10 Essential Questions To Ask A Home Inspector

When buying a home, you can always rely on a home inspector to make sure it’s in good shape. However, even though qualified inspectors follow a predetermined checklist that allows them to accurately assess the condition of a home, you as a future homeowner can get way more out of a home inspection by doing one simple thing:

Asking questions in every stage of the home inspection process. 

Doing so grants you more value for your money, and ultimately, ends up providing you with even more valuable data, helping you make better purchasing decisions.

Here are the essential questions to ask home inspector.

Before the inspection

There are plenty of inspectors in Florida so making the right choice isn’t that easy. This is especially true when you consider each one claims they’re the best.

Asking the following will help you judge if they practice what they preach:

1. What home features do you check?

Many first-time buyers have no idea what the inspector will do once they’re at the property. It doesn’t hurt to ask the person you hired about the areas they’ll examine.

Generally, a home inspection evaluates close to 1600 features on a home. This covers everything from the roof to the foundation. 

2. Are there limits to the inspection?

While a regular home inspection is comprehensive, one of the questions to ask home inspector is what items they won’t look at. This is important because it helps you keep your expectations in check.

A home inspection is a visual inspection, meaning the inspector isn’t allowed to take any samples or cut a hole in the wall to check the wiring, for instance. 

The inspector can flag potential issues in the inspection report, though, allowing you to investigate things further by bringing in an expert. 

3. How much do you charge?

It’s impossible to determine the price of the inspection, strictly because it depends on the size of the property, the market, and the inspector’s experience and certification. Because you’ll have to pay the inspector on the day they provide the service, you need to know what to expect.

Make a few calls, ask for a few quotes, and you’ll get a good idea of the average pricing.

However, don’t automatically hire someone who quotes you at a lower price. This may indicate they’re having trouble attracting clients or are inexperienced. 

4. How much experience do you have?

It doesn’t hurt to ask the inspector how many inspections they’ve performed. A new inspector may offer a high level of quality, but they still lack the experience, which may lead to them overlooking glaring flaws, particularly when faced with unusual or old homes.

5. How long does it take to inspect a home?

This helps you organize your time and ensures neither you nor the seller have to rush things. 

While you can expect to receive an estimate (the size and the condition of the home will dictate how long the inspection takes), unrealistic numbers are a major red flag. For example, if the inspector says it will take them four hours to inspect a one-bedroom condo or two hours to evaluate a huge historic property, it indicates a major lack of experience. 

6. Can you provide me with a sample report?

Considering you’re reading a guide on questions to ask a home inspector, we’re willing to bet you’ve never gone through the process. This is why you should ask to see a sample report. 

Most houses have some issues, and not all of them are expensive to repair. By seeing a sample report of a home in good condition, you can keep the panic at bay when you receive your report. Plus, this gives you an idea of how effectively the inspector clarifies the problems, allowing you to judge whether they’re the right match for you. 

During the inspection

If you attend the inspection (as you should), you’ll get even more bang for your buck as you can ask the inspector to clarify potential issues on the spot. This way, you don’t need to decipher any of the technical mumbo jumbo in the report.

You can ask the inspector the following:

1. What do you mean?

Experienced inspectors often make comments as they walk through the home. For example, they may point out some rotten boards. If this happens, don’t be afraid to ask them to clarify the impact of the issue on the overall quality of the home. 

Do note there are limits. Don’t ask whether you should purchase the home because of a certain issue - inspectors are only allowed to comment on the condition of the property. 

2. Is this a major problem?

To alleviate some of the stress and gain more valuable insights, one of the essential questions to ask home inspector is to clarify whether a specific defect is a big deal. Some things simply sound scary. The good news is that most older homes may have the same problem, meaning they’re not deal breakers.

Similarly, if the issue turns out to be major, you can walk away from the purchase knowing you’ve made the right decision. 

3. How do I properly maintain this area?

Home inspectors are experts in real estate and construction. Hence, if you ask about the right things, you can get valuable advice when it comes to maintaining a home. 

For instance, if there’s a boiler room, feel free to inquire about maintenance tips. Sure, they may not give you a full guide, but you’ll get some nifty advice and tricks that will help you immensely in the future. 

4. What are your biggest concerns?

Once they complete the inspection, the inspector can provide a summary of the findings before your report arrives. Most reports will be completed in 48 hours, but still, ask the inspector about their biggest concerns. 

This allows you to book additional inspection services or bring other experts to save valuable time. 

It’s all about the value

Purchasing a home is probably the biggest financial decision in your life, and you really don’t want to mess this up. Finding the right home inspector and communicating effectively with them on the day of the inspection will help you maximize the value of this critical service.

For a home inspection you can trust, Guardian Angel Inspections has everything you need. 

As the best inspection company in Palm Beach County, performing home inspections is second nature for us at this point. With fair pricing and the wide range of different inspection services we deliver, there’s no need for you to reach out to multiple inspectors or contractors. Regardless of whether a home has a pool, a septic system, or you want to check for the presence of termites, Guardian Angel Inspections has got you covered. 

Receive a quote by calling 561-512-7854 or filling out our contact form.