How do I Choose the Right Home Inspector?
For most people, buying a home is the biggest financial decisions of their lives. It’s an investment in their future and their family’s future. If you are considering buying a home without having it professionally inspected, you could be putting your future plans in jeopardy. The last thing that a new homeowner wants to deal with is expensive repairs that could have been avoided by scheduling a thorough home inspection.
While a professional inspection isn’t required to secure a mortgage, it is in the best interests of the home buyer to have one conducted. There are basic inspections that cover only certain aspects of the home’s structure. Plus, there are more specific inspections that will take a detailed look at areas and features of the home.
Generally, the inspection would be conducted after the buyer and seller have signed a purchase agreement (pending the outcome of any inspections). This purchase agreement protects both parties involved. The seller has a valid offer pending the inspection results, and the buyer doesn’t have to worry about the property being sold to someone else, while they are waiting for the inspection.
Who can I Trust When it Comes to Finding the Right Home Inspector?
Nationwide, there are three different professional inspector associations. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE), and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). All three offer professional inspector training, education, testing, and certifications.
In many US states, there are no guidelines for certifying home inspectors, which means that licensing isn’t required to be a Home Inspector. In short, anyone can become a home inspection specialist just by claiming that title and setting up shop. In the states where licensing and certifications are required, the standards and levels of training can vary greatly between the various inspection companies.
Adding to the confusion, there are inspectors out there who aren’t providing comprehensive, thorough inspections. Finding a home inspector you can trust becomes even more of a challenge. The great news is, there are ways that you can find an inspector that you can trust.
Choosing the Right Home Inspector for You
There are plenty of reputable professionals who conduct a quality inspection in their field of expertise. It will just take a little due diligence on your part to find the one that is most qualified for your inspection. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right home inspector.
Find out what the licensing requirements are in your state. There are 18 states, as well as Washington, D.C., that don’t require home inspectors to be licensed. However, even in those states, most reputable home inspectors will still be certified through one or more of the national associations.
What does a standard home inspection consist of?
A basic inspection will cover the home’s HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems along with the roof, foundation, attic, and basement. The inspector will also be looking at the overall integrity of the windows, doors, walls, and ceilings.
What other inspections are available? In addition to a standard inspection, you can also have the home inspected for other potential problems if you have concerns. Mold, radon, septic systems, and water quality testing are only a few of the additional inspections that can be performed. Some inspection services have highly skilled, trained, and certified inspectors who are able to inspect other areas of the home. Some will specialize in certain types of inspections. If you are looking for a specialized inspection, you’ll want to find an inspector with the training, experience, and reputation required to conduct a thorough inspection.
Ask people that you know for referrals
Your family, friends, coworkers, or even your neighbors may know of an inspector that they have used in the past. Remember, you should still do some research before committing to an inspection company. But, having a few solid personal referrals is a great starting point.
It might not be something that you trust your real estate agent with. Your real estate agent might not be your best resource when looking for a referral. Inspections that reveal defects or other issues with homes can sometimes kill a sale. Some agents have inspectors who they know will pass homes on inspections even when there are issues. You really want to find an inspector who isn’t associated with anyone involved in the home selling process.
Look at online reviews and resources
There is a ton of information on the internet, be proactive and look up potential home inspectors to get more information about them and their business. You can look at their individual websites, and take a look at their reviews, and see if they are proudly posting any of their licensing information or credentials. There are also websites that post reviews about professional home inspectors. You can even check them out with the Better Business Bureau. They not only keep track of any complaints, but they also monitor how individual companies respond to their complaints.
Validate & Verify a Home Inspector.
As you are narrowing down your choices, start asking questions about any of the information that you have collected on the different home inspectors. Are they licensed? How long have they been in business? Do they have verifiable references that you can speak to? What training programs or certifications do their inspectors have? Will you be able to be with them during the inspection? How long will the inspection take to complete?
You might need more than one inspector. Depending on what type of inspection you are looking for, it’s very possible that you may need the expertise of more than one professional. For example, the inspector who is the most qualified to perform your basic inspection might not be the right person to conduct a thorough mold inspection or check for water quality. In that case, you’d want more than one inspector to get the most comprehensive results from the inspection reports.
Avoid inspectors who are also repair contractors
Unfortunately, they are out there. There are some disreputable companies that will perform inspections, exaggerate issues, and offer repair services. While some inspectors will give you advice on how to take care of any needed repairs, the individual performing your inspection should not be in the repair business as well.
Will the inspector stand behind their work? The whole idea of having an inspection done in the first place is to make sure that there aren’t any hidden issues that will turn into expensive home repairs later. As you are talking to the different inspectors, ask them if they will guarantee their inspection reports. For instance, if they inspect the roof, reporting no issues, and you later find serious problems, they should be responsible for the repairs. Any reputable inspector who knows that they are performing thorough inspections will offer you this peace of mind.
Take the time and make the effort to find the right home inspector for your individual needs. A home inspection is a minor expense on your part, because it buys you peace of mind. If a home inspection report reveals any problems with any aspect of the home, you could even use the cost of repairs as a negotiating tool to lower the asking price.
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It really helped when you said it’s important to check the qualifications of a home inspector before choosing to work with them. My sister wants to finish building her home, but she wants to make sure everything’s in order. She’s a very meticulous person, so she wants to have the best. That’s why I think having a home inspection could be a good option for her, so I’ll be sure to tell her. Thanks for the tips about how to choose the right home inspection service.
awesome blog on choosing the right home inspection
I’m glad you talked about the importance of checking a home inspector’s certifications before hiring one. Recently, my wife and I found the perfect house for us, but we want to make sure everything’s in order before we buy it. That’s why we want to hire a home inspector, and we believe your article will help us find one. Thanks for the advice on home inspectors and how to find a reliable one for us.
This was a helpful article about home inspections. I am planning to find a new home later this year. I’ll look for a home inspector who can help me out.
It really helped when you talked about home inspections and how they show future problems. Recently, my wife and I decided to buy a house, and we think we’ve found the perfect one! We’re excited to close the deal, but first, we’ll look into getting the house an inspection. Thanks for the advice on home inspections and how to choose a professional for the job.
I like that you mentioned that if your inspector is also a repair contractor. I am selling my home and need it inspected but I am probably going to do most of the repairs needed myself. I don’t want someone coming in and exaggerating the issues to make it seem like I need to hire them.
I liked how you said to ask people you know for references. My husband and I are looking to buy a house and are considering getting an inspector to look at a few for us. I’ll be sure to keep this in mind and try it out soon.
It’s a fantastic piece of content! The most successful house inspectors show that they have excellent moral character, honesty, and integrity to uphold their reputations in the business. I’m looking forward to your next blog!
Thank you for explaining that you should look at their individual websites and their reviews before hiring a home inspector. We need to hire a home inspector in the next few days to look at the house we’re buying. We’ll be sure to follow your advice so that we can find the right home inspector to help us.