[B276]Becoming A Home Inspector

Everyone takes a lot of time thinking about what they can afford when buying a new home. They take great care in deciding where they want to live and what the neighbourhood and schools are like. They may or may not care about who presents the offer for them. Buyers should care about who inspects their future home for them!

Ensure your time period for hiring a home inspector is adequate and written into your offer of purchase and sale. This period should allow enough time to check references and qualifications, which will prevent you from being forced to accept your real estate agents referral inspector without first checking his credentials. This will also ensure you have enough time after receiving your home inspection report that you will be able to review it, and consult with any experts that your report might indicate.

Choose a trained and qualified inspector. Many inspectors are trained in a secondary trade, while home inspection schools train some. Choosing takes time, and should be done in advance. Request a list from your reality agent, and search through friends for referrals. Good training is important. Check for qualifications, courses taken on building code, inspections, mold, electrical etc., a professional in one field does not make them a professional in another. An architect for example, although able to give great design advice, has no qualifications for inspecting your home other than his expertise in design, for which, has already been done and stamped, usually by an engineer and reviewed by local building department. No sense in paying someone to inspect something already reviewed and passed by two professional organizations.

Points to look for first can be found in a sample of the inspector's report. Is it presented in clearly written, easy-to-understand English? The report should include all of the independent parts of the house. Each part should be presented with findings and conclusions that are easy to understand. Any recommendations should be simple, and may often refer you to other professionals, specialists and technicians who are more qualified in a particular field. Beware of the report, which is nothing more than a simple check list, small area for comments and stuffed with useless maintenance and homeowner checklists. Expect what you pay for; a professional looking report, complete with pictures, details and recommendations.

Does the inspector have formal training? The inspector could have been formally trained over a period of time in a classroom setting and in the field. Others have been trained through correspondence and self-help seminars including field training. Some have on-the-job training that is good, but can also be a false credential. To properly inspect and communicate, the individual should have some evidence they can do so. Having worked in related fields does not assure you of this ability.

Call and interview the inspector. They should be easy to communicate with, and in a professional and businesslike manner. Mature and conscientious inspectors give you the feeling of genuine empathy and are sincerely interested in you getting the most for your money. You are paying for quality inspecting and communication, orally and in writing.

Ask if the inspector will take you along on the inspection, and are they comfortable with your presence, at least for part of the time. The inspector should explain everything either during the inspection or afterwards. All of the inspector's time should be yours for this part. Personally I recommend that the client be present at every home inspection. This allows me to point out any defects that will be covered in the report, providing a more complete understanding of the nature of defect. Also I will point out many items that are of a maintenance nature, for example, caulking, painting, furnace filters, location and types of breakers, drainage techniques, and areas of future concern.

Inspection experience is important, and so is other work in related fields, but the most important points are communication, and the care taken in preparing a written report, either fully narrative. On-site reports are adequate for a basic home inspection, but full narrative reports for more detailed reviews are best for a clear understanding and explanations with recommendations. The inspection report is prepared following a in-depth verbal report to the client listing all the noted defects and recommendations. This verbal report is followed up by an in-depth computer generated report which includes a picture of the defect and the required solution. Most inspection franchises have a set price, no matter what the size of the home, check for qualified inspectors who charge for the work they do, there are many variations which are all acceptable. Personally I charge per bathroom, which is usually a good indicator of the amount of area that requires inspection. I have actually never found a house where the price was priced too high, actually it works the complete opposite, some large older homes have only one bathroom, which works in the client favor. Another item most inspectors don't mention is their guarantee, I personally offer a 100% money-back guarantee if the client is not completely satisfied.

Meet the inspector at the house, and take a note pad. Do not worry, everything you discuss and take a note about (and more) will be seen in the report. The notes will help you think in advance about work orders you may include in the purchase. Some realtors will use the home inspectors report to renegotiate the price of the home, or depending on the price, this items might already be factored into the price, this is all in the realm of the agent. Another point that is a good indicator, what is your inspector bringing with him; does he come in a car or van without a good extension ladder? Think about it, is this the type of inspector you want to inspect your biggest investment of possibly your life!

Membership in an association is a must, but is not any assurance of the quality of the inspector or their inspection. Most of the associations require their members to follow their Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Otherwise they are not allowed to be members of the association. You should be able to get a copy of these before the inspection. Just remember that all of the titles and memberships have merit, but nothing to do with the ability to communicate, and the integrity of the home inspector. Did you like reading the sample report? Do you like the inspector? Does the conversation seem businesslike and professional? Are you comfortable?

Professional home inspections for Barrie, Ontario and surrounding area starting at $199.00 for single residential with one bath. Fully insured and 100% money-back guarantee if not completely satisfied. Call 705-795-8255 today for your risk free inspection

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