CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOME INSPECTOR
Choose Your Home Inspector For The Right Reasons!
Regardless if D.A.M. Home Inspections is hired, utilize all available sources when hiring a home inspector. The older, more experienced inspectors do want your work, but we also want you to select an inspector that will reflect proper conduct, experience, and credentials when representing our industry.
Here are some quick tips for choosing a reliable inspector:
1. EXPERIENCE – Ask how long (years) in business. How many homes have been inspected.
2. EDUCATION – Ask for work history before becoming a Home Inspector. Any about special educational qualities, certifications, specialty courses or other.
3. CERTIFICATION – Utah Home Inspectors are not required to be licensed and certification standards are low! New home inspectors can join organizations that allow minimal qualifications, including experience and education. Some of the larger, older and more established certification groups are ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), CMI (Certified Master Inspector), and HII (Home Inspection Institute of America). These are the only organizations that D.A.M. Home Inspections endorses.
4. INSURANCE – Most home inspectors cover their inspections with E & O Insurance (Errors & Omissions), usually a “Claims Made” policy. Customers should know, this type of insurance “ONLY” covers the home inspector, not the client. Do not be fooled into thinking you are covered because the home inspector has insurance – YOU ARE NOT!
5. INSPECTION TOOLS – Does the inspector have proper tools. These would included Ladders, Flashlights, Electrical Testing Devices, Carbon Monoxide, Gas Testers, Moisture Meters, Thermal Imaging Cameras, Sewer Cameras, and other helpful tools to fully evaluate the property.
6. WRITTEN REPORT – Ask about reporting methods, emailing, faxing, etc…
7. PRICING – A qualified home inspector, which is an experienced and educated inspector, will not be cheap. He will be in the top 10% of pricing. If the cost sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Quality means a higher rate, because it take time and effort to do the job correctly.
8. CONVENIENCE – Ask for days and times. Most inspectors can work around your schedule. D.A.M. Home Inspections does not inspect at night time – Why? – because important components of the home cannot be viewed, including roofing, grounds, siding, window frames, etc A home inspector that will meet you a night can only do half the job.
And finally the simple but important questions – Can I walk around with you during the inspection? – How soon can I get a report? – What type of payment do you take? – How do we schedule an appointment? – Do you have a Realtor “Supra” key to enter a home listed by a Real Estate Agent?
During the inspection. ASK, ASK, ASK. Have a question about something? Ask – Inspectors want to know what your concerns are, what your expectations are. The more you ask and provide input, the more the Inspector can offer and help.
