1. How to Choose a Home Inspection Company.
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.
Inspection Guarantee* Formally Trained or Certified Inspectors
The company you select should stand There is no single professional back-
behind their service. A written guarantee ground that fully trains an individual
documents how post-inspection issues for all the different conditions that may
will be addressed and demonstrates the be detected during a home inspection.
company’s confidence in the quality and thoroughness Regardless of previous technical experience, ALL HOME
of their inspections. INSPECTORS should be required to be trained and
tested in the field of home inspections and have
access to on-going technical support.
Questions To Ask: Questions To Ask:
• Does the company stand behind their inspection • What kind of formal training do your
reports in writing? inspectors receive?
• Does the company include a complimentary • What is the extent of their on-going training?
limited guarantee with each inspection report?
• Are your inspectors tested annually?
• What protection does your company offer
• Do your inspectors have access to technical
against defects found after purchase?
support if they have a question?
• How long does the guarantee last and what
are its limitations?
*Guarantee not permitted in all areas.
Insurance Report Quality and Access
One of the most important credentials to The home inspection company you choose
look for when selecting a home inspection should encourage your attendance on the
company is whether or not they carry inspection and should provide you with an
Professional Liability Insurance, also easy-to-understand written report on the
known as E&O insurance. Inspectors with little experience, findings of the inspection. You should verify that all the
no training, or a poor track record find this insurance major elements will be accurately described in the report
difficult to purchase and often operate without it. and not just rated as “functional” or “not functional.”
Additionally, General Liability Insurance should be in place Your inspection report should give the approximate
to cover the inspector if anything should be damaged ages of all the major elements of the home, as well as
during the inspection. While no one anticipates anything an estimated life span of those elements. It should also
going wrong, it can happen. Make sure you select a home include detailed information/images of the major systems
inspector that is properly insured! inspected and conditions found.
Questions To Ask: Questions To Ask:
• Are your inspectors covered by E&O Insurance? • Can I accompany the inspector on the inspection
and ask questions?
• Does the company carry General Liability Insurance?
• Will your report reflect estimated ages of all the
major elements?
©DBR Franchising, LLC. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently
owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC