So, you are about to make what is probably the largest purchase of your life. Now you have to find someone to inspect it and trust them to tell you everything important about the home you are about to buy.
Wouldn't it make sense to make sure you are hiring a home inspector who will do the job well? At EHI we certainly think so, and while we know you may not choose us, we want to make sure you have the resources to choose the inspector that is right for you. Below are a few important things to know about inspectors and the industry, and how to go about finding an inspector.
Certified/Member/Registered/Licensed -
There are a variety of professional organizations that serve the Home Inspection industry, with the two largest being ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) and Inter-NACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors). Both of these groups along with a few others offer a range of certifications, and memberships. Inspectors who are members have paid their dues, but have not necessarily received any training or certification from that group. Certified members have undergone training and testing to help prove their abilities in each area of inspections.
These memberships and certifications, however, are different from a license. Although the State of Michigan does not currently offer a license for home inspections, many states do. This link below is to the State of Michigan and their offical stance on Home Inspectors Certification.
State Of Michigan Home Inspector Certification
Even if your state does require a license, you should also consider looking for an inspector who is certified through an industry organization. While a state license can offer you some assurances and even some recourse if there is a problem with your inspector, it is unlikely that your state licensing system will offer the same resources to your inspector.
The above industry organizations offer extensive training and resources to keep their inspectors up to date and well trained.
Additionally, ASHI when vetting their applicants for membership also conduct a criminal background check, again giving home buyers confidence in who they are hiring.
Below are links to each of these companies and a few others that offer searches for Home Inspectors
Insured -
While the job of inspecting a home is not generally considered hazardous work, it is extremely important that whoever you hire is fully bonded and insured. Things like standing on a roof, climbing in an attic, or inspecting a furnace are just a few of the ways in which an inspector could accidentally cause damage to the home. Making sure they are insured will not only alleviate any worry, it is also a sign that the inspector is reputable and running their business the right way. Never hesitate to ask your inspector for proof of insurance before they begin.
Offer the proper services-
The standard home inspection may only be one part of the services you need completed. As we said before, not all inspectors are equal, and not all offer the same services. The following is a short list of items not typically covered by a standard home inspection, if these are not included, are they services your inspector offers? Or do they have a reference for someone who does?
Radon testing
Water contaminate testing
Sewer inspections
Chimney inspection
Septic inspection(required by law in Michigan)
Well Inspection(required by law in Michigan)
Thermography
PFAS
Well inspection
Proper Equipment -
The home inspection industry has advanced dramatically over the past decade or so. With new and advanced technology becoming more affordable and available the resources available to an inspector have greatly increased. It is important to know if your inspector has kept up with the times and has the proper equipment. Please also note, a bad inspector (even with ALL of the latest equipment) will still produce a bad report. Just remember the tools are only one aspect. Below are a few of the technologies you should consider making sure your inspector has:
Combustable gas sniffers
Freon leak sniffers
GFCI outlet tester
Digital camera
Infrared camera (FLIR)
Digital Report Software
Moisture sensors
Experience -
This alone may be the single most important quality of a home inspector. Training, certification, and tools will only get an inspector so far. The experience under an inspectors belt, the knowledge of where to look for common issues, and how construction problems arise in a home is vital to being able to foresee defects that may not be obvious to a casual observer.
You should always feel 100% confident in asking your Inspector questions about the services they offer, or anything else discussed in this blog.
As always, thank you for reading our blog! we hope you found the information helpful. remember to check us out when you are ready for an inspection! www.expert-home-inspections.com
Wouldn't it make sense to make sure you are hiring a home inspector who will do the job well? At EHI we certainly think so, and while we know you may not choose us, we want to make sure you have the resources to choose the inspector that is right for you. Below are a few important things to know about inspectors and the industry, and how to go about finding an inspector.
Certified/Member/Registered/Licensed -
There are a variety of professional organizations that serve the Home Inspection industry, with the two largest being ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) and Inter-NACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors). Both of these groups along with a few others offer a range of certifications, and memberships. Inspectors who are members have paid their dues, but have not necessarily received any training or certification from that group. Certified members have undergone training and testing to help prove their abilities in each area of inspections.
These memberships and certifications, however, are different from a license. Although the State of Michigan does not currently offer a license for home inspections, many states do. This link below is to the State of Michigan and their offical stance on Home Inspectors Certification.
State Of Michigan Home Inspector Certification
Even if your state does require a license, you should also consider looking for an inspector who is certified through an industry organization. While a state license can offer you some assurances and even some recourse if there is a problem with your inspector, it is unlikely that your state licensing system will offer the same resources to your inspector.
The above industry organizations offer extensive training and resources to keep their inspectors up to date and well trained.
Additionally, ASHI when vetting their applicants for membership also conduct a criminal background check, again giving home buyers confidence in who they are hiring.
Below are links to each of these companies and a few others that offer searches for Home Inspectors
Insured -
While the job of inspecting a home is not generally considered hazardous work, it is extremely important that whoever you hire is fully bonded and insured. Things like standing on a roof, climbing in an attic, or inspecting a furnace are just a few of the ways in which an inspector could accidentally cause damage to the home. Making sure they are insured will not only alleviate any worry, it is also a sign that the inspector is reputable and running their business the right way. Never hesitate to ask your inspector for proof of insurance before they begin.
Offer the proper services-
The standard home inspection may only be one part of the services you need completed. As we said before, not all inspectors are equal, and not all offer the same services. The following is a short list of items not typically covered by a standard home inspection, if these are not included, are they services your inspector offers? Or do they have a reference for someone who does?
Radon testing
Water contaminate testing
Sewer inspections
Chimney inspection
Septic inspection(required by law in Michigan)
Well Inspection(required by law in Michigan)
Thermography
PFAS
Well inspection
Proper Equipment -
The home inspection industry has advanced dramatically over the past decade or so. With new and advanced technology becoming more affordable and available the resources available to an inspector have greatly increased. It is important to know if your inspector has kept up with the times and has the proper equipment. Please also note, a bad inspector (even with ALL of the latest equipment) will still produce a bad report. Just remember the tools are only one aspect. Below are a few of the technologies you should consider making sure your inspector has:
Combustable gas sniffers
Freon leak sniffers
GFCI outlet tester
Digital camera
Infrared camera (FLIR)
Digital Report Software
Moisture sensors
Experience -
This alone may be the single most important quality of a home inspector. Training, certification, and tools will only get an inspector so far. The experience under an inspectors belt, the knowledge of where to look for common issues, and how construction problems arise in a home is vital to being able to foresee defects that may not be obvious to a casual observer.
You should always feel 100% confident in asking your Inspector questions about the services they offer, or anything else discussed in this blog.
As always, thank you for reading our blog! we hope you found the information helpful. remember to check us out when you are ready for an inspection! www.expert-home-inspections.com
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