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| 10 Things A Low-Budget Home Inspector Won't Tell You | Written by Jim Hughes | In choosing a home inpsector, it is what you don't know that can cost you. To the average prospective homeowner, home inpsection may seem like a simple process; many view it as more of a formality than a necessity. This could not be further from the truth. Your home inspector is probably the only impartial person with whom you will work in the home purchasing process.
He doesn't care if you purchase the home or not, only that you understand the health of the home so that you can make the right investment decision.
Many home inspectors will gladly cater to the misconception that home inspection is a merely a formality and simple process. This could not be further from the truth.
To help correct these misconceptions, I've prepared a list of things that less-professional home inspectors will not tell you. In your evaluation of home inspectors, you should carefully consider these points.
1. I won't look in your crawl spaces -
Many low budget home inspectors conduct more of a cursory glance than a detailed home inspection. Many of the biggest issues with a home are often found in the hardest to find places. These include those dusty, dark, cobweb infested places between floors. In these spaces are found key systems such as gas pipes, electrical and structural support. If these systems fail, so does your home. A good home inspector will take the time to enter these spaces, take pictures and assess the health of your home by inspecting these hard-to-reach areas.
2. I charge less because I provide less -
It's true: You get what you pay for. This applies in home inspection as well. Many low-budget home inspectors will do just enough to satisfy state requirements or the attorney which isn't much. When you're about to make a purchase of several hundred thousand dollars, a diligent prospective homeowner will want to know as much as possible about his future investment.
3. Checking for the really hard stuff is extra -
In order charge less, some home inspectors will not include inspection of key areas such as crawl spaces, basements, attics and roofs. They may also charge extra for the use of certain detection equipment since oftentimes they will need to rent this equipment from another supplier. A good home inspector will conduct the most thorough inspection possible for a set price; anything less should be unacceptable to a prospective homeowner who is about to make a major investment. There are two ways to inspect a home: 1) The low-budget way, and 2) the right way.
4. Your realtor pays me a kickback -
Many less scrupulous home inspectors will try to play both ends; they have a financial agreement with the realtor as well as the prospective homeowner. Such agreements are illegal, but seldom known. The realtor is invested in selling the home, and unfortunately so is the home inspector. A low-budget home inspector can usually afford to charge less because of these side financial arrangements. If a home inspector is low-balling the price, beware. You are about to make a big investment and it's important to find an unbiased home inspector.
5. I'm not NACHI certified -
To practice home inspection as a trade, a person must be certified. Unfortunately, this doesn't stop many would-be professionals from calling themselves home inspectors. Your home inspector should be certified and be in good standing with NACHI. You can verify a home inspector's certification at www.nachi.org/ . Due to the importance of home inspection and the skills required, NACHI provides a set of standards and minimal educational requirements. Never use a home inspector who is not NACHI certified.
6. I really don't have that much experience -
You have to start somewhere, but many professionals that enter the home inspection field have no prior experience with homes or buildings. It takes more than a NACHI certification and the right equipment to be a good home inspector, just as it takes more than a hammer and a nail to be a carpenter. Your home inspector should have a background in home construction prior to becoming a home inspector. An experienced professional will be more thorough and effective than a less experienced home inspector.
7. I'll only spend an hour at your house -
Less money usually equates to less time spent inspecting the house. Time is money to home inspectors as with most any profession. Be careful on awarding your home inspection to the lowest bidder because important inspections and tests will be overlooked in the interest of time. You may save $100 on the inspection, but it may cost you $20,000 with home repairs later on.
8. My report consists of a two-page form -
There is a standard form provided by NACHI that governs the key inspection areas that all home inspectors must cover. These forms represent the "minimum" inspection needs, but are far from satisfactory if you are about to make a major financial decision based on the home inspector's information. An experienced, high-quality home inspector will provide a detailed inspection report complete with digital photos and an explanation of each problem area. A good report will also provide information about your basic home operation such as where to find your main water shutoff valve. Trust me, this is very important information.
9. I'll tell you the problem, but not what steps to do to correct it -
A good home inspector will provide consultation about how to address key problems and what priority in which to address them. This is important because as a new homeowner, you will already be overwhelmed. Knowing what type of contractor to call and which issues to address first are extremely important in getting your home in a condition that is acceptable and safe for you and your family.
10. You're on your own for day-to-day home operation -
It is traditionally thought that a home inspector identifies problems - This is part of the reason that homeowners dread the home inspection process - but a good home inspector will help you understand how to operate your home. Many new homeowners do not realize that there home consists of several systems of which they need to be familiar. These include electrical, water, gas, and oil. In old homes particularly, key switches are often hidden in obscure places. A good home inspector will provide the location of these key systems in the home inspection report. If you have a busted pipe due to freezing, or some other issue, you'll be thankful you know how to shut off the water to prevent your home from flooding.
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