Home inspector associations tend to have two kinds of members. Some pay their dues but rarely attend a meeting and some members are active. Aside from the professional credential that you get from a logo on your website or business card, association benefits go to waste if you don’t take advantage of what you’re paying for.
Here are 3 ways to get more for your money and give back to the industry at the same time.
Meet and Network With Other Home Inspectors
Local home inspectors are admittedly in competition and might not reach out to others as potential professional friends. You’ll meet local inspectors in an association, but you’ll also meet people at the state and national level.
Larger, national inspector associations usually have state and local chapters. They make the association more approachable because no one wants to travel for hours just to attend a meeting. It may be easier to get more involved with those local chapters, but at the state and national level, you can network with inspectors who aren’t worried about you as a competitor.
Why is that important? Because the more home inspectors you know the more you know about the industry. Every inspector has encountered something weird on the job at least once. If you have friends in the industry, you could pick up the phone, send an email or hit the association message board forum to ask others what they think about the Dr. Seuss Nightmare plumbing installation you just found in a basement.
Learn About Emerging Home Inspection Legislation, Technology, and Processes
When the Commonwealth of Virginia recently instituted home inspector licensing, association members were the first inspectors to know about it. Most of them knew well in advance because their association told them when legislation was introduced and provided updates on how it fared as it worked its way through the system as well as how it would affect their jobs.
For everyone else, the news about licensing trickled in through various sources, probably with varying degrees of reliability. Imagine finding out that you need a license and, perhaps, more education one or two weeks in advance instead of knowing for months or longer that changes were coming.
Home inspector associations are usually quite active in both advocating for legislation that advances the industry and in keeping members informed about what’s coming up. Members also learn sooner than the general public about new technology, such as home inspection apps and tools, as well as improved home inspection processes.
The more you know the more you can help other home inspectors.
Advance Your Own Career and Advance the Industry
Home inspector associations are largely about learning and sharing information. Most associations have continuing education opportunities such as workshops or convention sessions that are unique or proprietary—you can’t find an exact duplicate anywhere else. But what about the people who drive those sessions? Where do they come from?
Inspectors like you can become teachers, researchers, mentors, and industry thought leaders. If you blog regularly and have a strong social media presence, you could be an asset to your association as a writer or instructor. People want to read magazine articles or register for a workshop if they know the person who’s talking and value their opinion.
As a thought leader, you bolster your own career while helping the home inspection industry become stronger. Home inspector associations need more knowledgeable, professional people who are willing to get involved to help others.
Home inspector associations aren’t just for show. If you pay dues and carry a membership card, you might as well get your money’s worth. Check out associations if you don’t already belong to one. Most of them have similar Standards of Practice and an ethics code. If you dig a little deeper, you’ll learn about other opportunities and ways to get involved. Chances are, you’ll find one that’s right for you.
Every professional step that you take has the potential to make your work life easier and more productive. Your home inspection reporting software can make a real difference, too. If you’re not satisfied with the software you’ve got, check out Report Form Pro. It’s easy to use, doesn’t have any unnecessary frills, and produces a professional report every time. Download home inspection app for Android or get it for your Apple product at the App Store today.