American Society of Home Inspectors Courses

A properly built house offers protection against the weather and provides structural stability. Floors may be concrete slab, suspended wood, or steel joist systems. Walls may be framed using wood, wood structural panels, steel, structural masonry, conventional concrete, insulating concrete forms, rammed earth, or straw bales, and include openings. Types of framing that are used to construct houses include platform, balloon, and panelized framing. A roof may be constructed using traditional stick framing, prefabricated trusses, or steel components.

A home inspector must have a basic understanding of how a house is built in order to detect deviations from accepted building practices and codes.

This course is intended to be an informative and educational overview of electricity and electrical inspections, which are pertinent to professional inspectors.  Because of the nature of electricity and the responsibility that electrical inspections inherently possess, it is important to review the basics from time to time.  An understanding of electricity and electrical systems is integral to a safe, secure, and functional home.

Additionally, incorrectly managed electrical systems can carry a high degree of danger; therefore, these inspections must be compliant with relevant NFPA and NEC codes.  Upon the completion of this course, the professional inspector will have a renewed understanding of electrical inspection requirements.

This course will provide a brief history of electricity and the scientists who contributed the building blocks that made our modern-day electrical theories, principles, and systems possible. We will then discuss safety preparedness and adequate preparation when performing a safe electrical inspection, as well as the steps involved in an electrical inspection.  Lastly, we will provide an overview of effective communication to communicate the findings of the inspection to the client.  

Heat energy can be transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the transfer of heat from one molecule to another and only happens in solid materials. Convection is the transfer of heat via a moving fluid. Radiation occurs when certain energy waves strike an object, are absorbed, and turn to heat.

There are many types of heating systems, and they all are categorized based on the source of thermal energy they use to generate heat. Sources of thermal energy include natural gas, oil, electricity, solar energy, geothermal energy, and wood. This course will exam various sources of heat and identify ways to transfer heat energy. In addition, the course will specify characteristics of various heating systems including freestanding and area heating systems.

Plumbing is a vital system for the occupants of a house. Without it, a house’s inhabitants would not have access to water or a means to dispose of waste. A house’s plumbing is the system of pipes and connected fixtures that enables clean water to enter the house and used water and sewage to exit the house. Residential plumbing consists of two separate systems: the aseptic system and the septic system. This course will define the characteristics of the aseptic and septic systems and discuss the various types of pipes used in each system. Additionally, the course will discuss the requirements for water heaters, venting requirements, and fixtures.

This course will discuss statutory regulations concerning fireplace and chimney inspections, as well as the elements of fireplaces, chimneys, and wood burning stoves. We will discuss the proper methods of construction, installation, maintenance, and safety considerations necessary to enhance a home inspection and provide an increased level of comfort for your clients.

After exploring the exterior of the home, the home inspector should examine the foundation of the residence. Since the foundation supports the weight of the entire structure; this area of the building must be constructed under strict adherence to all applicable building codes and undergo rigorous safety inspections. Foundation problems can cause plumbing leaks, squeaky and uneven floors, sticking doors and windows, and cracked walls. This course will identify the factors that affect foundation design and the types of materials and components used in foundations. In addition, this course will specify inspection items for foundation problems and indicate methods used in foundation repair and retrofitting.

This course will review the fundamental standards and codes of ethics for the profession practice of home inspection. It will cover information from national and international home inspection associations which governs home inspections. Case studies will be discussed to supplement the training. Strategies will be outlined to assist the professional to make ethical decisions when faced with a conflict. Periodic assessments will be included throughout the course to check for understanding.

This course will focus on the structural home inspection using the American Society of Home Inspectors’ (ASHI) standards as an outline for topics. The course will discuss details for the exterior, interior and structure inspection, and will use examples of common components and defects as training tools. We will also discuss reporting defects in order to communicate findings accurately to the customer and limit your liability.

This course will examine the importance of proper grading and drainage slopes for foundations as it pertains to home inspections. Many defects observed during home inspections could have been completely avoided if simple preventative measures would have been taken. Many of these issues are often caused by poor water management. This course will discuss proper proper grading and drainage for homes and explain water diversion repairs and preventative measures to ensure water relief. 

The interior of the house refers to the finishes of interior walls, ceilings, floors, doors, counters, cabinets, and stairs. The condition of the house’s interior usually indicates the overall quality of the home and the homeowner’s commitment to its maintenance. The home inspector should inspect the interior of the house for clues to possible problems like water leaks and structural issues. This course will list the aspects of inspecting interior walls and ceilings and identify the components of flooring. The course will detail deficiencies to look for when performing an interior inspection including methods for inspecting doors, windows, and weather stripping.

One of the most common questions asked of home inspectors relates to the condition of the home’s heating and cooling components. The financial strain of replacing these components soon after purchase can be enormous, so client concern is understandable. Providing a thorough, complete, noninvasive, informative examination of the complete central system, as well as individual components, is a must for the successful home inspector.
There are generally two kinds of conventional residential heating and cooling systems – central heating and area heating – serviced by a variety of system types. Gas-fired is the most popular fuel for heating homes in America. Well over 40 million homes across the country use gas-fired equipment as their primary heat source. About 2 million new gas furnaces are sold in the U.S. every year, and almost 60 percent of new single-family homes have gas-fired central heating and cooling. 
Consequently, the majority of home inspections will be conducted on a gas-fired central heating and cooling system, which can come in varying configurations and efficiency types, not to mention those creative DIY installations. However, while it takes a great variety of equipment to control the different fuels and different applications, the functions required for safe, automatic operation are remarkably similar.
This course focuses on noninvasive inspection of the systems and components we refer to as “conventional” heating and cooling. For the purposes of this course, the training focus and learning objectives are for the thorough observation, noninvasive inspection and informative reporting requirements on permanently installed force air, gas-fired, electric-powered central heating and cooling systems, components, and air-to-air heat pumps.
The focus is not simply on the mechanicals of the heating and cooling system cabinet and equipment. Rather, this course emphasizes and expands upon the inspection routine as guided by industry standards of practice, and focuses on safety parameters, effective communication skills for client understanding, and targeting your eyes on the heating and cooling inspection as you turn into the inspection property driveway that first time. 
To enhance the learning experience, the course is seasoned with inspection best practices and in-the-field perspective and experience gained over time, to review and reinforce basic home inspection requirements to meet or exceed standards/regulations and client satisfaction.

In order to examine the exterior of a home properly, the inspector must observe the grading, landscaping, walkways, driveways, and retaining walls on the property. In addition, many homes have a garage or carport to accommodate at least one car which also requires inspection. Garages are often attached to the home and may or may not have living space above them. Sometimes they are detached structures, which are inspected in the same way as the home. The first part of this course will cover the inspection of the exterior of the house and the second part discusses all aspects of a garage and carport and the important inspection points that exist for these spaces.

A fireplace can enhance the value of a home by contributing to its warmth and ambiance. Fireplaces have been used for centuries for heating, cooking, and decorative appeal. A roaring fire on a cold day lends a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere to any home. The EPA estimates there are thirteen million fireplaces in the United States.
An improperly constructed or maintained fireplace can also spell disaster to an unsuspecting homeowner: Not only can an improperly constructed or maintained fireplace and its chimney pose a significant fire and smoke hazard, it can often create a significant structural hazard within a home or building.
This course will discuss statutory regulations concerning fireplace and chimney inspections, as well as the elements of fireplaces, chimneys, and wood burning stoves. We will discuss the proper methods of construction, installation, maintenance, and safety considerations necessary to enhance a home inspection and provide an increased level of comfort for your clients.
In the following chapters, we will discuss various types of fireplaces and chimneys: masonry, prefabricated metal, antique stone rubble, and vintage. We will also discuss the components of these structures. The components generally include the firebox, damper, lintel, hearth, ash dump, smoke chamber, flue, rain cap, and spark arrestor.
The course also concentrates upon safety features in gas-fired fireplaces, fire blocking between floors, and basic tools for these specialized inspections.

A properly built house offers protection against the weather and provides structural stability. Floors may be concrete slab, suspended wood, or steel joist systems. Walls may be framed using wood, wood structural panels, steel, structural masonry, conventional concrete, insulating concrete forms, rammed earth, or straw bales, and include openings. Types of framing that are used to construct houses include platform, balloon, and panelized framing. A roof may be constructed using traditional stick framing, prefabricated trusses, or steel components.
A home inspector must have a basic understanding of how a house is built in order to detect deviations from accepted building practices and codes.

Part One-Getting Started
A home inspection involves a noninvasive, physical examination all of the components and systems of a home, including their function and condition. Most often, a client hires a home inspector to conduct an inspection if the client is considering purchasing the home. A home inspector physically inspects homes and reports on their overall condition.
Home inspections are important because purchasing a home is likely to be the largest, and most risky, financial transaction an individual will make during his or her life. The home inspector is involved to protect the interests of his or her client, the potential buyer.
Part Two-Creating an Inspection Report
As discussed in Part One, as a home inspector, you should speak to your clients calmly and confidently in order to set the tone for their working relationship from the first phone call to the final day when you delivers the report to the clients.
During the first conversation, you should clarify to the client what will be included in the inspection and what will not be included. This is important so that the client has realistic expectations regarding the home inspection. This also reduces your liability should the client come across problems in the house in the future. Also during this conversation, you should go over any applicable standards of practice with the client. This may include state regulations, if any exist, or home inspection organization or society standards of practice.  This portion of the course will discuss the Inspection Report in more detail.
Once you have described the inspection process to the client, you and the client should sign an inspection agreement. This agreement states that all parties understand the inclusions and limitations of the inspection.
After you have completed the inspection, complete the inspection report. This may be delivered orally to the client, but it is recommended that you create a detailed written report in addition to any reporting that is done orally. You may use one of a variety of methods to complete the written inspection report. Today, you have many options that make this part of your job much easier, including home inspection apps and smartphone or digital cameras.

The purpose of this course is to prepare home inspectors to confidently perform water heater evaluations and properly present their findings to their clients. In this course, we will discuss the following: different types of water heaters, how each type of system operates, individual components of each type of system, how to perform an inspection properly, and how to present your findings to the customer.

After exploring the exterior of the home, the home inspector should examine the foundation of the residence. The foundation is the base of the residence. Since the foundation supports the weight of the entire structure; this area of the building must be constructed under strict adherence to all applicable building codes and undergo rigorous safety inspections.
The foundation’s two purposes are to support the entire building and to transfer the weight of the building to the ground. It is imperative that the home inspector pay particular attention to this feature. Foundation problems can cause plumbing leaks, squeaky and uneven floors, sticking doors and windows, and cracked walls.

The interior of the house refers to the finishes of interior walls, ceilings, floors, doors, counters, cabinets, and stairs. The condition of the house’s interior usually indicates the overall quality of the home and the homeowner’s commitment to its maintenance.

The home inspector should inspect the interior of the house for clues to possible problems like water leaks and structural issues. It is not the home inspector’s job to judge the homeowner’s style or decorative taste.

In addition, inspectors are not engaged in predicting the adequacy, insurability, or remaining life of installed systems, components, and parts. Inspectors do not conduct engineering evaluations such as voltage drop calculations and heating and cooling balancing. They also are not expected to evaluate the eco-friendliness of building materials.