Choosing a home inspector from a well-known Home Inspection Company is an essential part of the home buying process. This decision has a significant impact on your satisfaction with your future home. The home inspector is one person who is responsible for telling you all you need to know about the home you are interested in buying. His/her knowledge to spot potential issues & concerns is indispensable for making an informed purchase, one you will be happy with as time passes. Knowing how to select a home inspector becomes paramount, particularly for first-time buyers.
You only need to do a quick search for home inspectors or home inspection companies in your area to find numerous options. Still, as with so many options, inspectors from Home Pro Inspection are better than others. The tips below will assist you in finding a home inspector that you can be comfortable & happy with. Someone you can trust to provide you with all the appropriate facts about the house you want to buy.
Use these seven tips for picking the best home inspector for a pleasant home inspection experience!
#1 Look for a company that is bonded & insured.
It does not matter if you go with a big agency or a single home inspection inspector working on their own; you must make sure he/she is bonded & insured. Finding out about insurance is one of the most important things to ask when interviewing for a home inspection.
Depending on your region, a home inspector may be able to handle business without insurance. The problem with a home inspector who isn’t registered is that they may sue you or the homeowner liable if, unfortunately, they get injured during the inspection.
Climbing in attics & wandering through basements & crawl spaces does carry a certain amount of risk, which is why reputable home inspectors have insurance. If the basement stairs are rotten & the home inspector falls & breaks his/her leg, you probably would not want to worry about being sued. If the inspector is not bonded or insured, you should cross them off your list immediately.
#2 Verify if the home inspection agency only performs inspections – not home repairs & renovations.
Hiring someone that only performs inspections is again an essential tip for finding the right home inspector! Home inspection agencies that offer other services like plumbing, roofing, bathroom & kitchen renovations generally have conflicts of interest. The fact that they sell repair & renovation services means they are more likely to see problems where there aren’t any.
You need an opinion on the home’s state, not a soft sell on repair or renovation services. Of course, the agency may perform an outstanding job of dividing its inspection & repair services. Unfortunately, there is no possible way for you to learn if you will be encouraged to make needless repairs until you hire & finance for the inspection.
Very wisely, pick a home inspection company that is focused solely on home inspections. If you are interested in the cost of repairs or renovations, bring in a contractor after the examination is over.
#3 Find out what the inspection includes & how long it takes.
The most trustworthy home inspection will be an absolute one, where the home inspector goes over every minute detail of the house. You want an assessment that looks at every component of the house, including:
- The structural condition.
- The basement & foundation.
- The roof & attic.
- The electrical system.
- The plumbing system.
- Evidence of water penetration or grading issues.
- Pests such as bugs & wildlife.
- The heating & air conditioning systems.
- Appliances & other general components of the home.
- Environmental problems such as mold, radon, asbestos & lead paint.
Knowing what an inspector will look at also allows you to shop around & compare services. Some inspectors may only focus on the structure itself & nothing more. Try to know what exactly you are going to get.
Most of the home inspections take 2 to 3 hrs to close. But if you are purchasing a larger home, a fixer-upper, or an older home, the inspection will more than likely take even longer. Don’t hire someone who tells you they will complete the assessment within an hour or two. It is unlikely the inspector will be able to do a thorough job in that limited period.
#4 Try to gain references.
It’s always beneficial to ask for recommendations when hiring any kind of service & home inspectors are no exception. Ideally, you should collect some new references from at least a few different clients. You can ask each client about their encounter with the home inspection company. Did the inspector seem knowledgeable? Did the inspector turn up on time? Was the report comprehensive & relatively easy to understand?
While references are great, always keep in mind that the home inspection company apparently gave you contact information for the happiest & satisfied customers. That’s why it is advantageous to get multiple references. The more people you talk to, the clearer a picture you will have about its work. Just like picking a real estate agent is essential, so is your inspector.
#5 A sample inspection report is a must.
Home inspection reports can come in many different formats, from walls of text to colorful reports with photographs. You will indeed have a more relaxing time studying the report if it is designed to be accessible. Any inspection agency you are thinking of hiring should send you a specimen report to let you decide if the format is good for you or not?
I would suggest choosing a home inspector who gives color photography of the concerns they find. When we talk about home inspections, a photo is really worth having.
When describing problems to the seller, having pictures of the issues makes things straightforward. Sometimes it is difficult for laymen to spot problems without seeing precisely what the inspector is referring to.
#6 Compare the cost of hiring different companies.
Nobody wants to pay more or extra for a home inspection, so it pretty much makes sense to window-shop & compare different agencies. However, you need to make sure you are making apples to apple comparison. When looking at different companies, get a relatively detailed description of what each company performs during an inspection.
A more careful investigation is worth paying more for. So if a firm with better references or one with significant experience in a specific area you need is the pricier option, go with them. There is nothing wrong with saving money, but make sure you are hiring someone you can rely on to do a good job.
On average, you can expect a general home inspection to cost anywhere from $350 to $10000, depending on the area in which you live. Expect to add more to the cost for testing things such as radon, mold, lead & water.
#7 See if you can find a home inspector with experience in the kind of home you are looking at.
If you’re looking to buy a historic home or any kind of specialty home, try to find a home inspector with experience in the type of home you are thinking of buying. The construction of older homes can vary by region & style, so there may be some common issues that the average inspector may miss.
Newly constructed homes may also be built using materials & techniques new to the market to help an inspector get familiar with new construction for such homes.
So these were seven very crucial points that you must remember while choosing a home inspection inspector. As far as home inspection is concerned, Home Pro Inspections is one of the leading Home Inspection companies in Austin, Texas & surrounding areas of Buda, Texas. Over the years, they have provided home buyers & owners with fruitful information to make better decisions. Good luck for your next home inspection.