Pricing your services partly determines whether or not your business will ever turn a profit. It’s also one of the most challenging aspects of starting a new business. Chances are, you have at least a basic idea of what certified home inspectors in your area charge for a general home inspection. And if you’re like many new inspectors just starting out, your fees will fall somewhere in that range.

But what if you charged a bit more? Would you drive away business? Or would you reap more rewards?

Low Rates Don’t Always Help Your Reputation

Do you want to be known in the industry as Crazy Larry with the Crazy Low Prices? The inspector with the cheapest rates approach might send customers your way, but it could hurt your reputation. It probably won’t impress real estate agents, and you’ll rely on them over the years for referrals.

The Association for Consumer Research explains that when in doubt, consumers tend to use pricing as their guide for quality. Few industries have more doubt than home inspecting, as consumers only deal with inspectors a few times in their lives.

Higher Rates Tend to Imply Quality and Instill Confidence

If your prices aren’t just on par with but slightly higher than your competition, you could generate enthusiasm about your company. If your inspections are top-notch, you’ll back up your pricing with undeniable evidence. Reuben Saltzman of Structure Tech Inspections says that’s their approach. They charge a little more, but back up their rates with measurable performance. But put in market research hours before committing to a too-high pricing structure that might backfire.

Blogging and writing e-books about issues that matter to homeowners strengthen your reputation as an industry leader.

ACR goes on to explain that consumers often assume higher prices equal a better product or service. Again, lack of industry knowledge about quality in home inspections puts consumers in a decision making position with few facts to go on.

Your Time, Tools and Expertise are Valuable

As a small business owner, your days of a 9-to-5 job are probably over, at least for a while. There’s a lot to be said for the peace of clocking out at the end of a day. But for people with an entrepreneurial spirit, the tradeoff is often worth the extra effort. Just be careful not to sell your talent short.

The hours and money invested in new equipment, such as drone technology, are valuable to home inspection customers. The time you spend marketing, blogging, writing good reports and building out lunch-and-learn sessions with local real estate agents is valuable. Your home inspection skills are valuable. What you add to the industry is, you guessed it, valuable.

It’s an age-old problem that many new business owners struggle with, especially people who sell a service and not a retail item. Your services are more closely related to your talent and, accordingly, your value as a person in the home inspection industry.

You probably won’t set sky-high rates that only elite home buyers can afford. That would cut your market considerably. But when deciding on a fee range, remember that to consumers, your fee range speaks to the value of your home inspection work. Live up to their expectations with high-quality work and you can set rates that make being a certified home inspector worth it.

It won’t be long before windows are closed and heating systems fire up for another season of heavy use. That’s when indoor air quality issues can intensify for homeowners. Late summer and early fall bring a new wave of pollen producing plants and closed windows mean less fresh air. For allergy sufferers, it’s a double whammy.

For home inspectors looking to broaden their horizons with ancillary services, here’s why air quality inspections might be a great fit.

Fall and Winter Bring More Allergens Indoors

Spring is the classic time when allergies flare. With plants springing back to life, the pollen count adds up. Damp conditions also encourage mold and mildew. But fall and winter are no friend to people with air quality sensitivities.

In many parts of the country, ragweed starts blooming in August and peaks in September, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. While air conditioning filters out some of it, pollen can hitch a ride indoors. The rainy season that some states go through every year contributes to mold and mildew.

Every season has allergens, but spring, fall, and winter tend to hit allergy sufferers hard. If the home isn’t designed with good ventilation, allergens get trapped indoors. With poor air filtration, more particles are free to tumble through the air and cause a sneeze attack.

Itchy, watery eyes and sneezing can make settling in for winter less cozy and a lot more uncomfortable.

Poor Ventilation Can Make Matters Worse

When the weather cools off, fewer homeowners raise windows. Ventilation can suffer, especially in milder in-between seasons when air conditioning isn’t necessary and it’s not quite time to use heat. That’s when air gets stale and more allergens build up indoors.

If the homeowners have pets, or the previous owners did, pet dander can cause an allergy flare. Dust mites are a problem, too, as are dropping from vermin that scurry around at night. Dirty houses might not be your specialty, but they affect indoor air quality.

Perhaps one of the greatest health risks that accompany poor ventilation is radon. It’s undetectable by sight or smell, but radon detectors can find it and measure the volume. In many cases, additional ventilation designed for radon remediation can make the home safe again.

Homeowners Have Several Options for Improving Indoor Air Quality

For homeowners concerned about what they breathe, the list of potential hazards is almost endless. Fortunately, there are lots of solutions, many of them available on a DIY level. Air purification systems that work either in tandem with or independent from the main HVAC system can trap more particles for cleaner air.

If you test for radon and find an unhealthy level, homeowners have a few choices. Remediation systems typically seal points of entry for the gas while improved crawl space ventilation lets more gas escape before it enters the home. According to Inspection Perfection in Colorado, a typical ceiling fan can reduce radon by as much as 95 percent.

In serious cases, you might find an abundance of lead, which is more problematic if there are children in the home, and damaged asbestos materials, which are dangerous for everyone. Depending on the severity, homeowners might remove or seal the material or they might need a remediation crew.

With more tightly sealed homes, especially in fall and winter, indoor air quality can take a serious hit. What homeowners gain in energy efficiency, they may lose in clean, fresh air. As a certified home inspector, your services can help spot problems such as mold, asbestos, radon, infestations and a general lack of housekeeping. Armed with that knowledge, your customers can freshen up the air and breathe easier, at least until they step outside next pollen season.

Home inspectors are limited to general inspections just prior to the sale of a house. Every homeowner has certain concerns about health and safety at home. With indoor air quality inspections as an ancillary service, you can inform your community about more potential hazards and drive in a little more business.

If you are a certified home inspector in Virginia, you should prepare yourself for good news. Not a certified home inspector yet? Now might be the time to consider getting your license. Many changes are taking place in the state, specifically in relation to Virginia’s beach houses.  When you take a look at the Housing Tides Index, you can really see how American markets compare to Virginia Beach as a whole.

What Is the Housing Tides Index?

The Housing Tides Index has its finger on the pulse of the housing market in America, providing comprehensive data that anybody can read and understand. In looking at the Housing Tides Index, you can easily see scores for 41 major markets in the country based on a number of factors.

Growth in Virginia Beach’s Housing Tides Index

There are a number of factors and local variations involved in Virginia Beach ranking so high with an index of 77.8, which is much higher than the rest of the country. One of the biggest factors involved is the abundance of construction in the area in addition to growth in employment opportunities. In spite of these factors, home and rent prices have remained relatively affordable.

Virginia Beach Home Sales & Inventory

Last year, the number of homes sold in the Hampton Roads area had increased from the previous year. At the same time, inventory has shrunk, effectively increasing the prices of desirable homes. Additionally, this means that homes are selling faster than in the past. Many of these homes are getting multiple offers and spending significantly less time on the market.

This also means that people may be more tempted to put their homes for sale because they see the prices climbing. Owners may be looking to make some changes to the home and put them on the market even if they would not have considered it just last year. Ultimately, Virginia Beach home inspectors may find themselves in higher demand as homes begin selling more quickly.

Understanding how to appeal to Virginia Beach homeowners and buyers may be the key to success in the coming years.

What Does This Mean for Home Inspectors?

All of this is good news for anybody who works in a field linked to the real estate industry. Forecasts suggest that the near future has a positive outlook for Virginia Beach’s housing market. As houses pass through more hands, more inspectors see them. It is essential to focus on finding these pockets of success to thrive in any career path. Could this be the ticket to your future?

Focusing your marketing efforts on the houses in and near Virginia Beach is key in the coming months and possibly even years. The sooner you are able to market your home inspection business here, the more you can bank on this growth trend.

A growing number of states have home inspection license requirements for anyone performing the service for a fee. For now, the number is a little more than half. If you’re just starting home inspection training or you’ll soon finish up, here’s what you need to know about licensing before working in the field.

Nineteen States Don’t Require a License

If you live in any of these states, certification shows real estate agents and prospective customers that you know the business.

For Everyone Else, Licensing Requirements Vary by State

Just as each state has authority over whether or not to license home inspectors, they also determine licensing requirements. What applies in Virginia might not in Wisconsin. Typically, the steps to licensing cover what type of education is required, which education providers are accepted, whether field inspections are required, exceptions for people transferring in from unlicensed states and many other particulars. Here’s where to find the information you need if you live in a licensing state.

Alabama: Regulated by the State of Alabama Building Commission

Alabama residents should complete a home inspection training program. After earning the certification, the next requirement is joining either the American Society of Home Inspectors or another major membership-based organization. Obtain liability insurance, pass the National Home Inspector Exam, submit the licensing application form and you’re all set.

Alaska: Regulated by The Division of Corporation and Professional Licensing

In Alaska, you’ll need home inspection training plus certification. Once you pass the National exam, you’ll need an Alaska Business License and a $10,000 surety bond.  Submit the online application for an associate home inspector or the home inspector application.

Arkansas: Regulated by the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board

Home inspectors in Arkansas are required to obtain 80 hours of training in a brick-and-mortar classroom environment. You’ll be expected to know Arkansas code that regulates the industry, have a good grasp on the Arkansas Standards and Code of Ethics,  and pass both the national exam and the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics exam.  Submit your application with proof of liability insurance and the nonrefundable fee of either $250 or $375, depending on the month when you register.

Connecticut: Regulated by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection 

New home inspectors in Connecticut need 40 hours of home inspection training, 100 supervised inspections and they must pass the national exam. Submit the appropriate application, either for a home inspector or home inspector intern.

Delaware: Regulated by the Division of Professional Regulation

In Delaware, prospective home inspectors must first register with the state as a Home Inspector Trainee. The State doesn’t list any education requirements. Instead, they require a minimum of 75 supervised inspections and an examination.

Illinois: Regulated by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Indiana: Regulated by the Professional Licensing Agency 

Indiana has a streamlined process for becoming a new home inspector. The state requires 60 hours of education from an approved provider, an application and a passing grade on the National Home Inspector Exam.

Kentucky: Regulated by the Board of Home Inspectors 

Kentucky has a regulatory body especially for home inspectors. They require 64 hours of education in a brick-and-mortar classroom setting. You’ll need to register with the Board to access their web portal, where you’ll find the information you need for registration and any other requirements.

Field inspections with a supervisor let you learn hands-on before starting your own business.

Louisiana: Regulated by the State Board of Home Inspectors 

Maryland: Regulated by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation 

In Maryland, you’ll need a minimum of 72 hours of training in a physical classroom environment plus a passing grade on the national exam. Submit the Application for Original Home Inspector License with a nonrefundable $50 fee after completing the educational and testing requirements.

Massachusetts: Regulated by the Board of Registration of Home Inspectors 

Massachusetts also requires in-classroom home inspector education. You’ll need 80 hours of training. Alternatively, you can perform 100 supervised home inspections to qualify for licensure. Sit for and pass the national exam and submit your application to the Board.

Mississippi: Regulated by the Home Inspection Division of the Real Estate Commission 

Residents of Mississippi need 60 hours of home inspection training plus a passing score on the national exam. Obtain both general liability and errors and omissions insurance then submit the licensing application with two fees: $175 for the application and $325 for licensing, both nonrefundable. If you want the state’s “New Home” inspector designation, you’ll also need proof of a current builder’s license and a current International Code Council Certification.

Nevada: Regulated by the Department of Business and Industry

In Nevada, home inspectors are called Inspectors of Structures. The state requires 40 hours of in-person, classroom-style education. The application form is lengthy with numerous requirements, including a fingerprint card, insurance, fees, examination guidelines, work history and more.

New Hampshire: Regulated by the Board of Home Inspectors 

New Jersey: Regulated by the Home Inspection Advisory Committee 

You’ll need a substantial amount of brick-and-mortar classroom training to become a home inspector in New Jersey. After passing 140 hours in a classroom, you’ll also need 40 hours of field inspection training. Pass the exam, submit the Application for Licensure as a Home Inspector with the $125 filing fee.

New York: Regulated by the Division of Licensing Services 

New York requires 100 hours of home inspector training in a classroom plus 40 hours in field inspections and a passing grade on the New York written examination for home inspectors. You’ll need application form DOS-1694, which is available in several different languages, and the nonrefundable $250 fee.

North Carolina: Regulated by the Home Inspector Licensure Board 

North Carolina also requires home inspector training in a classroom. Prospective inspectors need 120 hours of education and 80 hours of home inspection training in the field. The state requires an examination and a license application plus three fees including license application ($35), license examination ($80) and license issuance ($160).

Even in states without education requirements, programs such as ICA School give you the tools you need to pass the national exam.

North Dakota: Regulated by the Secretary of State

Oklahoma: Regulated by the Construction Industries Board 

Oregon: Regulated by the Construction Contractors Board 

South Carolina: Regulated by the Residential Builders Commission 

South Dakota: Regulated by the Real Estate Commission

Tennessee Regulated by the Department of Commerce and Insurance 

In Tennessee, you’ll need 90 hours of online or in-class training that ends with certification and a passing grade on the National Home Inspectors Exam. Submit your license application with proof of certification, exam score, proof of insurance, proof of high school graduation or GED and a $300 nonrefundable new license fee.

Texas: Regulated by the Real Estate Commission

Texas has by far the most stringent training requirements of any state. You’ll need 448 hours of education and 250 supervised inspections in the field. Texas has three levels of licensure, as well. Level one is the Apprentice Inspector, which is a necessary step before sitting for the inspector exam. Next comes the Real Estate Inspector, which allows you to work independently but under indirect supervision. The Professional Real Estate Inspector license is the top rung, which allows you to work without supervision.

Vermont: Regulated by the Secretary of State

New to licensing, Vermont requires 80 hours of education, either online or in a classroom, and a passing score on the national exam. Submit the application with a nonrefundable fee of $100 and proof of a passing exam grade.

Virginia: Regulated by the Board for Asbestos, Lead and Home Inspectors 

Washington State: Regulated by the Department of Licensing 

Washington requires 120 hours of in-person classroom training for new home inspectors. Additionally, you’ll need 40 hours of field training. After training, submit your exam application to the Department and earn a passing grade, then apply for licensing. Check the Department website for a breakdown of the numerous related fees.

West Virginia: Regulated by the State Fire Marshal 

In West Virginia, you’ll need 80 hours of education in a classroom setting and a passing grade on either the national exam or the National Association of Home Inspectors exam. Submit your application with a nonrefundable $150 fee and other documentation for approval.

Wisconsin: Regulated by the Department of Safety and Professional Services

Wisconsin doesn’t require pre-licensing education, but it’s a good idea. They do require a passing grade on the Wisconsin Home Inspection Statutes Exam as well as the National Home Inspectors Exam and training prepares you for them. Check out the step-by-step licensing process in a Department flowchart.

American architecture ranges from small and quaint to grand and even a bit quirky. Some styles are more common in certain parts of the country while others became so popular that they were built almost everywhere.

One of the first jobs of a certified home inspector is to describe the house in question, so you’ll need a basic understanding of what sets one apart from another. Here are 5 types of architecture that you’ll probably find along the way.

#1: Ranch or Rambler Homes are a Mid-Century Staple

One of the most common architectural styles in America, the ranch or rambler home gained a lot of popularity in the middle of the 20th century. Designed by American architects in the West, the first examples appeared in the 10930s.

Ranch homes are usually long and rectangular, but Angie’s List says they may also be L- or U-shaped. They tend to be one-story, low-slung and have a moderately low-pitched roof. Although they’re found everywhere in America, they’re not ideal in areas that get a lot of snowfall.

Victorian homes tend to resemble a dollhouse.

#2: Victorians are a Perennial Favorite

There’s no single type of Victorian house. Depending on the location and the period, a house could be Queen Anne, Italianate, Gothic Revival (think Addams Family), Second Empire, Folk Victorian or Stick Eastlake. There are variations within those groups, most of them fancy, tall and with steep-pitched roofs. Because of their age, Victorians might have a number of defects.

Authentic Victorians, which get their name from Queen Victoria, were built in the 19th Century. It’s an English style group that spread like wildfire “in the Colonies,” where it has remained popular ever since. New homes may be built in the Victorian style, which is often Queen Anne or Stick Eastlake, but they more decoratively Victorian than anything else. You can read more about the variety in Victorian homes at HGTV.

Craftsman homes look substantial, even if they’re small.

#3: Craftsman Homes Accentuate Heavy, Fine Crafted Details

The first American Craftsman or Arts & Crafts style were designed in the early 1900s in California. They favor a broad, sturdy appearance, often with an abundance of exposed or painted wood. They may have shingle siding or painted wood and the foundation is often stone or a stone veneer.

Craftsman homes usually have an expansive front porch, a gabled roof and lots of large windows. They tend to be spacious, but some are built on a smaller scale and look more like a bungalow with one and one-half stories instead of two full stories. Check out the Craftsman story at Houzz.

Colonials are balanced, boxy and spacious.

#4: The Colonial is an American Classic That Originated in Britain

Similar to the Victorian, Colonial homes are difficult to pin down. There’s a wide variety, including Georgian, Spanish, French and others, but they all share a few similar characteristics. Colonials, which originated in America in the 1700s, tend to be rectangular and spacious with a flat front and a center hall inside.

The symmetry is one of the things that gives away a Colonial. HGTV also says they’re known for five windows across the front, dental molding at the eaves, pedimented dormers, columns flanking the left and right of each door and window shutters.

The American foursquare nearly always has a dormer that matches the hipped roofline.

#5: The American Foursquare Uses Every Square Inch of Space

Another American classic, the foursquare is true to its name. It’s square, boxy and has square interior rooms, says Old House Web.  Built during the late 1800s until around 1930, foursquares are often two-and-a-half stories tall with a characteristic pyramid hipped roof. Most of them also have a dormer in front, called a monitor dormer because it mimics the shape of the roof.

Foursquares might also be one-story or one-and-a-half, but that’s rare. Sears offered kit homes, which is one reason why they’re so common. Another is the simplicity in construction and in finishing details.

Understanding architectural styles helps you describe property more accurately, but it also has another benefit. Knowing what went into the design and the period when a house was built helps you understand the scope of potential defects. A period Victorian is much more likely to have old knob-and-tube wiring than a mid-century ranch.