USA vs UK: Comparing Notes
John McKenna of American Home Inspection lives in Texas and has been performing home inspections for 10 years. He kindly took time out to explain how the business and legalities of energy audits and home inspections work over the pond.
Listen: American Home Inspectors
How do American Home Inspectors gain business?
Home Inspections are not mandatory in the USA (same as UK, unlike the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - note to American readers) so Home Inspectors have to proactively market their services. John tells us around 80-85% of homebuyers have one undertaken, so is there anything UK Home Inspectors can learn?
Kickbacks and "soft reports" - a warning to the UK
A view of the future?
John reveals how consumer groups and homebuyers / sellers are becoming increasingly concerned with the relationships that exist between some Home Inspectors and real estate agents. The issue now attracts fairly regular media coverage, including TV.
A problem already emerging in the UK and with the running costs of a home set to become one of its selling points, will the industry step in to enforce transparency before Government does, or will it wait until EPCs are publicly demeaned?
Thermal imaging - other business opportunities
Like many American Home Inspectors, John maximises business opportunities by providing ancillary services. One such service is thermal imaging (or Thermography).
Thermal imagery can reveal a lot about the energy efficiency of buildings but you might also be surprised to learn of its other diagnostic powers too.
In fact, such is the growing public demand for thermal imaging in the States now, John also conducts Thermography training for Home Inspectors across North America and Canada via his training arm, Infrared Certified. With cameras falling in price, the service has become a viable additional service for Home Inspectors to offer.
With thanks to John for his time and the community at National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).
Hear the definitive CPD guide for your accreditation scheme. As told by your accreditation scheme: CPD Guide for DEAs.
