$1.5M “Flight Simulator” for Home Inspectors
27 Nov 2019
They call it the House of Horrors, but it’s not filled with chainsaw-wielding maniacs or zombies. Instead, visitors encounter improper wiring, structural integrity issues, and plumbing code violations. The Colorado House of Horrors (HOH), operated in Gunbarrel at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) headquarters, is one of only two locations for this type of training by the organization in the U.S.
It’s a defect-filled home inspector’s nightmare spearheaded by InterNACHI founder Nick Gromicko. “The average home only has about 20 defects,” explains Gromicko. “You really don’t learn much by inspecting actual homes. So, we built the House of Horrors which has thousands of intentional defects … it’s like a flight simulator for inspectors.”
The House of Horrors is more than an eyes-on training facility for inspectors. It’s also open to the public during normal workday hours and admission is free. “Grab an iPad and take a self-guided tour,” says Gromicko. “It’s a very fun venue for the Boulder community.” Find more information at www.nachi.org/school.
– Vicki Allsopp
