National Home Inspector Exam Prep Podcast

122 Episodes

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06 - Marketing Your Home Inspection Business: From Invisible to In-Demand

2026-01-2036:21

Send us a text Even the best home inspector in the world will fail without effective marketing. This episode tackles the biggest challenge facing most home inspectors: consistently generating new business. Learn why marketing home inspection services is uniquely difficult (you're selling an intangible promise, not a tangible product), and discover how to overcome this challenge by building credibility and trust. We'll break down the essential elements of a marketing plan: analyzing demand and...

05 - Starting a Home Inspection Business: From Plan to Profit

2026-01-2036:21

Send us a text Description: Dreaming of starting your own home inspection business? This episode gives you the roadmap to success. We'll guide you through creating a comprehensive business plan including market analysis, competitor research, and realistic financial projections for your first critical five years. Explore the four main types of business ownership—sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, and corporation—with honest pros and cons of each structure. Learn which government licenses a...

04 - Ethics and Professional Conduct: Building Trust Through Integrity

2026-01-2026:21

Send us a text Description: Your reputation as an honest, trustworthy information source is your most valuable business asset. This episode dives deep into the three pillars of ethical home inspection practice: avoiding conflicts of interest, accurate and fair reporting, and conducting business with integrity. We'll examine controversial scenarios including "pay to play" relationships with referral sources, accepting vendor compensation, and the one-year repair prohibition. Learn why you shou...

03 - Insurance and Risk Management: Protecting Your Business and Assets

2026-01-2031:29

Send us a text Description: Running a home inspection business involves significant risk—but the right insurance can protect you from financial disaster. This comprehensive episode explains the critical difference between Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance and General Liability (GL) insurance, why you need both, and what each actually covers. Learn about claims-made versus occurrence policies, understand when and how to report incidents to your insurance company, and discover why your...

02 - Inspection Agreements and Contracts: Your First Line of Defense

2026-01-2032:30

Send us a text Description: Your inspection contract is your most important business tool—and your first line of legal defense. In this episode, we break down contract fundamentals including the four essential elements (offer, acceptance, consideration, and mutual assent), explain why you must avoid adhesion contracts, and detail exactly what must be included in every pre-inspection agreement. Learn about optional but powerful contract clauses like limitation of remedies, alternative dispute ...

01 - Business Law and Liability for Home Inspectors

2026-01-2034:53

Send us a text Description: Navigate the complex legal landscape of home inspection with confidence. This episode covers the four main types of liability you'll face as a home inspector: breach of contract, negligence (ordinary and gross), fraud, and negligent misrepresentation. Learn the essential elements of each liability type, understand what clients must prove to win claims against you, and discover how to protect yourself through proper business practices. We'll also walk you through th...

07 - Deficient Conditions

2026-01-2025:06

Send us a text Description: What exactly constitutes a reportable deficiency? This episode explores the specific conditions that Standards of Practice require inspectors to identify and report. Learn the distinctions between systems that are "not functioning properly," "significantly deficient," "unsafe," and "near the end of service life." We examine real-world examples ranging from obvious major deficiencies to subtle conditions that require professional judgment. Discover how to make consi...

06 - Deficiency Statements

2026-01-2027:32

Send us a text Description: Deficiency statements are the heart of every inspection report—they're what clients focus on most and what carries the greatest professional risk. This comprehensive episode breaks down the essential elements of effective deficiency statements: how to accurately identify and describe deficiencies, explain their implications in terms clients understand, recommend appropriate actions (repair/replace, evaluate, or monitor), and suggest the right type of contractor for...

05 - Report Formats

2026-01-2022:33

Send us a text Description: From handwritten lists to sophisticated software-generated reports, inspection report formats have evolved significantly over the decades. This episode examines the two primary report formats used today: checklist reports and narrative reports. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of each format, including production speed, compliance with SOP requirements, and client satisfaction. We discuss the role of canned comments, the importance of customization, and ...

04 - Communication Fundamentals

2026-01-2027:01

Send us a text Description: Home inspectors are in the communication business—this fundamental truth shapes every successful inspection. In this episode, we explore why effective communication is just as important as technical expertise. Learn the principles of consistent, understandable communication that serves your clients' needs, from verbal discussions during the inspection to written reports afterward. Discover how to avoid contradictions between verbal and written statements, why your ...

03 - Standards of Practice (SOP)

2026-01-2039:34

Send us a text Description: Standards of Practice are the backbone of professional home inspection—they define what should occur during an inspection and what should be reported. In this episode, we examine the various SOPs published by professional associations like InterNACHI, CAPHI, CREIA, and ASHI, as well as government licensing authorities. Learn how to select the appropriate SOP for your practice, understand the three critical questions every inspector must ask (What should I look at? ...

02 - Inspection Limitations

2026-01-2032:53

Send us a text Description: Understanding what's NOT included in a home inspection is just as important as knowing what is. This episode explores the critical limitations and exclusions that define the boundaries of professional home inspection services. Learn why home inspections are "not technically exhaustive," the significance of concealed and latent deficiencies, and what it means for an area to be "readily accessible." We discuss the difference between reportable deficiencies and cosmet...

01 - Inspection Scope

2026-01-2027:55

Send us a text Description: Discover what a home inspection truly encompasses in this foundational episode. Learn how home inspectors use their senses—sight, hearing, smell, and touch—to observe and evaluate systems and components in, on, and around a property. We explore the boundaries of a standard home inspection, including which systems and components are included according to Standards of Practice, the distinction between visual observation and invasive testing, and the critical importan...

06 - Smart Home Technology

2026-01-2028:26

Send us a text 01Enter the future of home inspection with this forward-looking episode on smart home technology and the infrastructure that powers it. As smart homes become increasingly common, home inspectors need to understand what qualifies a residence as "smart" and the essential components involved. We begin with the Coldwell Banker definition: network-connected products controlling temperature, lighting, security, safety, or entertainment via WiFi, Bluetooth, or similar protocols. Learn...

05 - Cabinets and Countertops

2026-01-2032:23

Send us a text Open the doors to comprehensive cabinet and countertop inspection knowledge in this essential episode for home inspectors. Learn to identify and describe cabinet types including wall cabinets, base cabinets, sink bases, drawer bases, and oven cabinets—plus understand the purpose of filler strips at interior corners. We explore cabinet construction materials from solid wood to plywood, particleboard, and MDF, and examine cabinet components including face frames, back panels, kic...

04 - Stairways and Landings

2026-01-2034:28

Send us a text Ascend to mastery of stairway inspection with this safety-focused episode covering one of the most critical components in residential properties. Understand stairway anatomy including stringers, treads, risers, nosings, and landings—and why consistency matters for user safety. We break down current IRC standards for stairway width (36 inches minimum) and headroom height (80 inches minimum), while acknowledging that older standards may apply to existing construction. Learn the s...

03 - Floor Coverings

2026-01-2039:30

Send us a text Step into the comprehensive world of residential floor coverings with this detailed exploration of materials, installation standards, and common defects. While floor covering condition is technically cosmetic and outside standard home inspection scope, client expectations make this knowledge essential. We cover carpet construction, from synthetic and natural fibers to proper pad installation and power-stretching techniques, with service life ranging from a few years to twenty-f...

02 - Interior Doors

2026-01-2031:53

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of interior door inspection in this essential episode covering every type of door system found in residential properties. We begin with cased openings—those trimmed doorless passages in public areas of homes. Then we dive into hinged swinging doors, exploring construction materials from solid wood to hollow core, examining door styles from flush panels to elegant French doors, and understanding the anatomy of door components including rails, stiles, mullions,...

01 - Interior Wall and Ceiling Finishes

2026-01-2034:57

Send us a text Dive deep into the world of interior wall and ceiling finishes in this comprehensive episode covering everything home inspectors need to know. We explore the evolution of drywall from the 1910s to today, breaking down types, thicknesses, and fire-resistant options. Learn the intricate finishing process including taping, bedding, and the differences between smooth and textured finishes. We'll uncover the history of plaster finishes from ancient times through the 1950s, examining...

12 - Basement Wall Insulation

2026-01-2034:23

Send us a text Navigate the tricky world of below-grade insulation. Understand why the old fiberglass-batt-in-a-stud-wall method fails, learn the current recommended approaches using foam and rigid insulation, and discover how to identify moisture problems in finished basements before they become expensive disasters. Intro This episode is brought to you by GetSync.pro This episode is hosted by Charlie Bellefontaine of Chicagoland Home Inspectors For complete training with visual materials, ...

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National Home Inspector Exam Prep Podcast