Want to ensure that your home inspector is looking out for your best interests? Follow these tips:
Get a referral to a reputable inspector from a trusted real estate agent or lender or your local Better Business Bureau.
Opt for an experienced professional who belongs to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and/or the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI).
Be sure the inspector has certification training and is licensed (in states where it’s required) and also has insurance for general liability and errors and omissions.
Ask to see a copy of an example inspection report to make sure it covers everything that’s important to you.
The inspection should take at least two and a half hours and yield a written, thorough report that indicates defects and recommendations and includes digital photos.
Additionally, says Bruce McClure, home inspector and book author, “Ask yourself, ‘Is he answering all my questions? Is he explaining things clearly? Is he saying anything that doesn’t sound right, or have you seen something that you think he may be downplaying?’”