| |
Home Inspection
|
|
| |
|
Usually when inquiring about a home inspection, the first question usually asked is, how much do you charge? Many times this is the only question asked, and the lowest price gets the job. If this sounds familiar, I urge you to read this article. I have provided some other questions you should have answers to. There are several important factors to consider when hiring a home inspector. Do not be embarrassed to ask questions, after all, keep in mind that this person is going to be commenting on the structure of your home, your investment. |
| Presentation and Professionalism |
|
|
Your inspector should be neat and professional, and not show up scruffy in a pick-up truck with construction tools in the back. It is a conflict of interest for any inspector to provide construction services on homes they inspect. Generally speaking, inspectors should not be contractors and vice versa. After all, inspectors exist because of contractors. Also be leery of any inspector readily volunteering names of contractors to use. You could be taken for an expensive ride. Marketing tactics of some firms to Realty offices, can include payment of referral fees for inspections and raffles for trips, which could pose a conflict of interest and be potentially damaging in a court of law. This type of marketing certainly takes away from the credibility and ethics of the professional. If lawyers or doctors do not engage in this type of marketing, then why should your professional home inspector who is supposed to provide an independent and unbiased inspection report. Ask your agent to protect you from potential conflicts. Question: ?Ask if the inspector is a contractor. ?Ask if the inspection firm pays a referral fee, or provides other financial gain to the agent or broker. |
|
|
|
A typical inspection from a reputable professional will cost in and around $300. Unfortunately, many purchasers and agents get carried away with special deals from cut rate inspectors, or steep discount coupons. My advice is not be concerned about the cost of the inspection, which only amounts to approximately one tenth of one percent of the cost of your purchase. Instead look for a good inspector at a fair price, and be more concerned about the credibility of the inspector and what you will get out of the inspection. It is important to remember that inspectors have varying degrees of expertise and professionalism, which will be reflected in the inspection results. Some home inspectors provide maintenance and energy saving tips, as well as reference materials for long term care of your home. If you are not familiar with the workings of a house, it is a good idea to get this package. In addition to getting to know your house, life safety hazards can be discovered and rectified immediately, as well as serious structural problems that could affect your purchase decision. Question: ?Ask what the inspection fee is, and what the inspection includes. ?Ask what reference materials are provided with the inspection, if any. ?If the price is out of line with other inspection firms, ask why. |
| Experience and Qualifications |
|
|
The inspection business has taken off in the past few years, and many firms have come on the scene overnight making different claims. Some firms certify their own inspectors, while other inspectors just claim they are certified. The minimum industry recognized qualification today is certification by a recognized and independent home inspection association. Usually this ensures a minimum level of competency to carry out the work, and that the inspector is insured to do the work. In Ontario, the most common certifications are Certified Home Inspector, and Registered Home Inspector. In the near future the industry will have one common certification on a national level. You will find that inspectors come from many different backgrounds. They may be engineers, technologists, prior building officials, while others may have been contractors, tradespersons or from totally different walks of life. The inspector is a generalist and at times will refer you onto someone with expertise if further investigation is required. It is important for you to be comfortable with your inspectors background and technical ability. Well qualified inspectors usually have additional complimentary credentials and qualifications, such as, Professional Engineering (Construction Engineer), Building Code Qualified, WETT Certified (Wood Engineering Trained Technician) which can be of greater benefit to your inspection. Generally, the more qualifications an inspector has, the more credible the inspector, and the more you will get out of the inspection. Keep in mind that your inspector?s qualifications and credibility are a major factor in the court?s eyes as his testimony would be relied on heavily by a judge. Question: ?Ask if the inspector is a member of a Home Inspection Association. ?Ask if the inspector is insured to carry out home inspections. ?Ask what their qualifications are. |
|