Inspect the Inspector

All home inspection companies are NOT created equal!  Most areas require little or no educational or insurance requirements for home inspection firms.  It’s up to you to choose your inspector carefully.  The following information has been prepared to assist you in evaluating and selecting the best home inspection source.

LIMITED INSPECTION GUARANTEE
The inspection firm you trust to inspect your home should guarantee their inspection.  A written Limited Inspection Guarantee assures you that your inspection will be both thorough and accurate.  After all, why trust a home inspector who won’t trust himself?

Questions to Ask:

• Do you provide a written any guarantee to back your inspection findings?
• What happens if I find a new problem with the home after I move in?

TRAINING AND ON-GOING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
There is no single background that fully prepares an individual to evaluate so many different problems that may exist in a home.  Many individuals with engineering or construction experience feel qualified to perform home inspections based solely on their experiences in these fields.  When selecting a home inspection firm, make sure the inspector has been formally trained by a recognized training organization such as NIBI (The National Institute of Building Inspectors) This type of professional training assures you that your inspector is proficient in the necessary areas of residential construction and understands the home inspection process. 

You should also make sure that your inspector has access to on-going Technical Support.  How does an inspector who is busy performing inspections in the field keep abreast of industry issues?  What if the inspector runs into an unusual system or problem. Inspectors need to have a source they can rely on to keep them abreast of changes in construction and the home inspection industry.  Organizations such as NIBI make such support available to its inspectors as well.  To maintain NIBI certification, inspectors must pass a test each year to verify they are keeping up to date.

Today NIBI training and on-going support is open to individuals interested in the home inspection industry as well as existing home inspectors via classroom or on-line training.

Questions to Ask:

• What kind of training do the inspectors receive?
• What is the extent of the inspector’s on-going training?
• How frequently are the inspectors tested?

INSURANCE
Another vital qualification to look for when selecting a home inspector is insurance, primarily Professional Liability Insurance.  Professional Liability Insurance, also known as Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance, is much like malpractice insurance.  This insurance gives you peace of mind that the company is a responsible firm.  Not having this type of insurance may indicate the inspection firm is new to the industry or has a poor track record for quality.  Verify that the inspection firm you choose maintains Errors and Omissions Insurance coverage before you hire them.

Questions to Ask:

• Do you carry Errors and Omissions insurance?
• Can I see proof of coverage?

REPUTATION
The company you select should have solid experience and enjoy a reputation for quality service and thoroughness.  Only years of dedication to inspector training and customer satisfaction achieve this.

Questions to Ask:

• How long has the company been in business?
• How many inspections have they performed?
• Does the company guarantee the quality of their inspection?

INSPECTION REPORT
Before you select a home inspector, determine how much detail the inspection report will cover.  There are several key areas you want to make sure are covered in the written report: 

·         What elements will be inspected

·         Estimated ages and life spans of major systems, if appropriate

·         What elements may require repair now or in the near future

Many home inspection firms simply provide a cursory report that only documents whether an element is functioning or not functioning.  Your inspection report should not only provide you with an understanding of immediate concerns, but should also provide you with information that will assist you in maintaining and enjoying your new home.

Questions to Ask:

• Can I see a sample inspection report?
• Will the report provide detail on the type of systems in the home?
• How are the systems rated in the report?