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Once people find out I work in the home inspection field, they immediately start asking me questions about the profession. The most common one is "What do I look for in a home inspector? Should I go by length of time in business?" Answering this accurately requires me to share a little bit of home inspection industry history and insights into the current state of home inspection legislation. The home inspection profession has come a long way, largely due to (1) the proliferation of inspection franchises, and (2) the education and consumer awareness initiatives of inspection industry associations such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI). And these days, a residential or commercial home inspection has truly become a standard part of the real estate transaction process. Still, many states do not have home inspector licensing and regulations, which means it is truly ‘consumer beware' when trying to find a home inspector (you can find a list of states with laws by visiting our Home Inspector Laws page). Just because the local guy has ‘been around forever,' it does not mean that he was ever properly trained; that he has maintained and advanced his knowledge through the years; or that he has BOTH Errors & Omissions and General Liability insurance coverage (make sure to read my posting explaining the difference between the two types of insurance coverages, and why each are critical to protecting you). Unfortunately, even in states that have some form of licensing or regulation for home inspectors, there is still no guarantee that the above minimum criteria will be met. Case in point: an acquaintance of mine recently attended an ‘approved' home inspector course in a state that regulates home inspectors and training providers. He stated that the 1 week course was a joke and guaranteed that no one in the class would even know how to inspect a door knob after completing it. And again, this course was approved by the state board. Length of time in business may or may not be a relevant factor. People from a variety of backgrounds choose to open a home inspection business, ranging from tradesmen and engineers to corporate business executives, and they bring this background and expertise to their service. So long as they have completed a quality home inspection training program, have been mentored, and have had their reports reviewed by a professional prior to offering service to the public, they can be a good choice for your home inspector. Remember, even in states that currently have licensing, many of the existing home inspectors probably fell under ‘grandfathering' provisions that did not subject them to the state's current standards. So be sure to carefully weigh the value of tenure. Whatever the price you pay for a home, it is a lot of money for YOU. If you're reading this, you know and understand that a professional home inspection by a certified home inspector is a smart decision to ensure you are making an informed, confident investment decision. However, the quality of the home inspector you choose will have a huge impact on the value you receive and the accuracy of your decision. I always tell people: next to your realtor, your home inspector can be your number one ally in helping you find the home of your dreams. Choose wisely! |