Week 4 – I Touched a Furnace and Didn't Faint

Welcome to inspection training — where every wall has a secret:

This week marked my first real training as a home inspector, and let me just say: it’s one thing to look at a house, it’s another to *see* it. When I walked into a home before, I saw furniture, layout, vibe. Now? I’m starting to see systems—plumbing, electrical, structure, ventilation. It’s like switching from portrait mode to X-ray vision.

Every bathroom, for example, is now a mini-inspection challenge. Is the plumbing accessible? Are the GFCIs installed right? Any evidence of leaks under the vanity? Is the exhaust vented properly or just blowing steam into the attic? I’m not just learning to check boxes—I’m learning to think like an inspector. And yeah, it’s kind of blowing my mind.

The moment I almost froze (but didn’t):

First ride-along. My mentor inspector handed me the flashlight and said, “What do you see?” I blanked. For a second, all I saw was drywall and nerves. But then I remembered what we’d talked about in the classroom—start with structure, then systems. I took a breath, scanned the room again, and called out some water staining near a baseboard. Small win. Big confidence boost.

I realized that inspections aren’t about knowing everything on Day One. It’s about looking carefully, staying curious, and trusting the process. That one moment made the whole week feel worth it.

What caught me completely off guard:

How physically tiring this work can be. Crawlspaces, ladders, attics in June? Not for the faint of heart. I came home more sore than expected and with a new appreciation for knee pads and hydration.

And the imposter syndrome is real. I had this internal loop going: “Who am I to tell someone their roof might need replacing?” But then I’d remember—I’m learning how to *observe and report,* not diagnose like a contractor. That distinction helped a lot.

What made things click (and what didn’t):

The training videos in the franchise portal helped me connect the dots. They broke down inspection steps in real homes, not just theory. But what really made it click was seeing the actual systems up close—especially with someone next to me explaining what to look for and why.

What didn’t work as well? My first attempt at using the inspection software in real time. I was clunky, slow, and kept second-guessing every input. But even that taught me where I need more reps.

The franchise support I leaned on this week:

The training sequence is tight. It’s a blend of classroom, field, video, and coaching. No piece alone would be enough—but together? They’re building a real foundation. And my mentor inspector didn’t just show me how to do it—he shared how he *thinks.* That’s what I needed most.

Also, Curt dropped a voice note midweek checking in. Nothing formal. Just a “How’s it going out there?” It reminded me I’m not walking into crawlspaces alone—there’s a system and a team behind me.

Next week’s challenge: confidence under pressure

I’ll be doing more field training and starting to shadow inspections solo. I want to focus on flow—getting comfortable with the software, learning to document as I go, and staying calm when the client or agent is nearby. The stakes feel higher, but so does the excitement.

What I’d repeat (100%) next time:

Taking the time to really *observe* a home before speaking. It’s tempting to talk your way through an inspection to show what you know, but the truth is, quiet observation builds better reports. And more trust. I’m learning to slow down, trust my checklist, and let the house speak first.

→ Coming up next: Week 5: Realtor Meetings Feel Like Dating With a Pitch Deck

← Want to see how branding shook me up? Week 3: I Got My Vehicle Wrapped and Didn’t Sleep That Night

Curious what it’s like to build your own home inspection franchise from the ground up?