Starting your career as a new Home Inspector in Georgia will be easier to do than other states, but there still are a few considerations to make along the way. Georgia is one of the few states that don’t require a Home Inspector license, but those who aspire to join the home inspection field should consider earning a certification or accreditation from a nationally recognized training school or exam.
If you’re wondering how to become a Home Inspector in Georgia, you need to focus on setting yourself up for success from the start, so you can stand out from the competition and begin a fulfilling career. Many new Home Inspectors wonder what the right answers may be as they take this new journey, and this article will help lay out the different options there are to choose from in 5 recommended steps.
What you should know before becoming a Home Inspector in Georgia
Before officially becoming a Georgia Home Inspector, you should understand the benefits of enrolling in a formal Home Inspector educational course. Homebuyers, REPs, and multi-Inspector firms are highly likely to prefer working with Inspectors who have done the work to become certified and formally educated. These courses and schools also give you the opportunity to learn about the Georgia state laws that affect Inspectors and their practices.
For example, the Trade Practice Act of 1994 states that Inspectors must provide a scope of work, do a visual inspection, and provide a written report. Chapter 3, Title 8 of the Georgia law also prohibits unethical home inspection practices and details reporting requirements. Although Inspectors can do this research on their own to understand the various laws, learning from a seasoned professional in a training school can allow new Inspectors to ask questions about the laws and be shown examples of how these situations can arise in the real world of home inspections.
How to become a Home Inspector in Georgia? A full 5-step guide to becoming a Georgia state Inspector
Step 1 — Grow Your Education
A very common route to becoming a Home Inspector, whether it’s required in your state or not, is enrolling in a training school. Your education and knowledge can be seen as the foundation of your business and Home Inspector career. There are dozens of reputable training schools to choose from, but we created a list of a few programs that have helped many Home Inspectors, just like yourself:
- International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
- American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT)
- Inspection Certification Associates (ICA)
- ATI Training — Home Inspection Institute
- Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII)
Pro Tip
With so many home inspection education options, including both in-person and online, take your time to research as many options as you can. Everyone’s needs, expectations, and availability are different and there’s not one course that can be deemed “the best” for everyone. What your friends and colleagues say worked well for them, may not work for what you are looking to achieve. Spend enough time to thoroughly research your options to make the best decision for YOU.
Step 2 — Register & Pass The National Home Inspector Examination®
Passing the National Home Inspector Examination® is a great way to prove you are a trusted Home Inspector. Once you pass the exam, you are also qualified to become a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), which is a widely known organization that will help you form relationships throughout the industry and start getting referrals.
Registering for the exam can be done here and there will be multiple locations for you to choose from. The associated fee when registering is $225.
Pro Tip
When preparing for the exam, it will be helpful to keep in mind that the examination will test three performance domains: Property and Building Inspection/Site Review, Analysis of Findings and Reporting, and Professional Responsibilities. The Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI) also has practice quizzes that can be purchased on the National Home Inspector Examination website here.
Step 3 — Become Educated on Georgia Laws Affecting Home Inspectors
As mentioned earlier, the 1994 Georgia Trade Practice Act states that Inspectors must provide a scope of work, do a visual inspection, and provide a written report. The law (Chapter 3, Title 8) also prohibits unethical home inspection practices and details reporting requirements. This is one example of how state laws can affect Home Inspectors.
Learning the laws that will affect you in your new career can be done with your own research, but it is highly recommended that you learn from experienced trainers who you can discuss these parameters with. Having a community to engage in, such as a training school class and/or forum, can greatly help you understand how you can comply with the laws that will affect you, and help you recognize situations when they may apply to you.
Pro Tip
In addition to enrolling in a training school at the beginning of your new career path, joining a Home Inspection organization, such as ASHI, can help you stay updated should there be any changes to Georgia laws affecting Home Inspectors.
Step 4 — Purchase E&O Insurance
E&O insurance, or Errors and Omissions insurance, is occasionally referred to as professional liability insurance, and is an essential part of every professional Home Inspector’s business. This type of insurance will help protect your business in the case a client files a claim or lawsuit because they feel you overlooked something that eventually costs them money to fix. No one is exempt from making mistakes, and that includes Home Inspectors. Being prepared for these unfortunate instances is an important step you need to take for yourself and your business.
Pro Tip
Some home inspection software companies, such as HomeGauge, offer discounts on E&O insurance premiums to their Inspectors. If saving money in this area of your business is important to you, research which software companies may have discounts available.
Step 5 — Register Your Business or Join a Firm\
An important decision you will need to make as you embark on this new journey is whether you plan on working for yourself, or plan on joining an established home inspection firm. If you plan on working for yourself, a critical step that you cannot miss is registering your business with the State of Georgia and forming a legal entity. Visting a business lawyer can help you with all the necessary steps and paperwork, but this can also be done on your own if you have the time and patience to do the research yourself.
If you plan on joining an established home inspection firm, all the hard legal work has already been done! All you need to do now is market yourself to the firms you’re interested in joining and decide which one is the best for your goals and career path!
Pro Tip
Not sure which direction to go in for your new Home Inspector career? Start networking and asking your fellow Inspectors what their experiences have been. Many Inspectors are happy to share their story and have experience working in a Multi-Inspector Firm as well as running their own business solo. This insight can help you figure out what will be best for you.
How long does it take to become a Home Inspector in Georgia?
The length of time it takes to become a Home Inspector in Georgia depends on the choices the future Inspector makes. Since there are no license requirements to become a Home Inspector in Georgia, it would take no time at all if no additional steps were put into one’s plan. If a future Home Inspector takes the recommended steps above, it can take as little as 2-4 weeks depending on the pace they can withhold in their learning. Everybody is different and has different schedules, and since there are no time limits or restraints in the State of Georgia, Home Inspectors have the freedom to choose whatever pace fits within their life and career goals.
How much does it cost to become a Home Inspector in Georgia?
The cost of becoming a Home Inspector in Georgia will depend on a few different choices. Enrolling in a training school, which training program they choose, deciding whether or not to take the National Home Inspector Examination ®, and choosing to pursue continued education or not all all factors. If a Home Inspector decides on minimal formal training and only wishes to take the National Home Inspector Examination ® before joining an established firm, this will cost them as little as $225. If a Home Inspector decides they would like formal training before taking the exam, and they would like to purchase E&O Insurance before registering their business as a legal entity, they could be spending upwards of $2,000 or more.
What’s the best Home Inspector training in Georgia?
For those who are looking to become a Home Inspector in the state of Georgia, there will be no shortage of educational courses and training schools to choose from. From in-person classes to fully-online courses, there will be a training option that suits your needs. Doing your own research to learn about all of the options available will help you find what will work best for you, but we created a list of a few programs that have helped many Home Inspectors before you:
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
- InterNACHI provides free training, online testing, and certification; as well as business development and marketing support, and discounts on Inspector needs, such as software, and insurance.
- To become a member of InterNACHI, Home Inspectors can pay either $49/month or $499/year.
- There is an option for InterNACHI members to become Certified Professional Inspectors® at no additional cost, after they have completed additional certification requirements.
- To learn more about InterNACHI, check out their website here.
American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT)
- AHIT provides online courses, live classes, and professionals to help you with business development and continuing education.
- There are three different online learning packages to choose from, ranging from $595 to $795.
- Live classes are held in multiple locations within Georgia, include hands-on practice in local homes, and cost $1,495.
- To learn more about their online courses and live classes, view all of the information here.
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA)
- In addition to their online training courses and exam prep courses, ICA provides ongoing career support for their Edcetera Home Inspection Members.
- Unlimited access to their training and support materials, and a membership to their portal, Edcetera Home Inspection, is $99/year.
- For more information about their membership and training material, visit their website here.
ATI Training — Home Inspection Institute
- ATI has online courses that are meant to be taken at your own pace and are estimated to take anywhere from 60 to 120 hours to complete.
- Field training and association support are also aspects that they provide to their members.
- Enrolling with ATI costs $695, and there are financing options available as well as discounts for military veterans and first responders.
- To learn more about what ATI offers for training and support for Home Inspectors, visit their website here.
Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII)
- PHII offers multiple courses, marketing resources, and business support for Inspectors who are new and Inspectors who have established themselves over the years.
- Each course is estimated to take about 1-2 weeks to complete and will always be accessible to members.
- Their online Home Inspector Certification course costs $595, and there are other many other optional courses that can be enrolled in for as little as $99.
- To learn more about their Georgia training course, visit their webpage here.
Final points on how to be a Home Inspector in Georgia
Those who are choosing to start their journey as a Home Inspector in Georgia will have quite a few choices to make. There are no required licenses or certifications in this state, giving Inspectors the option to receive an education of their choice, if any at all. Georgia also ranks as one of the most affordable states to live in within the country, making it an attractive choice for families and individuals looking to relocate. This creates a great opportunity for Home Inspectors to gain business year-round.
Some essential items to remember about becoming a Home Inspector in Georgia include:
- Georgia does not require a license to become a Home Inspector but becoming certified is highly recommended.
- Enrolling in a training school can be extremely beneficial for preparing to take any exams and can help you network within your new community.
- Becoming familiar with Georgia laws that affect Home Inspectors is a must to protect yourself and your business.
If you’re considering a Home Inspector in Georgia career and would like to partner with a company that can provide you with all of the business-related tools you’ll need to complete inspections efficiently, reach customers through marketing efforts, and more — contact our team at HomeGauge.com today.
FAQs
How hard is it to become a Home Inspector in Georgia?
Becoming a Home Inspector in Georgia is very easy since there are no requirements to start inspecting homes, but standing out amongst the rest of Inspectors can be hard work. Following our 5-step guide will set you up for a successful career.
Do you need a license to become a Home Inspector in Georgia?
Nope! Georgia is one of the few states that has no regulations in place determining who can and cannot inspect a home. Although you won’t need a license in this state, there are still a few state laws that all Inspectors will need to be aware of.
How much do Home Inspectors make in Georgia?
As of publication, a Home Inspector makes an average of $54,430/year in Georgia.
What’s the best Home Inspector training in Georgia?
There are a large number of training options for those looking to become a Home Inspector in Georgia, so doing your own research to find what works best for YOU is important. A few respected training schools are International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT), Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) , ATI Training — Home Inspection Institute, and Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII).
Disclaimer: The information in this article should be used as a guide and was accurate at the time of publishing. Check with your state authorities for the most up-to-date regulations.