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The home inspection
industry is plagued by incompetent inspectors. Most states
do not require licensing. Anyone can call themselves a home
inspector. Therefore, it is important to screen and qualify
an inspector before hiring him. It is well worth the
effort to find a seasoned professional. The following
questions can assist you.
- Is the inspector experienced?
- Is the inspector knowledgeable?
- Who referred you to the
inspector?
- Is the inspector covered by
errors and omissions insurance and general liability
insurance?
- How long does the inspection
take?
- What type of report do you get
and how soon do you get it?
- Is the inspector Certified or
affiliated with any organizations?
Is the inspector experienced?
A full-time inspector who
performs 250 or more inspections per year and has many years
experience is most desirable.
Is the inspector knowledgeable?
An inspector must have
full working knowledge of every system in a home. Most
inspectors had formal training in just one trade. To become
inspectors they had to cross-train in all the other relevant
trades. The more knowledgeable inspectors started with a
degree in a field such as engineering or architecture that
provides a broad background in general construction or they
were trained to operate as a general contractor. These are
good bases to build from. One does not acquire this kind of
knowledge by taking a few courses or reading a book. A good
rule of thumb is to look for fifteen years of combined
formal training and on-the-job experience in related fields.
Who referred you to
the inspector?
The best referral is from
someone you personally know and trust who was satisfied with
the inspector's performance. Although many real-estate
professionals refer quality home inspectors there is a
possible conflict of interest with this type of
referral. If you were not reliably referred to the
inspector then ask for references from past clients,
preferably from several years past.
Is the inspector covered by errors and omissions
insurance and general liability insurance?
It is to your advantage
that your inspector has this coverage. Do not be afraid to
ask for a copy of the policies.
How long does the
inspection take?
Ask how long the
inspection will take and how many other inspections will be
performed on the same day as yours. If the inspection takes
less than 2 hours find another inspector. Performing a
thorough inspection is very tiring, so arrange to be the
first or second one of the day.
How much does the inspection cost?
This is one area where
you do not want to nickel and dime. A well-established,
full-time professional inspector is going to be at the high
end of the spectrum. Several hundred dollars is a small
price to pay to get the best protection you can for perhaps
the biggest purchase of your life.
What type of report do
you get and when do you get it?
You may want to ask this
question since there are several answers. An inspection
should include a signed report that describes what was
inspected and the condition of each inspected item. Some
inspectors use a checklist type of form with stock
responses. Other inspectors simply provide a written
description of the conditions found. A modern alternative
to these are computer-generated reports. The best of these
are generated by advanced home inspection software systems
and include comments specific to each home.
An important question to
ask is, "When do I get the report?" The checklist type and
the handwritten type are usually delivered to you on-site.
Computer-generated reports are also available on-site from a
few inspectors who bring a portable computer to the job.
Otherwise, the inspector e-mails the report . You may want
to know up front how long you can expect to wait for it.
Is the inspector certified or
affiliated with any organizations?
There are many local,
state, and national organizations that an inspector can join
as well as many franchises that an inspector can purchase.
However, membership in any organization does not guarantee a
quality inspector. In the end, the individual inspector's
experience and knowledge will determine the quality of the
inspection. |
