Top Five Things to Look for When Hiring a Home Inspector

Top Five Things to Look for When Hiring a Home Inspector

By SETX Home Inspections | Feb 14, 2019

A home is probably one of the most significant purchases you’ll make, and to ensure it’s a prudent investment, it’s best to have a home inspection carried out. The home inspector inspects the structure of the house and other functional aspects like plumbing, electric wiring, ventilation, etc., so that you don’t face any safety or usability issues after moving in.

Through the home inspection, you will foresee immediate and future expenses. Based on the report you receive, you will be able to make an educated decision about the condition of your potential purchase. If you are not comfortable with noted items, you can either negotiate with the seller or opt out of the purchase.

To ensure you get the best possible home inspection, it’s vital to enlist the services of a professional home inspector. However, with so many inspectors to choose from, finding an experienced and knowledgeable professional who can protect your interests can be tough. To help simplify and quicken your search, here’s a list of the top five things to look for when hiring a home inspector.

1. Ask for or look for references and reviews.

Look for reviews and references before you hire a home inspector. Many clients will leave reviews on Google, Facebook, or through the home inspectors reporting tools, such as HomeGauge. Look for inspectors that are part of recognized groups and forums that focus on continued improvement and development of home inspectors, such as InterNachi or ASHI.

2. Knowledge.

Don’t be hesitant to ask the home inspector about his or her license and qualifications before hiring. Even when their websites, offices, and advertising display licenses and certificates; sometimes those are expired and aren’t updated with the correct information. Be sure to ask, to see their current licensing, certifications, and especially their current insurance policy.

3. Integrity.

Check if they are accredited by the Better Business Bureau or offer warranties and refunds in the event of issues. Even though BBB accreditation costs money, it’s a small price to pay for the professional who wants to convey to the public that he/she is an honest person with integrity. It also acts as an assurance to clients, that the professional they hired is able to perform the job to the best of their ability and will work towards resolving any issues that may come up.

4. Responsiveness.

Good communication can be an indication of a professional’s competence. If you make a call to a professional, and they fail to respond in a timely fashion, then they are likely too busy or have poor communication skills. Make sure your selected home inspector is easy to communicate with, responds within a respectable timeframe, and does not avoid you when issues arise.

5. Fair pricing.

We all want great service at an excellent price, but the cheapest service isn’t always the best. Sometimes a company or contractor will charge low prices and take in larger volumes of work to make profits. This may result in rushing work and missing out on fine details because they have little time to spare. Talk to the professional; do they take the time to answer your questions? Are they prompt, friendly, and courteous? Are they willing to suggest ideas and share information with you that will help you save money on the project? Having someone you can trust is worth the extra money because it saves you heartache in the end.

If you’re looking for a home inspector in Beaumont, Texas, reach out to SETX Home Inspections. We specialize in home inspections, commercial property inspections, sellers inspections and new construction inspections across Southeast Texas, the Beaumont, Port Arthur, Lumberton, Vidor, and Orange areas. We are committed to providing home buyers with peace of mind about the potential issues with a home purchase.

To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here. 

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