How to Become a Home Inspector in Colorado

Many consider a house a secure haven.

However, a house truly transforms into a home when inhabited.

Typically, houses undergo inspection during construction or significant renovations.

Additionally, homeowners often seek a home inspector’s services when planning to sell their property.

In Colorado, the prerequisites for becoming a home inspector are relatively minimal, making this the right page for you if you aspire to enter this profession.

Home Inspector Job Description in Colorado

The essential aspect to grasp about a home inspection is that its primary purpose is to identify any issues the house may have.

It’s vital to distinguish this from a home appraisal, which determines a house’s value based on various factors.

A home inspector assesses:

• The functionality of heating and cooling systems
• The plumbing
• The electrical systems within the property
• The condition of the roof
• The structural integrity of the house
• Any damages caused by fire, water, insects, or other environmental factors

Following the inspection, the inspector is obliged to compile a comprehensive report detailing their findings.

This report can significantly impact the house’s appraisal value and its chances of a quick sale.

Depending on the age of the house or building, a specialized home inspection might be necessary.

This could involve assessments for:

• Termite infestations.
• The presence of other pests.
• Lead-based materials.
• Asbestos.
• Mold and mildew.
• Radon gas.
• Chimney integrity.
• Other unique elements.

Specialized inspections often incur additional fees.

While there are no stringent prerequisites for becoming a home inspector, holding a valid license is mandatory.

Complete Your Home Inspector Training in Colorado

In Colorado, home inspectors are overseen by the Division of Construction Management.

This division requires candidates to complete a 120-hour training course in home inspection.

Additionally, you’ll need to perform 35 inspections under the guidance of a licensed home inspector.

The next schools are the most reputable ones across the nation for future home inspectors.

ICA

Consider enrolling in Inspection Certification Associates (ICA), which offers an online course for aspiring home inspectors.

This course, at $695 is not very expensive considering the several advantages it offers.

These include:

• A free report-writing software,
• A one-month free membership with InterNACHI,
• A one-year access to Edcetera Home Inspection (typically valued at $99),
• No time constraints for course completion,
• A certification number, and the necessary practice hours for licensing.

InterNACHI School

InterNACHI School is a well-known institution for those aspiring to become home inspectors.

The college offers free training to association members, with the course accessible online for convenience.

This organization also provides numerous benefits to its members, including support for marketing and business development.

AHIT

AHIT offers three online course packages at $699, $899, and $1399, respectively.

The top-tier package includes all content, and that is the one with the highest price.

For accessibility, AHIT provides a 5-day free trial of all content.

Subscribers can continue their progress with no strict deadlines.

The shortest time to complete the course is 3 weeks but students can study at their own pace.

In Colorado, veterans can take advantage of the GI Bill reimbursement for the National Home Inspector Exam.

Pass the Licensing Exam as a Home Inspector in Colorado

It’s important to note that there is no state-specific exam to become a licensed home inspector in Colorado.

Instead, you must pass the national-level exam, which is conveniently available online.

Only after meeting these criteria can you register for the exam, which comprises two parts:

The National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE), has 200 questions but 25 are not scored and lasts for four hours.

It includes topics such as property and building inspection, site review, analysis of findings and reporting, and professional responsibilities.

The exam fee, approximately $225 (varies by location), applies, and candidates failing the test must wait 30 days before retaking it.

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) exam, is free of charge.

Insurance as a Home Inspector in Colorado

Home inspectors in Colorado are expected to carry various types of insurance coverage.

Here are the most common policies to get:

• General liability policy at around $40 per month
• Errors and omissions insurance at around $59 per month

After completing all these steps, you can submit your license application and the $300 associated fee.

The application must be notarized, and both documents can be submitted online.

Home Inspector Salary in Colorado

For those embarking on a career that involves training and passing exams, it’s natural to want to know how much you will make.

In Colorado, the median salary for a home inspector is approximately $55,671 per year.

To provide a more detailed perspective, here are salary figures from cities with the highest median salaries in the state.

Regional Salary in Colorado

Home Inspector by State