Considering what an important role a home inspection plays in the home buying process, it is important that you take the time to find an experienced home inspector whose opinion and findings you can trust. Finding the right home inspector can end up helping to save you time and money, and reduce your stress, down-the-road. Yet, how can you find a reliable home inspector? Here are a few tips to help you find the right home inspector to help ensure that your dream home doesn’t turn into a money pit.
Find an Inspector Early On
The most important thing when looking for a home inspector is to start your search early. If you wait until you find a home you want to make an offer on before you start your research, then you may not have much time to choose an inspector. This could leave you feeling rushed and under pressure to pick the first inspector you meet whether or not they are the right fit. It is then important that you start looking for an inspector as soon as you decide to start looking at houses.
Do Your Research
When looking for a home inspector, it is important to take your time and thoroughly research your options. A great place to start your search is by asking family and friends who recently purchased a home who their inspector was and if they would recommend them to you. Getting first-hand accounts from people you trust is a great way to find reliable home inspectors. Regardless of whether you get any referrals, it is still important that you look up any inspectors that you are considering working with online to learn more about their experience. Make sure to look at reviews to see what it has been like for others to work with a particular home inspector.
Ask About Their Experience and Qualifications
Once you begin talking to potential home inspectors, it is important that you are not afraid to dig deep and ask thorough questions, as this will help you to make an educated decision. In particular, it is important that you find out how long an inspector has been in business, what kind of training and experience they have, and whether they are a member of any professional inspectors’ associations. Asking these questions can help you find an experienced and professional home inspector.
Find Out What Services They Offer
When making your final decision, it is also important that you ask each home inspector you talk to what kind of services they offer, as you will want to make sure that you are getting the most thorough home inspection possible. For instance, in addition to performing a basic inspection, some home inspectors may also be able to provide more in-depth services such as using an infrared camera to measure temperature differences behind walls and floors that could suggest the presence of pests or moisture. These tests can help you find costly damage that can help you to negotiate the final terms of the sale.
Contact us to learn more about the steps that you should take when searching for a home inspector.
