Any location that’s pummeled by a hurricane can fall prey to unscrupulous folks looking to make a fast buck. But armed with a residential inspection report, homeowners will know for certain whether a roof replacement or another major repair is necessary or not.

Homes can take a serious beating through hurricane season. Even if a category 4 doesn’t make landfall, the related storm activity can batter and flood properties along the coastline and further inland. When FEMA isn’t coming to the rescue, a home inspection can help put homeowners on the right path toward storm damage repair.

Here are some common problems that you might encounter on the job.

Extensive Roof Damage

Driving rains, high winds and hail can really do a number on any home’s roof. Unlike other exposed areas of a house, it gets no protection. Not all roof damage is serious, which is good news for the homeowner. And roof inspection services can determine the difference.

Expect:

Lifted or broken shingles Hailstone marks Damaged flashing Fallen debris damage Loose or missing soffits and fascia boards Damaged gutters and downspouts

Lifted, Broken or Severely Damaged Siding

High winds and flying debris make up the most damaging threats during a hurricane. If a tree branch breaks and winds throw it against the house, siding might be dented, lifted or entirely missing.

Expect:

Loose siding boards or panels Hailstone or debris holes in stucco Water infiltration, including around windows Loose or missing trim

Broken Windows

Most experienced coastal dwellers board up their windows before a major system comes through. But not every window is accessible. And sometimes, the protective materials cause additional damage once they’re removed.

Expect:

Broken glass inside and out Damaged window flashing Holes through siding or window frames (from storm-proofing material anchors) Hazy glass that looks undamaged, but might have broken seals

Basement Flooding

Basements are rare in some coastal areas, but fairly common in others. If the storm surge reaches the house or rainfall causes flooding, a perfectly dry basement might fall prey to water damage.

Expect:

Standing water contaminated with chemicals and biohazards Noticeably cold walls and floors that look dry but feel damp Mold and mildew growth

Waterlogged Appliances

When flood waters reach appliances, they might suffer permanent damage. If they’re still plugged in after the water recedes, they pose an immediate electrical shock hazard. Unfortunately, this includes the home’s HVAC system. Money Pit says that in most cases, flooded appliances require replacement and you can’t safely inspect them.

Expect:

Shock- or electrocution-hazard conditions unless appliances are unplugged or disconnected Electrical sparks and fires Signs of charring on or around appliances

Flooded Electrical Wiring

When flood waters rise high enough to reach electrical outlets, the whole home is at risk of fire until the electrical main is shut off. It’s usually not safe to assume that it’s safe when the power is out through the area. If the city restores power, the home you’re inspecting might become unsafe very quickly. In extreme cases, the home’s wiring might require replacement. But in many cases, it’s repairable.

Expect:

Waterlogged outlets Blown fuses and tripped breakers Charring on or near all electrical wiring

Cracked or Weakened Foundation

With all of the water that a hurricane brings, it’s no wonder so many homes suffer foundation damage. When waters rise, the ground that supports the foundation gets weak. If it shifts, the foundation might crack or buckle. It’s not safe to enter a crawlspace under these conditions. Inspectapedia says it’s smart to stay alert for signs of total structural collapse.

Expect:

Contaminated standing water Cracks Bulging blocks or bricks Soil erosion

A residential inspection usually happens just before the sale of a house. But many other situations merit an inspection, particularly the aftermath of a damaging storm.

If there’s a disaster declaration, government agencies will handle the inspection work. But for areas that have no government aid, a qualified, experienced home inspector can help homeowners get on the path toward repairs.

The right home inspection app lets you offer a prompt, concise inspection report that shows homeowners the scope of storm-related damage. That’s what Home Inspection Report can do. Fill in the form as you work using a mobile device. And then send it to your customer from anywhere you have service.

Do you feel lucky? “Everyone’s a Winner” at the 2017 annual ASHI Educational Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada!

It’s a packed event, hosted at the Bally’s Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas. The four-day conference features pre- and post-con activities and training plus networking opportunities, tool and tech vendors and many expert sessions. You’ll even get 20 ASHI CEs plus state-level CEs just for attending.

Early Arrivals Get a Bonus

Pre-conference is packed with educational opportunities. Inspection World says there’s the 2-day Infrared-Certified Residential Thermographer class (18 hours), One Day of Secrets Revealed (free), 2-Day NHIE Prep Class with Exam Option (8 hours), NADRA Deck Inspection Certification Class (4 hours) and the 203k Day of Discovery: FHA Consultant Certification Jump-Start Course (4 hours).

Days and times vary for each of the pre-conference courses and sessions. Learn more about each option. Two of the options are free, and tuition for the others ranges between $175 and $195.

Choose a Conference Track

The main conference lets attendees choose one of five different educational tracks. There’s Inspecting Essentials, Advanced, Beyond Basics, Specialty/Diversification and Business Management. Each track has a full schedule with courses such as Analyzing and Finding Hard-to-Find Leaks and Running a Multi-Inspector Home Inspection Company.

The daytime schedule for Monday and Tuesday runs from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., breaking for Lunch ‘N Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. with no lunch activities currently on the schedule.

It’s Not Over ‘Til It’s Over

After the conference is closed out, there’s another educational event to attend. The 3-day class in Commercial Building Inspection, led by Richard Weldon, PEng, LEED AP, runs January 26, 27 and 28 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Post-conference course tuition for ASHI members is $1,395. The non-member cost is $1,795. Fees include sessions plus the required textbook, sample inspection reports and other materials relevant to the course.

Bally’s Hotel and Resort reservations are available at the group rate of $89/night, and you can purchase the optional Hotel Resort Fee for an additional $29. Opt out, and all amenities will be sold at the higher a la carte fee, such as $13.99 daily for Internet access.

January promises to be a great time for members of the American Society of Home Inspectors. But you don’t have to be a member to attend. Non-member rates are also available.

Have you ever wished that there were two of you? That way you could get a lot more work done. Online home inspection booking software is almost the same thing. It doesn’t have a pulse, but it can step in to let customers book appointments anytime day or night, and any day of the week.

You’ll never have another missed appointment because you couldn’t answer the phone, and you won’t lose business to other inspectors who already have online booking. If you want to ensure that potential customers can schedule you any time that they want, here’s what you need to know.

Online Booking Isn’t Just a Fad

You live in a digital world, the same as your customers do. So put yourself in their position and think about your current appointment booking process. Is it available 24 hours a day? Is it convenient? Can you access it using a mobile device?

Technology has weaved into the home inspecting world, like it or not. And as long as your customers can order a pizza and perform banking transactions using a computer or mobile device, they expect you to be there too. Of course, no one will force you. But customers are more likely to book with the inspector who makes it easier.

You can build a plain and simple website in about an hour.

You’re Going to Need a Website

Of course, it’s not as easy as deciding to take appointments online. Customers need a way to find you, and that means you’ll need a website. You can build a website inexpensively using any of a number of different free services. Buy your domain name, which is your web address, and find a web host. PC Magazine offers this list of web hosting services that they rank as the best for 2016.

Don’t let the idea of building a website intimidate you. Even if your skills are almost nonexistent, some hosts offer free website building tools that are practically plug-and-play. Just choose a website template that you like, and personalize it using their tools.

Buy Your Online Booking Software

There are a number of online booking services available, but most of them are either too generic or too specific for a different industry. The National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) recommends Inspection Support Network software by name. Their package comes with online booking, of course, and it also has email functionality, general business reports, mass emails for advertising, and many more features.

PC World and PC Magazine are good resources for identifying and comparing software of practically every type. If you’re not satisfied with Inspection Support Network online booking tools, check out what the PC publications have to say about additional options.

You already know how important referrals are to home inspectors. But unless a prospective client can reach you, a referral isn’t worth much. She’s liable to move on to another inspector in your area whom she can. Chances are, he’ll have online booking software.

Whether it’s 5am on a Saturday or late at night while you’re fast asleep, your website and online booking capabilities let customers find their own preferred time slot and hire you, all on their own. That’s efficient, and it’s a business builder.

Home inspectors have a lot of freedom and a lot of responsibility. You never have to punch a time clock. And you also have no one driving your business except you. It takes time to build up a client base and network of real estate agents who are comfortable with giving referrals. Until then, taking on additional inspections in niche markets can help bring in all-important revenue.

Your home inspection training may have covered some or all of these options, but you’ll probably need a bit more. And be sure to check with your licensing board to learn whether you need special credentials. For example, performing radon and mold inspections often requires proof of training and additional licensure or certification.

Here are 10 ideas that could help you build up your business and reach a much broader range of clients:

Option #1: Radon Testing

Radon is a noble gas that is extremely harmful to humans and animals. It’s produced by the decay of uranium in the soil, and it exists everywhere in the U.S. Any home in any location can have a radon problem as it has nothing to do with the age of the structure. In fact, newer homes that are built too tight are more at risk than drafty old houses. A radon test can advise clients about the presence of the gas and the need for remediation measures.

Option #2: Termite Inspection

Practically every home sale requires a clear termite letter before it’s finalized. If the home is financed, that’s especially true. But a termite inspection isn’t part of a general home inspection. Instead of allowing another inspector to get all of the benefits, get trained in termite inspections and offer that expanded service.

Option #3: Mold Inspection

Mold happens for numerous reasons, all of them revolving around moisture. Sometimes the culprit is poor insulation. Sometimes it’s the absence of adequate ventilation. And sometimes it’s caused by a damp basement. Home inspectors report evidence of mold, but a mold inspection can also be a separate service. Considering the high volume of homeowners who are concerned about hazardous “black mold,” this could be one more avenue for more income.

Option #4: Four-Point Inspections

The general home inspection is usually for the home buyer. But a four-point inspection is something slightly different. It can be quicker, too. Insurance companies may require an inspection prior to offering a policy on a home. Instead of a full home inspection, the four-point version covers the necessary ground. It includes the HVAC system, electrical, plumbing, and the roof.

Green one iomes are increasingly important to buyers.

Option #5: Green Homes

With the increased focus on healthy homes and green building, more homeowners want to know whether the house they’re buying is safe. A green home inspection can advise buyers of issues such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, sustainable building materials and other “green” concerns.

Option #6: Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality may be part of a green home inspection, but you could also offer it as a stand-alone service. Buyers who are concerned about certain hazards, such as asbestos, lead, contaminated air ducts, off-gassing building materials and other hazards may want an air quality inspection prior to buying a home.

Option #7: Energy Audits

This is another inspection that may be part of a green home inspection or a separate service. Even if a buyer isn’t especially worried about sustainable materials, he’s probably interested in whether the home will cost a fortune to heat and cool. Energy audits suss out air leaks, water-guzzling fixtures, poor insulation, and other factors that affect efficiency.

Option #8: Septic System

Another inspection that’s not part of a general one is the septic system. Most buyers would otherwise hire a different inspector, but you could offer the service and keep their business. Septic inspections include determining the age of the system locating the drain field and other tasks.

Option #9: Current Owner Inspection

Nine times out of 10, home inspections are purchased by a home buyer. But that leaves out a huge portion of the population who could also benefit from a little knowledge. Homeowners need home inspections to show which systems need attention and possibly repair. Knowledge is power, no matter who acquires it.

Option #10: Special Systems

A general home inspection doesn’t cover a lot of special systems, and they’re another avenue for potential revenue. Security systems, landscaping issues and further inspections beyond what’s visible and accessible could help boost your income.

Home inspectors wear a lot of hats, and one of those is for marketing and advertising. If inspections aren’t quite making ends meet, or if you’re in the market for adding broader service, there’s a lot for you to choose from. You could even consider training to become a FEMA inspector. Who knows? You might find that you enjoy auxiliary inspections and want to retain them as a service permanently.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, duct cleaning doesn’t make a difference in air quality for most homes. That doesn’t mean it’s a scam. It is a valid home improvement service. And when it’s merited, it’s quite important to have it done.

But for the majority of your customers, clean ducts don’t affect air quality one way or another. Some even think ductwork cleaning might increase dust and other air pollutants.

Here’s what some of the authorities on the subject have to say about it.

Duct Cleaning Scrubs out the Ductwork and HVAC System

A thorough duct cleaning service involves vacuums, blowers and scrubbing brushes that reach deep inside the system’s network. Particles are loosened up and then blown or vacuumed out.

In an average home, duct cleaning involves the ducts, registers and covers, return air vents plus parts of the HVAC appliances. Fans, motors, housings, cooling coils and air handlers get the treatment, too, says Danny Lipford of Today’s Homeowner.

The Environmental Protection Agency Says it’s Probably Not Important

While cleaning always sounds like a good idea, there’s no data to back up any benefit for the average homeowner. And in some cases, there’s the possibility of creating a problem. The EPA says duct cleaning “has never been shown to actually prevent health problems.” They go on to explain that no authoritative studies exist that show dirty ducts lead to a dusty home.

The reason for these findings lies inside the ducts. Particles stick to the walls of the ductwork. Forensic Applications Consulting Technologies, Inc. says cleaning can create a problem where none exists. When the ducts are squeaky clean, fewer particles are likely to stay inside the ductwork and more of them can blow out into the room.

But Sometimes There’s a Definite Need

With all of that said, sometimes ductwork cleaning isn’t just a good idea, it’s important for air quality and the health of people and pets living in the house. Mold is one of the first issues that the EPA brings up. If there’s a buildup inside the HVAC system or ductwork, there’s a sound reason to have them cleaned.

Duct cleaning is also important if vermin have gained access. Bacteria from droppings might be airborne when the HVAC system switches on. Excessive dirt and debris are more reasons for cleaning. And if the house has been renovated, hazards such as asbestos might lie in wait. So cleaning is a good idea after major work, too.

The experts agree that ductwork cleaning is a valuable service. It’s just not important for most homeowners. For the average home, duct cleaning can stir up problems that weren’t there before.

Recommendations for duct cleaning shouldn’t be commonplace. But for homes that have a serious issue with mold, asbestos, renovation debris, vermin infestation and other major contaminants, it can help your customers enjoy healthier air.