| Choosing the right home inspector can be a daunting | | | | you to review, or he or she can email you a copy. |
| task, especially if you have never hired one before. | | | | Should I Choose an Inspector Referred by a Realtor? |
| When you are finished with this article you should | | | | - That really depends on how much trust you place in |
| know what questions to ask when interviewing | | | | your agent. Some agents want you to use an |
| prospective inspectors. | | | | inspector who does a quick inspection and writes |
| Since all licensed inspectors are required to adhere to | | | | basically nothing in the reports so the transaction |
| the same standards, many people believe all home | | | | goes through fast and easy. More professional agents |
| inspectors are equal. Nothing could be further from | | | | want you to have the best inspection possible, after |
| the truth. If two inspectors were to inspect the | | | | all it's their reputation on the line when they make |
| same house, the inspection reports and findings could | | | | referrals. If you are unsure if you should let the |
| be quite different. Simply stated, some inspectors try | | | | agent choose the home inspector for you or not, |
| harder, are more experienced, and are more | | | | then seek out your own. |
| thorough than others. For example, some inspectors | | | | Don't Choose the Cheapest Inspector - Please |
| examine the roof by walking on it, climb up into the | | | | believe me when I make that statement. I get calls |
| attic and into crawl spaces under the house while | | | | from potential clients daily. Many times price is the |
| others don't. Which is why you should attend your | | | | first question they ask about. I don't think it's |
| inspection, to make sure the inspector is doing their | | | | because people are cheap, I think it's because they |
| job. Here are some other factors you should consider | | | | don't know what else to ask. While I understand that |
| when choosing the right home inspector: | | | | no one wants to pay more than they have to, you |
| Home Inspectors Licensing- Verify the inspector is | | | | do get what you pay for. The cheapest inspectors |
| properly licensed. Most states require home | | | | are usually new, inexperienced, or ones performing |
| inspectors to be licensed, check with your state's real | | | | inspections as a sideline. I know of one customer |
| estate board to find out. | | | | who was determined to hire the cheapest inspector |
| Home Inspector Experience- It may surprise you to | | | | she could find. After the sale she discovered her |
| learn that anyone can become a licensed home | | | | insurance company would not insure her roof |
| inspector, and in very little time. While experience in | | | | because the shingles were installed over old wooden |
| the construction industry is very helpful, it is not | | | | shingles, which were clearly visible from the attic. She |
| required. This may change in the future, but as of | | | | wound up paying for a whole new roof (about |
| now, a person just has to attend the required hours | | | | $6,000), all because she tried to save a mere $25.00 |
| at an approved home inspection school and pass the | | | | in inspection fees. The average cost of a home |
| state home inspection test and they are considered | | | | inspection in the USA is $380.00 (USA Today... Friday, |
| a professional home inspector, although they have | | | | January 13,2006) |
| never inspected a single home in their life. The | | | | Here is a list of questions I've put together for you |
| inspector you hire may be performing their first | | | | which you can use when interviewing potential home |
| inspection ever. | | | | inspectors: |
| Professional Affiliations- Most home inspectors join a | | | | 1. How long have you had your license and been |
| professional organization to take advantage of the | | | | inspecting homes? |
| benefits and sharpen their skills since these | | | | 2. Do you carry Errors and Omissions (E & O) |
| organizations also require continuing education hours | | | | insurance? |
| for membership. Inspectors can also learn from each | | | | 3. On average, how long does it take you to perform |
| other at meetings and conventions. Texas Law | | | | a typical home inspection? Through inspectors will |
| requires home inspectors to complete 16 hours of | | | | take about three hours on a typical home. |
| approved continued education per year. The most | | | | 4. How long does it take for me to get my |
| prominent of these associations are ASHI, NAHI, | | | | inspection report back from you in electronic format? |
| NACHI and TAREI. | | | | 5. Are you a member of a professional association? |
| Insurance- Texas recently adopted a new law | | | | 6. Do you perform re-inspections on repaired items? |
| requiring home inspectors to carry a minimum of | | | | If so, for how much? |
| $100,000 of professional liability insurance. This is | | | | 7. Do you mind if I follow along while you inspect? |
| required at license renewal, so at this time, some | | | | Your inspector works for you and should allow you |
| Texas home inspectors may not carry it yet. | | | | to learn as much about the house as possible. |
| Ask to see a sample of the inspector's report - This | | | | 8. What is your inspection fee? If the inspection fee |
| should give you an idea of how thorough the | | | | seems too low, you may not get a thorough |
| inspections are and if the inspector includes pictures | | | | inspection. |
| of defects. Most inspectors use computer generated | | | | 9. Do you have any references I can speak to? |
| reports and some post them on their website for | | | | |