Home Inspection Services & Radon Measurement

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. The majority of our clients are buyers in real estate transactions, wanting a complete inspection of their prospective home. A growing number of sellers are requesting home inspections prior to listing so issues can be resolved before the scrutiny of a potential buyer. In a tough market, a home inspection report made available to a prospective buyer will show the seller has nothing to hide and could be that one selling point that separates one home from many others.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Learn all you can about the service you are looking for. Visit websites. You'll often find a detailed description of services they offer. Home inspections are not something most people buy more than a few times in a lifetime - so it is normal to have questions. Use customer referrals if possible, and ask a prospective inspection company questions during that first contact. You'll get a better feel for the type of service you get from that first discussion of your needs. Also, verify your potential inspector is licensed by the State of Kentucky. Any licensed inspector will be more than glad to provide licensing information.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Always ask your potential home inspector if he/she is is licensed. Licensing requirements in Kentucky include liability insurance, and background checks. If there are aspects of a home inspection you do not understand fully - then ASK! Keep in mind, the way you get answers to your first questions gives you an idea of what to expect if difficult questions arise later.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The most rewarding aspect of this industry is to be a "value adding" service to people at one of the most exciting times in their lives. I like to think a good home inspector can alleviate some of the stress by providing "peace-of-mind" during the home buying process. I remember the faces of my clients more often than I remember the houses I inspect.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. All home inspectors are required by law to obtain continuing education each calendar year. I also attend special seminars on subjects related to building, home systems, and inspection as available and as time allows. The continuous learning only makes me more effective and therefore a better service provider.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Remember who you serve - your clients. Conduct your business (in this case, conduct your home inspection) as if you were doing the job for yourself. Your customers will quickly see this and have more confidence in you - and that will return benefits to you. Most businesses that fail are not the result of the lack of technical knowledge or expertise, or pricing, or even economic conditions. Instead, most failed businesses go down the tubes because they do not understand what their customers perceive as value and failed to connect their service to that expectation.