Home Inspection Education / Experience Alternative 448 Hour Training Program

TEXAS 448 hour Home Inspection Education / Experience Alternative Training Program
offered by RETS in conjunction with Mountain View College

Welcome to RETS – Real Estate Training Systems, a Texas Based home inspection training school. RETS offers core home inspection courses taught by professional home inspectors with many years of home inspection experience.

Anyone thinking of entering the field of Home Inspection is about to embark upon one of the most exciting and rewarding careers available. Choosing the RETS Education / Experience Alternative Program may be the smartest decision you will make.

The RETS 448 hour program uses a combination of Online, Home Study, Classroom and Field training which includes inspections of houses in the DFW area. 

Our Home Inspection Training Program is easy to learn and has been designed around providing the most up to date information for the prospective home inspector.  As part of the 448 hour course, the 328 hour correspondence program is self-paced so you can study within the comfort of your home. All testing is done online and can be taken whenever you are ready.  The 328 hour Home Inspection Training Program utilizes the Mastering the Profession Workbook, Systems & Standards Workbook, Standards of Practice Workbook, Standards / Legal / Ethics Workbook and Standard Report Form / Report Writing Workbook. 

Along with the 328 hour correspondence program is the 120 hour/12-day classroom and field training program.  The 12-day home inspection classroom and field training program combine easy to understand educational materials, hands on laboratory models, classroom instruction presentations, and field inspection experiences where you can apply what you have learned in the classroom and correspondence course.

Upcoming Classes:

October 2010
   Week 1 Oct. 4th - 9th / 7am to 6pm Monday thru Saturday
   Week 2 Oct. 11th - 16th / 7am to 6pm Monday thru Saturday  

January - February 2011 - 2 week course
   Week 1 Jan. 31th - Feb. 5th / 7 am to 6 pm Monday thru Saturday
   Week 2 Feb. 7th - 12th / 7 am to 6 pm Monday thru Saturday

Week 1 Six Day – 60 hour classroom setting

Introduction to home inspections

• The scope of a residential home inspection, with inclusions, limitations, and exclusions. 
• The history of the home inspection profession. 
• The home inspector's role in a real estate transaction. 
• Basic tools for a home inspection.
• General Home inspection versus a Technically Exhaustive inspection
• Overview of starting a home inspection business. 
• Telephone techniques to be able to “book” the inspection. 
• Presentation of the inspections and report delivery. 
• Insurance options and availability. 
• Payment and pricing recommendations. 
• Who will buy or refer inspections to you. 
• Hidden business you should know about.

Structure – Basic Components

• Foundations – (Slab / Pier & Beam / Basement)
• Fireplaces and Chimney’s
• Exterior walls, flashing, and trim. 
• Eaves, soffitt, and fascia. 
• Doors and windows. 
• Problem identification. 
• Decks, balconies, steps, porches, and railings. 
• Driveways, walkways, and landscaping 
• Retaining walls. 
• Walls, ceilings, and floors. 
• Stairways. 
• Cabinets and counters. 
• Dwelling unit/garage separation.
  Problem identification:  (You will view hundreds of examples of defects).
  The real art of the structural inspection.

Roofing and Roof Structure

• Asphalt shingles (composition) roofs. 
• Wood shingle and shake roofs. 
• Tile roofs, including clay and concrete. 
• Low Slope/Flat roofs, including built-up tar and gravel roofs and single ply membrane roofs. 
• Other roofing systems, including metal and slate. 
• Roof drainage systems. 
• Flashings, skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations.
• Detection of water penetration and condensation.

Electrical

• Service entrance wires and Electrical equipment. 
• Main disconnects. 
• Grounding Systems. 
• Distribution panelboards. 
• Distribution wiring systems and methods. 
• Fuses and breakers. 
• Light switches and outlets. 
• Ground Fault and Arc Fault circuit interrupters. 
• Practical examination: Hands-on inspection of electrical panels and components.

Heating Systems

• Gas Furnaces. 
• Electric Heating. 
• Heat Pump Systems
• Combustion air supply Requirements. 
• Normal operating controls. 
• Safety controls. 
• Distribution (Duct) systems. 
• Insulation, ventilation and vapor retarders. 
• Practical examination: Hands-on inspection of heating systems. Experience the actual process of inspecting; blowers, heat strips, flues, heat exchangers and more…

Cooling Systems

• Principles of refrigeration and cooling. 
• Evaporator coils and Condensers. 
• Normal operating controls. 
• Distribution systems.
• Hands-on demonstration.

Plumbing

• Supply piping system. 
• Drain, waste and vent system. 
• Fixtures and faucets. 
• Functional flow and functional drainage. 
• Leaks and corrosion. 
• Water heater equipment (Gas / Electric / Tankless)
• Practical demonstration: Hands-on inspection

Appliances

• Dishwashers
• Disposers
• Range Exhaust Systems
• Ranges, Cooktop and Ovens
• Microwaves
• Garage Door Operators
• Bathroom exhaust and heat systems
  Problem identification (You will view hundreds of examples of defects).

Report Writing

• Texas Standard Report Forms
• Concise and accurate reporting of your findings
• Report Writing - “Do’s & Don’t”
• Report writing options and terminology. 
• Advantages of different reporting formats. 
• Sample reports will be provided and reviewed. 
• Report Generation - “When, Where & How”
• Digital Photography
• Words to Use and Not to Use
• Exercise: Creating a report that meets standards.

Week 2 Six Day – 60 hour Actual In-field Property Inspection Training
Two Field Inspections per Day
12 Practical Property Inspection Experiences = 48 hours of field training
2 hours of debriefing (Q & A) per day = 12 hour

• Hands-on field inspection and report writing exercise.

Upon successful completion of the course and final examination, students will receive a Certificate of Completion documenting their achievement.

This program meets the TREC 448 hour educational requirement to obtain your Professional Home Inspector License through the Education / Experience Alternative Method.

If you are excited about entering the home inspection industry, then choosing RETS - Real Estate Training Systems as your primary educator, and business partner is the smartest decision you’ll ever make.

We specialize in Real Training for the Real Professional!