The amount of information a home inspector must know seems endless. It's hard for a novice to know where to begin, and hard for a veteran to find reliable information that will help improve his business. That's why HomeTech has compiled the information gleaned from over 25 years of experience and more than 100,000 inspections into 300 pages of hard to get information titled How To Make Money In The Home Inspection Business.

The professionals at HomeTech have been performing home inspections for over 25 years, presenting national seminars for more than 12 years and producing the most widely used report form in the industry. We were pioneers in the home inspection business over 25 years ago, and have been involved every step of the way since then in the growth and development of the industry. The information we distribute has been gained through experience, and by learning things the hard way, and sometimes making mistakes -- mistakes you shouldn't have to repeat!

How To Make Money In The Home Inspection Business contains 300 pages of nuts-and-bolts information organized into 10 easy to read chapters you just can't get anywhere else!

Contents

INTRODUCTION - QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS - TOOLS OF THE TRADE - THE REAL ESTATE WORLD - ECONOMICS OF THE BUSINESS - MARKETING, ADVERTISING, PUBLIC RELATIONS -ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES - OFFICE PROCEDURES - PROFESSIONAL REPORTING PRACTICES - LEGAL ISSUES

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This indispensable survey volume features a brief and simple overview of the major home systems and is referenced throughout each of the system-specific textbooks in the series. The HRB, combined with the textbook of your choice, creates an educational module necessary for a complete education.

Contents
Roofing/Flashings/Chimneys · Exterior · Structure · Electrical · Heating · Cooling/Heat Pumps · Insulation · Plumbing · Interior

 

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The Illustrated Home

By Carson Dunlop & Associates

Featuring over 1,500 technically precise illustrations of a home's major systems. "The Illustrated Home" provides a one-of-a-kind resource to home inspectors, new homeowners and real estate professionals alike. This must-have reference book provides an impressive collection of detailed home illustrations developed by expert home inspectors and engineers. Detailed notes on each image enrich understanding of systems and components. "The Illustrated Home's" corresponding CD-ROM contains JPEG clip art of all the book's 1,500 illustrations that can be used in actual home inspection reports.

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By Carson Dunlop & Associates

Inspecting air conditioners can be challenging, so the book provides a step-by-step description of normal air conditioner operation before delving into components, conditions and inspection strategies.

 

The text summarizes differences and similarities between air conditioners and heat pumps to help inspectors distinguish between these systems that share many components but perform different tasks.

Contents
Principles of Air Conditioning · Compressor · Coils · Condensate System and Refrigerant Lines · Condenser Fan and Evaporator Fan · Duct System and Thermostats · Evaporative Coolers · Whole-House Fans · Heat Pumps in Theory and Practice · Problem Conditions in Heat Pumps · Air-Cooled Air Conditioning · Water-Cooled Air Conditioning · Evaporative Coolers · Whole-House Fan · Heat Pump · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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By Carson Dunlop & Associates

Virtually every home heating system requires a chimney or vent, making this an important topic for both home inspectors and homeowners.

 

The text explores the efficiency and life expectancy of various types of chimney and wood heating methods. Components and potential problems of wood furnaces are discussed for regions of the country where this heating method is common. Wood stoves and wood fireplaces, popular throughout North America, also are covered.

Contents
Overview of Chimneys · Masonry Chimneys · Metal Chimneys or Vents · Overview of Wood Heating · Wood Furnaces and Boiler · Wood Stoves · Wood-Burning Fireplaces · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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For many inspectors, the electrical inspection is the most difficult because of the invisible nature of electricity, the non-intuitive terminology, and the safety issues involved.

 

This thorough book addresses these difficulties both for beginners who need an in-depth introduction to electrical system inspection and more advanced practitioners looking to deepen their understanding.

Contents
The Basics of Electricity · Service Drop, Service Entrance Wires, and Service Size · Service Box and System Grounding · Distribution Panels · Branch Circuit Wiring · Lights, Outlets, Switches and Junction Boxes · Smoke Detectors · Standards of Practice · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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This text is organized into major sections on exterior cladding, exterior structures, and surface water control and landscaping.

 

Wall surfaces — a challenging issue for home inspectors — are covered in a material-by-material organization, including thorough treatment of synthetic stucco (EIFS).

Contents
An Overview of Wall Surfaces · Brick, Stone and Concrete · Traditional and Synthetic Stucco · Wood, Hardboard, Plywood and OSB Siding · Metal and Vinyl Siding · Clay, Slate and Fiber Cement Shingles · Insulbrick and Asphalt Shingles · Wood/Soil Contact and Exposed Foundations · Soffits, Fascia, Windows and Doors · Trim, Flashings and Caulking · Porches, Decks and Balconies · Garages and Carports · Basement Walkouts · Lot Grading · Gutters and Downspouts · Window Wells · Walks, Driveways and Grounds · Retaining Walls · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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Home inspectors need to understand how heat is generated, how it is spread around, how it is controlled, how it is made safe.

 

This text discusses how to discard the waste products of heating, how much heat is needed, and why homes can be uncomfortable even when enough heat is provided. This in-depth book addresses these issues for two of the most common home heating methods — gas and oil furnaces.

Contents
Introduction to Heating · Gas Meters and Piping · Combustion Air, Burners, and Heat Shields · Heat Exchangers and Furnace Cabinets · Fan Controls and High Limit Switches · Thermostats and Venting Systems · Distribution System · Improving Efficiency · Gravity, Combination and Variable Output Furnaces · Review, Sequence of Operations and Life Expectancies · Storage Tanks, Fill and Vent Pipes, Supply Lines, and Filters · Burner, Refractory and Primary Controller · Draft Regulator and Vent Connector · Efficiency and Sequence of Operation · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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This comprehensive text is designed both for beginners who need an in-depth introduction to hot water boiler inspection and more advanced practitioners looking to deepen their understanding.

 

Hot Water Boilers covers advantages and disadvantages of hot water heating, differences between boilers and furnaces, sequence of operation, efficiency, and life expectancy.

Contents

Overview of Hot Water Boilers and Heat Exchangers · Controls · Distribution Systems · Radiators, Convectors and Baseboards · Radiant Heating and Tankless Coils · Mid- and High-Efficiency Boilers and Combination Systems · Life Expectancy, Capacity and Sequence of Operations · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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The inspection of insulation and ventilation systems is particularly challenging because so little of the systems can be seen.

 

This text discusses how insulation, air/vapor barriers and ventilations systems work to keep houses comfortable and structurally sound. Basics of heat transfer and vapor movement are covered first to lay the groundwork for discussion of insulation and ventilation materials, systems and applications. Thorough treatment of venting living spaces is provided, including balanced ventilation systems and heat recovery ventilators (HRVs).

Contents
The Basics of Heat and Moisture Flow · Insulation Materials · Materials for Air/Vapor Barriers · Venting Roofs and Living Spaces · Attics · Flat and Cathedral Roofs · Basements and Crawlspaces · Walls Above Grade and Floors Over Unheated Areas · Ventilation Systems · Standards of Practice · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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The interior is often the portion of the home inspection of most interest to home buyers.

 

From floors to ceilings, this comprehensive text provides an in-depth introduction to the major components of a home’s interior. Interiors discusses strategies for inspecting floors, walls, ceilings, trim, counters, cabinets, stairs, windows, skylights, solariums, and doors. The text gives special consideration to the pervasive problem of wet basements.

Contents
Floors · Walls · Ceilings · Trim, Counters and Cabinets · Stairs · Windows, Skylights and Solariums · Doors · Wet Basements and Crawlspaces · Standards of Practice · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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This text is organized into major sections on supply plumbing; water heaters; drain, waste, and vent plumbing; and fixtures and faucets.

 

The mechanics and practical implications of water flow and pressure are covered first, to prepare for discussions of specific problems that can occur. Summary tables of piping materials help readers keep track of the variety of components they will see in practice. The text also delves into safety and efficiency issues.

Contents
Principles of Supply Plumbing · Private Water Sources · Public Water Service · Supply Piping Distribution System in the House · An Overview of Water Heaters · Fuel Supply and Venting Systems for Water · Conventional Tank-Type Water Heaters · High Efficiency Systems, Combination Systems and Tankless Coils · Public and Private Sewage Disposal · Drain Piping Materials · Traps and Floor Drains · Venting Systems · Pumps · Components and General Strategy · Fixtures and Faucets · Septic Systems · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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This comprehensive text explores the fill range of roofing materials and installation procedures.

 

Since most roof leaks are flashing related, this critical topic is covered in-depth, including valley, chimney, pipe, sidewall, hip and ridge, skylight, drip edge, and dormer flashings. For inspectors in cool climates, the important topic of ice damming also is thoroughly covered.

 

Contents

An Overview of Steep Roofing · Asphalt Shingles · Wood Shingles and Shakes · Slate · Clay Tile · Concrete Tile · Fiber Cement Shingles · Metal · Roll Roofing · Steep Roof Flashing · Types of Flat Roofing · Flat Roof Flashings · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review

 

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Steam, electric and wall/floor heating methods are often neglected in other texts because they are not as widely used as other methods.

 

For home inspectors who do expect to see them in their practice, this book offers a solid introduction to the materials, components, operating principles, and safety controls of these heating methods.

Contents
Principles of Steam Heating · General and Component Problems with Steam Boilers · Principles of Electric Heat · Space Heaters · Electric Furnaces, Boilers, and Radiant Heating · Wall Furnaces and Floor Furnaces · Room Heaters, Gas Fireplaces, and Gas Logs · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions

 

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Structural conditions are often the most serious and expensive area to correct, and are among the most difficult for home inspectors to identify.

 

This comprehensive text walks inspectors through challenging topics such as cracks, soil conditions, footings, and distinguishing solid masonry from masonry veneer walls.

Contents

An Overview of Footings and Foundations · Conditions of Footings and Foundations · An Overview of Floors · Sills · Columns · Beams · Joists, Subflooring and Concrete Floor Slabs · Solid Masonry Walls · Wood Frame Walls · Masonry Veneer Walls · Arches and Lintels · Introduction to Roofs · Rafters, Roof Joists, and Ceiling Joists · Collar Ties, Knee Walls, and Purlins · Trusses, Wood “I” Joists, and Roof Sheathing · Seismic and Wind Resistance · Inspection Tools · Inspection Checklists · Inspection Procedure · Answers to Review Questions