Having a home inspected for any defects or safety issues is a common part of the home buying process. During the housing boom the high demand for this service lead to a growth of companies offering their services and assuring customers that a good inspection would be performed. However many of these companies did not have the proper training or experience to perform a proper home inspection. Since the crash of the housing market some of these businesses have closed. But many remain and stay in business by offering their services at the cheapest price in town.
Unfortunately many people have little or no idea of how to hire the right person for their home inspection and resort to using price as the deciding factor. They find out too late why the inspector was so cheap when the inspector basically does nothing more than run through the house and slaps together a flimsy report.
Choosing the right inspector for your home should not be left to the cost of the home inspection. Cheap inspectors are cheap for a reason. But paying the highest price in town does not guarantee you a good inspection experience either.
You want to work with an experienced inspector because they develop the ability to spot problems and potential problems that you should be aware of. It is important to know that the inspector will take the time required to thoroughly examine the home you are buying or they will miss important items. There are many part-time inspectors in the business and you should know if your inspector is a full-time inspector or part-time. A part-time inspector may have been in the business for many years but actually performed very few inspections.
Ask your potential inspector how many houses they have inspected. Ask if they are full-time or part-time. Ask them where they received their training and what other background they have. A good resource for getting to know your inspector is YouTube. Many inspectors post videos of issues they have identified during inspections. By watching these videos you can get to know the inspector and see for yourself their level of care, concern and experience.
Check out their reviews and what other people had to say about them. If they have good reviews they should have them posted on their website for you to see.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions when calling a home inspector. See if the inspector will take the time to answer your questions. See if they treat you with respect when answering your questions and if they take the time to explain everything so you can understand it. The home inspector you want to hire is someone who will take the time to work with you.
A home inspection can be a great experience when you are working with a good inspector. It can provide you insight into the issues the home currently has and also point out potential issues. It can also help you to understand what maintenance is needed now and in the future. It can help you to save money by identifying issues and by showing you maintenance to help avoid future costs. Make sure you find the right inspection that will make your home inspection experience a good one.