What to Look for When Hiring a Home Inspector

When you are on the hunt for a new home, it is easy to fall in love with the layout,color scheme and ambiance of a house—but underlying structural factors are justas important to consider. Hiring a home inspector is an essential step in thehome-buying process and can help provide you with a detailed overview of the overallcondition of your new home. Here is an overview of what home inspectors look forduring an inspection and the factors you should consider when hiring a professional toexamine your potential new home.

What Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is an evaluation that occurs before a home is purchased. Theinspector will assess your property and provide you with a detailed report of all theirfindings. You can then go to the seller (or builder) to fix any desired issues before youclose on the home or, in some instances, use the findings to negotiate down aseller’s price.

The specific factors your inspector will examine during a home inspection may varyfrom state to state or based on the property itself. However, there are some essentialsyou can expect your home inspector to cover including major mechanical systems,structural integrity and other safety-related aspects of the house.

There are limits to what a home inspector routinely checks, though. Most inspectors typically will not look over chimneys, wells or septic systems. If you are concerned abouta specific area of a home that is not routinely addressed, you can always ask yourinspector to take a look—however, this may result in additional costs. Be sure toclarify what your inspection cost covers and whether added factors will raise the price ofthe service before signing an agreement.

While many inspectors are often able to address special inspection requests, certainareas may require the expertise of a specialist. For roof and chimney inspections, forexample, you may need to find an inspector specifically trained to know what to lookfor.

At the end of an inspection, you will receive a written report detailing all theinspector’s findings, including photographs and descriptions of any damagefound during the investigation. Pictures are essential because they can help youunderstand both the scope and location of the damage—this makes it mucheasier to have repairs done.

How Many Inspections Do You Need?

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (IACHI) recommendshomeowners have two or three inspections done prior to purchasing a new-constructionhome. These include:

• “Pre-pour” inspection: This occurs before thefoundation is poured and ensures the site has been graded correctly. An inspector willalso check the anchors and footings to see if they are adequately spaced and securelyin place.
• “Pre-drywall/sheetrock” inspection: After the frameis built and the roof is installed, structural elements—like beams, posts andstuds—are evaluated. Additionally, wiring and plumbing are also assessed duringthis stage.
• Final inspection: The final inspection occurs before move-in day.This confirms that the home is safe for occupancy and has been finished per local codeand building standards. Your builder should remedy any issues found during the finalinspection before you move in.

How to Find an Inspector You Can Trust

When hiring a home inspector, it is important to find a qualified expert able toaccurately identify potential issues. Confirming certification through reputableorganizations like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the InternationalAssociation of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) is a great way to vet candidates.Both organizations have electronic databases to help you find certified inspectors inyour area. The databases will also provide details about their experience, certificationsand the types of services they offer.

There are also several platforms for user reviews regarding home inspectioncompanies, including the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List and Yelp. Typingthe name of a company and such terms as “complaints” and “reviews” into a search engine like Google can also help you uncoverreputable options.

Lastly, you might also ask your real estate agent for referrals. Agents work withmany of the same inspectors regularly and can often recommend a provider who will behonest, objective and thorough. Your agent will also benefit from referring you to aqualified expert as this can help ensure you have a smooth, efficient closingprocess. 

Hiring a home inspector to evaluate your property is a vital step in the home-buyingprocess and can help ensure you are purchasing a safe and hazard-free property. Areyou ready to find your dream home? Explore Perry Homes’ move-inready properties to discover your next home here in Texas.