The Value of EPA Lead Certifications for Home Inspectors

Posted On Tuesday, 17 August 2021 20:10

As a home inspector, you know that you are not required to hold an EPA Lead Certification, no matter what state you work in. In fact, there are still 13 states that don’t regulate home inspectors. So, if it’s not required and if you work in a state that doesn’t require you to be licensed, why would you want to become certified? Actually, there are quite a few reasons why you might want to do just that.

One More Notch in Your Belt

It never hurts to go above and beyond the basic requirements of what it takes to do your job. This is especially important if you are the owner of a home inspection firm. Any realtor can tell you that home inspectors are in great demand, especially when valuing a home. If a realtor is working a contract on a commercial or multi-family building that was constructed before 1978, any paint used was probably lead-based paint. There are several reasons why an LBP (Lead-based Paint) inspection would be required, but typically it is part of due diligence. As a home inspector with an Environmental Protection Agency Lead Certification, you could add that to your list of services thereby increasing your bottom line. Zota Pro offers EPA lead certification courses, which will give you that extra area of expertise. 

Risk Assessment

For more than four decades, the dangers of lead-based paint have been well documented. However, paint is not the only area of concern. Structural use of lead pipes was also common in older structures and can cause as much harm to people and the environment as lead-based paint. Many home and small commercial building owners wouldn’t have a clue where to find a lead risk assessor. If the property owner is looking to have any renovations or structural work done, they’d probably want to hire an EPA lead certified risk assessor. Here, it pays for home inspectors to network with builders and contractors who can sub-contract this kind of job to you. No, it’s not part of what a home inspector does, but it can be a lucrative addition to the services you now offer.

Older Properties Are in High Demand

Within just the past year, the price of real estate has gone through the roof. It is a strong seller’s market and the asking price on prime new construction is often more than a buyer can afford. As a result, older homes and buildings are in high demand, but there’s always going to be that question of risk in terms of lead paint, pipes, or fixtures. Since the market is ripe for the sale of older properties, this could also be a profitable venture.

Although it’s not part of the requirements for being a home inspector, it is a handy certification to hold. Whether you live and work in a rural area with a shortage of inspectors and risk assessors or are just seeking to add that proverbial notch in your professional belt, it would not hurt to get that certification. It just might open doors you never knew existed.

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