Home Renovations and Improve Style and Comfort in Your Home

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Buying a house is no easy task! It may take several weeks to finally come across a house that suits your taste, lifestyle, and budget. However, the task doesn’t end here. Once you find a house that you like, the next important step is to find a qualified home inspector before you finalize the deal.  A home inspection is an important part of the home buying process because it helps you make an informed decision. It is easy to get attracted by the appearance of a house, but a detailed inspection reveals defects that can cost you thousands of dollars later. A typical home inspection performed by a licensed home inspector includes checking a home’s roof, foundation, driveway, electrical, HVAC, framing, and plumbing. However, inexperienced inspectors fail to identify potential issues and as a result, you end up making the wrong decision.

Finding your dream home is important but hiring an experienced home inspector is equally important. Buying a home is one of the most expensive purchases of your life. However, if you’re doing it for the first time, you might not know how to choose the right home inspector. When looking for an inspector, you need to look beyond credentials. Several factors should be considered when looking for a professional inspector. To help you choose the right candidate, here are the factors you need to consider when hiring a home inspector.

Independent Home Inspector

Most probably you’ve hired a real estate agent to find your dream home. It’s good to seek the services of a realtor but make sure you avoid hiring an inspector referred by the agent. Choosing an inspector referred by the real estate agent may have a conflict of interest. As you know, real estate agents make a living by selling home. Their goal is to close the deal to earn a commission. To achieve this goal, an agent may incentivize the inspector to give a favorable report. If the inspection report has multiple serious issues, the buyer can negotiate a lower price or even cancel the deal. To avoid this situation, agents have their inspectors provide a biased report. So, make sure you hire an independent home inspector to get an unbiased report.

Credentials and Experience

Make sure the inspector you hire is qualified and experienced. Check the qualification and license of the contractor. To find out the experience level of the inspector, check if the candidate is a member of any reputed home inspector association such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the National Association of Home Inspectors. To get membership in this type of organization, professionals need to pass an exam and complete a minimum number of paid inspections. A member of a professional organization also abides by a code of ethics and follows approved industry standards.

Get a Sample Report

You can get an idea of the services offered by reviewing a sample report. A reliable home inspector will provide you with a sample report that reflects their skills and expertise. Check how detailed the report is and make sure it has photographs highlighting the defects that need repairs or updates.