Class Descriptions
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These are the premier home inspection
CE classes in North America. Each of our
technical class sessions offer comprehensive, detailed instruction with dozens and dozens
of crystal clear photos. Over 1500 inspectors
have
taken our courses because they know
that nobody else offers inspection education
of this quality or with this much information.
All
classes written & presented by Steve Preins, Director of Education & Training [ see his bio ]
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Air Conditioning, with High Velocity, Ductless & Heat Pumps
A “how to do it” course developed by home inspectors for home inspectors that offers a real-life step-by-step approach to properly and thoroughly inspect forced air cooling, including high velocity
systems, ductless or "mini split" systems and air source heat pumps.
New refrigerants, new natural gas units, and geothermal heat pumps are also discussed. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Claims Prevention and Management
You need to protect yourself!! Properly written inspection reports should provide clear and concise information for the client while simultaneously minimizing liability for the home inspector. The report should cover what was inspected as well as what was not inspected, and why it was not inspected. This course discusses what to tell the client on the telephone when setting up the inspection appointment, what to tell the client when starting the inspection, how to review the contract with the client, report writing issues, and the critical steps to take if a client is unhappy with the inspection or alleges that something was missed. Critical pre-inspection agreement language is discussed in detail, and a review of the Standards of Practice and proper report formats is included. The course concludes with a look at several case studies of actual claims against home inspectors and how they were resolved. (formerly titled "Report Writing and Claims Management") (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Commercial Inspections Lite
While the idea of inspecting large commercial and industrial properties can seem intimidating to most home inspectors, there are many opportunities to inspect light commercial properties that are very similar to residential. This course provides an overview of inspecting light commercial properties, and offers an in-depth discussion of the ASTM Standards of Practice, environmental issues, and the similarities and differences between residential inspections and commercial inspections. A detailed look at what makes a commercial property “light” is included, as is an overview of some of the more common defects specific
to commercial properties. The course concludes with a look at reporting, marketing and pricing light commercial inspections. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Electrical Inspection Tune Up
You'll
have a clearer understanding of how and why grounding of electrical
systems actually works after learning Electrical Theory for Home
Inspectors, with a focus on proper grounding and bonding of service
and sub panels. This course also includes a refresher on basic
defect recognition of wire sizing, double taps, polarity, GFCI and
AFCI locations, and required clearances at panels, disconnects and
service drops. Hundreds of clear photos are utilized to illustrate
common electrical issues which home inspectors encounter on a daily
basis. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Exteriors and Siding
This class provides a detailed look at siding and cladding types and materials, including proper installation and new materials. The course offers an in-depth discussion of siding issues such as moisture intrusion, weather and radiant barriers, typical and problematic cracking, material failure, class action law suits, how to properly identify and report siding types, and recognizing and reporting installation defects. Also included is a comprehensive look at the many installation and safety issues regarding decks and porches. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Fireplaces, Chimneys and Space
Heaters
A “how to do it” course developed by home inspectors for home inspectors that offers a real-life step-by-step approach to
properly and thoroughly inspect fireplaces and wood burning stoves,
chimneys, and permanently installed space heating equipment. An
overview of fireplace and wood stove types, including direct vent,
ventless, Rumford, inserts and pellet stoves is presented.
Materials, flue types, clearances to combustibles, listings and
clearance reduction systems are included. Level II chimney
inspections, video scanning and NFPA 211 are discussed. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
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Forced Air Heating and Boilers (Central Heating)
A “how to do it” course developed by home inspectors for home inspectors that offers a real-life step-by-step approach to properly and thoroughly inspect both gas and electric forced air heating and boilers. Many issues are examined in detail, including combustion air requirements, return air requirements, proper clearances, proper installation, filters and heat exchangers. The operating sequences and characteristics of gravity, circulated and steam boilers are discussed. Gas leak detection and carbon monoxide testing are examined. Hundreds of clear photos are utilized to illustrate common heating issues which home inspectors encounter on a daily basis. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
The
Inspection Process From A to Z
A great class for both experienced and newer inspectors. An actual inspection system and path are presented in conjunction with a detailed, line-by-line pictorial
examination of the Industry Standards of Practice. The inspection system starts with pre-inspection issues, follows the inspection path from the outside-in, and top-to-bottom of the house and finishes with collecting your fee from the client. Following the system minimizes liability by preventing costly mistakes and produces a better inspection product for the client. Dozens of inspection and customer service tips from veteran home inspectors are offered throughout the course. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
New
Technologies in Residential Construction
Completely revised July 2009: This constantly revised course examines new
products in electrical, heating, cooling, foundations, framing,
insulation, ventilation, roofing and plumbing. The driving forces behind the
development of each new product as well as specifically what the
home inspector needs to know about these products are discussed. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Old House Inspections - Pre 1950's
Vintage houses present a unique set of challenges for not just the physical inspection but also in talking with the client and writing the report. Are your clients "old house" people or are they first time buyers? Has the home been properly updated? This session discusses the special circumstances that the inspector should be aware of, including many of the differences from a modern home and how to sort them out during the inspection. Some materials and methods are hazardous, some are inefficient or obsolete, and others are merely “old”. In “Things to Consider” the course examines many issues such as safety glazing, tiny bathrooms, tight stairways, clearances, environmental hazards and life safety that are more difficult to handle in old houses: how far should you go in reporting these issues? If something doesn’t meet “modern” standards, is it necessarily bad? This class also includes a general overview of pre-1950’s homes, including regional styles, pre-cut, kit houses and Lustrons as well as a look at some old house electrical, plumbing, heating and roofing systems that may have survived into the 21st century.
(Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Plumbing Inspection Tune Up
Inspecting plumbing requires more than just looking for leaks. This class focuses on cross connections; water heaters; water piping materials and installation; waste and drainage piping materials and installation; gas piping materials and installation; and fixtures. The new FVIR water heaters are examined. Hundreds of clear photos are utilized to illustrate common plumbing issues which home inspectors encounter on a daily basis. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Reading the House with Roofing
and Siding
Really two courses in one. "Reading the House" is a method of putting together clues from the exterior of the house to yield information about the interior of the house. This technique is utilized by the best inspectors to develop a "virtual house" in their minds and anticipate problem areas before they find them.
Roofing materials, roofing and siding failures and class action
lawsuits, hail damage, and fire ratings are discussed. Drainable
EIFS and other new and unusual siding and roofing materials are included. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Roofing Inspection
This comprehensive course starts with a review of roofing inspection basics, then moves on to a discussion of common roofing materials such as asphalt and wood shingles, specialty roofing materials such as fiber cement shingles and membranes, and new or unusual residential roofing materials such as photovoltaic shingles and spray polyurethane foam. Also discussed are fire ratings, hail damage (and why this is important for home inspectors), class action lawsuits and airborne fungus. An examination of select roofing defects is included. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Structural Inspection
Structural issues are among the most confusing and potentially costly for home inspectors. This course examines both basic and advanced structural concepts and relates these concepts directly to actual inspection issues. Structural repairs, including underpinning, buttressing and grouting are examined. A discussion of how to determine if the house is still moving or stable is included. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Supercharged Marketing (this is the 8 hour, full day "live" session)
This is your chance to get a real piece of the home inspection
action in your area. This session tells you exactly how to develop inspection referrals through
Focused Marketing to real estate agents, as well as getting inspections through Grassroots Marketing, Daily Business Marketing, Performance Marketing, Micro Marketing, Direct Mail Marketing, Press Releases and the internet. We show you how to improve your self confidence and your communication and public speaking skills. We discuss goal setting. We tell you exactly what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. We provide actual, scripted dialogue to use when talking to potential referral sources and when talking to potential clients. You'll be able to work less and make more money. You'll learn exactly how to turn telephone calls into inspections, the four-letter word that prevents success, how to increase your
inspection business without spending money, how to get in the real estate office door and
be invited back, fatal marketing mistakes to avoid, small town
and rural marketing, hidden marketing opportunities, and much, much more.
We teach actual proven techniques, not just textbook theory.
Illinois licensed as Professional Practice I and Professional
Practice II. (Illinois: 6 CE hours; All other states: 8 CE hours)
Supercharged Marketing Lite (abbreviated, half day "live" session)
An abbreviated edition of Supercharged Marketing: This session tells you exactly how to develop inspection referrals through
Focused Marketing to real estate agents, as well as getting inspections through Daily Business Marketing and Micro Marketing. We show you how to improve your self confidence and your communication and public speaking skills. We tell you exactly what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. You'll be able to work less and make more money. You'll learn exactly how to turn telephone calls into inspections, the four-letter word that prevents success, how to get in the real estate office door and
be invited back, fatal marketing mistakes to avoid, and much, much more.
We teach actual proven techniques, not just textbook theory.
Illinois licensed as Professional Practice I. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Supercharged Marketing Part 1 (online class only)
The first half of Supercharged Marketing. This is your chance to get a real piece of the home inspection
action in your area. This session tells you exactly how to develop inspection referrals through
Focused Marketing to real estate agents. We show you how to improve your self confidence and your communication and public speaking skills. We discuss goal setting. We tell you exactly what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. We provide actual, scripted dialogue to use when talking to potential referral sources. You'll be able to work less and make more money. You'll learn the four-letter word that prevents success, how to get in the real estate office door and
be invited back, fatal marketing mistakes to avoid, and much, much more.
We teach actual proven techniques, not just textbook theory.
Illinois licensed as Professional Practice I (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
Supercharged Marketing Part 2 (online class only)
The second half of Supercharged Marketing. This session tells you exactly how get inspections through Grassroots Marketing, Daily Business Marketing, Performance Marketing, Micro Marketing, Direct Mail Marketing, Press Releases and the internet. We provide actual, scripted dialogue to use when talking to potential clients. You'll be able to work less and make more money. You'll learn exactly how to turn telephone calls into inspections, how to increase your
inspection business without spending money, fatal marketing mistakes to avoid, small town
and rural marketing, hidden marketing opportunities, and much, much more.
We teach actual proven techniques, not just textbook theory.
Illinois licensed as Professional Practice II. (Illinois: 3 CE hours; All other states: 4 CE hours)
