Everyone sees a house as a safe place.
However, a house must be lived in to become a home.
Most houses are inspected during their construction or when major renovations are needed.
A home inspector is also needed when homeowners want to sell their property.
There aren’t many requirements to becoming a home inspector in Kansas, so if you want to become one, you have come to the right page.
Article Table of Contents
Home Inspector Job Description in Kansas
The first thing to know about a home inspection is that it detects any problems the house might have.
It’s not the same thing as a home appraisal which is meant to find the house’s value based on several factors.
A home inspector will check:
- The cooling and heating systems
- The plumbing
- The electrical work of the site
- The roof
- The foundation of the house
- For any damage done by fire, water, insects, or other elements
At the end of the inspection, the inspector must write a detailed report related to his findings.
This report can greatly influence the house appraisal and the likelihood of it selling fast or not.
Depending on the age of the house or building, a specialized home inspection might be needed.
This means checking to detect the presence of:
- Termites
- Other pests
- Lead
- Asbestos
- Mold and mildew
- Radon
- Chimneys
- Other damaging elements
This specialized inspection involves additional fees.
While there are no particular prerequisites to becoming a home inspector, this professional must hold a license.
Complete Your Home Inspector Training in Kansas
The Kansas Department of Agriculture oversees home inspectors.
This Division requires candidates to complete a 120-hour training course for home inspection.
Additionally, you’ll have to complete 35 inspections with an already licensed home inspector.
ICA
ICA stands for Inspection Certification Associates.
This institution offers an online class for those who want to become home inspectors.
The fee for this course is $695 and it comes with many perks.
These perks include:
- The Free Report Writing Software which usually costs $399
- Free Membership with InterNACHI for one month
- Free one-year access to Edcetera Home Inspection, which usually costs $99
- No time limit in which to complete the course
- A certificate and a certification number
- The 35 practice hours mandatory for the licensing process
InterNACHI School
This is a well-known college for those who want to become home inspectors.
The college offers the training course for free to those who are members of the association.
The class is also available online, making it easily accessible to everyone.
This organization also offers many perks to its members, including support for marketing and business development.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
ICA | online |
InterNACHI School | online |
Pass the Home Inspector Licensing Exam in Kansas
It’s important to know that there’s no state-specific exam to become a licensed home inspector in Kansas.
Instead, the exam you must pass the exam at the national level.
The best part is that you can take the exam online.
However, there are a few requirements to meet before sitting for the test.
You first have to complete your education as described above.
Then, you have to ensure you completed 25 home inspection reports that have been checked by your supervisor who is a licensed home inspector.
Only now you can sign up for the exam.
This is the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).
The first test has 200 questions, but 25 of them are not scored and its duration is 4 hours.
It covers these topics:
- Property and Building Inspection/Site Review
- Analysis of Findings and Reporting
- Professional Responsibilities
The fee associated with this exam is about $225, as it varies based on your location.
Candidates who don’t pass have to wait 30 days before another attempt.
Insurance as a Home Inspector in Kansas
Home inspectors are expected to have insurance as well while they profess.
As a matter of fact, there are more types of insurance needed.
The insurance these professionals must get are:
- 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 along with the $300 associated fee.
The application has to be notarized.
Both of these can be submitted online.
Home Inspector Salary in Kansas
If you train for a job and have to pass an exam or two for it, it’s normal to know your potential earnings once you start working.
In Kansas, the median salary for a home inspector is around $52,470 per year.
Below, I break it down to see some more figures from the cities with the highest median salary in this state.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Colby | $53,634 |
Stilwell | $53,605 |
Prescott | $53,539 |
Saint Francis | $53,364 |
Clearview City | $53,152 |
Bendena | $52,497 |
Centerville | $52,497 |
Sycamore | $51,985 |
Altoona | $51,698 |
Aurora | $50,668 |
Regional Salary in Kansas
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lawrence, KS | 40 | $67,630 | $32.51 | $88,550 | $49,590 |
Manhattan, KS | 30 | $58,900 | $28.32 | $91,500 | $41,840 |
Topeka, KS | 50 | $61,590 | $29.61 | $96,090 | $40,060 |
Wichita, KS | 190 | $66,190 | $31.82 | $94,990 | $43,370 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What other requirements are there to become a home inspector in Kansas?
As a rule of thumb, there are no requirements for this position.
However, employers can require for:
- A background check
- High school diploma or GED
- A personal insurance policy
What skills are needed for a home inspector in Kansas?
Here are the most useful skills for this occupation:
- Interpersonal Skills
- A Working Knowledge of Construction
- Self-Motivation
- Attention to details
Can I work as a freelance home inspector in Kansas?
The short answer is yes.
You can work on your own, open your own home inspection firm either as a sole proprietor or LLC, or become an employee of an already established firm.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Inspector