When it comes to buying a new home, making sure you know all its quirks can save you a lot of money in the long run. Getting a good home inspection from a reputable home inspection service is one of the best ways to make sure you don’t make a costly decision.
A home inspection can find things that allow you to walk away before getting a mortgage and signing the paperwork. So, working out which inspector to use is crucial.
To help you make the right decision, here are five things to keep in mind.
1. Do Your Research
To find a good quality home inspection service, you need to do some research first. Ask friends or acquaintances about their recent home inspection experiences. Look for reviews online.
You can ask for suggestions from your realtor but they are not allowed to specifically recommend any one service over another. If your realtor tells you to use a particular home inspection you should be wary of why they are doing so.
2. How Much Experience Does the Inspector Have?
Don’t settle for a rookie because they are cheap. You want an inspector who knows what they are doing. A home inspection service with experience of your kind of house in the region is invaluable.
Home inspectors should have experience of checking the less obvious, or hidden, aspects of a home. You want the confidence in their report that comes from them having done this kind of home inspection many times before.
3. What Kind of Education and Training Have They Had?
Check the professional certifications of your home inspection service. Ideally, the inspectors have been certified by one of the major organizations. These groups include the American Society of Home Inspectors and the National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers.
It’s also worth checking to see if the inspector has any additional training or education. Such training might include things like architecture or home engineering. If the house you are hoping to buy is older, this kind of training means the inspector has more knowledge of what to look for.
4. Ask for Sample Inspection Reports
It’s also a good idea to request a sample or two of recent home inspections performed by your preferred home inspection service. With the sample report in hand, you can get a sense of how thorough the inspector is. You’ll also get an idea of what kind of information you can expect to receive about the home you want to buy.
Compare sample reports from multiple home inspection services. This comparison offers you an opportunity to see which services offer specifics and which provide generalities, for example.
5. Price and Value
Most home inspections will cost between $300 and $600. Combine the comparison of prices with all the other research you have done. That way you can see which one offers the best value for the money.
The cheapest option might not provide as good a service as a more expensive one. A cheaper inspection might miss serious issues with the house. Those savings upfront could cost much more in the long run.
Make Smart Decisions for Your Home Inspection Service
A little bit of research goes a long way when it comes to deciding who to use for your home inspection service. Pay attention to the reputation and reviews of the service you choose.
Make sure they have the experience necessary to handle the home you’re trying to buy. You’ll want to do some comparisons of different companies to make sure you’re getting the best value for money.
For more advice on buying your new home, as well as how to improve it once you move in, check out our website.