To become a home inspector, you will first need to decide whether you want to actually invest the time and money into becoming one. And there is a lot of information available on how to become a home inspector. However, I found that most of the information was not very clear thinking about it when I was learning about it.
how to become a New Jersey home inspector
Becoming a Home Inspector in New Jersey requires education and experience, which can be achieved through a three-year apprenticeship to establish familiarity with the profession. In this prospective career guide, we will discuss what it takes to become a home inspector in New Jersey through an apprenticeship program
home inspector salary in New Jersey
The median annual home inspector salary in New Jersey is $54250 based on tests from jobs from Indeed.com. The most common job titles for the jobs filled by home inspectors are Home Inspector, Home Inspector and Systems Engineer.
What Does A Home Inspector Do?
Home inspectors must be familiar with federal, state and local building code regulations. They review construction projects to make sure that all codes are met. They may also be hired to inspect a home that is under contract to be sold. As part of their duties they may review building plans and approve them when all building codes have been followed. Home inspectors may also inspect the electrical and plumbing systems in a structure. When building projects do not comply with codes they may issue violation notices and prevent further work until the project is brought up to code. They keep notes and photographs of the buildings they inspect.
| Training Required | College certificate program or degree, or a training program offered by a school, real estate firm or home inspection company |
| Key Skills | Evaluation of electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, as well as roofs, foundations and other important elements of a house |
| Licensure | Most states require a license, but requirements vary |
| Job Growth (2020-2030) | -3% for all construction and building inspectors* |
| Median Salary (May 2020) | $62,860 for all construction and building inspectors* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What Is a Home Inspector?
A home inspector is an official who evaluates the condition of residential buildings, such as single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and apartment complexes. Their inspections can focus on specific features or assess the level of all-around livability. As a home inspector, you’d photograph interiors and exteriors, take measurements and determine whether a building is in compliance with building codes. Interpersonal skills are a must, since you’d be required to issue violation notices, explain regulations to violators and supervise new inspectors.
Step 1: Prepare During High School
High schools offer numerous opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills you can apply to home inspection. Shop and home maintenance courses can provide some familiarity with construction practices. Courses in algebra, geometry, physics and English are helpful for the portion of an inspector’s job that involves mathematical calculation and written communication. You could also consider volunteering with charity organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity.
Step 2: Earn a Certificate
Certificate programs in home inspection are available from community colleges and from 4-year colleges and universities. Training programs of varying length are also available from a number of private schools, real estate firms and home inspection companies. Programs teach you to evaluate a building’s systems – electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling – interior and exterior elements, roof, foundation and structural integrity. You also learn to use an assortment of measuring devices and to write inspection reports.
Step 3: Obtain a License
States vary widely in their regulation of home inspectors. Some have no licensing provisions. Others have extensive requirements that include classroom training, completion of inspections under a mentor’s supervision, liability insurance and passage of a licensing exam. You might have to participate in as little as 40 or as many as 120 hours of classroom training and complete 25-100 supervised inspections.
States that require licensure may have you take either a test of their own or the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) developed by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors. As of June 2011, the NHIE exam had been adopted or recognized by 26 states. It consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and has a passing score requirement of 62.5%.
Step 4: Find Employment
A majority of your employment opportunities will be with local governments, real estate firms and home inspection companies. Figures for home inspectors weren’t available, but according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the larger category of construction and building inspectors encompassed about 129,300 workers as of 2020 (www.bls.gov). By 2030, employment was projected to decline by 3% to 125,600. Payscale.com reported that as of 2021, most home inspectors earned salaries between $32k and $88k.
Step 5: Obtain Certification
Certification is voluntary, but it can enhance your reputation and career prospects. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) are two prominent organizations in the industry that offer certification. To obtain ASHI certification, you must become a member, complete 250 verified home inspections and pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE).
To sum up, while many people go into the home inspection profession because they love working with houses and helping people, there are other motivations at play as well. The end results of a home inspection job may not always be what were hoped for, but this does not mean that a home inspector salary in New Jersey or anywhere else should be judged by anything other than how much an individual is willing to put into the job.
