What to ask when looking for an Inspector:

Q: Are you Qualified?
A: You should be looking for a Home Inspector with some type of meaningful designation or certification. Being a Certified Member of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI®) is without a doubt the most prestigious affiliation that anyone can have in this industry. ASHI® is the only organization that requires an Inspector to pass a series of exams, perform a required number of home inspections (prior to becoming a member) and take continuing education courses to maintain membership. If an Inspector is not an ASHI® member, then he/she may not be qualified to do a competent job.

Q: How long have you been a Home Inspector?
A: You should be looking for someone who has been in business for an extended period of time. Use a gauge that you are comfortable with. At least 5-10 years in the business should be a good starting point.

Q: What type of report do you provide?
A: Every Home Inspector should provide you with a written report. There are different types of written reports however. Some reports are check-list or fill-in-the-blank type reports. These types of reports tend to be generic in nature and not very user friendly. These types of reports are favored by some Inspectors because they are quick to produce and require no office work. Some Inspectors will issue a report on-site, at the time of inspection. These reports tend to be non-specific and are sometimes difficult to understand. Narrative reports tend to be more detailed and easier to understand. They are also tailored to each house so they are much more informative and meaningful.

Q: How many inspections do you perform each day?
A: One or two inspections should be the answer. If an Inspector performs three inspections per day, he/she will be pressed for time and may hurry through the inspection. As a result, you may not get all of your questions answered and something important may be overlooked.

Q: Can I attend the inspection?
A: Absolutely! Unless there are extenuating circumstances, we will not perform an inspection unless the buyer is present. It is important to see what the Inspector sees. Questions can be answered while you are looking at the object of concern. Don't miss the inspection. It is important that you are there. If the Inspector does not request that you be there or will not talk to you during the inspection, find another Inspector.

Q: Are you insured?
A: If the Inspection Company is not insured, you should consider using one that is insured. This is important for your protection, should a problem arise once you move into the house.

Q: Do you inspect houses on a full time basis?
A: Some people inspect houses on a part-time basis. If someone is serious about the business, then they should be doing it full time.

Q: What types of tools or special equipment do you use?
A: A Home Inspector should use state of the art equipment to perform each and every home inspection. Various types of moisture meters, gas sniffers, electrical circuit analyzers, mirrors, etc. should be used to help evaluate conditions within the house.

Q: What is the price of the Home Inspection?
A: This is certainly an important question however, please don't let a low price for an inspection be your only guide. Inspectors who are new to the business will offer low prices to get the work but often these people are not qualified to perform a comprehensive inspection.

Q: When should I schedule a Home Inspection?
A: There is no right answer to this question. Most people have the inspection done after they get out of Attorney Review. Your Real Estate Contract will stipulate the number of days in which your inspections must be completed. Some people however like to have the Home Inspection done while they are in Attorney Review because they feel that they have more leverage. We also do Home Inspections for people before they actually sign a Sales Contract. This is sometimes done on "as is" deals where the buyer is concerned that there may be overwhelming problems with the house or where other circumstances may prevail.