| A prudent home inspector can be the difference | | | | inspectors license, visit your state's local chapter of |
| between buyer satisfaction and buyer's remorse. | | | | Department of Financial and Professional Regulations |
| Home inspectors are hired for one of three purposes: | | | | 2) Annually and on average, how many inspections |
| - Determine the state of a home before putting it on | | | | do you conduct? |
| the market | | | | Generally, full-time inspectors average 300 home |
| - Assess the value of a home for mortgage approval | | | | inspectors a year. |
| - Inspect a newly constructed home, prior to the | | | | 3) Do you have a proof of business liability insurance? |
| expiration of the 1-year warranty | | | | The vast majority of inspectors' contracts are limited |
| What are home inspections? Home inspections are a | | | | to the liability of the home inspection. Despite the |
| visual assessment of the systems and structures | | | | fact that some inspectors have insurance for |
| that comprise a home: | | | | damage incurred during the inspection, other |
| - Air conditioning | | | | inspectors are carrying an "errors and omission" policy |
| - Attic | | | | for losses resulted from the home inspection. |
| - Basement | | | | (Nevertheless, home inspections should not be |
| - Ceilings | | | | misconstrued with an insurance policy or warranty |
| - Doors | | | | against any pricey defects unfurled after a sell or |
| - Electrical systems | | | | buy). |
| - Floors | | | | 4) Are you associated with any home inspection |
| - Foundations | | | | associations? |
| - Heating and ventilation | | | | The American Society of Home Inspectors and the |
| - Plumbing | | | | National Association of Home Inspectors have |
| - Roof | | | | discerning standards in licensing. |
| - Surface insulation | | | | 5) How much time is needed to conduct the home |
| - Walls | | | | inspection? |
| - Windows | | | | A standard home inspection takes approximately two |
| Obtaining the truth necessitates a qualified inspector. | | | | and half to three and half hours. |
| A viable home inspector will identify, project and | | | | 6) What is your fee assessment? |
| detail what predicament(s) may evolve from fixing or | | | | Home inspections range in price, from $350 to $475. |
| ignoring a house malady. Even better are the ones | | | | 7) May I see a sample copy of your home inspection |
| who offer direction. Use the following consumer tips | | | | form? |
| provided by questions to qualify the expertise of a | | | | A comprehensive form is a telltale sign of how |
| prospective home inspector. | | | | thorough the home inspection will be. |
| Home Inspection Question Checklist | | | | Consumer Home inspection tip: |
| 1) How many years have you been licensed to | | | | Never hire a home inspector based on their rate. Do |
| inspect homes? | | | | not forget to print this article off to help obtain a |
| Novice home inspectors do not have the expertise | | | | comprehensive home inspection. |
| of more seasoned inspectors. To verify a home | | | | |