The home inspector’s job is to find what’s hiding and bring it to justice. In this case, justice is an inspection report. You never know what will emerge on any day. Maybe you’ll find the cause of a mysterious creaking floor or identify pipes that go bump in the night. Whatever happens, your work uncovers the truth, regardless of what that truth might be.

Home inspectors only have one customer at a time, and they’re usually buyers. Many, if not most, lenders require a pre-sale inspection. And when they don’t, buyers still often prefer to know what they’re getting into.

It all makes perfect sense. You wouldn’t agree to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars without knowing what you’d get in exchange. A super-sleuth inspector brings hidden problems out into the light and paints an accurate picture of the home’s condition at that moment. And that makes for an informed consumer.

But what about the seller? Sometimes they need a home inspection, too. Before listing a house for sale, knowledge about its true condition can empower the seller to either list it at a more appropriate price or invest in repairs to support a higher value. An inspection keeps the element of surprise far away from a home sale.

One might wonder why an owner would need an inspection at all. Living in the house should be information enough about its condition. Unfortunately, that’s not always true.

Some issues, such as roof leaks dripping into an attic, are never seen until the house hits the market. And sometimes a known problem is misdiagnosed as something else. For example, that water in the attic might not be a leak at all, but a condensation problem.

Some homeowners get home inspections without thinking about selling the house. A good demographic to market to might be retirees and pre-retirees. Getting a report and then whipping a home into good shape before settling too far into retirement could save big repair costs later on.

Just as Sherlock Holmes always seemed to make at least one enemy, home inspectors aren’t always welcomed with open arms. That’s because inspectors speak the truth as a rule. To do otherwise would negate the whole inspection.

That’s why inspectors such as Spencer Wright of BBI Home Inspections says he always works for the customer. No exceptions. That probably sounds simplistic. But when you consider how much might be on the line with an inspection, you can begin to see who might have a little more influence.

Both sellers and real estate agents might get their feathers ruffled when an inspector finds defects. That’s because defects serve to make the house look a little less enticing, which could risk or even kill the sale. Nevermind, says Wright. Always work for the customer and always report the whole truth and you’ll have a reputation as a straight shooter.

The real estate world has a lot of elements, from agents to attorneys to lenders. But the home inspector has a special sort of job. Unlike anyone else, inspectors only work for the benefit of one customer. And the goal is always the truth.

Of course, home inspectors inspect what’s visible and accessible. And some crawlspaces are unsafe for anyone besides a mouse. But what’s lurking inside could cause the customer problems down the road.

Older homes might have a low crawl space that’s so shallow you can’t fit inside. Some might have obstacles that block access. And some might have clear issues, such as flooding, that you’re not required to brave.

Chances are, you’ll one day encounter a tiny crawl space that you can’t inspect as you normally would. But you still have a duty of care to report as best you can. Here’s how to handle those cases and what you might find if you try a different route.

The main access to the crawlspace might be so small that you can’t fit through. The homeowner might have inadvertently closed off or locked the access. Or maybe heavy rains have created a swimming pool under the house. Regardless of why you can’t access the space, you might still find ways to take a look and report back to the customer.

One type of access is the foundation vent. In some homes, ventilation points are wide enough to shine a flashlight through. If the flashlight isn’t enough, maybe a camera will help. Most digital cameras have a zoom feature that lets you see deeper into the space. And that could let you check for (and photograph) at least some defects.

The key is trying to inspect the crawl space. Although you’re not required to attempt shimmying through a 14-inch access, you should make a reasonable attempt to inspect from the outside. ASHI Reporter says inspectors who don’t try alternative measures could, at least in some cases, be liable for report omissions.

If a defect is possible in a wide-open crawl space, it’s possible in one that you can’t inspect up close. The area might be tiny, but it’s not safe to assume that doesn’t have the usual home systems running through it. Here’s what can hide between joists and behind pillars:

The list could go on. Just remember if it’s possible in a full crawl space, it’s possible in a tiny one. And for every system that you can’t inspect up close, there’s the possibility of a defect.

If there’s no way to gain entry and no way to look inside, customers should be alerted to the situation. That way, you’ll cover your liability bases and they can consider hiring a specialist with tools such as a mini remote-controlled rover with a camera or a long camera scope.

Like it or not, the crawl space is part of a complete home inspection. At least if it’s accessible and doesn’t pose any obvious hazards. But if there’s no way to gain access, most inspectors still try to have a look, even if it’s through a foundation vent at a distance. When you go the extra mile, your customers get an inspection report that’s as complete as possible.

You might see and hear the buzzy little aircraft in parks, on TV and around your own neighborhood. Drones are everywhere, and they’re making their way into the home inspection industry. They’re a perfect combination, too.

Unmanned aerial vehicles or drones can reach the roof in under a minute, as opposed to the amount of time it takes a person to set up and climb a ladder. And they can zoom around to take finely-detailed images as well as wide-angle ones that paint a comprehensive picture of the roofing system. Try that in a pair of work boots.

Are you thinking about a drone for your home inspection business? Here are 4 ways it can make your service more marketable and your company a leader in the industry.

Most home inspectors do a good and thorough job. Unfortunately, climbing a ladder and walking a roof comes with inherent limitations. Slippery surfaces, steep pitches, and obstacles such as chimneys and vents limit where the inspector can go. But what if there’s a significant defect in the one spot that’s out of reach?

With a drone, no spot on the roof is out of reach. Not only can you see it all, you can also take detailed photographs for your report. Your customers can view the whole roof system, too, and not just certain parts of it.

There may be some inspectors who charge extra for drone-assisted work, but that comes with a risk. Charging an additional fee could place you in the position of an expert. And as an expert, you could take on additional risk. But using a drone without charging extra gives you a marketing edge.

If you avoid raising the price for your work, a drone makes your inspections a better value. Customers get a more comprehensive service for about the same cost charged by other inspectors who don’t use a drone.

Every inspector is supposed to walk the roof, but a very steep pitched or tall roof might turn some inspectors away. That’s what happened to Jonathan Zeissler from Iowa. His home inspector couldn’t access his steep roof, but that gave Zeissler the idea for a drone-assisted inspection business, says Inspector Pages.

Drones don’t get nervous about heights and they aren’t in danger of slipping on a steep roof. For customers who have either been turned down by an inspector or have received an incomplete inspection that didn’t include the roof, your drone makes a big difference.

One area for additional income that you might not have considered is real estate photography. If you’ve seen one horrible real estate ad with crummy photos, you know how they can affect a buyer’s impression. But with great photos and even aerial video, the ad turns into something special.

Home inspectors and real estate agents already have a long and mutually beneficial history. Aerial photography can help agents produce better and more attractive ads while it helps you earn a little extra income.

Drones are the ambitious new kids on the block in an industry where change is usually slow. And so far, they appear to live up to the hype. There are channels that inspectors must go through to use drones for commercial purposes. But the FAA has clearly outlined them in their new regulations. And if you’re a prospective inspector, programs such as ICA School offer a drone module that covers drone use in depth.

You, too, can be an early adapter. Drones will likely become mainstream for home inspections. But if you add the service now, you’ll be a go-to seasoned pro while others are still learning the ropes.

Is your home inspection reporting software too much, too little or is it just right? Stuck fumbling through too many steps? Can’t send customers their report until you sync your mobile device at home? Could it be any more frustrating?

There are a lot of inspection reporting software choices on the market, but not all of them do what you need them to. Some have so many bells, whistles and features that you’d need a class to learn how to use all of them. And some of them omit vital features that would make your job more efficient.

Your mobile app shouldn’t slow you down and it shouldn’t make customers wait. If you’re in the market for something new and better, here’s how to skip past the ones that are too hot and too cold to find the one that’s just what you need.

Home inspection reporting software shouldn’t be proprietary. Unfortunately, some of them only work with a specific device. Software that works for Android is great if you use an Android phone. But what if you prefer an iPhone or Windows is your device of choice?

Home inspection reporting apps that stick to one platform exclude an awful lot of users. You shouldn’t have to buy a new phone just to get the app that you want. What if you’re stuck in a contract? The best software works with a broad range of devices, from iPhones, Windows phones and Androids to their respective tablets.

The whole point of mobile home inspection reporting software is to make work easier and more convenient. If your app works beautifully on the job but then makes you drive all the way home to sync to a computer before you can send the report, it’s only working half as efficiently as it should.

Look for an app that lets you complete an inspection, add photos and finalize the report, then email it on the spot. Customers expect quick turn-around these days. And the faster you can get a job off your plate the better. The more steps you have to go through, the more time is wasted. So choose an app that doesn’t make you jump through hoops.

You’ve probably seen hot new mobile apps that cost a fortune. Many of them come with so many different options and features that you’d need a training class just to operate them. But will you ever use all of those features? Probably not, but you’re paying for them anyway.

A great fit in mobile apps offers everything that you need and nothing that you don’t. The cost of those special features that you’ll never use can sometimes ramp up the price by hundreds of dollars. And some of them require a monthly subscription service, too. Trim down the fat and go with something simpler that works.

The days of paper forms and a clipboard are gone for a reason. Digital home inspection reporting was developed because it makes your job easier and it provides a good-looking report that customers don’t have to wait for. Just watch out for apps that are so hot they price themselves off the charts or so cold that they don’t have the functionality that you need.

Home Inspection Report software is just right. The price is reasonable, and you don’t need a monthly subscription service to keep using it. There’s no syncing with a home computer at the end of a day, which means customers get reports more quickly. And your reports look great, too.

Home inspectors find themselves in some awfully unusual predicaments from time to time. So job safety must be your top priority.

In a more traditional work environment, you’d have someone there to watch your back. And you’d also have a team who ensured that the workplace was safe. But as a home inspector, you never know what situation you’ll walk into from one day to the next.

Here are 6 ways that you can protect yourself to work another day without compromising your professional standards.

This modern age of technology sure comes in handy. Back in the day, home inspectors often had no way to call for help when needed. But since the advent of affordable cell service, that’s a thing of the past.

Keep you cell charged and handy when inspecting any home. That’s an easy and effective way to protect yourself. And do yourself a favor. Add local wildlife and animal control services to your phone contacts. If you encounter an animal that’s angry, aggressive or sick, you don’t want to waste time looking up a number.

Working independently definitely has its perks. But two of the major disadvantages are that no one will know if you get injured on the job, and no one will know where to find you. By the time someone notices you’re missing, precious hours might have passed.

Where feasible, always let someone know where you’ll be working on any given day. Make that a part of your regular operation. That way, if you take a tumble or find yourself in trouble for any reason, help can be on the way sooner than later.

ob sust because you can scale a ladder in a single bound doesn’t mean that you should.

While you always want to provide the best inspection possible, there’s a point where risks just aren’t worth it. For example, don’t risk a back injury from moving a heavy cabinet just to access an electrical outlet. And if the roof looks suspicious, don’t climb up and walk around.

Every Standards of Practice accounts for inspector safety, and none require entering a dangerous environment. Even if staying safe means not climbing a set of stairs to inspect the second story, it’s better to omit that part of the inspection and avoid a possible trip to the hospital.

If you know that a house is riddled with issues and you still choose to perform the inspection, bring backup. Whether it’s the homeowner, buyer, a friend or anyone else, a person on the ground can help or call for emergency assistance quickly in case you become injured.

When you’re on your own, you assume the risk of summoning help if you need it. More than likely, you won’t. But in the rare event that you do, you’ll be in safer hands if someone else is nearby to take action on your behalf.

Even the most ordinary home inspections come with hazards. Attic walls might have exposed nails that can cut or scratch. Low ceilings can take you by surprise and leave you with a nasty knot on your head. And there’s also the risk of a trip-and-fall accident. A first aid kit in your truck can help handle the little injuries that sometimes happen.

You should always wear safety gear, especially gloves and a hardhat, when entering an area that’s unfinished, such as an attic or crawlspace. But for those times when an accident jumps up and bites you, a first aid kit can soothe insect bites, headaches and minor cuts and scratches.

Ladders, insulated tools for working around electricity and many other things that you use every day can only keep you safe if they’re in good working order. They should also be rated for the way that you use them.

Working RE magazine says that you should regularly inspect ladders and other tools of the trade. And before relying on protection from any equipment, even gloves, be sure that they’re designed for the job. For example, a glove can’t keep you safe from electrical hazards if it’s not properly insulated.

You’re never required to risk life and limb, nor should you make that kind of heroic effort. Fortunately, you’ll more often come away from work without any injuries. But by nature, accidents aren’t completely predictable.

Most industry safety experts recommend outlining a safety program, even if you’re a crew of one. That way, you’ll have guidelines in place to keep you on track and help you develop healthy habits. That’s what keeps you in the home inspecting game day after day and year after year.