I need to hire a Home inspector long distance, So without the chance to meet and talk. What would be the best questions to ask to insure the person is not just telling me what I want to hear. What would be the minimum I should expect from an inspector. I would much rather sit and talk over a beer but it’s going to have to be a few minute phone call. If everything goes right I may be able to be there for the inspection. If not I really will be trusting this person.
Thanks
Replies
Go to the ASHI website and find inspectors in your geographic area. Atleast by being a member you will know they've passed the National Home Inspector exam and have a minimum of 250 inspections to his/her credit. Don't know what state you are in but in Michigan there are NO basic requirements for hanging an inspector shingle. Also in Michigan the State Contractor's exam is laughable, even though many who pass it seem to think they will magically be instilled with knowledge - so don't use that as only reference. Also be very careful about jumping at the inspector the realtor may recommend - one of the reasons ASHI was founded was to require inspectors to keep an arms length from other real estate professionals (meaning that some reports hide problems behind semantics, gloss over problems, and read more like a real estate advertisement). Also realize there are now week long classes being offered that guarantee the passing of the National Inspector's Exam - don't think you will want that minimal experience. I'd be looking for an inspector with plenty of building experience and also one who spends additional time on your boiler/furnace. he should also walk the roof (if height and steepness are not extreme) and crawl to the furthest corner of a crawl space (that is where I leave my business card). Get a copy of a previous report and read it over well. Is it clear and concise? Is it just a check-off type or does the inspector also provide additional information? Does the inspector use construction terminology? I could go on but hopefully this helps a bit.
Randy
Thanks for the info. Found 1 within 200 miles. has there top rating (M). Not one of the ones the realator recomended was there. I guess they all have to start somewhere, but not being able to be there and meet them, I'll have to go with the certification.
I'm with RAYNCHYLDE
Experience: at leat 500, I'd say, 1,000 is better (takes that long to get a good grip on things.)
ASHI membership is one way of establishing some legitimacy. ASHI also has a continuing education requirement. NAHI is the other leading assoc, but I don't know much about it.
Good communication skills are important. I recommend asking what publications they regularly read; it's a good indicator of whether they're content to go with what they know or are still learning (Still learning is the right answer.)
Understand the limitations of an inspection; a typical inspection is a visual review of the exposed components, looking to see if they are functioning as intended and aging properly. Good inspectors do not carry crystal balls or have x-ray specs. We are generalists. (If we knew as much as licensed heating contractors, electricians, plumbers, roofers, strutural engineers, appliance service people, etc, we'd all be driving Mercedes pickups and have 2 or 3 boys to carry our ladders. (Oh yes, you'd be writing a bigger check!)
We generally concentrate on looking for major problems; we point out minors as we see them, but most people don't want to spend the money to get every minor problem spotted. (I'd figure a full day at $100/hr.)
Another thing that has become a problem a few times here...
Make sure that the house being inspected has water and power STILL ON. An Inspector cannot check out a heating/cooling unit, condition of electrical system, operation of water heater, plumbing problems, etc... if they have no water, and no power.
If the house does NOT have the power and water still on, and you want it inspected anyway, do NOT blame the Inspector if he/she does not find a problem with the plumbing or an electrically operated item, ESPECIALLY if a problem shows up AFTER the power and water have been turned on (after you buy the house, etc...). They have no way of checking out these things without the water and power being on, and anything they do check will be a visual only. Visuals do not tell the whole story when dealing with these things.
Just a humble opinion...James DuHamel
Excellant point, James.
Just yesterday I did a vacant house which had ben winterized. Got permission to turn the water on. Found out the stains under the mater bath tile shower were there for a reason. Active leak which was not visually obvious in the shower itself.
All I could have done was speculate about the stains if the water hadn't been on.
Water and power are no problem, maybe finding the septic under 6 inches of snow The owner of "MY" house want a list of what is going to be inspected ahead of time. Do you think this is routine?
Ward