New home inspector launching a business with Inspections Over Coffee franchise, standing in front of house with inspection tools and branded vehicle.

How to Start a Home Inspection Business

Thinking of becoming a home inspector? Here's your step-by-step roadmap to launching a profitable home inspection business—without the guesswork.

🚀 TL;DR: Start Smart, Scale Fast

You can launch a successful home inspection business in as little as 30–60 days with the right training, tools, and support. Whether you go independent or join a franchise, the keys to success are certification, systems, marketing, and consistency.

Step 1: Understand the Industry

The U.S. home inspection industry is booming—powered by strong real estate demand and new regulatory requirements. Every property sold typically requires an inspection, which means consistent demand.

  • Average fee per inspection: $350–$650+

  • Inspections per month: 25–100+

  • Add-on revenue: Mold, radon, sewer scopes = thousands more per month

Franchise vs. Independent: Most new inspectors go solo and struggle with lead generation, marketing, or pricing. Franchises like Inspections Over Coffee™ provide built-in support to avoid those pitfalls.

👉 Compare franchise vs. independent inspectors →

Step 2: Get Certified and Licensed

🛠️ Basic Requirements:

  • Home inspector license (required in most states)

  • Training courses from accredited bodies like InterNACHI or AHIT

  • Insurance & bonding to cover liability and protect clients

Each state varies. Check your local licensing board here →

Franchise Fast-Track:

If you choose a franchise model, certification and licensing are often built into the onboarding process. We help you handle the legal stuff while you focus on learning and launching.

Step 3: Buy the Right Tools

Essential Equipment:

  • Moisture meters

  • Infrared thermometers

  • Electrical testers

  • Ladders, flashlights, tablets

  • Inspection software

🧰 Startup budget: $4,000–$6,500 in tools and software is typical.

Franchisees with IOC receive discounted vendor pricing and guided checklists.

Step 4: Choose Your Business Model

Biz ModelProsCons
SoloTotal freedom, lower upfront costMust create systems, marketing, SOPs yourself. Learn by mistakes.
FranchiseBuilt-in systems, support, and clientsFranchise fee & Royalties apply.

🔍 Tip: Independent inspectors take 1–2 years to hit stable income. IOC franchisees often do it in 3–6 months.

👉 Compare costs and earnings potential →

Step 5: Set Up Your Business Operations

  • Legal entity: LLC or S-corp

  • Business insurance: Liability + E&O

  • CRM and scheduling: Tools like Spectora or franchise platforms

  • Website and SEO: Must-have to get online leads

With a franchise like IOC, you get a done-for-you website, built-in CRM, and automated marketing systems

Step 6: Market Yourself Like a Pro

Marketing is where most solo inspectors fall short. To succeed, you’ll need:

  • A Google Business Profile

  • Online reviews (fast)

  • Real estate agent outreach

  • Social media presence

  • Email follow-ups & reminders

🎯 Pro tip: The first 100 agents you meet will make or break your business.

With IOC, you get pre-built marketing sequences, email templates, and training on how to win over agents.

Step 7: Add-On Services = More Revenue

After your core inspections are dialed in, offer extras like:

  • Mold inspections

  • Radon testing

  • Sewer scopes

  • Pool/spa inspections

  • Commercial property inspections

💰 These add-ons can boost revenue by 25–40% without more clients.

Step 8: Launch & Scale

Once certified, equipped, and marketed, your job is to execute consistently:

  • Book jobs

  • Deliver 5-star experiences

  • Collect reviews and referrals

  • Hire inspectors as you grow

Most of our successful franchisees complete 25–100+ inspections per month within their first year.

🎓 Bonus: Business in a Box (Franchise Option)

With Inspections Over Coffee™, you get:

✅ Full training & certification
✅ Branded website + SEO
✅ CRM + automation
✅ Marketing scripts + email sequences
✅ Peer support community
✅ Access to national contracts and leads

👉 Learn more about becoming a franchise partner →

🧠 FAQs: Answered

Is it profitable to start a home inspection business?

Yes—most inspectors earn $100K–$300K annually, with more potential if you add services and scale a team.

How long does it take to get started?

Solo route: 6–12 months.
Franchise route: 30–60 days with training, tools, and systems, not including State licensing requirements.

Do I need construction experience?

No. Many successful inspectors come from military, IT, sales, or healthcare backgrounds. Training fills the gap.

How much does it cost to start?

$54,000–$96,000 total with everything included (tools, training, marketing, systems). See the full cost breakdown →

📞 Ready to Take the First Step?

Speak to a franchise advisor and explore available territories.

👉 Schedule a Free Call →

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