HouseMaster Home and Termite Inspections

Introduction: A professional home inspection is a very important step in the home-buying process. Unfortunately, not all home inspectors are created equal. An untrained, uninsured or otherwise unqualified home inspector may do more harm than good. So, it is important that you help your customers or clients choose a home inspector whom you can all count on to get the job done right. To assist you in this effort, you can distribute to your customers and clients this checklist to further demonstrate your commitment to helping them make a fully informed decision. Not all home inspection services are created equal. More than ever, it's important that you inspect the inspector. While licensing requirements or trade association memberships are good to look for when selecting a home inspector, they are not the only qualifications to look for. The following is a list of "must have" credentials that have been prepared to help consumers evaluate and select the most qualified home inspection service. 1. Inspection Guarantee The company you select should stand behind their service. A written guarantee documents how post-inspection issues will be addressed and demonstrates the company's confidence in the quality and thoroughness of their inspections. Questions to ask are as follows: * Does the company stand behind their inspection reports in writing? * Does the company include a complimentary limited guarantee with each inspection report? * What protection does your company offer against defects found after purchase? * How long does the guarantee last and what are its limitations? Guarantee is not permitted in all areas. 2. Formally Trained or Certified Inspectors There is no single professional background that fully trains an individual for all the different conditions that may be detected during a home inspection. Regardless of previous technical experience, all home inspectors should be required to be trained and tested in the field of home inspections and have access to ongoing technical support. Questions to ask are as follows: * What kind of formal training do your inspectors receive? * What is the extent of their ongoing training? * Are your inspectors tested annually? * Do your inspectors have access to technical support if they have a question? 3. Insurance One of the most important credentials to look for when selecting a home inspection company is whether or not they carry a professional liability insurance also known as E&O insurance. Inspectors with little experience, no training, or a poor track record find this insurance difficult to purchase and often operate without it. Additionally, general liability insurance should be in place to cover the inspector if anything should be damaged during the inspection. While no one anticipates anything going wrong, it can happen. Make sure you select a home inspector who is properly insured! Questions to ask are as follows: * Are your inspectors covered by E&O insurance? * Does the company carry a general liability insurance? 4. Report Quality and Access The home inspection company you choose should encourage your attendance on the inspection and should provide you with an easy-to-understand written report on the findings of the inspection. You should verify that all the major elements will be accurately described in the report and not just rated as "functional" or "not functional." Your inspection report should give the approximate ages of all the major elements of the home, as well as an estimated lifespan of those elements. It should also include detailed information/images of the major systems inspected and conditions found. Questions to ask are as follows: * Can I accompany the inspector on the inspection and ask questions? * Will your report reflect estimated ages of all the major elements? A home inspection protects all parties. The truth is, without a thorough home inspection performed by a qualified professional, neither the buyer nor the seller can really know what defects may exist in a home. HouseMaster has more experience with home inspections and buying than any other franchise company. As part of your home inspection, your local HouseMaster professional will evaluate all the major elements of the home, including heating, cooling, structure, electrical and plumbing systems and more, so that you can make an informed decision. Why a home inspection is a smart investment? Whether this is your first time buying a home or you have bought and sold many homes, HouseMaster recommends you to obtain a professional home inspection to take advantage of these benefits: * Find out what type of systems and components exist in your new home * Determine the condition of the systems and major components of the home * Understand how the systems and structural components of your new home function * Learn how to maintain your new home to improve the enjoyment and value of your home * Important tips when arranging a home inspection When buying a home, you will want to order a home inspection soon after your purchase offer has been accepted. Many of the real estate contracts allow a limited number of days to complete a home inspection (and then to request repairs or cancel the contract if needed). Inspect the inspector. There is no one background that fully trains an individual for all the different conditions that may exist in a home, and even in areas where licensing exists, many programs fall short. Regardless of their technical background or licensing, all home inspectors should be formally trained/certified to perform a home inspection by an organization such as the National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI), thus insuring their knowledge of the home inspection and home buying process. Choose a home inspector who has earned credentials for competence and professionalism. Make sure the inspector you select has access to ongoing technical support and offers you post-inspection advice if needed. If the home is vacant, confirm that the seller will have all utilities on during the home inspection. Failure to do so may require a second trip to the home when the utilities are on, and you will incur additional fees. To properly evaluate a home a professional inspector must be able to operate the systems, thus requiring the utilities to be on. Accompany the inspector during the home inspection. This is your opportunity to gain knowledge of major systems, appliances and fixtures, learn maintenance tips, better understand the items that will be outlined in the written report, and ask questions of the inspector. If your inspector recommends a further evaluation, please have a specialist in the area conduct a more extensive examination prior to closing. Be sure that you understand all conditions identified in the inspection report and reported defects/and or areas of concern have been resolved to your satisfaction before closing. Insist on a final walk-through Prior to close of escrow, insist on a final walk through to verify that repairs have been made and that no new problems have surfaced since the home inspection, particularly in the areas where furnishings and storage may have previously obstructed the defect. What is involved in a "pre-purchase home inspection?" A home inspector conducts a visual examination of the home you are planning to buy. He or she will examine all of the major elements of the home, such as the roof, structure, exterior siding, interior electrical, interior plumbing, heating and air conditioning. A thorough inspection usually takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the home's size and age. Normally, the buyer pays for the home inspection, although more and more sellers are retaining the services of a professional home inspector before sale negotiations begin. Brian Wetzel Area Co-Director Brian started working with Mecklenburg and Gaston county HouseMaster in 2003. Brian is a licensed NC and SC home inspector and certified NIBI and NACHI member. He is a licensed NC electrical contractor and certified in mold and mildew. Brian has a construction and electrical background, spanning over the last 18 years. He has experience in a variety of building/construction jobs and has performed electrical jobs, ranging from residential to commercial and industrial. Brian has completed well over 3,000 home inspections in this area! Brian is attending Pfeiffer University full-time, pursuing a dual bachelor's degree in criminal justice and business administration. He also volunteers his expertise with Habitat for Humanity. The best part about what we do is we are able to use this knowledge and experience to help educate the public about the things that they may have never thought to ask.