How To Choose The Right Home Inspection Service For You
Posted on: 12 June 2020
You most likely know that it's a good idea to hire a home inspector to check out any home you are thinking of buying. Some buyers will hire the inspector once they find a home and put in an offer, but that's not necessarily the best idea. In fact, it's a good idea to hire a home inspection service before you make any offers and have them check out the houses that you are most interested in.
How do you find the right home inspection service for your needs? Here are some things to look for.
Get Referrals From Your Real Estate Agent Or Friends
When you are searching for the right home inspection service, it's a good idea to get a referral either from a friend or family member who recently bought a new home and received an inspection on the home or from your trusted real estate agent. You can do a search online for inspectors in your area as well, but sometimes it's best to contact an inspector that has already done work for someone you know.
Your real estate agent has contacts all across the home buying and selling industry so they will have access to plenty of home inspection services that they can recommend. As long you trust your agent to act in your best interest, you can take their advice and recommendation on which home inspection service to choose.
Check Online Sources For Good Reviews
Even if you have gotten referrals from friends or your real estate agent, it's a good idea to check out their reviews from online sources as well. If you haven't gotten any referrals, then you can find very good home inspections services through reputable websites too.
For example, you can check websites such as NextDoor, Angie's List, or HomeAdvisor, which have a lot of real opinions and reviews from customers who have actually used these services. You just need to search for your city and the website will narrow down your search to home inspection services that serve that area.
You should also check with professional associations such as the American Society of Home Inspectors or the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors to find reputable inspectors.
Check Their Credentials And Experience
Once you have narrowed down your list, you should check their credentials and experience before you hire any home inspection service. Check to ensure they have certifications such as the National Home Inspector Examination certificate which is an in-person examination. They also must have completed a few hundred inspections in order to receive this certification.
Also, look for what kind of experience the home inspection service has. How long have they worked as a home inspector and what type of buildings do they specialize in? This can make all the difference in getting the best inspection for you.
Use these tips to find home inspection services in your area.
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