CALIFORNIA DOES NOT HAVE licensing requirements for home inspection companies, so they can vary in terms of training, certification, experience, integrity and quality. Your real estate agent may have suggestions for inspectors, but it's a good idea to also vet them yourself. Check out the American Society of Home Inspectors website (ashi.org) to find a member inspector in your area. Meanwhile, here's a look at the important questions to ask before hiring one.
1. Do you perform repairs or just home inspections? Some homebuyers seek the advice of a general contractor rather than a home inspector. That's a mistake, as they provide expertise from a different point of view. A home inspector is typically checking the roof or the appliances if they're included in the home, A general contractor is coming in from a repair standpoint and can quote for whatever repairs need to be done. In fact, providing both services could create a conflict of interest, because buyers can't always distinguish between necessary repairs and optional upgrades. IT IS ALSO AGAINST THE LAW IN CALIFORNIA FOR THE PERSON DOING THE INSPECTION TO DUE ANY REPAIRS ON THE HOME.
After the home inspection, you may want to hire a specialist or general contractor to find out how much a kitchen renovation or plumbing upgrade might cost. Get the unbiased opinion first. "Then you bring in the contractor to quote for what those repairs are."
2. Are you insured? A surprising number of home inspectors don't have insurance. They should have errors and omissions insurance in case there is something significant that they miss," he says.
3. Can you provide references? It's a good idea to check the inspection company's references, Ask previous clients about whether the inspector arrived on time and inspected all aspects of the house, including the roof and attic.
4. Can I tag along on the inspection? Some home buyers leave the inspectors alone to examine the home, while others want to be more hands-on and follow along as the inspector works. If you fall into the latter camp, which several experts recommended, make sure your inspector is willing to walk you through the process.
5. What does the inspection include? To compare inspectors, you need to know what the inspection includes (or doesn't include). Ideally, the inspection should be as thorough as possible.
6. Will you send me a sample inspection report? The inspector should send you a detailed report after completing the inspection.
7. Do you have any special expertise? If you're buying a special type of property, such as a historic home or new construction, make sure the inspector understands the special considerations for those types of properties.
8. How much do you charge? Notice that price is the last question mentioned. That's because shopping on price alone may lead to cutting corners. You might be saving a couple of hundred dollars to hire the cheapest inspector, but you could be paying in a big way because the inspector wasn't thorough.
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