Free Kaplan Catalog Kaplan Graduate Benefits The only ASHI Endorsed Classroom Training Program for Home Inspection in the United States!

Exclusive Benefit for Kaplan Graduates: Pay Per Inspection E&O and GL insurance saves you thousands of dollars your first year in business. Click here to learn more.

ASHI@School - Kaplan's Enhanced Residential Inspection Course
11 days - 90 hours
Course Materials     Fees     Course Outline     Register Now

This comprehensive program shows you how to inspect a home in accordance with the highest and most rigorous professional Standards, such as those of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI®) as well as other prominent national and regional Home Inspection Organizations. Our “Hands-On” training, utilizing successful, experienced Inspector/Instructors, teaches all the fundamentals, including business start up and marketing, home inspection techniques, business diversification and professional etiquette. We will simply show you how to deliver a superior Home Inspection Product.

Course Topics

The Scope of Inspections

• The scope of a residential home inspection, with
  inclusions, limitations, and exclusions, according to the ASHI Standards of Practice.
  
• The home inspector's role in a real estate transaction.
  
• Basic tools needed for a home inspection.
  

• Overview of starting the business.
  
• Telephone inquiry & booking the inspection.
  
• Presentation of the inspections & report delivery.
  
• Insurance options.
• Contracts.
  
• Payment & pricing methods.
  
• Who will buy or refer inspections to you.
  
• Hidden business opportunities you must know about.
  

• Report writing options.
  
• Exercise: creating a report that meets standards.
  
• Advantages of different reporting formats.
  
• Sample reports will be provided and reviewed.
  

• Basic structural components, including:
  
• Foundations
  
• Floors
  
• Walls
  
• Roofs
  
• Structural component inspection.
  
• Problem identification (You will view hundreds of examples of structural defects).
  

Structure (Part 2)

• The real art of the structural inspection.
  
• Home inspection versus engineering.
  
• Concise and accurate reporting of your findings.

• Exterior walls, flashings, and trim.
  
• Doors and windows.
  
• Problem identification.
  

• Decks, balconies, steps, porches, and railings.
  
• Eaves, soffit, and fascia.
  
• Driveways, walkways, and landscaping.
  
• Retaining walls.
  
• Walls, ceilings, and floors.
  
• Stairwells, balconies and railing.
  
• Cabinets and counters.
  
• Windows and doors.
  
• Dwelling units/garage separation.
  

• Asphalt shingles (composition) roofs.
  
• Wood shingle and shake roofs.
  
• Tile roofs, including clay and concrete.
  
• Flat roofs, including built-up roofs and single ply roofs.
  
• Other roofing systems, including metal & slate.
  

• Roof drainage systems.
  
• Flashings, skylights, chimneys & roof penetrations.
  
• Detection of leakage and condensation.
  
• Hands-on field inspection and report writing exercise.
  

• Supply piping system.
  
• Drain, waste and vent system.
  
• Fixtures and faucets.
  
• Functional flow and functional drainage.
  
• Leaks and corrosion.
  

Plumbing (Part 2)

• Water heater equipment
  
• Practical demonstration: Hands-on inspection
  

• Saturday field inspection of local area home.
  
• Inspection process.
  
• Technical demonstrations.
  
• Report presentation.

Electrical (Part 1)

• Service entrance wires and equipment.
  
• Main disconnect.
  
• Grounding equipment.
  
• Distribution panels.
  

• Distribution wiring.
  
• Fuses and breakers.
  
• Light switches and receptacles.
  
• Ground fault circuit interrupters.
  

• Practical examination: Hands-on inspection of electrical panels and components.
  

• The combustion system (fuels, burners, etc.).
  
• Combustion air supply.
  
• Normal operating controls.
  
• Safety controls.
  
• Exhaust flues, vents and chimneys.
  

Heating (Part 2)

• Furnaces.
  
• Boilers and steam heat.
  
• Electric Heating.
  
• Distribution systems.
  
• Insulation, ventilation & vapor retarders.
  

• Practical examination: Hands-on inspection of heating systems. Experience the actual process of inspecting blowers, thermocouples, heat exchangers and more inspecting...
  

• Principles of operation.
  
• Evaporators & Condensers.
  
• Normal operating controls.
  
• Distribution systems.
  
• Hands-on demonstration.
  

• Marketing strategies.
  
• Do's and Don'ts for building a successful business.
  
• Client relationships.
  
• Allied organizations and how to build credentials.
  
• Diversification opportunities.
  

• Home inspection.
  
• Standards and report writing.
• Defect identification.

Final Examination

• Taken on-line on your own or proctored in the classroom, at the end of the class in Illinois, Nevada and Texas.

Preparation

We believe that a combination of classroom, field training and home study are appropriate for full comprehension and retention of the course. Kaplan provides you with a library of reference books and materials. Study guides and videos will be provided and approximately 60-70 hours of homework are part of this course. The homework should be completed before taking the course in order to achieve maximum benefit from the course. (Homework also can be completed after taking the course.)

Note: Course completion qualifies for 90 Continuing Education Credits and 90 hours of core inspection education for most states with licensing.

Materials Included in the Course Fee

• Getting Started in the Home Inspection Business Book
• Systems & Standards Book Set, Principles of Home Inspection
• Getting Started in the Home Inspection Business DVD Set
• Matrix Advantage Report

Note: Course materials may be substituted, added or deleted at the discretion of the instructors. Prices subject to change without notice. Kaplan handout binder and Matrix Advantage Sample are provided in class as opposed to being shipped prior to class.

Course Fees

Registration - $2,899* plus applicable tax and shipping for course materials

* Price includes books and materials. Register early to complete the pre-class homework.

Arizona and Connecticut Inspectors: Please be advised to become a state of Arizona Licensed Home Inspector, students are required to conduct 30 home inspections, and to become a state of Connecticut Licensed Home Inspector, students are required to conduct 100 home inspections under the supervision of another licensed home inspector and pass state exams. Such inspections are not included in this course.