1)      A.S.H.I. Standards & Practices

2)      Literature on each area of inspection

3)      Test information

4)      Study Guides

5)      Safety Issues

1)      ASI (Organization that gives the ASHI exam)

Phone: 1-800-274-8359

Test given daily at:       250 W. Court Street, Court Street Center, Suite 475E

2 forms of ID required (one photo ID), certified check or money

 order, and confirmation # (given by ASI at time of registration)

2)      Names & Address of A.S.H.I. Ohio

3)      Names & Address of A.S.H.I. Regional

4)      Names & Address of A.S.H.I. Cincinnati

1)      Pre- Inspection Meeting

 1)      Following the Inspector through 2 Inspections

2)      Discussion During the Inspection as to various areas being inspected. Education of Trainee

3)      Learn protocols & Methods of Inspection Practices

4)      Ask questions & obtain Feedback

5)      Specific Information

1)      Discussion & Question/Answer for 30 minutes.

2)      Advise on specifics of the inspection - 30 minutes 

A.      Each Associate will be provided with a copy of the American Society of Home Inspectors Standards & Practices

B.      Each Associate will be provided with the Code of Ethics of A.S.H.I.

C.      Each Associate will be provided Guidelines for inspecting specific areas in the home

Areas Include:  Roofing   -   Exterior Conditions   -   Site Conditions  -  Garages  -  Interior Components  -  Attics  -  Basement/Crawlspace  -  Foundations  -  Electrical Systems  -  Plumbing  -  H.V.A.C.  -  Framing Components

D.     Study Guide Self Test Questions in areas of above notes specific areas

To become ASHI certified you will have certain requirements to fulfill

A.      At the training meeting to be held 1 ½ hours prior to the on site inspection, all literature and information will be shared with the associate.

B.      A brief discussion of Inspection Protocols.

C.      A discussion of the Home Inspection Industry

Six points of significance:   1)Education Opportunities   2)Experience Requirements  

3)Marketing Necessary    4)Office staff    5)Legal issues    6)Equipment necessary

A.      The Associate will be invited to accompany the inspector on 2 inspections (approximate times 10:30 & 3:00)

B.      During the inspection the associate will be invited to follow the inspector through each phase of the inspection as a passive observer.

C.      The associate will be allowed to listen & watch the pre inspection meeting with the client as an associate & with clients permission, will be allowed to listen to the post inspection follow up & closing process.

D.     Equipment used during the inspection will be detailed to the associate.

E.      The associate will be apprised to correct methods of inspection as well as any pertinent safety issues for the inspection.

F.      When time permits, the associate questions will be answered on site.  There will be a pad of paper & pen provided each associate for questions. Any inspection specific questions will be answered.

A.      The Associate will be provided an opportunity for 1 hour after the last inspection for questions & answers with the inspector.

B.      The inspector will advise the associate on inspection specific areas encountered that day. 

• Hand out literature 

• Brief discussion/explanation of literature

• Inspection Protocols

I.               Dress for inspection

• Casual collared shirt

• Dockers type of slacks

• Construction type boots

• Extra shoes

II.          Arrival

• Be at least 10 minutes early

• Observe site,  introduce yourself to seller & sellers agent

• Remove equipment from truck

III.     Introductions

•  Card ready - State your name & name of company - Shake everyone’s hand -

•  Invite client to review & discuss information at the pre inspection meeting.

IV.    Ask for questions

• Always invite client to accompany you, ask if there are any problems with inspection format or agreement form. 

• Have them sign the agreement.

V.         Conduct the inspection

• Always explain what you are doing & why

•  Tell the client where you are going next, never stop moving

• Never restate a point unless asked by the client

VI.    Post Inspection

• Review all non functional/maintenance information

•  Ask for questions from buyer

• Thank the seller & his/her agent

• Present invoice & collect payment

• State the exact day the report will be available

• Ask for fax #’s of buyers & buyers agent

• business card of all agents

I.        Education Opportunities

• Aside from this one day introduction, there are numerous schools & ASHI approved seminars available. They will be enclosed in the packet names & addresses of existing inspection training companies.  This one day introduction should not be considered as full training.

II.      Experience Requirements

• There are many paths to the Home Inspection Business. Commonly, individuals in the residential construction trades are based in empirical experiences that avail the individual to a broad knowledge base. The education seminar/school alone is not recommended. The work demands one to be somewhat a “detective”. He/she must be able to recognize evidence & signs of problems that can only come with an apprenticeship with a professional. It is therefore strongly recommended by this firm that a candidate travel multiple times with an experienced inspector.

III.    Marketing

• Possibly the second most important area of a successful inspection business is the proper professional marketing of the business. The most common type of direct marketing is to the real estate professionals. They know who is buying and who is selling. The one on one meetings with the agents and providing them with literature is recommended.

• The relationship with the Realtor  must be business only oriented and no money “kick backs” or special gifts should ever be offered as incentives to Realtors. This practice violates A.S.H.I. Codes of Ethics and has potential for legal ramifications.

• Aside from Realtors other marketing avenues include: Yellow pages, real-estate sections of local newspapers, “Home” magazines, flyers, seminars, pamphlets, referrals from friends and clients.

IV.    Office & Staff - Equipment

• Organization is the key to any successful business. There should be a “system” set for handling the various areas of the business. The system should include, but not be limited to the following areas.

• Client Contact (data sheets, protocols for answering the phone, areas of the home that are inspected - fee structure)

• Dedicated phone line - only to be answered by professionals

• Fax line & equipment - mandatory, no ifs, ands or buts

• Accounting procedure - Quicken software suggested

• Computer - vital for accounting/reports/data base

• Secretary/Answering system - because of cost of a full time secretary  - answering service or pager or hand held cell phone are alternatives. Retrieve voice mail at least every 3 hours & return calls promptly. If at all possible have a person answer the phone at least 4 to 5 hours per day.

• Desk, file cabinets, dedicated room for office

• Forms - there must be a professional form, computer program, or other written documentation of the inspection. The A.S.H.I. Standards of Practice. Should be a basic guideline, but not the only reported information. Remember that the written report is the basis for the legal documentation of the inspection.

V.         Legal Issues

• A wise inspector once said “write each report as if it were being presented to a jury”. This is no understatement. The inspector must understand that it is impossible to overstate and explain in writing and verbally in this industry. All potential inspectors must know that there is a growing field in the area of the legal community based on errors and omissions made by Home Inspectors.

• Errors & Omissions Insurance - Must have this

• Incorporation - Strongly advised to protect personal assets

• Liability Insurance - at least $500,000

• Legal council - someone who is a real-estate Attorney with an understanding of the House Inspection Industry and has litigation experience

• Form work and Inspection Agreements that subscribe to ASHI Standards and Practices.

VI.    Equipment

• Many inspectors believe that more equipment is better. The truth is that equipment can be very helpful but also burdening and expensive. All the equipment in the world can not make up for experience and understanding. The following list is offered as recommended equipment:

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