Choosing a home inspector is a task deserving careful consideration. Though each home inspector is governed by professional and state standards of practice, and though he must meet certain requirements to obtain his license, there is a good deal of variation among inspectors in the way they conduct the inspection service and in the quality of their deliverables. Some present clearer, more detailed, and more complete information than others, enabling clients to make better-informed decisions about the real estate transaction and with more confidence.

Don\’t treat the home inspector as a commodity, in other words. Basing one\’s choice on cost alone is perhaps the easiest and quickest approach, but the inspector\’s fee should not be the determining factor because price doesn\’t reveal very much about him or about how he will perform. It is worthwhile, even invaluable, to find a better way to differentiate among home inspectors. In this regard, we look at some helpful criteria in this article that are more reliable determinants of home inspector quality, whether the client is a buyer, seller, homeowner, or agent.

The inspector\’s success depends on two primary things: establishing himself as an expert and marketing himself to potential customers. The former is relatively straightforward, consisting of getting training, gaining experience, and keeping up with evolving industry trends. But the marketing or business part is less clear-cut. How an inspector markets himself shouldn\’t really matter to customers, but they need to be wise to the ways marketing can be misleading. Because home inspection is fundamentally a referral business, the inspector may be tempted to take whatever measures he thinks necessary, including compromising ethical standards, to perpetuate referrals, the preponderance of which come from real estate agents. So important characteristics to seek in a home inspector are honesty, perspective, and fairness.

Essential criteria, readily checked, are a proper license and financial protection. These prove minimal qualifications. But one should not assume that a licensed home inspector is also authorized to conduct a full and specific pest inspection, for some states, including Washington, issue separate licenses for the two services and permit the inspector to practice in just one area or the other. Most customers want someone qualified to perform both services; they want to know if wood-destroying insects have infested a house, as then it is likely to have serious structural problems.

Another key criterion that can set a home inspector apart is the nature of his inspection report. Analyzing sample reports will help one discover which inspector is thorough, communicates effectively, and gives attention to detail, or who is simply dashing something off. A rushed inspection and report increases the risk that something significant is missed. Furthermore, inadequate detail and insufficient verbal explanation of findings to the customer suggest lack of clarity.

Finally, evidence of strong ethical conduct stands the home inspector in good stead. Despite standards of practice that regulate ethics, it isn\’t too difficult to stay within the letter of the law but violate its spirit. Erring on the side of fully disclosing potential conflicts of interest, and refusing to \”go soft\” in the inspection report as a sop to agents, are indicators of an inspector who puts his customers\’ interests first.

John W. Gordon is a licensed home inspector who operates his Dr. Inspector business from Bellingham, WA. He also possesses a pest inspection license. John invites the reader to visit his website at www.HomeInspectionWA.net.

John W. Gordon is a licensed home inspector who operates his Dr. Inspector business from Bellingham, WA. He also possesses a pest inspection license. John invites the reader to visit his website at http://www.HomeInspectionWA.net.

Author Bio: John W. Gordon is a licensed home inspector who operates his Dr. Inspector business from Bellingham, WA. He also possesses a pest inspection license. John invites the reader to visit his website at www.HomeInspectionWA.net.

Category: Real Estate
Keywords: home inspector, home inspection, pest inspection, inspection cost, inspection report