Home Inspection

Startup Costs: $2,000 - $10,000
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Franchises Available? Yes
Online Operation? No

Startup Costs: 
Home Based: 
Franchises Available? 
Online Operation? 

THE BRIEF:

If you have construction or remodeling experience and you like diagnosing house ailments, then you can give a home buyer sweet dreams--or at least let him know what he's up against--as a home inspector. You'll work mostly for buyers, but also for sellers and with real estate agents, clambering around in attics, crawl spaces and basements, peering at plumbing and electrical components, air conditioning and heating systems, and checking out decks, pools and landscaping elements. You'll then provide a written report or checklist of your findings. In these days when everybody seems to be lawsuit-mad, your service can solve problems before they arise, making the seller and realtor as happy as the buyer. And this business is poised for growth--real estate disclosure laws make inspections more important than ever, and mortgage lending firms and institutions often require inspections before handing out loans. The advantages to this business are that you're always out and about, and you get to see lots of different homes and exercise your mind, solving where-did-that-water-stain-come-from type mysteries. You'll need extensive knowledge of homes and how they work (or don't work)--foundations, walls, floors, roofs, plumbing, electricity, heating and air conditioning. You also must be able to diagnose major-appliance problems; outdoor components like pools, drainage, decks and landscaping; and invisible ailments like radon and lead-based paint. And you should be familiar with building and zoning codes and ordinances in your area. You'll also need people skills to work with high-anxiety home sellers, overanxious home buyers, and real estate agents who may fear your findings will gum up a potentially sealed deal.

ASK THE PROS:

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