1. What is the inspector’s experience?
Were they cleaning carpets or fitting you for shoes last
week? Experience is very important in
all trades, and especially when it comes to home inspectors.
2. How long have they been performing home inspections in
state?
Issues in states can be unique. A home
inspector with experience from down south may know boilers and ice damming, but
may not know about synthetic stucco (EIFS), heat pumps or mold.
3. How many inspections have they performed?
The more inspection experience someone has, the greater
probability you have of finding a professional.
4. How long does the inspection take?
Someone who has done 4,000 inspections, but has only been in
business for four years, means they are doing four inspections per day. In
other words, you are getting a one-hour inspection. Their inspection software is setup to just
fill in the blanks. Aggressive puts no
time limits on an inspection.
5. What kind of tools do they have?
A good inspector will have the state required tools that
help form an educated and reliable opinion, not just a guess. It also shows commitment to the profession.
6. Do they use infrared?
Many entry level cameras have come on the market, making it
easier for an inspector to purchase one. Someone using a camera and doesn’t understand
building science can provide false and misleading information. Infrared can only tell the differences in
temperature. The tool is sometimes used
just to verify the readings of a moisture meter.
7. What type of report format do they use?
If you are from out of the area and the inspector uses
multi-part carbonless forms that can’t be emailed, there may be an issue. There are multiple report programs that anyone
can click and check. How custom is your
report going to be? Will you receive a
copy for future reference?
8. When will you receive the report?
If your closing is quick, you may not be able to wait a day,
or two, or three, or even much longer.
But beware, a rushed report with unverified information can be a
disaster. Aggressive guaranties the
report in 24 hours and has never been missed in 15 years.
9. Do they have a written service agreement outlining their
scope of work?
Never enter into an agreement to have something as expensive
as a house inspected without having a written contract (pre-inspection
agreement) specifying what the inspector is responsible for.
10. Do they perform repair work on houses they inspect?
This would be an obvious conflict of interest. Other conflicts include paying or accepting
commissions for inspection work, collusion with third parties, oil tank,
septic, pools, etc.
11. Are they familiar with historically defective building
products and building practices?
Do they know about EIFS, aluminum wiring, lead based paint,
Chinese drywall, etc.? Often, inspectors dependent upon check lists fail to
include or mention these.
12. Are they familiar with building science?
In Jersey, a good working knowledge of building science is
critical. Problems can often be detected before they become worse if the
inspector understands building science.
13. Does their price reflect the complexity of the
inspection?
You will no doubt discover a wide difference in price
between home inspection companies. Why is this? Two reasons: complexity of the
inspection and qualifications of the inspector. Old, large houses with
crawlspaces and problems cost more than small new homes on slab foundations.
Also, when talking quality, you get what you pay for.
A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of
the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home
inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and
certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the
client a written report of findings. The
client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their
pending real estate purchase. The home
inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but
does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems
or components. Wikipedia
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