How To Choose A Home Inspector?

When buying a new or old house, it is strongly recommended that you inspect the house. After spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy a house, discovering that the roof is leaking or the house is infested by termites can be very disappointing. Even if it is a new house, it is recommended to conduct an inspection because you do not know the condition of the foundation and structure of the house. A good house inspector will thoroughly inspect the exterior and interior of the house and provide you with a list of any defects that may exist. The problem is that not all housing inspectors are created equal. For the best results, you need to know how to find a good home inspector .

The role of the house inspector is to find all major and minor problems that may exist in the house. Inadequate inspections may result in you buying a home with major defects, which may end up costing you thousands of dollars; on the other hand, a good inspection can save you a lot of money. One of the best ways to determine a good house inspector is to ask the right questions.

How to Find a Home Inspector

The first thing you should do is ask your family and friends for advice. Contact those who have recently gone through the process of buying a house for comments and suggestions. The internet is also a good place to find a house inspector. There, you can check the home inspector’s website and read reviews posted by their customers. Also, be sure to ask experts for their recommendations. 

The next place to find a home inspector is to talk to home builders, mortgage agencies, and your real estate agent. These professionals regularly work with housing inspectors and provide referrals. 

Once you have found a housing inspector, the next step is what questions you should ask to determine who you will choose.

What kind of experience do you have?

You will want an experienced person, not a person who is just starting out. An experienced inspector will know what to look for. You should also ask the inspector if the house has been inspected recently and where it has been inspected. You need someone with experience in inspecting houses in Florida, where heat and humidity often cause serious damage to the house.

Are you certified?

To become an inspector, you need to complete a specified number of house inspections and pass the national house inspector exam.

Why did you become a home inspector?

It is important to know how the inspector obtains his/her education and training. In the past, inspectors only learned about work by observing others. In addition, other people may have taken short-term online courses and have problems with their certificates. You need someone who has received the formal education of the real plan before obtaining a license.

What other services do you offer?

Although the Florida Standard of Practice stipulates a minimum list that all inspectors should inspect, some inspectors will go beyond this range and look for things like insects, termite infestation , mold , asbestos, lead paint, etc. If these characteristics are important to you, then you should choose an inspector who provides more services, not just the regular minimum set by the state.

For example, in Florida, you also want to ensure that your home is protected from hurricanes. In addition, some inspectors also provide other services, such as using drones to scan roofs or using thermal cameras to inspect chimneys, walls, ceilings, and floors to check for damage, leaks, or moisture. Other possibilities include inspections to check for radon, termites, and mold. Ask what other services can be provided and what will the costs be.

Are you licensed in Florida?

All house inspectors a required to carry a license. Having an unlicensed inspector is like asking a plumber to inspect your car.

Do you have insurance?

Here in Florida, inspectors must obtain and keep up-to-date liability insurance. In addition, some inspectors also have error and omission (E&O) coverage. So at the very least, your inspector should have at general liability insurance with $300k in coverage.

What kind of warranties do you offer?

Generally speaking, once you move into your home, most home inspectors in Florida will not guarantee their work. However, once you move in after the house inspection, you may find that the toilet overflows or the HVAC system does not work. Unfortunately, the house inspector only spends a few hours inspecting the house.  The typical buyer does not move into the home for another 45 days. Many things can occur in that month and a half. However, some home inspectors do provide a 90 day warranty for each inspection.

Whether you are buying or selling a house, it is important to ask a licensed and experienced professional to inspect the house. There are tens of thousands of home inspectors in Florida, but not all of them have the same experience, qualifications, or training. Although the internet does provide comments and certificates from house inspectors, one of the best ways is to ask relevant questions. Most good house inspectors will not only be ready to answer your questions, but they will also prepare a list of their experience and certificates.

Call Guardian Angel Inspections for South Florida Inspections

Guardian Angel Inspections Inc. provides home inspection services that give you peace of mind. Whether you are a current homeowner in need of an insurance inspection , a seller wanting to assess what items should be addressed prior to listing, a buyer making sure you know what you’re buying, or a Real Estate Agent looking for the best possible company for their client, the Guardian Angel Inspections team is ready to help you every step of the way! When you’re ready to discuss your home inspection needs, call (561) 512-7854 .

The information in this blog post is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. You should not make a decision whether or not to contact an attorney based upon the information in this blog post. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. If you require legal advice, please consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.