The moment you buy a house, you should have already prepared yourself to handle all the responsibilities that come with it ---maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and so on. Many homeowners forget that even after they have the keys to their dream house, they still have to face and carry out various tasks and duties to ensure that they enjoy their abode for many years to come.
For you to be able to determine what your home truly needs, you have to hire a Professional home Inspector that can provide you any information regarding the actual condition of probably the largest investment you will ever have in your lifetime. So, to not let your hard-earned money go to waste, you have to know how to find the best home inspector. Here are some tips that you can follow to land the right one:
Do tons of research on the top home inspectors in your area.
The first place to check when looking for a home inspector to hire is the town or city you live in. That way, all home inspectors included in the local listings are already familiar with any zoning regulations, laws, and other rules that may affect anything regarding your house. They should have the appropriate license, certifications, and other credentials that prove that they have been recognized by authorized organizations and agencies to perform this kind of job on a professional scale.
You may also consider asking for home inspector referrals from co-workers, friends, and other family members. Some of them may already have hired some reliable home inspectors that can also deliver high-quality services for you.
Do not solely base your decision on hiring a home inspector on how much they cost.
The cost of hiring a home inspector varies. Some of the most experienced ones, most especially those who have been in the business for decades, tend to be on the more expensive side, while those with only a couple of years in their belts are likely to be more within your budget. You have to be smart about this and not be easily be swayed by their prices.
A professional home inspector that charges a high service fee does not necessarily mean they will surely deliver a top notch job, and one that charges an affordable rate does not really imply that they will perform poorly and just rob you of your money. The numbers do not tell all. Therefore, you should look beyond them and apply the first tip mentioned. Do your own research by going online and checking out their websites, reading customer testimonials and feedback, and verifying whatever information that can help you find the best home inspector.
Know the extent of their home inspection process.
There are many different components that make up the home Inspection process, and the standard method includes assessment of both the interiors and exteriors of the house. An inspection of the interior consists of checking the air conditioning, flooring, wall finishes, electrical, plumbing, ventilation, heating, insulation, basements, doors, windows, and ceilings. Exterior inspection, on the other hand, includes a visual inspection of the chimneys, downspouts, roofing, gutters, foundation, wall surfaces, and flashing.
Once the inspection is complete, the home inspector should give you a detailed report, which includes clear and easy-to-read descriptions and accounts, as well as photographs, in the next 24 hours.
The home inspector should let you be present during the inspection.
Because it is your house, you should hire a professional home inspector that will not hesitate to allow you to be a part of the inspection process. The right person for the job is someone who is comfortable to have you, the homeowner, around and is willing to educate you on the different components and issues of your home. By being there while they are doing their work, you can see firsthand what their methods are and learn some great tips on home maintenance.
Choosing the right professional home inspector can be quite tricky. Therefore, you should be open to learning and applying all these tips and advice on how to effectively select the best home inspector to have the correct information regarding your house and be able to immediately address problems and issues that need to be resolved before things get out of hand.
