10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector
Like anything else you need to do your homework before you hire someone to do work for you inside or outside your home.
Choose the Right Professional
Be it a plumber, landscaper, and even a home inspector, making sure you hire the correct one is essential especially when you are about to buy a home.
Best Tips
So, if you’re looking to close on a house but need an inspection here are the 10 tips for choosing a home inspector to make sure you get what you need, deserve, and can boast about to others when all is said and done.
1. Ask your Realtor for suggestions.
Since your Realtor is in the business of homes he/she should know the best of the best when it comes to choosing a professional home inspector.
For instance, if your agent has been in the housing business for a while, it’s a given they have called on a home inspector.
Your agent should be able to provide you with a few names of those who were good and did their job professionally.
An excellent home inspector will not only be thorough but will explain in-depth any bad issues they have uncovered. Many of the most common home inspection problems can typically be corrected fast. This is one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector you should follow.
2. Choose someone the is bonded and insured. Whether you opt for a big company or a single inspector working independently you want to make sure this person is bonded and insured. Finding out about insurance is one of the most important questions to ask when looking for a qualified home inspection.
And one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector you should follow.
Depending on the area, a home inspector might be able to do business without insurance.
However, be aware if they are uninsured a home inspector could hold you or the homeowner liable if they are injured during the inspection. This is another of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector you should know.
3. Does the inspection company only perform inspections?
Hiring an inspector that only performs inspections is an important tip for finding the right home inspector. Some home inspection companies sell additional services like roofing, plumbing, kitchen, and bathroom renovations – this could be a conflict of interest. Since they sell repair and renovation services they might “see” problems where there aren’t any. Keep this in mind as you explore one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector.
Choose a home inspection company that only does inspections. If you are interested in the cost of repairs or renovations, hire a contractor after the inspection is completed. Remember this as one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector.
More Tips
4. Ask what the inspection includes and how long it will last. This is also one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector you should follow.
The most thorough home inspection will be one where the inspector combs through every detail in the home from top to bottom including: * The plumbing system. * The electrical system. * The structural condition. * The heating and air conditioning systems. * The basement and foundation. * The roof and attic. * Evidence of water penetration or grading issues. * Pests such as bugs and wildlife. * Environmental issues such as mold, radon, asbestos, and lead paint. * Appliances and other general components of the home. This is truly one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector to know.
Knowing what an inspector will check lets you shop around and compare services. Some inspectors only focus on the structure; know exactly what you are getting before the inspection.
A home inspection should take two to three hours to complete, however, if the home is big, a fixer-upper, or an older home, the inspection can take longer.
5. Seek references.
Ask for references from a few different clients from the service you may hire, or ask friends, family, and other homeowners about his or her experience with this inspection company. This is one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector to keep in mind.
While references are a good thing, remember the inspection company probably will supply you with those from their most satisfied customers. A good idea why you should ask for multiple references from others.
6. Go with the inspector through the home. You are not required to accompany the inspection, but you should. The home inspector can explain all that they are looking for and offer insight into all areas of the home.
If you do choose to buy the home, your trip with the home inspector offers a way to witness where everything is in your new home and take note of any areas that could pose problems in the future.
A home inspector’s main purpose is to find structural and mechanical defects, but a home inspector can be a good person to offer how a home should work correctly. Another of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector you should follow.
Also, have your Realtor go along, as this person’s job is to act as a consultant. When it comes time for negotiating with the seller you should know what the reasonable home inspection repair requests are and what is not. A good agent should know and be with you through the process of buying a home. Be sure to keep this in mind as you learn more about the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector.
7. Ask for a sample inspection report. Home inspections vary, and you may need help reading the final report. An inspection company should be able to send you a sample report to see if you understand this company’s format. This is an important point in the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector.
8. Compare costs.
Shop around and do your homework when hiring a home inspector. Make comparisons and don’t settle for the first company you talk to. Ask for detailed descriptions of what each company does during an inspection; this is one of the10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector.
A more thorough inspection may be worth the extra fee in the long run. There is nothing wrong with staying within budget but do hire someone that is reliable and that you have confidence in. A general home inspection might cost between $600 to $800 depending on the area. Expect to add more to the cost for additional inspections of radon, mold, lead, and water. This is one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector you should be aware of.
9. Ask for an inspector with specific experience. If you are hoping to purchase a historic home or specialty home, seek out an inspector with some experience in these sectors as an average inspector might miss certain elements associated with these types of homes. Newly constructed homes may also be built using materials and techniques new to the market, again look for an inspector familiar with new construction for such homes as one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector.
10. Opt for an ASHI-certified or InterNACHI inspector. ASHI stands for American Society of Home inspectors. An ASHI-certified inspector is required to follow a strict code of ethics. An ASHI inspector has passed tough technical examinations and has performed more than 250 professional inspections. Bear this in mind and as is one of the 10 Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector when hunting for an inspector to hire.
Choose Right.
In the end, choosing the right home inspector can save you a lot of time, money, and stress. Be sure you do your homework
Be Forthright
As mentioned do ask friends, family, colleagues, and your Realtor for assistance when trying to find the best home inspector for you.
Come Through with Flying Colors
Remember buying a home is a stressful thing but with the correct people around you and the right professional, you should be able to get through it with flying colors.