How to Hire a Best Home Inspector
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people ever make. Before finalizing a purchase, it's essential to thoroughly evaluate the home's condition to avoid expensive surprises down the road. Hiring a professional, unbiased Best Home Inspector is the best way to uncover issues that could cost you thousands of dollars to repair. Follow this guide to find and work with the right home inspector for your next real estate purchase.
What Does A Home Inspector Do?
A home inspector visually examines the physical condition of a house, inside and out. Unlike a real estate agent, a home inspector works for the buyer, not the seller. Their job is to provide an objective, detailed report on the home's condition to inform your buying decision.
A thorough home inspection will cover:
Structural elements like the foundation, floors, walls, ceilings
Roof, gutters, chimney, and attic
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems
Appliances, fixtures, windows, and doors
Insulation, ventilation, siding, and drainage
Any visible issues like cracks, leaks, or damage
The inspection report will call out any defects, safety hazards, or items that need repair or replacement. Best Home Inspectors can also advise whether issues are common for a home of that age and location. Armed with this information, you can determine if the home still meets your needs or if a lower offer price is warranted based on repair costs.
When To Get A Home Inspection
Hire a home inspector as soon as possible once you are under contract. In many states you have the right to back out if serious undisclosed problems are uncovered. Don't do the inspection before making an offer, as the seller could make repairs before you submit a bid.
Schedule the inspection with enough time before closing to negotiate with the seller if issues arise. Waiting too long limits your options and negotiating power. Aim to complete the inspection within the due diligence period, usually 10-14 days after going under contract.
How To Choose A Home Inspector
Take time to find a trustworthy and experienced home inspector. The cost is well worth it to avoid buying a money pit. Here are tips for choosing the best inspector:
Check licensing: Inspectors must hold a current license in most states. Verify the inspector's license is active and in good standing.
Confirm qualifications: At minimum inspectors should carry errors and omissions insurance, offer reports guaranteed by a professional association, and have training and certification. Prefer Best Home Inspectors with years of experience.
Read reviews: Look for inspectors with consistently positive client reviews. This indicates they provide thorough inspections with clear reporting. Avoid inspectors with red flags around poor service or incomplete inspections.
Interview inspectors: Ask about their experience, what they inspect, the types of reports they provide, and how long the inspection will take. Make sure they can accommodate your timeframe.
Compare costs: Prices range from $300-$500 but can vary by region and house size. Compare rates against service offerings. Make sure the quote covers the entire property.
Ask around: Friends and real estate agents can recommend reliable home inspectors they've worked with. This is one of the best ways to find a Best Home Inspector.
Preparing For The Inspection
Check off these tips before your inspector arrives:
Have utilities turned on: Inspectors will need access to electricity, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, well water, and septic if present.
Clear access to areas: Remove stored items from attics, basements, garages, and crawl spaces. Cut back vines or vegetation blocking the exterior.
Have the seller or real estate agents on site: They can provide access to locked areas.
Walk around the home yourself beforehand: Look for any obvious issues ahead of time.
Make a list of existing concerns: Provide these to the inspector so they can pay special attention to areas that already worry you.
Gather home info: Have manuals, warranties, and any prior inspection reports ready for the inspector to review.
What To Do During The Inspection
Follow these tips for getting the most out of the home inspection:
Walk around with the inspector and ask questions. Understand why they are inspecting certain items.
Point out specific areas of concern and ask for their assessment. they may probe further based on your feedback.
If possible, get the inspection report on the spot. Then you can discuss any findings while still on site.
Don't let the seller or real estate agent pressure you into using their preferred inspector. Work with someone unbiased.
Stick to inspecting only. Never hire an inspector to also complete repairs they uncover themselves.
Reviewing The Inspection Report
The inspection report provides an objective overview of the home's condition, not an appraisal of property value. Here's how to analyze the report:
Read the full report. Don't just skim the summaries. Look at the nitty gritty details.
Understand the severity ratings. Note any safety hazards, major defects or items needing replacement first.
Ask about unclear points. Discuss confusing areas, get second opinions on costly repairs, and request referrals to contractors.
Prioritize the issues. Determine your must-haves versus works-in-progress you can address over time.
Use the report during negotiations. Get credits for defects, request fixes from the seller, or reduce your offer.
Keep the report. Hold on to it as a reference down the road and share it with future buyers.
Red Flags With Home Inspectors
While most home inspectors provide quality services, beware of these red flags:
Rushing through the inspection or missing major areas
Making verbal promises that are not documented
Pushing unnecessary repairs or trying to quote work themselves
Having a financial relationship with or referral ties to contractors
Lack of detail, poor photos, and generic or recycled reports
Unwilling to answer questions or go over the report after inspection
Not explaining issues using easy to understand language
If you have concerns about competency or impartiality, get a second opinion. Don't waste money on subpar inspections.
Why A Home Inspector Is Important
Hiring a professional home inspector before purchase is critical because:
It catches issues not visible to the naked eye. Inspectors use specialized tools and methods to find lurking problems.
It provides an unbiased assessment. Agents work for the seller while inspectors work for the buyer.
It can save you from expensive surprises. Identifying defects upfront prevents shocks down the road after purchase.
It ensures the home is as presented. The report holds the seller accountable for undisclosed problems.
It gives power during negotiations. Documented issues allow you to negotiate credits, repairs, and lower pricing.
It gives insights on maintenance. The report guides upcoming maintenance needs so issues don't worsen.
Key Takeaways
Selecting and working with the right home inspector takes diligence but pays dividends towards buying with confidence. Keep these tips in mind when looking to hire the Best Home Inspector for your next home purchase:
Start looking early once under contract to accommodate scheduling
Vet inspectors thoroughly - look for proper licensing, training, experience and reviews
Make sure the full property is covered during the inspection
Use the inspection report to negotiate repairs, credits, and lower pricing
Don't let agents rush you or sway you towards certain inspectors
Follow up with questions and understand the implications of all findings
Fix any major issues uncovered before closing on the home
The investment in a home inspector provides invaluable insight into a property's true condition. Given inspectors work solely for the buyer's benefit, they are one of the most important professionals to have by your side throughout the home buying process. Take time to find a thorough, experienced Best Home Inspector to provide you with objective, comprehensive inspection reporting.