Questions To Ask Before Hire Home Inspector

Looking for a professional and unbiased home inspector? If yes, you need to ask the right questions before trusting them with the biggest purchase of your life.

In today’s blog post, we’ll uncover the critical questions to ask before hire home inspector, ensuring you find someone who will truly protect your interests.

Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Home Inspector

Apart from confirming their certifications and insurance (E&O insurance), there are other questions to ask before hire home inspector as well, including:

 

What Does The Inspection Include? What Does It Not Include?

This is arguably the most important question to ask. According to the realtor, these experts “inspect everything from the roof to the foundation and everything in between”.

However, there are limitations to consider. Most inspectors inspect roofs visually, while some conduct a more in-depth physical examination (depending on accessibility and safety) or even use a drone. Things that are not included are equally important. Inspectors may not inspect:

• Areas that aren’t accessible without specialized equipment;
• Items that require specialized licenses, such as gas lines or electrical systems;
• Minor cosmetic issues, since their focus is mainly on structural or safety concerns;
• Items beyond the visible surface, including pest infestations deep within walls.

It would be best to consider questions to ask before hiring a home inspector, or you’ll risk paying for a service that misses crucial aspects of the home's condition. So, a detailed scope of the assessment, preferably in writing, is essential.

 

Do You Offer Repair Services As Well?

Doesn’t it mean that the inspector can flag potential issues better? Well, yes. However, it may prevent them from providing a %100 unbiased opinion.

If an inspector also offers repairs, there's a possibility that they find more problems (or exaggerate the seriousness of existing ones) to justify more business. We recommend separate parties for the inspection and repairs.

 

How Many Inspections Have You Done?

While sheer numbers aren't everything, consider it among other questions to ask before home inspection; especially if the house is old and/or it has particular features.

High numbers suggest more experience. But it's also important to check their experience in inspecting houses similar to yours. This leads us to the next question.

 

Do You Have Specific Expertise?

It’s always a good idea to find an inspector with relevant expertise. Ask about their familiarity with different types of homes (older homes, new construction, specific elements). Are they familiar with environmental concerns (radon, asbestos)? Finally, if the house has unique features, make sure they're comfortable assessing them.

 

Can You Provide References?

This is one of the questions to ask before hire home inspector, as well as a standard practice for any service provider.

So, feel free to ask for references and talk to previous clients to have a better understanding of the inspector's reliability and quality of work.

 

How Much Do You Charge?

Knowing about home inspection costs and price structure is essential. Make sure to get a detailed breakdown of the fees, additional charges for travel, specific tests, etc.

Get quotations from several experts and compare prices, but remember that the lowest price doesn't always mean the best quality.

 

How Long Will The Inspection Take?

An average 2000 square foot home inspection takes about 2-3 hours (for every additional 500 square feet of living area, add 30 minutes); yet, it’s better to consider it among questions to ask before hire home inspector.

Knowing the inspection duration helps you plan your schedule. A thorough inspection may take longer, which is often a good sign of a detailed assessment. While a rushed inspection may suggest cutting corners.

 

Can I Attend The Inspection?

Ask the inspector if you can accompany them during the inspection. This allows you to better understand their process and findings.

Experienced specialists often welcome this, as it also allows them to convey all the needed information; when it may be impossible to include all of them in the report.

 

Can I See A Sample Report?

Reviewing a sample report gives you an idea of its format, clarity, and level of detail. See if it covers all the information you need, whether it includes images, does it specify which elements were not visible during the assessment, and more.

 

When Will I Have The Report?

It’s better to include this among other questions to ask before hiring a home inspector, even if you’re not on a tight schedule for your purchase.

The report should be ready within 24-48 hours. But double-check and inquire about any delays and how they'll communicate the report's availability.

 

Is Your Service Guaranteed?

Although guarantees vary widely, it's worth asking.  Some inspectors may guarantee the accuracy of their report within certain parameters. Note that a "guarantee" may have limitations and its specifics are vital, so ask for details.

 

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Asking the right questions before hiring a home inspector enables you to choose a qualified expert who meets your needs, provides a thorough evaluation of the property, and saves you from unexpected issues and expenses down the road.

Looking for such inspectors? Houmse helps you find the best specialists in the area, get a quotation from them, and use their service.