Choosing the Best Home Inspector for Your Home

Selecting the right home inspector is an important decision. Here’s some things to consider when choosing.

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Referrals Aren’t Everything

It's common for real estate agents to recommend home inspectors, but it's not necessarily to your advantage to take that advice at face value. Agents are naturally interested in inspectors who are available on short notice and can help close a deal quickly. While you may also be keen to finalize a sale, sourcing an inspector who prioritizes thoroughness over speed could be to your benefit, particularly if you're buying an older home. The agent's recommendations can be in the mix, but consider vetting a few others as well.

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Quality

This should be the first thing you consider. Request copies of other inspections the inspector has completed. These will give you an idea of how detailed their inspections are. Buying a home is often your most significant investment. A thorough home inspector could save you from investing in a money pit.

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Experience

Look for a home inspector with some years of experience under their belt. An experienced home inspector is likely to have seen many different homes. They're more likely to be familiar with any issues your home might have. As a result, they will have a good idea of what to look for when performing their inspection.

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Certifications

Contact professional organizations including ASHI, NABIE and InterNACHI for recommendations. Each of these organizations offer different certifications and requirements. Plus consider that many states require inspectors to pass a licensing exam.

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Research the Company

Select an inspection company that only does home inspections. A company that also offers repairs and renovations may be looking to boost business by adding unnecessary issues to the inspection report. You can also check the company standing with the Better Business Bureau. You can also check out reviews, resolved complaints, and ratings.

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Insured?

Finding out about insurance is one of the most important questions to ask when interviewing a home inspection. Climbing in attics and wandering through basements and crawl spaces does carry a certain amount of risk, which is why reputable home inspectors carry insurance. If the home inspector accidentally gets injured during the inspection, you don’t want to have to worry about liability.

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Call Lesa Miller at (812) 360-3863 or go online where you can read her posts on other social media accounts and websites.