Home Inspector FAQ

What has created the need for Home Inspectors

The Housing Act 2004 requires that a mandatory Home Information Pack (HIP) is put together on homes that come onto the market on a phased basis from August 1st 2007. Crucially, HIPs will contain a mandatory Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). A seller can top-up a Home Information Pack voluntarily to include a full Home Condition Report. HCRs contain the Energy Performance Certificate and detailed information about the condition of each part of the property upfront. The Government is working with HIP providers to encourage them to take up the full HCR. What's more, the European Union Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) provides that Energy Performance Certificates must also be provided for all residential lettings no later than January 2009.

Importantly, the only practitioners permitted to carry out the Home Condition Report (HCR) are qualified home inspectors.

To learn more about the market opportunities becoming a Home Inspector will bring, come on one of our free seminars.

property-careers.com was represented on several of the Government Working Groups and has worked closely with Accreditation Bodies and Assessment Centres to develop and bring this new qualification to the market.

Why choose us

There is much more to the HCR than just knowing how to fill-in the right forms. You will need to possess a good level of construction knowledge, know how to identify and diagnose building defects, measure buildings, understand the energy performance of a wide range of homes, understand health and safety issues and know how to carry out a proper building inspection.

Our training courses have been developed hand-in-hand with well-known strategic partners in the industry and match the performance and knowledge and understanding requirements of this new qualification.

Once you have completed your training as a home inspector with property-careers.com you will be automatically entitled to apply for membership of its market-leading Business Exchange, the-energy-portal which provides opportunities for introduced business.

What are the entry and qualification requirements for a Home Inspector

There are no formal entry requirements for the Home Inspector qualification, but in our experience most aspire to enter this profession via the established route of Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). The Home Inspector Diploma is now widely regarded as a stepping-stone qualification to get you into a mainstream surveying career if you are determined enough.

What does a Home Inspectors day-to-day work involve

As a Home Inspector your role will be varied, as you will spend much of your working day inspecting, measuring, assessing and putting together Energy Performance Certificates and Home Condition Reports for your clients on a wide range of residential properties.
Most of the positions are home-based, making this first choice for any career-minded individuals wishing to combine their technical, professional and people skills.

This is a professional career choice that suits those wishing to be employed or work freelance and we believe that it will attract large numbers of people viewing this as a positive change of direction. The career will also attract many part-time Home Inspectors who are looking to improve or readjust their work/life balance.

How do I get started

If you are currently contemplating a career change, or perhaps are curious as to what your skills are worth in the current property services climate, then our team of dedicated Personal Development Advisors is on hand to offer genuine, impartial careers advice for any self-motivated individual looking to make their mark within this exciting and dynamic industry.

• Reserve a place on the course
• Read the Home Inspector Course Prospectus
• Property-Careers.com Free Seminars
• Learn how you can upgrade your qualification
• Introduced Business and Recruitment Services

For more information about our Home Inspector course, please contact us.