The Basics of Selecting a Home Inspector
If you want to sell your property or buy it you have a better shot if you have it appraised. The kind of a property you have as well as the location will influence the results. A lot of buyers will ask for an inspection report before they make a final decision about the property which is why you should ensure it is available even before they make the request. Property sales can drag for months and if there is something you can do to hasten the process the better. Nonetheless, being aware of the factors you have to bear in mind when making this choice will be helpful. Home inspectors, like the other fields, can also specialize which is why you should not forget to ask the kind of expertise they have before you make a choice. If you are working with an expert the results you get will be much better.
If you are not tied up with more important tasks, avail yourself during this process. Some home inspectors, however, may have a problem with that. Therefore, ask the candidate whether he or she will be okay with that before you make the hire. When you are present you can ask questions to understand the kind of report the person writes. Experienced inspectors will actually encourage you to be there instead of opposing your presence. Additionally, you need a copy of certification and license of the inspector. There is no state that allows home inspectors to operate without a license. You cannot hope to use the report legally if it was done by someone without a license or certification to operate on that level. Another important confirmation you have to make before signing the contract is that the inspector is not just insured but also bonded.
Getting a sample report the inspector has done before is crucial. When you review that you will be able to determine whether it was what you were looking for or not. It also gives you an idea about the kind of questions you ought to ask. Don’t be caught up with people who seek to make the report as complicated as possible because it won’t do you any good given that a good home inspection report is the one where anyone can read it and understand clearly even without the help of a third party. If the report clears up most of the questions or doubts you had then it has won and as you read through it you should be able to come up with more questions for the home inspector. Do not forget that it all comes down the contents of the report and they can help or break you. This is why there should be no compromises when you are selecting a home inspector.