Does your inspector fit in the "luggage-check" box?

     The qualifications necessary to be a home inspector has been discussed many times by me and others on this forum.  These discussions usually revolve around home inspector training, certifications, licenses and even personality.

     Today, however, I want to talk about what it "physically" takes to do the job and perhaps create another set of questions one might consider in determining if one's choice of a home inspector is the right one.

     It used to be, in the early days of home inspections, that if the inspector had a screw driver, a flash light and could walk around the home with a heartbeat they could call themselves a home inspector.  Now with the presence of home inspector associations, licensing and a huge increase in the education of home inspectors, coupled with increased consumer expectations of, the inspector must be better trained and have more tools in his bag of tricks.

     So here are a few questions that one could perhaps consider as to whether the inspector is up to the "physical" demands of the job.

1. Can the inspector crawl through an opening 12" by 16?"  Some times we must actually get through openings even smaller than this, but given that 16" wide is the minimum width of a crawl space opening and 12" is the minimum depth required under wood beams----this seems like a reasonable "minimum" size that an inspector should be able to get through without too much trouble.  If they cannot----how much information are they missing or deferring until proper access can be made-----or someone else can inspect the area?

2. Can the inspector climb three sets of stairs with a full tool belt at least four times during the course of the inspection----with one of the trips to include a ladder for getting into the attic?  Resting between trips should consist of performing the normal functions of inspecting whatever is necessary between trips.  Sitting on the top step and resting in a pool of sweat and tears may be an indication of a problem.

3. Is the inspector too afraid of spiders, rats, snakes or other common inhabitants of crawl spaces, to adequately inspect the space?

4. Ditto #3 for Attics.

5. Can the inspector suppress claustrophobia long enough to crawl down a narrow tunnel, 18” high or less, between ductwork and the foundation, for a minimum of 20' and then back their way out because there is not room to turn around?  Or will they leave the inspection wondering what was at the end of that tunnel?

6. Does the inspector have a good sense of balance?  If not, they may minimize the importance of meandering through elaborate roof structures to check out that b-vent, chimney or bird nest at the far end of the attic.

7. Is the inspector afraid of heights?  Traversing roofs, when safe, should be considered part of the job----being afraid of heights may limit an inspector's ability to give adequate information about the roof.

8. Can the inspector haul 50-70 pound extension ladders all around the exterior of the home? If not----they again may provide even less information about the roof they had deemed too unsafe to walk on or were too afraid to walk on in number 7.

     Some inspectors, that are not able to do some of these physical aspects of the inspection, may limit their inspections to homes where they don’t have to go in crawl spaces, on high roofs etc. 

     In general, I find the majority of successful home inspectors to be a fairly fit bunch that know their limitations, and that know how to take care of themselves-----but if your inspector is not, or you are thinking of becoming an inspector, this may be a good list to think about.

     So while this may be a pretty accurate list of necessary physical attributes, it does not even touch on some of the other things necessary to be a good home inspector such as, good typing skills, good computer skills, being internet savvy, being willing to work nights and weekends, and did I mention basically agreeing to not have a life until the report goes out?.

Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector