Choosing a Home Inspector
You already know that you want to have the home you are considering buying inspected before you sign on the dotted line. You know that you want someone who is going to do a good job so that you feel much better about going through with the purchase. But how do you choose a home inspector that is going to do a good job?
The sad truth is that just about anyone can take a home inspection course and then market themselves as a home inspector. In addition, some states do not have any sort of licensing or certification requirements for home inspectors. This means that unless you know what to look for in an inspector, you could end up with someone who is a less than desirable and who might just overlook something that could be a serious problem.
Assuming you're using a real estate agent, they should be able to help you find a good inspector they have worked with in the past or have been referred to. But you should be part of this process and there are a lot of things to consider.
Check Their Credentials
Perhaps the most important thing of all to look for when choosing a home inspector is to find out about their credentials. You definitely want someone who does home inspection as their full-time job, not someone who moonlights as a home inspector on the side to make a little bit of extra cash. Find out if they are licensed or certified in the state. You also want to make sure that they are insured by the company their work for. This is to protect you. Feel free to ask for copies of their license and insurance. If you are buying a home in a state that does not require licensing or certification, find out if the inspector has any professional affiliations that might provide some credibility.
Ask Questions
It is also a good idea to ask a lot of questions. For instance, you need to ask how long their home inspections generally take. If their reply is that they can do one in two hours, walk, don't run to the nearest exit. Ask how long you will have to wait for your report, and what will be included. A reputable home inspector should be able to provide you with a detailed report by the next day. Find out if they have done inspections on homes of similar age and style of the one you are thinking about buying.
Price Is Important
Finally, you will probably find that there is a price range when it comes to the prices home inspectors charge. Don't go with the cheapest bid. A home inspection is designed to help you make sure that the home you are buying doesn't have hidden issues that are going to cost you a small fortune to fix. By going with someone that is experienced, you know you will be getting a good inspection. So if you need to shell out a couple hundred dollars, do it knowing it is worth it to find out if the house is a lemon that you should not buy or a peach of a property that is going to be a great investment in your future.