Choosing The Right Home Inspector Doesn't Cost You, It Pays!
After searching for months, you’ve just made a serious offer on your Rancho Cucamonga dream home. How exciting . . . this is going to be the perfect place to call home for many years to come.
The excited side of you wants to throw caution to the wind because you can't imagine that a Rancho Cucamonga ome this beautiful could possibly have anything wrong with it! Is it really necessary to have a home inspection performed? The logical side of you argues caution and reminds you that you’d be foolish not to order a professional home inspection to ensure that your dream home doesn't turn into a nightmare.
The purchase contract contains a contingency clause stating that there is no obligation for the Buyer to fulfill the terms of the contract if the home inspection yields less-than-satisfactory results. Any professional Realtor working in your best interest has definitely cautioned and advised you to protect yourself against costly repairs that could be avoided by obtaining a home inspection.
A thorough, systematic home inspection requires the services of a professional Home Inspector. The most important component of a good home inspection is a good Home Inspector. But, exactly how do you go about selecting a good Home Inspector, and what constitutes a good one versus a not-so-good one?
First, it’s important to note that not every state requires a Home Inspector to be licensed. However, for the ones that do, it’s reassuring to know that in order to obtain a license, applicants are required to either complete an approved training regimen, pass a stringent examination via the state’s licensing board, or both. Some states also stipulate that the renewal of one’s license is contingent upon completing continuing education courses.
However, if your state does not license Home Inspectors, there are other guidelines that are helpful to follow in selecting a good Home Inspector
- Professionalism - One of the best ways to determine if they are truly professional is to check on their credentials such as certifications. Definitely pick a Home Inspector that is affiliated with any of the major professional organizations dealing with the home inspection field. Two of the most respected organizations include the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) -- the industry’s oldest and most respected professional association, according to many real estate professionals. In order to be a member of this organization, the Home Inspector must pass strict technical exams, meet specific standards of practice, and abide by a code of ethics.
- Referrals - Ask friends who were satisfied with the service they received from a particular Home Inspector, for a recommendation. They will often guide you to someone who is competent. Real Estate Agents are also a good source for recommendations. They are in constant contact with different Home Inspectors and already know the best ones vs. the one’s who aren't as professional. It’s wise to get at least 3 referrals to interview from the real estate professional representing you to avoid any possible conflict of interest.
- Thoroughness - Choose a Home Inspector that encourages Buyers to be present during the entire process. Pay attention, watch, ask questions and learn. This can be an invaluable learning experience for Buyers. Know beforehand exactly what the home inspection will include. Try to find a Home Inspector that has a reputation for being detail-oriented, possesses a scrutinizing nature, and doesn’t overlook potential problems a Rancho Cucamonga home could be hiding.
- Experience - Make sure the Home Inspector specializes in residential home inspections. Always insist on hiring a Home Inspector with a certain level of experience. Although education and training are vital ingredients of a Home Inspector’s overall resume, it is crucial in this field to come equipped with a certain amount of on-the-job experience. A good rule of thumb is to look for an Inspector with at least fifteen years of combined training/education and actual work experience. They would ideally have been cross-trained in disciplines involving all systems of a typical residential home. Also choose someone who does this kind of work full-time, not as a sideline endeavor.
- Insurance - A competent Home Inspector will be covered by a general liability insurance, and errors and omissions insurance policy.
- Cost - Expect a full home inspection to take from two to five hours depending on the size of the house. Expect to pay at least $375 for a decent home inspection from a reputable company on an average 2,000 square foot home in Rancho Cucamonga. But be aware that you could easily pay up to $550 for a thorough home inspection report on a large Rancho Cucamonga home. Aside from the time invested, the value of the home inspection and resulting report can be measured by its usefulness. If a home inspection turns up little wrong with the house, as a Buyer you've bought some relatively inexpensive peace of mind. However, if the inspection finds some major issue, the $500 you spent could end up saving you $5,000.
Remember . . . CO$T should be the last criteria considered when evaluating and deciding on a Home Inspector. Whatever you could hope to save, might end up costing you thousands more in the long run. You have too much at stake not to choose a competent, thoroughly qualified Home Inspector with the best qualifications. Choosing the right Home Inspector doesn't cost you, It Definitely Pays - Wouldn't you agree?
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