Is your Collegeville Home Inspector compliant?

Is your Collegeville Home Inspector compliant?

I recently got a frantic phone call from a previous client.  They were now selling their home in Collegeville, PA and just lost the buyers after their home inspector came through. 

There were some red flags that made her want to check into this home inspector a little more.  She asked my advice on what agencies to check with and ended up finding out that his radon testing license had expired the previous year and that he might not be compliant with the State of PA home inspector law. 

It is very important, whether you are the buyer, seller or the agent representing one of these parties, to confirm that the home inspector coming through is complaint with your state's home inspector laws.  Pennsylvania does not have a licensing requirement, but the state does require that all home inspectors comply with the law that was passed in 2002.  The home inspector should provide a "Compliance Statement" upon request.  For more information on this law, visit Pennsylvania Home Inspectors Coalition (PHIC).

This home inspector law basically states that in order to renegotiate an agreement of sale based solely on a home inspection report, you need to have the report written by a home inspector that meets certain criteria determined by the state.  If not, you run the risk of being made responsible for accepting any defects that come up during the home inspection.  

This law, Act 114 of 2000, is a means of regulating the performance of home inspections and requiring a certain level of professionalism by home inspectors in order to protect consumers.  Prior to this law, you had individuals advertising themselves as home inspectors, but lacking the training and background to render professional opinions concerning the condition of the property.  For your protection, make sure to ask your home inspector whether he is "compliant with the State of Pennsylvania home inspector law".  

Among the criteria set out by this law, your home inspector must belong to a national home inspection association and meet minimum insurance requirements. 

Both the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) meet the state requirements.  The required insurance must include both errors and omissions and general liability with at least $100,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate coverage.  

David Artigliere, ASHI Certified home inspector & owner of ARTI Home Inspections LLC, offers home inspections in Collegeville & surrounding 7 days a week. 

Visit www.artihomeinspections.com or call (610) 220-1907.