Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing A Home Inspector
It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of purchasing a home. Once you’ve accepted an offer on the house of your dreams, you’ll probably be eager to move in. However, prior to making a significant financial commitment, it’s advisable to know exactly what you’re buying. When you choose a home inspector, you get a thorough, in-depth and professional examination of the property’s structures and systems. It’s an investment worth making that can save you money in the long run, either by helping you steer clear of a wrong purchase or by uncovering a list of deficiencies you can use to renegotiate with the sellers.
The home inspector’s report will also feature minor repairs intended to help maintain your home over a long period. Additionally, a competent home inspector can often assess the standard life expectancy of your roof, HVAC, and other expensive items to enable you to start planning for their replacement whenever necessary. However, many homebuyers make mistakes during the home inspection process that cost them time and money and cause unnecessary stress.
To ensure you do not make commonly made errors and choose the best home inspector for your home, Stanton’s Home Inspection Services has got you covered! Read on to learn about the most common mistakes people make when choosing a home inspector.
1. Price
One of the most significant errors people make when choosing a home inspector is bargain shopping. Most home prices in the Seattle area are approaching $1 million. Why would a person “shop” for a discount inspection? You are trusting that your home inspector is knowledgeable and thorough, not cheap. Purchasing a home is likely one of the biggest purchases most people make in their lifetime. Why trust that a flat rate inspector, regardless of the size of the house, will provide a comprehensive inspection?
2. Thinking, “It’s a new home; I don’t need an inspection”
You’re correct; all new homes go through a multi-point code compliance inspection process during construction. This does not mean that the home in question does not have issues that should be addressed prior to moving in. Just because a home has “passed” all code inspections does not mean all systems work with one another for a healthy home. Additionally, code inspections are performed at specific intervals of the home building process. Once one portion of the house has “passed” inspection, it is never examined again. Do not assume that all is right with a newly built home. Get an independent complete house inspection done before closing.
3. Expecting the Home Inspector to verify if everything is up to ‘code’
No, a home inspector is not a code enforcement inspector. Home inspectors are familiar with codes but focus on whether a component or covered appliance meets today’s standards for functionality or safety. Think of a home inspector as your primary care physician. They are trained to identify major ‘illnesses’ in a home that require further evaluation by a specialist to diagnose the problem and remedy as they deem necessary.
4. Expecting your Home Inspector to find everything wrong with the home
No. Home inspectors cannot find all deficiencies within the home. Generally, a home inspector has about 3 - 4 hours in any given property to go through the whole house, roof to the foundation and all inspected components in between. Their training and experience enable them to identify the most visible deficiencies as they go through the house. Your inspector is limited to only visual components and an inspection is non-invasive, meaning they do not take apart any portion of the home, move furnishings or appliances. Hidden problems may exist behind walls, below attic insulation, or above subfloor insulation. The more experienced home inspector should be able to identify most significant deficiencies. So, when seeking out a home inspection company, lean heavily on experience.
5. Going by what the broker says
Unless a real estate agent is also a licensed home inspector, it’s not a good idea to rely on their opinion of any specific component. Many agents have a preferred Home Inspector with whom they trust to provide you with a thorough home inspection. Another misconception is that real estate agents choose an inspector that will only help them close the deal. By law, agents must provide the names of three inspectors to you. This eliminates liability for everyone. However, there are many seasoned brokers that have already weeded through the list of home inspectors and may strongly suggest one particular company based on that inspector’s knowledge and thoroughness. Brokers are trained and bound by real estate law to work on your behalf and provide the best service to people they know in the industry.
6. Thinking that all Home Inspectors are the same
Yes, all licensed home inspectors go through similar training and identical licensing with the state. However, this does not make all inspectors good because they pass a test. When choosing an inspector, listen to your broker and do some homework on your own. Choose a company that has a proven track record and is experienced. Training is a good base and required for licensing, but nothing is better than hands-on experience in the field. Every home has its own unique characteristics not taught in a manual or program.
To avoid these and other mistakes people make when hiring a painter, reach out to Stanton’s Home Inspection Services - Licensed Home Inspectors In Issaquah, WA. Stanton’s Home Inspection Services offers Buyer Full Home Inspection, Major Systems Only Inspection, Seller Pre-Listing Inspection, Structural Pest Inspection, and much more. Our Home Inspection Services aren’t exclusively for actively buying or selling real estate. We also offer Home Inspection Services for Current Homeowners. Our goal is to do this one thing and do it well, for the benefit of our customers. We offer our services to them, as we would to a friend or family member, as they make one of the biggest investments of their lives.
We serve clients across Issaquah, Renton, Seattle, Redmond, Tacoma, Puyallup, Snoqualmie Pass, Everett, Marysville, Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, and the surrounding areas.
To learn more about our services, please click here. If you have any questions about your home inspection requirements, feel free to get in touch with us by clicking here.
