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.
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 Model | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | Total freedom, lower upfront cost | Must create systems, marketing, SOPs yourself. Learn by mistakes. |
| Franchise | Built-in systems, support, and clients | Franchise fee & Royalties apply. |
🔍 Tip: Independent inspectors take 1–2 years to hit stable income. IOC franchisees often do it in 3–6 months.
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
🧠 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.