There are many things to consider when looking for a home inspector. You are about to spend thousands of dollars on a home where you are going to stay permanently for a long time, or perhaps, the rest of your life, you can’t just leave the job to a “bare minimum” home inspector, or a “token inspector”. The basic things that would come to mind is to make sure that the person you are going to hire has a license, has a good reputation, and overall has technical proficiency.
Home inspectors belong to organizations that have a code of ethics that they follow, which keep them in line. But even this practice does not ensure that a home inspector has your best interest in mind. Those who have been in the business long enough may slack at times as they have found ways that they can get away with it. Good inspectors will uphold the standards of their organization, but there are some who go behind them.
And so, these are questions that you should ask when you are looking to hire a home inspector to ensure that the house you are about to purchase is thoroughly inspected in the most professional and efficient manner.
Do You Check the Roof Closely?
It is common sense that a home inspector should take a look at all parts of the home very closely. But through the years, because of extreme weather conditions and other likely situations, the SOP of home inspectors have changed. Some would just bring binoculars when inspecting roofs. A good inspector brings a ladder and climbs up for a closer view of the roof to check for any potential hazards. Binoculars won’t be able to see through the gutters, or those parts that can’t be seen from a lower angle. Thus, it is important to know if they are the ones who go the extra mile, or even perhaps, walk on the roof if needed.
Do You Open Panels, the Furnace Panel or the Main Electrical Panel?
There are dangers entailed in opening panels and there are some that are not accessible. Because of this fact, there had been many “bare minimum” inspectors who would no longer open panels. Come on, they just take 4 screws? Six crews max. But since it is no longer standard practice, many home inspectors make this as an excuse to no longer take a closer look into the furnace panel, or the main electrical panel. A good home inspector, even if it is not part of the SOP anymore, would still check inside panels, if they can, if it is accessible to them.
Do You Check the Crawlspace and the Attic Thoroughly?
When we say ‘thoroughly’ we don’t just mean the home inspector poking their heads into the crawl space or the attic, shining in their flashlight, and taking photos; which is what most home inspectors do. It may seem awful and contradictory to your idea of a good home inspector (who will crawl into the depths of the crawl space and the attic) but this is true for most inspectors these days. But a good one should make it to a point to get a closer look into these places as there are a lot of potential defects that can be observed if one does a thorough inspection of the attic or the crawl space.
Do You Check the Gas Lines for Leaks?
A good home inspector should have a combustible gas detector. Gas cannot be seen, and sometimes, might not even be smelt if missed by a token inspector. Truth is, home inspectors are not required to check for gas leaks. But if you are a responsible home inspector, you should go out of the usual and check for things that matter most. As home inspectors promise your safety and ensure that your future is perfect in your home, the best ones make it to a point that everything is covered, including the ones that cannot be seen.
Do You Check the Appliances?
Well, they are home inspectors, they only check the home. Home Inspector SOP exclude appliances and bare minimum inspectors would not include them in the process. But if the home inspector has your best interest in mind, they would make sure that the home you’re going to move into has a working refrigerator or stove. A token home inspector would not care about the dishwashers or even the popcorn maker, but a great one would go the extra mile to make sure that you live in a perfect home, which includes that basic thing in it.
The standards of practice set by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors set standards not to minimize the inspection process but it is already understandable that the items that are not included in them, the few ones mentioned above, allow situational judgment calls for safety reasons. It’s not wrong to follow those standards, but you as the homeowner deserve better service. We, at the DMD Home Inspector, will make sure to provide a thorough inspection that ensures that you are protected from any potential hazard in your future home.