The 7 BIGGEST Mistakes People Make Hiring Home Inspectors pt4

Mistake No.4 - Picking the First Available Inspector

Some Realtors will not provide guidance on which inspector to use (NAR - National Association of Realtor - guidelines state that they should recommend a minimum of three if they refer at all) and I have seen Realtors that photocopy a page from the phone book and give it to clients.

Clients then proceed to call each one, starting at "A" and working their way down the list until someone answers the phone.  That's their guy.  He answered the phone and he's available, today even.

NOTE:  For an example, check my schedule online at www.yournwinspector.com and click on the Online Scheduling tab.  That will take you to the scheduling page where you can see my available slots.  Not every slot is shown - I save a few for emergencies.

That's a huge mistake.  The guys you want are the ones that are busy.  The good inspectors don't multi-task.  They focus on the inspection at hand and return calls later.  Generally, they are booked several days in advance and, in the busiest part of the year, perhaps even up to a week out.  Looking at my schedule now, I am booked out 3 days with a holiday on the fourth. 

 Wait to talk to at least three inspectors.  You might have to wait for a return call but it's worth it. Any inspector that takes more than 12 hours (or overnight with a return call first thing in the morning) should be eliminated from your list.  They don't care enough to be courteous.  Likewise, if you have hired an inspector, let the others know.  Those slots (and they may be saving one for you) are gold to them.

Spend the time to chat with them and get a feel for their style.  Look for someone who can explain the issues in the house without scaring the heck out of you.  This isn't Fear Factor.  It's a home inspection, data gathering on all the systems.  Emotion gets in the way of facts.  Avoid cheerleaders for the same reason. 

Ask for appointment times that fit your schedule.  Most inspectors offer morning and afternoon times and, on special request, evenings and weekends.  Expect to pay extra for Sundays.  If at all possible, you want to be at the inspection, so plan a 4 hour block of time for it.  I guarantee it won't be a waste of your time.

If you can't be at the inspection, set a time that the report will be delivered and when you can call to discuss it with your inspector.  If the inspector does not offer that follow up time (FREE!), move on to the next one.

Remember - It's BEST Available, not First Available that you're looking for.