What are careers in home inspection?

Home inspector, building inspector, and electrical inspector are careers in home inspection. Here is a more detailed look at these three careers:

• Home inspector

  A home inspector scrutinizes a residential home or property, and reports on the overall condition of the structure. This includes the foundation, roof, draining system, plumbing, heating system, central air-conditioning system, visible insulation, walls, windows, and doors.

  A home inspector only inspects items that are visible and accessible by normal means on the property. They often perform this job for potential home-buyers to give them a thorough idea of the home's state, as well as the likelihood of any negative issues arising in the future.

  Ultimately a home inspector's job can be defined as determining if a property is up to code and safe for the buyers to live in.

  Close to half of home inspectors have bachelor's degrees in a related field. However, in most cases, a high school diploma or equivalent is sufficient foundational education to become a home inspector. Much of the necessary skills, training and education are learned on the job by working under a veteran home inspector.

• Building Inspector

  A building inspector's role is very much the same as a home inspector's, the only real difference is that generally, they are inspecting larger structures, such as apartment buildings, and commercial buildings.

  At these locations, they determine if the structure and all of the inner workings of the building are sound. However, some building inspectors choose to take a more specialized career path. For example, they may choose to only inspect buildings made of steel or reinforced concrete structures.

  Most employers require at least a high school diploma or equivalent to become a building inspector. Many also choose to get bachelor's degrees in areas like structural engineering, and construction management.

  A mandatory qualification for this career path is to have a certain amount of training in the field. Training requirements vary from state to state. Most of the training building inspectors get is on the job. Typically they will work under an experienced building inspector and learn about building codes, ordinances, and regulations.

• Electrical inspector

  An electrical inspector examines the electrical systems of a home, building, or other structure to ensure effective functionality, and also to check if they meet electrical codes and standards.

  Some of the systems they inspect include new and pre-existing sound and security systems, lighting, wiring, certain kinds of motors, photovoltaic systems, and generators. They also examine electrical wiring for HVAC and HVACR systems and appliances.

  A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become an electrical inspector. Many also get bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering or attend an electrician trade school.

  Just like home inspectors and building inspectors, much of their training is on the job. They may shadow an experienced electrical inspector to learn the skills, terminology, codes, and other standards applicable to this field.