There is nothing in Colorado real estate law that would prohibit you from doing your own inspection. Your right to examine the property is almost completely unconstrained - you're allowed to undertake pretty much any and all types of inspections short of destruction testing to determine that the property you are considering buying meets your requirements. And you may use whomever you choose to conduct such inspections - Colorado does not require that inspectors be licensed.
However, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. And in the case of home inspections, doing your own would probably be a really bad idea.
You're about to buy something very expensive. It's in your best interest to know as much as you possibly can about its condition, and unless you have the appropriate training and expertise, you need to rely on a trained and competent inspector.
Here's a short list of your new home's features that will need a careful look:
- Roof
- Foundation
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Electrical
- Doors and windows
These are all complex systems with many components - and if something is wrong, and goes undiscovered, it could be very expensive to correct. A good inspector will be an expert in several of these systems, and where he isn't an expert, he will be trained to spot the need to call on one for an opinion. He will have a systematic approach and will document his findings, in detail and with photos. And he'll either give you comfort to proceed with your purchase or information about what's necessary to get you to that position. And while Colorado doesn't license property inspectors, the best ones are credentialed by reputable national associations and have current training certifications, as well as excellent references. Check out several and hire the best one you can find, or ask us - we'll give you some recommendations.
And by the way, while you should never consider doing your own, it's a great idea to accompany your inspector while he examines your soon-to-be new home. You'll learn a lot about maintenance and how the various systems work, and if there is a problem, you'll have first-hand knowledge of it.
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