Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Inspector

Many home buyers aren't sure whether to find their own home inspector or just use the one their real estate agent recommends.

Should you go with the home inspector your realtor recommends, make sure you still do your due diligence to avoid a sub-par experience that could cost thousands.

Here are a few questions to ask before hiring a home inspector:

Are they certified with a national home inspection association?

InterNACHI and ASHI are the 2 largest home inspection organizations in North America. Home inspector associations provide rigorous training and on-going education to ensure their home inspectors are knowledgable. Use the links below to make sure your inspector is in good standing with one or both home inspection associations.

InterNACHI Certification Check

ASHI Certified Inspectors

Are they registered or licensed with the state?

Some states require home inspectors to be licensed through the state.

Be sure to check if your state has home inspector licensing requirements.

How are their ratings & reviews?

We all rely on reviews in some capacity. Hiring a home inspector is no different.

A simple Google search for the inspector's business name will yield any ratings and reviews they have. Make sure to check popular sites like HomeAdvisor, Yelp, Thumbtack, and Angie's List.

How much do they charge?

The cost of a home inspection should not be a determining factor in who you choose to hire. If anything, you should be cautious if the price is abnormally low.

The average cost of a home inspection is near $400. Prices will vary depending on the age and size of the home, the inspector's experience, and the supply and demand of your local real estate market.

What do their sample reports look like?

Check the home inspector's website not only for a professional online presence, but also for a sample home inspection report so you can know what to expect. A quality sample report should contain:

• Lots of images that clearly show defects or educational items
• A thorough inspection that covers the major areas of the home
• A clear understanding of what are high priority items or safety hazards
• Easy navigation of sections
• Recommendations of which type of contractor to contact for quotes

Have you had a good or bad experience with a home inspector? Let us know in the comments!