How to Become a Home Inspector in Texas
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- It's one of our most frequent questions: How do I become a home inspector in Texas? We dive into a full guide about navigating the process. Special thanks to Mike Crow from The Home Inspection Marketing Podcast for a second pair of eyes!
Also, the video is available as a blog post here: www.spectora.com/r/how-to-bec...
00:00 Intro
00:44 The 3 license types under TREC
01:41 Getting an Apprentice License
03:09 Getting a Real Estate Inspector License
04:33 Skipping the Apprentice License
05:06 Getting a waiver based on work experience
05:49 Passing the TREC license exam
06:34 Getting a Professional Home Inspector License
07:25 Quick Recap
09:51 Why Spectora?
Qualified Professional Home Inspectors in TREC
www.trec.texas.gov/education/...
Appentice Application:
www.trec.texas.gov/forms/appl...
Qualified Education Providers:
www.trec.texas.gov/education/...
Real Estate Inspector Application
www.trec.texas.gov/forms/appl...
Exam Test Sign Up:
home.pearsonvue.com/Test-take...
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I'm currently getting my professional license to save time later, but will be working for a local inspector to get hands on training. He is retiring in 18 months and I'll be ready to do it right.
I do have some construction experience in framing, roofing via cad and building engineered trusses. then we built our home, contracting out for electric, plumbing and hvac. With that said, I don't care how much I think I know, I believe working with a guy with 21 yrs experience will be the best move I could make.
Yay, I’m excited.
Thanks I’m starting my journey today
Let us know how it goes?
Thanks for the video. I have a question: I have a background in New construction related with hvac and I have obtain the environment class a license ( industrial hvac), this can help me to apply for the 2nd license? Thanks.
Hey great video! Quick question! How many times I week would I have to come in for my apprenticeship? Are there certain days of the week I would have to show up?
TREC doesn't have any guidelines, so it'll be up to your sponsor!
For level 1 license, can I practice on it physically first or I have to finish all required exams?
hi sir, if I don't completed 25 or 174 inspections. I can go school and take class texas practicum and practice right ????
How do you go about transferring your license from one state to TX?
Best way to work with an sponsors
Great info !
I am a bit confused here. What is the motivation for a professional to train an apprentice ? He could likely be teaching his future competition. My wife and I are theorizing that it could be he/she is also training a possible future employee that will make money for him/her, but we have also seen chats on-line where people are saying YOU have to pay to be an apprentice. I, personally, would like to go the apprenticeship route for the experience. i understand that as an apprentice, I am not making the inspector any money so I would not expect to be paid, but I am not liking the idea of paying for the privilege when there is a way to skip the apprenticeship altogether.
Does mobile homes follow up under home inspection license
So, I have a question, can you apply for a professional Real Estate inspector without the 3 months of ride-alongs and 25 inspections under supervision? Also, if I get my real estate inspector's license, can I just pick up jobs on my own ( I know a few realtors) or must I work with a company?
You have to have a professional license (the highest one) to charge money for home inspections. So no to your second question.
The first question is more nuanced. You can APPLY before completing the ride alongs, etc. As long as you complete them later (we think we said one year?)
I have already been through the 30 inspection apprenticeship and done all the online coursework and passed the national home inspectors exam.. and was a licensed home inspector in the state of Arizona.. Do you know if any of this is transferable…? Thanks
Here's my situation. I'm a full time mail carrier and Sunday is the only day I'm guaranteed off. I can't quit my job until can start making money at a new one. Is it possible to get that 3 months training on my days off? Could I quit my job and be paid for training until I'm fully licensed?
There are some large, multiinspector companies that might allow you to work as an apprentice while your in training.
Similar question to one below.. Can I just bypass the apprenticeship and go straight to applying for Professional RE Inspector? Would I still then have to have somebody shadow my 175 inspections or can that be done while I'm employed with a company?
You CAN bypass the apprenticeship, some training schools like ICA take this approach. Try reaching out to them or the Super Inspector Academy, they know all the tricks.
So now days, do most home inspectors use drones with video recording to reduce personal injury when inspecting roofs and attics?
Some home inspectors like Ben Gromicko (InterNACHI founder) like to walk every roof, partially for the optics to the homeowner and to show value of a more thorough job than a drone.
Also worth noting that some states have prohibitively complex laws to operate a drone. In Florida, you need an FAA pilot's license to use one, for example.
Is there any companies in the Houston Area you recommend to start off as an part time apprentice?
Hit up Super Inspector. They're a large multi out of Texas. You can find them on the Spectora Spotlight podcasts if you want to get a feel for them first!
Great video! How long does it take on average to complete an inspection for a 1600-2000sf home? Is the licensing the same for residential inspections vs commercial inspections?
Most of our inspectors can get a report for a home of that size down to two hours and submit a report on site or at the office if they want to give it some extra touches. This vid is for residential inspectors only.
What if you are licensed in the state of Washington and have been running your own home inspection business for the past five years.
Is there some sort of honor system?
My question is what’s the starting pay with an apprentice license? Do they pay salary? Hourly? Commission?
HA ! sorry. It's a honest question, but I have looked into this. With some professions, apprentices actually can earn money for their company. For this, you are just shadowing a professional inspector. He makes no money from your 'work' and actually you are learning from him. So no... you won't get paid. It is like going to college. They don't pay you to go. You pay them to learn. The only guy who sponsors in my area charges apprentices 50 dollars per inspection. This is not something to pursue unless you are real serious about it. You will spend a lot of time and money before you make one dollar for yourself.
UPDATE : maybe i don't know what i'm talking about... wouldn't be the first time. I know what i say is true where i live, but maybe in a big market where they do really big houses they use apprentices to get the job done and can actually pay them. i really doubt it though cause apprentices need DIRECT supervision ( can't do anything alone ). Best case scenario i can think is they at least don't charge you and just try to train you hoping you'll get an RE Inspector license where you can actually make some money for them.
Question does the courses you have to take count as college credit?
Very likely not but some colleges may take it as elective credit only. -Louie (was an admissions counselor in another life)
Can you do one for California please!!!
Question, American home inspectors training is not on trecs list, does that matter ?
They are, third from the top when you go to www.trec.texas.gov/education/qualifying-inspector-courses
I'm interested in starting a career in Home Inspection, but I currently have no experience. Does becoming an Apprentice need any experience? Or would I be able to find a company that can train me from the ground up?
No experience needed for apprentice, but you have to have a professional home inspector endorse you on the apprentice application and they will teach you.
As an apprentice inspector, you would not be making your sponsor any money so... they will CHARGE you to learn. Only guy sponsoring in my area charges YOU 50 dollars per inspection. Do the math.... you need 25. Unfortunately... makes sense. If you were a professional inspector why would you train somebody to take business away from you when they start their own company ? Only chance for a free apprenticeship is if your sponsor is family or a good friend, The apprenticeship work around is the 40 hour Texas Practicum. Still going to cost you money ( probably less ), but much quicker to check that box.
I’m a full time teacher, would I be able to do the apprenticeship with my sponsor in the afternoons?
Maybe, it would be up to your sponsor. Many home inspections try and get their start before late afternoon. You could also try some Saturday inspections.
I’m currently a home inspector in California with two years of inspection experience as well as years of contracting experience. I plan on moving to Texas soon. What’s needed from me to start inspecting homes in Texas?
You may be able to skip to a professional license with your experience. Louie talks about this later in the video.
@@Spectora Right! But I don’t want to move to Texas and immediately start my own company. I’d like to work for somebody else to get a good understanding of how the inspections differ in Texas. But I still need to provide insurance for that?
@@wyattc1007 your employer will probably cover you under their own insurance. What part of Texas? Louie can refer you to some of the multi-inspector companies there.
I live in Texas, can I just take the Professional inspectors license course, with out doing the Apprenticeship?
This video really clarified the process. I have a couple of questions. 1. Before one applies to become an apprentice do they have to have a license or certificate? 2. I don't plan on starting my own business; could I stick with the RE Inspector License or do I still need to continue on with the Professional license?
Good questions Erica. To the best of my (Louie) knowledge, you don't have to have a license or cert to get an apprentice license from TREC. If you don't plan to own your own business, than you shouldn't need to Professional license from TREC either, just the RE License. Good luck!
@@Spectora Thank you for your speedy reply!
Can you just apply for the professional home inspector license without going through the other two?
@@renitawashington6404 TREC's site makes no mention of this but we've herd that some home inspector schools do this. TREC doesn't say it's NOT possible
Every single school I've looked at offers 2 programs. Real Estate and Professional. The professional starts with the National Requirements course. After you complete and pass the test. You take the Texas State requirement course with included the required 40hrs of ride alongs. Then you take the licensing test.
Not 1 single school has said you are required to become a real estate inspector first and do 175 inspections.
You are not required, but it is a good option if you want to be very experienced by the time you get your license. The schools have no interest in telling you about the apprenticeship route because they make less money from it. Personally as an aspiring inspector I am doing the school/practicum route because it is quicker and cheaper. The downside is I will get a professional license, but barely have any experience in actually doing inspections. oh well.... it is what it is.
Can you refer us to some sponsors here in Texas, Dallas to be exact?
Check out this list app.spectora.com/find-a-home-inspector/dallas-fort-worth
@@Spectora Thank you!
How much is the pay??
So what do they pay an apprentice?
Every company can set their own rates. It's often a percentage of the home inspection.
@@Spectora i think that is more the case with a real estate inspector. An apprentice inspector can't perform an inspection without DIRECT supervision. He earns his sponsor no money on his own and has to be trained. I assume apprentices don't get paid. They more often have to PAY. Only sponsor in my area charges the apprentice 50 dollars per inspection.
If anyone finds an apprenticeship that actually pays the apprentice, i would love to hear about it. I highly doubt they exist.
This really seems like a screwy system. What if none of the pro inspectors in your area want to sponsor you ? You would be unable to go the traditional route. You would also be unable to do the Texas Practicum as you need a pro to sign off on the 5 inspections required there. It would be one thing if they thought you were incompetent, but what if they just don't want to deal with the hassle or want to lock out competition ? I can actually sympathize with that mentality, but this creates a 'buddy system' that keeps out normal people. The power should be in the governing body, not the participants.
UPDATE : I am smarter now. You don't need a local inspector to sign off on your Practicum, You may find any Texas Professional Inspector with 5 years experience that will do it for you, but if they're not local, you are driving and/or getting a hotel till you get your 5 inspections done. Unless they are extremely generous you will surely have to pay them something agreeable as well. Other route if you can't find a willing inspector is to go to a school and they will shuttle you thru a field work factory probably with up to three other students. Also $$$ of course for the Practicum plus lodging if you don't live near the school.
Do apprentices get paid for their training normally? If so what is a fair hourly pay?
There's nothing in the TREC policy that says they must be paid, so each company may have a different policy.
The pay works out to about -12.50 / hour.
Sorry. No one is going to pay you (at least not where i live). An apprentice's work is not billable to clients. You are not really working, you are learning. You are actually extra work for your sponsor as he has to teach you during the inspections... so you will actually have to pay him/her unless you are lucky enough to be related or good friends with your sponsor. The only sponsor in my area taking apprentices charges the apprentice 50 dollars per inspection with no guarantee of a job at the end of the apprenticeship. You got to really want this.
I’m going to school with no experience to get my profesional inspector license
Does that sound right ?
How has it been ?? I’m currently doing the same and I’m not sure if I should have maybe done real estate license
@@dondatrader5609 Same situation as you guys and I’m not sure either.
I'm 50 and thinking about doing this. Am I too old?
Not at all, you're right about at the average age of home inspectors. Many do it as a second career after contracting.
No because I’ll be 46 this year..lol..we got this!
Age is just a number and nothing else. Go for it.
I'm 40 and I'm starting an engineering degree. I think you got this.
What if I am a realtor and I just want to learn home inspection to be more helpful to my clients.
Couple of options, you could join an organization like InterNACHI and watch some of their online content, without the pressure of having to get a license or cert. Also, some local home inspection conferences might be helpful. They'd probably be just as interested in you and getting your business!
You’ll have to complete 8500 home inspections
Wow I’ll never become an Real estate inspector nobody has time to wait 3 years to get started 🙄