business Procurement and Marketing: who are your clients and where to find them. Techniques and strategies to grow your business
• Home Inspection agreement – what the client/inspector  agreement should and legally protect
• Home Inspectors Insurance: Liability plus Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance requirements, cost, and limits
• Inspection Process:  What to inspect and what not to inspect; requirements and limitations

Building Science:

Building Science will cover the terms, materials, and functionality of the different component of the building system; topics covered are:

• Site and Property: Drainage, grading, landscaping, etc. – requirement and implication on the building integrity
• Roofing and Gutter System: types, components, material, functionality, and defects
• Foundation and Exterior: types and defects of foundation and building exterior. Cracks and causes
• Structure: beams, joists, studs, trusses, sheathing, and flooring system  their purpose, types, and defects
• Decks, patios, and Porches: types, requirements, and defects
• Basements and Crawl Spaces: types, requirements, and defects
• Attics: types, requirements, and defects. Access, insulation, and ventilation
• House Interior:
  • Ceilings, Floors, and Walls,  – types, requirements, and defects
  • Windows and Doors – types, requirements, and defects
  • Kitchens – Appliances, plumbing, electrical wiring, countertops, cabinets, flooring, ventilation, etc.
  • Bathrooms – sinks, toilets, bathtubs, electrical, plumbing, flooring, ventilation, etc.

Systems & Appliances:

• Electrical Systems:
  • Service Drop – types, requirements, and defects
  • Wiring and Electricity Distribution – types, requirements, and defects
  • Electrical Panels – types, requirements, and defects
  • Circuit Breakers – types, requirements, and defects
  • Switches, Outlets, Fixtures, GFCI – types, requirements, and defects
  • Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors – types, requirements, and defects
• Plumbing Systems:
  • Supply lines, water pressure, faucets, showers, baths, etc.
  • Drainage and sewer pipes, sinks, toilets, etc.
  • Fittings and connections -Ts, Ys, Traps, what is allowed by the standard? What material? proper installation and usage
  • vents, drainage, fixtures and faucets, water heaters, sump pumps, and ejector pumps
  • fuel supply ( Gas & Oil)  and fuel lines – types, requirements, and defects
• Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems:
  • Fuel type – electric, gas, wood, oil, solar, geothermal –  functionality and the physical science of each kind
  • Water heaters and boilers
  • Fireplaces and chimneys – Structure, components, efficiency, and defects
  • Heat Distribution – Ductwork and Radiators
  • Combustion and Ventilation  Requirements  – venting types and defects

Pool and Spa: 

• Identify and inspect pool and spa systems using applicable standards for material selection and installation procedures to assess immediate and long-term safety and maintenance issues

Irrigation System:

• Identify and inspect lawn irrigation systems using applicable standards for material selection and installation procedures to assess immediate and long-term safety and maintenance issues that may affect the performance of the system and building.

Commercial Building Inspection:

Uunderstanding ADA and OSHA requirements in addition to the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM)’s international standards

Technology and Home Inspections:

Demonstration of using advanced tools for a home inspection, such as drones, infrared cameras, moisture meters, air quality meters, etc.

Report Writing:

Types of reports, what to include in the report, report writing tools and software