Should I hire a home inspector? What should I be looking for in a good home inspector?
Even though you can do your own visual inspection, unless you work in the industry, you’re going to be missing a lot of things that do need to be checked by a professional.
It is recommended to find a good home inspector on your terms. Don’t be bullied into using the home inspector of the current owner’s agent, even if they offer the service for free. You need an honest and knowledgeable inspector who works for you and has the heart of a teacher who does not mind going the extra mile to educate you along the way.
A home inspector should listen to your concerns over your potential new purchase. They should show up on time and always bring the right equipment. Take extra steps and dig deep into the attic, crawl spaces and not be afraid to get dirty on your behalf.
Your home inspector should be licensed and bonded, and work within the area where you are buying your house. This is because some regions are more prone to issues than others. For instance, in British Columbia, they get heavy rains so a house may have a bad mold or mildew issues. In Ontario, we get hot summers so items like cooling units may be overworking and on their way out and attics may not be insulated enough, and heating and cooling bills could be higher.
What makes a home Inspector good over another?
The right home inspector will be thorough. They’ll not only check every room inside the home, including ceilings and walls, but also the exterior. They should also be checking electrical and plumbing components. They’ll check the structure or framework of a building. You’d be surprised to learn that a sinking house can cause significant damage which can lead to extensive costs over time. Doors and windows will also be checked. Insulation and air leaks can be a factor in the comfort of your home.
A good home inspector not only does a visual inspection, but they also utilize a variety of tools, including measurement meters. While they do know what to look for, they have the equipment and tools that you don’t. These tools can measure carbon monoxide, radon, excess moisture, moulds, mildews, and bug or rodent infestations in the home. They can also measure the levelness of your floors, shelves, and windows, and much more.
There are many more items on the list that the right home inspector will check and test for. A home inspection can bring housing deficiencies to light so that you can either ask the homeowner to fix them before you buy the house, or you can simply decline to provide an offer and move on.
Ask your friends and family if they have used someone in the past. Your realtor will also be able to provide some names and then set up a meeting and hire the one you trust most. It’s also a good idea to hire a few home inspectors if you don’t mind the extra cost to make sure you got the best inspection possible. The last thing you want is to end up with a lemon of a purchase that will cost you a fortune over time to repair.
