7 Things You Must Know To Avoid Hiring The Wrong Home Inspector

1. Get a Home Inspection From The Owner Of The Company

Nobody works harder for you the client than the owner of the company! The success of the business depends on exceeding your expectations for quality and professionalism each and every time and you just don’t get that level of service from “employee inspectors!” So be sure to get an inspection from the owner of the company because he or she has a vested interest in insuring your Total Satisfaction!

Also, it takes a full time inspector at least 100 inspections to develop the eyes, ears and nose for hunting down problems. Part-time home inspectors simply don’t have the time in the field to develop that radar. Be sure to ask how many inspections the inspector conducts annually and how many years he/she has been doing them. A quality full time home inspector conducts between 200 and 400 inspections annually – ineffective inspectors conduct 50 to 100 inspections annually. Conducting 200 – 400 inspections each year requires extensive referrals, by prior clients, lenders, real estate agents and others – so there is a much greater chance the inspector is not ineffective!

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Bob Wagner – Owner – is full time active in the daily operations of 5 Star Home Inspection LLC. Bob has been conducting in excess of 400 Home Inspections Annually in the last 5 years.

2. Make Sure They Have Proper Education & Training

Being a contractor is very different from being a Professional Home Inspector. Home Inspectors are responsible for evaluating all of the systems and components of the home – not just one aspect like the brick or the framing. To be able to provide a competent evaluation of all of these elements takes formal education and training. Did the inspector attend one of the top home inspection schools, or did he/she complete a correspondence course, or have his brother in law Bubba show him how to inspect? Comprehensive continuing education and training is a must!

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Bob Wagner has a background of running a successful Handyman Business for 6 year’s prior, plus formal training through Key Realty Group and Continuing Education Courses.

3. Make Sure They Have Proper Certifications

While certifications are certainly important, it’s the combination of Experience, Education and Training that make the difference in the competency of your next home inspector. Certifications let the world know that the inspector can pass a test, not that he can inspect a home properly. We all know people who are certified for one thing or another that we wouldn’t hire under any circumstances. There is simply no substitute for experience and proper training.

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Bob Wagner has an Inspector Of Structures Certificate from the State of Nevada

4. Know What to Expect for Your Inspection Report

The top home inspectors in today’s business don’t produce handwritten reports. A professional inspector will provide a combination checklist/narrative report. Technology has evolved where you should expect to receive a full-color report either on-site or within 24 hours, with digital photographs of the issues discovered during the course of the inspection. The report should provide “Summary Pages” with specific Major Concerns, Safety Issues and Deferred Items, etc.

The report should not contain repair costs or action plans for repairs. Professional home inspectors inspect – they don’t repair! An inspector that makes repairs should always be avoided due to the conflict of interest inherent in that situation.

Ask for a sample of an inspection report so you’ll know what you can expect for your time and money. After all, you are the client!

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5 Star Home Inspection LLC has a sample Inspection Report available here, or a request can be made by phone or via E-mail

5. Check How Long Has The Inspection Company Been In Business

Is the inspection company locally owned and operated or are they some far away “faceless corporation” where no one is monitoring and evaluating the quality of their work? If you are dealing with a multi-inspector firm, how long has the inspection company been in business? Does the inspection company have dedicated employees serving as customer service representatives to schedule appointments and provide any needed follow up assistance or do you have to call “1-800- good-luck” to talk to a real person?

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5 Star Home Inspection LLC has been in business for 13 Years, and any phone call will always be answered immediately, or a timely return call if we are on the other line.

6. Ask To See What Other Home Buyers Have Said About The Inspector

Quality Professional Home Inspectors ask their client’s to complete or send in comments about the inspection performed. Professional Inspectors want to know what they are doing right, as well as what might need improvement. If the inspector can’t or won’t provide client referrals, he might be blind in more ways than one!

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5 Star Home Inspection LLC would be happy to supply anyone with client referrals upon request; several are listed on our web site.

7. Ask Your Lender Or Real Estate Agent For A Referral To A Quality Home Inspector

The lenders and real estate agents sole interest in the transaction is seeing that You get a quality home that’s right for you and your family!