The New Home Inspector Checklist

It probably seemed simple at first: I'll just start a home inspection business. Little overhead, minimal investment, and a few certifications maybe. You'll be up and running in no time, right?

Not quite.

It's true, starting a home inspection business may be more straightforward that creating a restaurant. But when you start writing down the steps to start your new company, there may be more than you thought.

Getting your business to the point where it can legally perform home inspections is just the half of it. You also need to think about how you will generate business. That means marketing, which is an investment. Here's our checklist for everything you'll need when starting out as a home inspector:

New Home Inspector Checklist

Tools

• Outlet/GFCI Tester
• Flashlight
• Moisture meter
• Multi-use screwdriver
• Water pressure gauge
• Gas leak detector
• Non-contact voltage detector
• Mask/respirator
• Cordless screwdriver
• Shoe covers
• Ladder (with non-slip pad)
• Thermal Infrared Camera *if provided
• Radon Testing Monitors *if provided
• Drone *if you’re in a market where it would be a competitive advantage
• Download your software’s mobile app and practice inspections
  

Marketing

• Join a helpful association, inspector group, and/or local Meetup group
• Decide on a business name
• Check GoDaddy.com to see if the website domain is available
• Check on GoDaddy.com or GSuite to see if you can use this for your email domain as well.
• Purchase web and email domains
• Register business name with appropriate state agencies
• Have logo created
• Order business cards
• Start on website creation
• Create Google My Business account
• Create Yelp account
• Create a Facebook business page
• Create Zillow account
• Create website
• Decide on what services you will provide
• Fill out your profile
• Setup services & pricing
• Review Inspection Agreements
• Setup payment integration
• Get to know your template
• Review automated emails for clients and agents
  • Scheduling confirmation/booking
  • Reminder emails
  • Report Ready emails
  • Follow-up emails

• Form your main 3 UVPs (Unique Value Propositions)
• Start emailing and calling agents to tell them about your UVPs (Example video)(Example article)
• Follow local agent’s Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram accounts
• Engage with their posts (not just likes - actually comment and say something useful or nice)
• Get feedback on your report style from agents
• Try to secure a presentation at a sales meeting or new agent training
• Get over the hurdle of approaching agents