By Rachel Oslund, Maryland Inspector
Choosing a home inspector – whether for a pre-owned home or new construction – can feel like a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be. Ask these simple but important questions to find the inspector that will best protect you and your new home.
Ask if They Belong to an Inspector Association
- Look for inspectors who belong to ASHI, InterNACHI, or MAHI.
- Inspectors who regularly spend time with other inspectors are usually more knowledgeable than those who go it alone for two simple reasons:
- The ongoing education and strict standards of practice.
- The opportunity to learn from each other through sharing interesting stories about unique situations they have found.
Ask to See a Sample Inspection
- Request a sample inspection report.
- The report should be digital and contain lots of photos.
- The report should provide more than just a list of things that aren’t working as intended. It should also provide an education about your new home. Some things to look for:
- Locations of the water main shut-off, the hose bibb shut-offs, water heater water supply shut-off, and the exterior dryer exhaust vent.
- Photos of the water heater and HVAC components and their data plates (informational stickers).
- Home maintenance recommendations.
Ask if You are Welcome at the Inspection
- Choose an inspector who encourages you to attend the inspection for all or some of it.
Ask if the Inspector Will Explain Their Findings During the Inspection
- If you can’t be at the inspection, your inspector should be thrilled to have a FaceTime or Zoom call to go over their findings with you. You will receive a lot of valuable information in the report – and nothing beats the education you can get by talking with your inspector and having them explain their findings.
Ask How Long the Inspection Will Take
- Good inspections on most homes take a minimum of about 2.5 – 3 hours – the length is usually determined by the size and complexity of the property.
- A condo takes far less time to inspect than a townhouse or single-family home.
- And a home built last century takes longer to inspect than a brand-new home.
Ask If the Inspector Is Available for Questions After Move-In
- The inspector should be eager to ensure that you understand what’s in the report before you buy the house and they should also be accessible after the inspection and after you move into the home.
Pay Attention to How You are Treated When Scheduling the Inspection.
- The person you communicate with prior to booking the inspection should make you feel important and like your concerns are valid.
- If you don’t feel “heard” while you are scheduling your inspections, you might not feel comfortable calling back with questions in the future – and it’s important that you able to feel good about being able to call with questions if they come up.
Don’t Pick an Inspector Based Just on Price
- A quality home inspection is the best money you can spend on real estate – that $500 – $900 investment could save you thousands by identifying major areas of concern.
Ask Friends, Family, and Your REALTOR® for Recommendations
- They can all be valuable resources for you as you are looking for a reliable professional to help you understand the home you’ve made an offer on.
Using Your Inspection Report
No matter who you choose for your home inspection and other related inspections, and no matter how thorough and knowledgeable they are, none of it will matter if you don’t read the report and understand it. If you have questions about something in the report or something doesn’t make sense to you, be sure to ask the inspector for clarification.
A good inspector will want you to feel educated and empowered by the report they provide you – so take advantage of their commitment to providing you with everything you need to move forward confidently – whether that means negotiating for repairs, continuing forward with the purchase, or walking away. Enjoy the process, commit to understanding the information you’re given, and then do what is right for YOU!
Learn More about Inspections
Inspections are often requirements in contract contingencies and can cover a variety of different aspects of the home, from termites to radon. It’s not only important to know how to choose an inspector that will best protect you, but also to understand what a home inspection is and isn’t and how home inspections work so you can be fully prepared for this essential part of the home buying process.
