Selecting Your Home Inspector is Very Important

Selecting your home inspector is one of the most critical decisions you may make during your home purchase. Many pieces of the home buying process can be changed once you settle – electric provider, homeowners’ insurance, etc. You only get one opportunity to do the home inspection.

Start your home inspector shopping early

If you wait till you sign an agreement of sale your inspection contingency clock is already running. If you’ve already developed a relationship with your inspector and it’s the busy season, they are more likely move you up on their schedule, if needed.

Understand What You Are getting

Ask for copies of sample reports, inspection agreements, scopes of practice, etc. Review all these documents carefully and ask questions.

Insurance

Insurance should include both G/L and Errors and Omissions. Verify the amount of coverage, state minimums. Ask if they have any outstanding claims or unsettled disputes.

Online Reference

Check online for reviews and feedback. If there is negative feedback don’t bypass the inspector but rather ask the inspector for an explanation. How they respond will tell you a lot about how they deal with customers. Inspectors often get blamed for “a bad inspection” when the house was the issue, which is outside their control. It’s their job to point out issues.

If your realtor refers a home inspector?

Many realtors direct you to a specific home inspector or offer three to check out. It’s important to understand the relationship between the realtor and home inspector:

- If you trust your realtor, consider going with their advice. They have likely worked with that inspector and understand the home inspector’s report, how the inspector works with their client, etc. A good relationship here will help you get the most out of your inspection contingencies.

Pricing

When your realtor says “shop” for a home inspector try to avoid going for the lowest price. Remember the home inspection business is competitive and market pressures control pricing. This might be one area of the home purchase process to spend a little more to get that extra value, especially if this is your first house or you are not familiar with the basics of a house and its many systems