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