The work of home inspectors is to produce reports on houses offered for sale on the open market in England and Wales. They look at the age, condition and energy efficiency of people's homes in order to produce Home Condition Reports (known as HCRs) and Energy Performance Certificates (known as EPCs).

The main responsibilities of a home inspector are to: 

• examine the inside and outside of a property 
• give each part of the building a condition rating based on a set scale
• give reasons for each rating 
• recommend further investigation of defects that could be serious
• give the property an A to G rating for energy efficiency and carbon emissions.

The HCRs and EPCs form part of a Home Information Pack (HIP), which people selling their houses have been able to be include in voluntary trial packs since October 2006. HCRs are currently being trialled in some parts of the UK. A decision will be made at a later date as to whether these will also become compulsory.

From 1 June 2007 EPCs will be compulsory as part of Home Information Packs (HIPs). EPCs can be produced by both home inspectors and domestic energy assessors (see separate profile for Domestic Energy Assessor). Visit the Home Information Packs website for more information about the Housing Act, HIPs and HCRs.

Hours and Environment

As a full-time home inspector you may work 35 to 40 hours a week, although there is scope for part-time work. You may also need to carry out inspections in the evenings or at weekends to suit the client.

Your time will be split between inspections on site and writing up reports in the office. Because you will need to do a lot of travelling to carry out inspections, a driving licence will be useful.

Skills and Interests

As a home inspector, you should:

• have a thorough knowledge of construction and surveying methods and Building Regulations
• be able to recognise the extent and urgency of construction defects
• be able to take precise measurements and accurately record inspection details in writing and electronically
• work to high standards of ethics
• be able to work methodically and consistently
• have excellent communication and negotiating skills
• treat all information in accordance with confidentiality and data protection requirements
• have a polite, tactful and professional manner.

Entry

To qualify as a home inspector you will need to complete the Level 4 Diploma in Home Inspection (DipHI), which is awarded by ABBE (the Awarding Body for the Built Environment) and C & G (City and Guilds).

The DipHI is an assessment process that shows that you have all the skills and knowledge needed to do the job. It is offered through accredited assessment centres. The assessment centres will help you to compare your existing skills against the DipHI and plan your training around them. You can find full details on the ABBE and City and Guilds websites.

To get the DipHI you will need to complete:

• a portfolio of work-based evidence that proves your skills and knowledge in all the units in the DIP HI
• an exam (for an example see the ABBE website).

The length of time you will need to complete the DipHI, and the amount of training you will need, will depend on how closely you already meet the requirements:

• if you are a qualified and experienced residential property surveyor it could only take a few weeks
• if you are new to surveying or work in estate agency or property management, but do not carry out surveys, your training will take longer
• if you do not have any experience, you may need to gain a property-related qualification, such as a relevant BTEC HNC/HND, foundation degree or degree before starting the DipHI.

You may be able to do an intensive course to complete the DipHI. You do not need to have any surveying knowledge to do one of these, and the courses cover everything you need to complete the final exam and produce the portfolio of evidence for assessment. They last around 12 months.

Domestic Energy Assessor
If you just want to produce EPCs, you can qualify as a domestic energy assessor by doing the new Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment. The diploma is provided by three awarding bodies – the ABBE, City and Guilds (C&G) and the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) (see Further Information for details).

As a home inspector you will be able to carry out both EPCs and HCRs. Domestic energy assessors will just carry out EPCs, but will have the opportunity to gain a ‘top up’ qualification to become home inspectors. See the separate Domestic Energy Assessor profile for more information.

Training

• by approaching local surveying practices or larger surveying companies to see if they will offer you some work shadowing 
• through your current employer if you are involved in relevant fields such as estate agency, construction or housing.

The portfolio you produce for the DipHI must include 10 inspection reports, covering a range of property types. If you already have surveying or inspection experience, some of these could be reports you have already done. At least three reports must be in HCR format – your assessment centre will advise on how to complete your portfolio.

Before you can work as a home inspector you will need:

• membership of an approved certification scheme
• a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check 
• personal indemnity insurance.

The organisations running approved certification schemes are:

• SAVA
• RICS
• BRE

After qualifying you will be expected to keep your skills and knowledge up to date by continuing professional development (CPD).

Opportunities

It is estimated that from June 2007 between 2,000 and 2,500 trained inspectors will be needed to produce Energy Performance Certificates. These could be home inspectors or domestic energy assessors. Energy assessments of non-domestic properties and large public buildings could also be introduced by October 2007. Home inspectors will also be needed to produce voluntary full HCRs.

As a home inspector you could find work opportunities with:

• Home Information Pack providers
• estate agents producing packs in-house
• lawyers (solicitors/conveyancers) producing packs in-house
• corporate surveying firms.

You may be able to work as a freelance or self-employed home inspector, particularly as homeowners will often need inspections to be carried out in the evenings or at weekends.

As a qualified home inspector you could progress to becoming a property valuer by doing the ABBE Level 4 Certificate in Valuation of Residential Property for Secured Lending. See the ABBE website (in Further Information below) for details.

Annual Income

As this is a new role, there are no available salary figures.

Salaries will depend on length of experience and location.
Asset Skills estimate that earnings for mid-career inspectors may be between £30,000 and £40,000 a year. This may be increased by performance bonuses.

Self-employed inspectors will set their own rates.

Further information

Arbon House
21 Jury Street
Warwick
CV34 4EH
Tel: 01926 496800 Tel: 020 7294 2800 2 The Courtyard
48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160