Tips for Finding a Certified Home Inspector

A home inspection is one of the best investments you can make when considering a home purchase. A certified home inspector will help evaluate all the major accessible elements of your prospective home. With this information in hand, you will be better prepared for owning and maintaining your new home. Depending on the conditions the home inspector finds, you may have the opportunity to re-negotiate the price of the home or have the seller make needed repairs.

To find a home inspector who you can count on, you need to do your home work and choose a quality inspection company. When evaluating your options, consider the following tips to ensure you find a certified home inspector that will deliver the most comprehensive, professional service possible:

• Credentials can vary with each home inspector. Even a certified home inspector may not have all the credentials that you may require, so be sure to ask questions and find someone who has the right certifications for your type home and any ancillary elements that are part of the home, such as a lawn sprinkler system or septic system.
• It's important to find a certified home inspector who has access to on-going technical support so that they can keep up with changes in construction.
• Make sure the home inspector is tested annually. Many home inspector trade associations or home inspector licensing requirements do not require regular testing.
• Find a home inspector that encourages you to go along on the home inspection and ask questions.
• Be certain you look for a home inspector that will provide you with a comprehensive report in a timely fashion, as most real estate contracts have time restraints in regards to a home inspection report.
• Make sure the home inspector you find maintains professional liability insurance as this is an indication that they are a responsible firm and enjoy a solid track record.