An entire house with a thousand defects built under our roof. Open and free to everyone.
The House of Horrors® is an entire house with a thousand defects built inside InterNACHI® Headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, and is part of the InterNACHI School. Students can perform home inspections in the House of Horrors® to advance their inspection knowledge and skills.
You're welcome to visit us at the InterNACHI School and practice performing home inspections by finding all of the defects purposely installed in the House of Horrors®, which has more defects than most home inspectors will see in their entire career.
The House of Horrors® is open to everyone.
If you're interested in a formal training class or hands-on training session with a Certified Master Inspector®, we have that available for you. We call it a Home Inspection Training Day.
Self-Guided Tours Through the House of Horrors®
Descriptions of all of the defects are being developed on our iPads and master defect guide book. Grab one and learn at your own pace as you go through the House of Horrors®. Here's an example of the defects that you can look for at the deck.
Roof Defect Training at the House of Horrors®
The House of Horrors® is built to intentionally include:
- improperly-wired receptacles;
- plumbing code violations;
- an electrical service full of issues;
- 16 different exterior sidings and stucco finishes;
- 31 different roofing systems;
- cutaway drywall to expose framing members;
- environmental hazards;
- various types of insulation systems;
- improper gutter and downspout systems;
- heating systems with defects;
- three different water heating systems;
- green building features;
- almost 200 different safety concerns;
- an infrared camera training wall and roofing system with manipulated water leaks and electrical issues;
- a sprinkler that simulates rain on the roof;
- safety glass;
- drainage issues;
- roof penetrations;
- notches and holes in joists;
- a full masonry chimney;
- damaged and clogged sewer lines for sewer scope training;
- common code violations;
- a full-size septic system with tanks;
- vents;
- crawlspaces that students can actually enter;
- egress violations;
- clothes dryer problems;
- TPR discharge valves;
- energy loss issues;
- an exterior "deck of horrors" with dozens of issues;
- a set of stairs to access the roof and chimney;
- firewall issues;
- appliances;
- elderly, child, and pet safety issues;
- an improperly installed radon mitigation system;
- a full kitchen with defects;
- a full bathroom with defects; and
- a glass floor that allows students to see the structure from above and below.
FREE DAY PASS
Use the free day pass for a quick tour around the House of Horrors®. If you're interested in spending the day here in a more formal training session with an instructor, we can provide that for you at one of our upcoming classes or events, or you may contact us to schedule an appointment.
Ultimate Ride-Along
If you're interested in a formal training class or a hands-on training session with a Certified Master Inspector®, we have that available for you. We call it a Home Inspection Training Day or Ultimate Ride-Along.
During a typical ride-along:
- you might inspect a home that has very few defects.
- you only get to try out the equipment and tools the inspector owns.
- you might be with an inspector who isn't a good instructor and can't explain everything.
- neither of you might find any defects.
- the inspector might have from a conflict of interest in that he/she likely doesn't want to train a future competitor.
- the inspector likely won't permit you to take all the time you need.
- the inspector likely won't permit you to generate your own inspection report.
- the inspector may not take the time to review your inspection report.
- you'll likely have to pay the inspector.
For Schools & Instructors
Would you like to host a class or event using our facility?
Email michelle@internachi.org
