How to Find a Reliable Home Inspector
Finding a good home inspector needs research. Your real estate agent should be able to provide you with a few qualified prospects. Of course, you may also get some leads from your friends or your relatives. After creating your list, begin narrowing it down, considering the following:
Qualifications
When evaluating a prospect's qualifications, ask open-ended questions about their training and experience related to home inspections. They must have acquired training in construction and building maintenance standards, along with an impressive track record of experience as a Home inspector. Depending on the home's age and location, you may have to hire an inspector who is an expert on asbestos, lead and other potentially harmful substances. A geologist or structural engineer may also be needed in particular areas. You need to know from the inspector which specific areas of the house will be covered in the inspection.
Samples of Previous Reports
You'd also like to ask your prospective inspector to provide you samples of reports he's done in the past so you can evaluate them. Is the information clear and complete? Any notes or explanations, or just checkboxes everywhere? Pure checklists are not reports. Additionally, see if the report highlights safety issues.
References
References can surely help you find a good inspector. Ask to be given a list of a few names and contact information of the prospect's previous clients. Then call these people and ask how satisfied they were with the report and the overall service they got. Relevant references about this are available at http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-become-a-building-inspector/. You should be talking to a homeowner who has actually been residing in the property for a while. Problems overlooked during an inspection may take some time to show up. Certainly, an online search would be good, especially reviews. Reviews are vital because they can tell you how an inspector will be like when he finally takes your case.
Industry Affiliations
There are inspectors who do not take membership to any industry associations, state or national, and even if they are, such membership should not be your sole focus when gauging an inspector's suitability. But still, membership is a great plus, all things being equal. Members of these groups are obliged to take ongoing training and certification programs that keep them abreast of the latest inspection standards and industry practices.
Insurance
Even the world's best inspectors are prone to errors, usually when they overlook issues that are actually bigger than they look. Finally, do check with your prospect whether or not he or his company has errors and omissions insurance. Also inquire about any kind of guarantee and the period it covers. Many companies have clients singing a waiver which restricts their liability to the cost of Home inspection.
