Before you purchase a home, hiring an inspector is more than just important, it’s virtually necessary. A home inspector helps ensure the structure is sound, secure, and safe, and grants you peace of mind, helping buyers identify serious issues with a house, townhouse, condo, multi-unit building, or any other type of home. Many lenders and mortgage companies require a home inspection before signing off on a loan, too.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of a thorough inspection. Your inspector could find snags or snares in the structure or systems of the home. A competent home inspector can help you save money — and maybe even prevent you from entering into a nightmare.
After all, home buying is an emotional and sometimes complex process. After spending your time signing papers, becoming emotionally attached, and making all the necessary arrangements, no one wants to discover dangerous conditions or unaddressed maintenance that would have kept you from making the purchase.
But what does it take to find the right home inspector? As you begin to look for this key part of the home buying puzzle, here are a few important considerations to keep in mind:
Choose an Inspector Who Will Be Present the Whole Time
You could have an inspector who simply shows you a report at the end of the inspection. But then? You could lose out on a lot of important and necessary information, context, and details. Look for an inspector who is willing to communicate with the home buyers for this inspection process, to show them the systems of the home, as well as the necessary maintenance and future maintenance they should pay attention to.
Ensure the Inspector Is Knowledgeable
This may sound like an obvious one, but taking the time to do your research can definitely help you in the long run. Be ready to ask your prospective inspector some key questions. What kind of inspections have they done? How long have they been in business?
Make sure you do your own sort of inspection on your inspector to find someone whose dedication to the profession is authentic, and who possesses all of the qualifications needed to make the process work for you.
Home inspection is a full-time profession that requires proper education and background. It’s all about finding clues, insights, or hidden damage that your handyman friend can’t truly offer. You’ll be better off — and safer — by taking some time to find the most professional, experienced option out there.
Ensure the Inspector Is Trustworthy
To receive the most accurate information possible about the condition of a home, always obtain an impartial third-party opinion by an expert in the field of home inspection, whom you trust to deliver a complete report based on their objective research — without any influence from a third party (such as a home seller or even the listing agent).
In short? Hire your own inspector.
As a buyer, hiring your own inspector can help ensure that you receive the best and most thorough service, complete with specialized insights for your unique property. Remember, a truly professional inspector has an obligation to report the unbiased truth. Their role is to provide the experience, depth of knowledge, and training necessary to make an impartial and informed report of the condition of a property, based on facts and findings – not emotion or guesswork.
Check Out the Inspector’s Qualifications and Certifications
Be sure to check on an inspector’s certifications and credentials before hiring. Are they a BBB-accredited organization? Do they belong to professional groups or organizations, such as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), the All American Association of Home Inspectors (AAAHI), or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)? Do they offer a warranty or a protected promise to back up the results of their inspections? Your inspector must be someone you can trust fully.
Don’t hesitate to talk to your inspector and make sure that they can bring the level of training and professionalism that you need out of your home inspection.
Read Through Reviews and Sample Reports
You can definitely ask an inspector for reviews from past clients and check out their website for testimonials, or look for their brand on sites like Google, or Facebook, or Yelp. Reading through reviews and ratings is a great way to bolster your peace of mind and get acquainted with an inspector’s work and qualifications. In some cases, it may also be helpful to request a sample report for additional perspective and insight.
What to Expect with Windy City Home Inspection
Whether you’re buying a property, selling a property, or just want to know how to maintain your property, Windy City Home Inspection has an inspection for you. With Windy City Home Inspection, you can expect a competent, thorough inspection covering all the bases and never cutting corners.
When searching for the right home inspector, it’s important to find someone you can trust — and that’s why we are here for you. The inspectors at Windy City Home Inspection, Inc. are licensed by the State of Illinois, certified, and insured. Each home inspection is backed by our Warranty and Protection Plan. Furthermore, we pride ourselves on our superior customer service. If you ever have questions, even years after your home inspection, we will be here to answer them — even if it means returning to your home.
At Windy City Home Inspection, Inc., we perform inspections to the highest standards – yours. Backed by a consulting team with more than 60 years of experience, Windy City Home Inspection is committed to excellence. Have a question? Let us help.
