Having a Home Inspection is a necessary part of the purchasing process. Your home is for most people the largest investment you will ever make. You want to make sure you are protecting yourself by hiring a licensed professional to make sure your home doesnt have any flaws that could be costly to you in the future.
You only need to do a quick search for home inspectors in your area to find numerous options, but as with so many professions, some inspectors are better than others.The following tips will help you find a home inspector that you can be happy with, someone you can trust to provide you with all the relevant facts about the home you want to buy.
1. Get a reference from your real estate agent.
If your agent has been in business for any length of time, they have probably encountered quite a few home inspectors. By observation, your agent can see who does a thorough job and who does not. Typically an agent will refer inspectors whom they feel do a good job over and over because they know that their client will be well taken care of best weightloss pills.
An excellent home inspector will not only be thorough but will take the time to explain the severity of an issue. If the problem they have found is a common one and not something to be genuinely concerned, they should explain this to you. Some of the most common home inspection problems can usually be corrected fairly quickly. Remember anything that is troubling to you doesn’t have to be a deal breaker you are allowed to ask the seller to repair or replace.
2. Look for a company that is Licensed and insured.
Whether you go with a big company or a single inspector working on his or her own, you want to make sure that whoever examines the home is bonded and insured. Finding out about insurance is one of the most important questions to ask when interviewing a home inspection. If the Inspector gets hurt during the inspection which can happen with crawling in attics or falling from roofs you dont want to be held liable or have any risk fall onto you.
3.Find out what the inspection includes and how long it takes.
The best home inspection will be a thorough one, where the inspector goes over every little detail of the home. You want an inspection that looks at every component of the home, including:
- The plumbing system.
- The electrical system.
- The structural condition.
- The heating and air conditioning systems.
- The basement and foundation.
- The roof and attic.
- Evidence of water penetration or grading issues.
- Pests such as bugs and wildlife.
- Environmental issues such as mold, radon, asbestos and lead paint.
- Appliances and other general components of the home.
Most home inspections should take two to three hours to complete. If you are purchasing a larger home, a fixer-upper or an older home, the inspection will more than likely take even longer. Don’t hire someone who tells you they will complete the inspection within an hour or two. It is unlikely the inspector will be able to do a thorough job.
4.Compare the cost of hiring different companies.
The cost for inspections vary on what is included in the service, ie: radon, pests ect. and also varys on the size and components of the home. A home that is 4000 sqft is going to cost more and take longer to inspect than a home that is 1200 sqft.
A more thorough inspection is worth paying more for. So is a company with better references, or one with experience in a specialized area you need. There is nothing wrong with trying to save money, but make certain you are hiring someone you can rely on to do a good job.
Remember a home inspection is for your PROTECTION on your investment.
