A home inspection is the first thing you will invest in during the home selling or home buying process. Not all home inspectors are created equal, which is why it is important that you do your homework before selecting one.
When it comes to hiring a home inspector, here are some important questions to ask:
Do they belong to an association?
While joining a home inspection association is a great first step when becoming a home inspector, customers should be aware that inspectors pay a fee to join an association. This means that they don’t necessarily have any other certifications or experience to back it up.
What are their qualifications?
You should make sure that your inspector has their registered home inspector certification (RHI), which ensures they are trained to objectively provide you with a comprehensive analysis of the home, while abiding to a specific code of ethics. Although the Ontario government has passed a bill to licence the industry, it has not yet taken effect and it may be some time before it does. Therefore you must remain diligent in your selection.
When an inspector has relevant trade experience, they bring so much more expertize to the table. Look for someone who not only has their registered home inspector certification, but has more hands-on experience in certain trades, such as electrical, plumbing or roofing.
How long have they been in the business?
The amount of years a home inspector has been in the business reflects highly on the quality of their work. Picking someone who has been trusted by hundreds of home owners and has a great reputation in your community will give you confidence that you can really trust their analysis and recommendations.
How well do they communicate?
Not every home owner has experience in spotting and understanding potential issues in a home. When selecting a home inspector, you should pick one that you feel at ease with and that encourages questions. An expert inspector should take the time to explain how your home operates, how to take care of it, and discusses repairs you can anticipate down the road. Do they share their experience and recommendations in a way that everyone can understand? The answer should be yes!
Purchasing a home is a major decision, that comes with a huge amount of stress. Most consumers spend weeks, months and even years searching for their dream home, but won’t take much time to consider who will search this home for potential issues. It is imperative to maintain the same standards when it comes to choosing your home inspector, as you do when choosing your new house.
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