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Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. With that comes a lot of responsibility, especially when it comes to home inspections. Different kinds of inspectors are available, including general home inspectors and specialists like stucco inspectors. When you’re ready to hire a home inspector, five things should be at the top of your list:
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Membership
Being a member of ASHI is not a prerequisite for being a home inspector, but it does mean that the inspector has been trained in their field and adheres to industry standards. In addition, an ASHI-certified inspector can give you more information on what they found during the inspection process. It is also important to note that ASHI-certified inspectors must report any defects they discover while inspecting your home. Therefore, the authenticity factor is rather high.
Comprehensive Reporting
A home inspector must provide a comprehensive inspection report to avoid any surprises after closing. This report will include an itemized list of any defects or damage discovered during the inspection process and their severity. The information should also include recommendations on fixing these problems if they are found within the home. A thorough inspection report will also list any items that were inspected and not found to need repair. Vague reports are a red flag and a sign that your home inspector might not be up to the job.
Area of Expertise
Another important factor to consider when hiring a home inspector is their area of expertise. Some home inspectors have additional qualifications and will be qualified stucco inspectors. If you want to buy a home in a specific area, hiring an inspector with experience with homes in that region is important. Stucco inspectors can tell you if there are any problems with the stucco in your home. Having this expertise in an inspector is especially important for homes in areas that are prone to earthquakes, as a weak stucco job could cause significant damage during an earthquake.
Qualifications and Experience
Other factors that can help you narrow the list of potential home inspectors are their qualifications and experience. The more experience a home inspector has, the more likely they will be able to identify problems with your home. Home inspectors should have a minimum of three years of experience, but hiring someone with more is better. In addition to the years they have been inspecting homes, you should also look into their education and training. The more advanced training that a home inspector has completed, the better equipped they will be to identify issues with your home.
Competitive Pricing
To get the best price on a home inspection, you should research different companies and compare their prices. You can do this by looking at online reviews and reading customer reviews. The best way to find a competitive price is to contact several companies and ask for quotes. Assessing prices thoroughly will help you to find the best price, but it is also important to remember that there is no such thing as a free inspection. You should expect to pay a certain amount for a basic home inspection and more for a review that includes additional services like termite testing or radon testing.
Conclusion
We hope you found our checklist of things to look into when hiring home inspectors helpful. The most important thing you can do is to educate yourself. Doing so, you will be able to find a good home inspector and avoid any surprises later in the process that will cost you time and money. If you have questions about what we’ve covered here, feel free to contact us directly or comment below.
