In part one of this two-part blog, we went over some of the initial questions you should be asking of a home inspector before hiring them for their services. Like any important health- or safety-related service, you should be doing your research to ensure professionals you hire in this field are qualified and able to perform the precise services you require.
At Aerolite Consulting, we encourage comparisons of our home inspection services to our local competitors – we know our wide range of services, from mold and asbestos testing to energy audits and other environmental areas, will stack up with the very best of them. In today’s blog, we’ll go over several other areas of inquiry you should make before putting pen to paper.
Which Areas Are Covered by Your Inspections?
There are a number of different home inspections out there, including some that are typically grouped together and handled at the same time – but also including others that aren’t. Not every home inspection company is the same, and many will focus only on certain inspection areas while not performing others.
Before signing any paperwork, make sure you’re completely clear on the services the company can provide. Some inspection companies won’t test appliances, for instance, or may not get involved with irrigation or drainage systems. Just be sure you know what you’re getting.
Can You Handle My Property’s Special Needs?
Down similar lines, there may be certain home inspection areas you require that come with a little added expertise. This is often the case if you’re buying an older historic home, or on the flip side if you’re buying a new construction home with unique appliances or framing to assess.
Another potential special need: Homes with pools, which could have additional drainage or other issues related to inspections. If your home has a pool, be sure to ask whether this is an area covered by inspection services.
Can I View Sample Reports?
If the answer here is anything but “yes,” you could be facing a problem. All reputable home inspectors send detailed reports to their clients after inspection, and it should be no issue at all for a prospective inspector to send you a previous sample so you understand the information presented and what to look for. If this is a problem, you should rightfully be asking why.
What is Your Pricing Structure?
Finally, pay attention to the fact that we’ve listed price as the final item in this series – and there’s a good reason why. While price is absolutely important for any home inspection, it should not be the primary factor you base your search on. Doing so will just incentivize you toward cheap, low-quality inspections that promise the world but can’t actually deliver. Instead, take the time to assess all the other areas we’ve discussed here, narrowing your list down to a few candidates who check all your boxes, and only then consider which is best for you from a pricing standpoint.
For more on choosing the right home inspector, or to learn about any of our home inspection and testing services, speak to the staff at Aerolite Consulting today.
