|
|
For more help, contact
Scott or Bill via email or phone. We will be happy to get the information you need, and exceed
your expectations!
How to Hire a
Home Inspector
Years
ago, home inspections were unheard of in residential real estate transactions.
Instead, buyers simply relied on their own impressions of the home and the
representations of the seller's real estate agent.
Today,
the process is dramatically different. Most real estate purchase contracts give
the buyer fairly broad rights to order one or more professional inspections of
the home before completing the purchase.
The
right to have inspections comes with the challenge of hiring diligent and
competent inspectors. Finding the right people isn't as easy as it may seem
because in most states, just about anyone with an official-looking checklist and
a flashlight can set up shop as a home inspector. The exception to this
free-for-all is that special training is required to perform inspection or
remediation work for such potentially hazardous materials as asbestos and
lead-based paint.
A
good real estate agent should be willing and able to recommend several
well-qualified home inspectors. The tricky part is selecting the best candidates
among the group. Here are six of the many factors to consider:
Qualifications.
Ask
open-ended questions about the inspector's training and experience as it relates
to home inspections. The inspector should have some training in construction and
building maintenance standards and a track-record of experience in the home
inspection business. Depending on the location and age of the home, you may need
to hire an inspector who's qualified to deal with asbestos, lead-based paint or
other potentially hazardous substances. You may also need to hire a geologist or
structural engineer.
Scope.
Ask
the inspector which components of the property are "and are not"
included in his or her inspection. Will the inspector check out the roof? How
about the swimming pool? The built-in appliances?
Sample
Report.
Ask
the inspector to provide a sample of his or her checklist or inspection report.
Does the report include a narrative description or just check-off boxes? Is the
information presented and explained clearly and completely? Does the report
highlight any problems that could present a safety hazard?
References.
Ask
the inspector for the names and telephone numbers of several homeowners who have
used his or her services. Call those people and ask them whether they were
satisfied with the report and other services they received. Be sure to talk to
some people who have owned their home for a few months or longer. Some problems
overlooked by an inspection can take a while to surface.
Memberships.
Many
good inspectors don't belong to a national or state association of home
inspectors. However, all else being equal, an association membership is often a
plus. These groups provide their members with training and certification
programs and up-to-date information about industry practices and inspection
standards.
Errors
& Omissions.
Even
top-notch inspectors are only human and can make errors or overlook problems
they probably should have noticed. Ask about the company's policy in such
situations. Does the company have insurance for errors and omissions? Does the
company or individual inspector stand behind the report? Many companies ask
customers to sign a waiver limiting the company's liability to the cost of the
inspection
