12/13/2023
This is very sad to see happening! Please, please as a potential homebuyer, look into the person that is going to be telling you if your 200k, 300k, million dollar investment is sound. All home inspectors should be willing to talk to a potential client on the phone or by email at the least. If you speak with an inspector prior to hiring them, here is a short list of questions to ask:
1) Are you licensed/registered with the state?
They should be, but some states don't have licensing or registration requirements.
2) Are you part of a professional organization?
Verify this by looking them up on that organization's website.
3) How long have you been a home inspector?
Someone that hasn't been inspecting long isn't disqualifying, but more time means more experience, and also means lots of continued education going into the inspection.
4) Are you insured?
This might scare an inspector because it may signal a buyer could possibly manipulate the system, but realisticly EVERY inspector should carry E&O(error & commission) insurance and general liability. I can promise you that not all inspectors do.
5) Can I get a copy of your standards of practice?
This will let the buyer know what the inspector is and isn't required to do as part of the inspection.
6) Do you have a certification or license for any additional services you offer?
Most additional services an inspector can offer either have a class for certification or a license they can show to the buyer. This should give the buyer peace of mind that their inspector has put in the time and effort to provide quality information.
A phony home inspection left a couple who thought they'd purchased their dream home with some major headaches.
