Inspect residential systems within a visual, non-invasive scope and stop safely when conditions require it
HDC · 26 modules · field-based residential inspection program
HOUSE DETECTIVE: THE COMPLETE HOUSE INSPECTION COURSE
Train Your Eye. Inspect the House. Build the Business.
Build disciplined residential-inspection judgment from material recognition and visual defect patterns through field sequence, defensible reporting in any platform, and an ethical business launch. NSPCT is the teaching example—not a course requirement.
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WHO IT IS FOR
New and developing residential home inspectors who need a complete, evidence-led path into the trade and transferable reporting judgment; NSPCT is introduced in the course as one practical reporting example.
WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO01 02 03 04 05 06
Identify common materials, understand normal installation, and recognize abnormal conditions without overclaiming
Follow a chronological field workflow and preserve photographs, limitations, and report evidence in a platform-neutral format
Write observations, implications, limitations, and recommendations in client-ready language
Use NSPCT as an in-course reporting example while applying the same evidence standard in the reporting tool they choose
Build a jurisdiction-aware, ethical inspection-business launch plan without compromising independence
What this course teaches.
This is the curriculum path for this exact class.
Phase 01 · Foundation: scope, safety, building science and materials
Source-grounded instruction, visual recognition, field procedure, documented evidence, applied practice, and a mastery check.
Phase 02 · Envelope and structure: site, exterior, roof and foundations
Source-grounded instruction, visual recognition, field procedure, documented evidence, applied practice, and a mastery check.
Phase 03 · Core systems: electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and moisture
Source-grounded instruction, visual recognition, field procedure, documented evidence, applied practice, and a mastery check.
Phase 04 · Living systems: interiors, egress, garages, attics, crawlspaces and combustion
Source-grounded instruction, visual recognition, field procedure, documented evidence, applied practice, and a mastery check.
Phase 05 · Field-to-report: complete field workflow, causal reasoning, report writing, and an NSPCT example workflow
Source-grounded instruction, visual recognition, field procedure, documented evidence, applied practice, and a mastery check.
Phase 06 · Professional launch: ancillary boundaries, agreements, operations, business startup and ethical client marketing
Source-grounded instruction, visual recognition, field procedure, documented evidence, applied practice, and a mastery check.
Phase 07 · Applied mastery: scenario labs, material drills, complete mock inspection and final practical
Source-grounded instruction, visual recognition, field procedure, documented evidence, applied practice, and a mastery check.
Two complete classes each week.
2 focused modules each week, with field practice between meetings. Finish both meetings and the stated weekly evidence before the next week begins. Use the remaining access window for on-site observation, photo documentation, report practice, review quizzes, remediation, and the final mock inspection.
Module 1 · Inspector role, scope, SOP and safety
Module 2 · Building science and house-age clues
End this week with: Complete the scope-and-safety check and document the field sequence you will use on your next practice property.Module 3 · Material recognition boot camp
Module 4 · Site, grading, drainage and retaining systems
End this week with: Complete the material-recognition drill and a site-drainage photo observation.Module 5 · Exterior claddings, trim, openings and masonry
Module 6 · Roofing systems and roof materials
End this week with: Complete the envelope recap exam and write two evidence-bounded exterior findings.Module 7 · Structure, foundations and movement patterns
Module 8 · Electrical service, wiring methods and panels
End this week with: Photograph accessible structural and electrical identifiers; record limits where access or safety prevents a conclusion.Module 9 · Electrical II: receptacles, switches, lighting and protection
Module 10 · Plumbing I: supply, DWV, fuel piping and galvanic issues
End this week with: Complete the electrical recap exam and document one safe, evidence-bounded electrical or plumbing observation.Module 11 · Plumbing II: fixtures, water heaters, pumps and controls
Module 12 · Heating systems
End this week with: Complete the plumbing-and-heating photo case and write one client-ready finding using only observed evidence.Module 13 · Cooling, heat pumps and distribution
Module 14 · Insulation, ventilation, moisture and environmental boundaries
End this week with: Document cooling, moisture, insulation, and ventilation observations with a photo plan and clear limits.Module 15 · Interior finishes, flooring, counters, cabinets and built-ins
Module 16 · Windows, doors, egress, stairs, guards and life safety
End this week with: Complete the interiors recap exam and distinguish a visual safety concern from an unverified code conclusion.Module 17 · Garages, decks, porches and exterior structures
Module 18 · Attics, basements and crawlspaces
End this week with: Complete the access-space photo case and state the access, evidence, and limitation for each observation.Module 19 · Fireplaces, chimneys and combustion safety
Module 20 · Complete chronological field workflow
End this week with: Run the full field sequence and document the three client-orientation controls when present and accessible.Module 21 · Defect recognition and causal reasoning
Module 22 · Report writing and recommendation language
End this week with: Complete the field-to-report recap exam and revise a finding for clarity, implication, limitation, and recommendation.Module 23 · Photographs, software and evidence integrity
Module 24 · Environmental and hazardous-material boundaries
End this week with: Complete the evidence photo case and separate an observation from a laboratory, engineering, or specialty-service conclusion.Module 25 · Ancillary services
Module 26 · Business and professional practice
End this week with: Complete the business-launch checklist and final practical evidence packet for human review.A complete learning path.
- 26 complete inspection modules
- Material-recognition, defect-reasoning, and labeled visual drills
- Eight cumulative 15-question recap exams with photo case labs and model answers
- Chronological field workflow and reporting lab using NSPCT as the worked example
- Business startup and customer-marketing addendum
- Structured whole-property final practical and separate 50-question cumulative written exam
Published course standards—not invented points.
- Knowledge checks and applied evidence follow the supplied course standards
- Every system requires observation, limitation, recommendation, and reporting discipline
- Final review requires at least 80% on the separate written exam, a complete structured practical, scheduled report labs, and human review
Completion is more than opening every page.
- All assigned modules and applied work complete
- Mock inspection and report meet the course QA standard; NSPCT is a worked example, not required software
- Structured final practical saved and at least 80% earned on the 50-question written exam
- Certificate of Completion documents training only; it is not a government-issued license and does not replace jurisdictional requirements
Built around a visual, non-invasive residential inspection process.
House Detective maps its site, exterior, roof, structure, electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, insulation/ventilation, interior, fireplace, reporting, limitation, and ethics instruction to the current ASHI Standard of Practice as an educational reference. Students repeatedly document visible conditions, boundaries, recommendations, and systems not inspected with reasons.
Approval boundary: this is an independent FlowState program. It is not ASHI-approved for continuing-education credit unless ASHI separately reviews and approves it, and completion does not itself confer the ASHI Certified Inspector designation or replace any state, local, examination, experience, insurance, or licensing requirement.
This independent educational course does not award academic or college credit and does not constitute professional licensure, governmental certification, accreditation, a board credential, or a degree. The certificate documents only completion of the stated FlowState program requirements.
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HOUSE DETECTIVE: THE COMPLETE HOUSE INSPECTION COURSE
$999 for the complete course.
House Detective students receive a discount on NSPCT inspection-reporting software. NSPCT is sold separately.
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