Avoid These Mistakes When Hiring a Home Inspector

Before you go ahead and purchase a house, one of the most important steps that will help you, in the long run, is getting the house inspected. The purpose of a home inspection is to help you assess the home before you buy it and to avoid any costly and unwanted surprises. Everything from the flooring to ceiling, as well as the wiring, plumbing, air supply, etc., need to be checked for efficient functioning.

Unless you have some amount of training and experience, we don't recommend that you perform a home inspection yourself. By hiring a professional, a qualified and experienced person will look at each area and system of the home, which could be missed by the homebuyer or real estate agent. With the report they will provide, you will be armed with the confidence to purchase the house or renegotiate by considering the cost of repairs.

However, while hiring an inspector, a couple of aspects must be taken into consideration. Failing to do so, would lead to an improper inspection and incorrect assessment of the house you are planning on purchasing. To help you avoid some basic errors, here’s a list of the most common mistakes people make when hiring a home inspector.

1. Hiring a home inspector based on price. If you take the lowest price on a home inspection and it is significantly lower than the average price, then expect a below average home inspection. Home inspectors should be certified through a professional home inspector association, have Errors and Omissions Insurance, be registered with the local real estate board, have all the required tools, ladders, inspection cameras and use professional reporting software. Being a professional home inspector takes a significant amount of money, so keep this in mind and don't make the mistake of getting a cheap home inspection.

2. Not asking the inspector what their previous job experience was prior to becoming a home inspector. It is imperative to find out or ask the home inspector what their previous experience was before becoming a home inspector. They should have experience with home construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, building science, etc. Home inspectors in professional associations will need to take a home inspection course, however, past home construction experience will significantly increase your chance of hiring a knowledgeable inspector that will be able to find items in the home that need attention and explain why in detail.

3. Hiring a home inspector that does not use a home inspection software. The home inspection industry has evolved, and most home inspectors use a home inspection software. Your home inspector needs to use a software program that incorporates photographs into their report. This is an excellent way to document all items requiring attention throughout the home. It ensures the report will be readable as it will be typed on a computer, it also proves that the home inspector did indeed give you the quality of service you paid for. Hire a home inspector that uses a home inspection software and ask for a sample report!

To hire the right home inspector for your needs, reach out to New Age Inspections. We assist in making a confident decision about your property for both buyers as well as sellers. To learn more about the services that we provide,please click here. If you’ve any questions about home inspections, get in touch with us by clicking here.