Surprises can be good and they can be not so good. As a homeowner the last thing you want to discover is that home you recently purchased is full of surprise flaws. The prime time to discover what surprise problems might plague a house, is during a home inspection- before the final sale of a home. You want to know exactly what you are getting yourself into, and how much it will cost to bring the house up to snuff. A thorough, professional home inspection is the only way to source this information. Consider the importance of selecting a professional, reliable and experienced home inspector.
Choose a home inspector with top qualifications and related experience to boot. Don't be confused by credentials obtained through quick study courses. It takes many years to become qualified and experienced in this field. Ensure that your prospective home inspector is a member of a professional home inspection organization. The National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), are the top national associations in the US. These, as well as other state organizations follow strict standards in practice and education.
When interviewing a prospective inspector, find out about their related work history. A background in construction, alongside their home inspection credentials, is a great sign. Inspectors with a construction background will have greater insight and understanding to assess the structural integrity of the home in question.
Some other questions you can put to a prospective home inspector involve understanding how he/she will comprise the final report on your home. This report is the most important aspect of the contract. You want a report in good time, that is detailed and easy to read. If you are confused by anything, your inspector should spend the time to clarify. A report should be specific to your inspection and not include a plethora of general information that does not apply to the inspection at hand. Ask the following questions regarding the inspector's reports:
- Will the report you deliver include each inspected item in the home, and detailed information on each item's condition?
- Is it possible to see a sample of one of you previous home inspection reports?
- At what point after the inspection can I expect the report? How will you deliver it- by fax or e-mail?
Ask your inspector if you can be present in the home during the inspection. This can be a great way to fully understand the structural details of your home and will also help you through all the details of the inspector's final report.
Finally, sometimes people feel most comfortable with references. If you have a reference from someone you trust, who had a great experience with a certain inspector, then, sure go for it. But, to avoid conflict of interest, the building inspector should not be recommended by your realtor.
