Questions to Ask When Hiring a Home Inspector

For home buyers, choosing the right property condition inspection service. can be just as important as choosing the right home. Home buyers and sellers rely on property inspection reports to give an accurate picture of the condition of a home, paving the way for a faster, smoother closing.

Since you’re counting on the information the inspection provides to alert you to many current or potential problem areas in a home, you need a knowledgeable, experienced and trustworthy inspector. However, not all home inspectors are created equal. Differences in reporting standards and even the education and training of the home inspector can impact your inspection process. Credentials and quality in the home inspection industry can vary dramatically from company to company and region to region.

It is recommended that homeowners interview multiple property inspection companies before making the decision to hire a particular inspector. Develop a checklist of important criteria including service guarantees, inspection report detail, insurance coverage, and overall professionalism. To help in selecting a quality home inspection organization, here are some questions to keep in mind during the interview process:

What sort of licensing or certification does the inspector carry? Look for a home inspector who is not only licensed, but who also participates in ongoing training and certifications. This way, you can be certain that your inspector has the most up-to-date knowledge on changes in the industry and as well as the problems found in residential construction.

-Is the inspector or inspection service affiliated with a national organization which offers education and certification programs for home inspectors, such as the NIBI® (The National Institute of Building Inspectors), or an equivalent professional training organization? This type of professional training assures you that your inspector is trained in the necessary areas of residential construction and understands the home inspection process.

-A trained property inspector will be able to accurately identify the less obvious defects or problems with a home that other home buyers or even other inspectors might miss.

-What is the home inspector’s reputation? Always request references from other homeowners who have used the home inspector’s services. Contact the references to learn more about the inspector’s thoroughness and client satisfaction, and ask if the company consistently survey’s their client to assess service satisfaction.

- Does the inspector carry Errors and Omissions Insurance? It is through quality service and a proven track record that the costs for this insurance are kept at a minimum. Other coverage to look for includes General Liability insurance and Worker’s Compensation. Never use a property condition inspection service that is not insured.


-Does the inspector offer a written guarantee or post-inspection assistance? Inspection firms may offer a written guarantee on the report findings. For instance, some guarantees provide reimbursement to home buyers for unexpected repair expenses for specified elements of the home found to be in satisfactory condition during the inspection process. In addition to requesting a sample inspection report, ask for a copy of the terms and conditions of any written guarantees or service agreements so you fully understand the scope of the property inspection service.

-Remember that buying a home is a major step in your life and requires a lot of thought, planning and persistence. If this list of questions to ask your home inspector seems long, it is, but all of the questions are necessary ones. The answers to these questions will help you select a reputable property condition inspection service,and will ultimately help ensure that you’re purchasing the best possible home for your money.

About R.L. Fielding

R.L. Fielding has been a freelance writer for 10 years, offering her expertise and skills to a variety of major organizations in the education, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing industries. She lives in New Jersey with her dog and two cats and enjoys rock climbing and ornamental gardening.

Article Source: http://www.real-estate-article-directory.com

About HouseMaster

HouseMaster is the oldest and most respected home inspection franchise system in North America. Founded in the late-1970s, HouseMaster has grown to over 350 local offices whose inspectors have collectively performed nearly 2-million home inspections. For more information, visit www.housemaster.com.

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