Interviewing a building inspector (either over the telephone or in person) will help you gain a better feel for the customer service, knowledge, professionalism, and more of the prospective building inspection service provider you are considering. If you feel unconfident about a building inspector before an interview, keep that business off your list entirely. The more you know about a potential building inspection service provider, the better you can select the right one for you.
Most people have at least one building inspection request on their list of homes they want to inspect. Some of those homes have visible defects (e.g. missing roofs, pipes, insulation, cracks). Others have hidden defects (e.g. poorly insulated doors).
Whether or not a house has visible or hidden defects, you still must find a building inspector. It is where things can get tricky. Although many reputable companies provide building inspections and thoroughness, there are some shady companies out there. Therefore, you have to be careful who you deal with, whether over the telephone or in person. Here are some tips to help you avoid hiring a building inspector that will leave you with costly repairs:
Hiring a professional home inspector is important but choosing a good one isn’t always easy. To make sure you make a good choice, think about the kinds of inspections they have performed. For example, do they offer inspections of both residential and commercial properties? Are they licensed in your area? These are just a few questions you should ask yourself when choosing a good home inspector.
If you do not already know which building inspector you want to hire, the next step you need to take is choosing a visual inspection service. A visual inspection is different from an inspection report, as a visual inspection involves looking at the structure from the outside. It means looking at how well the roof, the structural integrity of the building, and other outward signs of problems are being maintained. An excellent visual inspection service will take these inspections beyond the walls and identify problems you would not be able to see with your own eyes.
Once you have a list of potential inspectors, you need to select the right one for your needs. To make sure you hire someone qualified and experienced, you should ask for references. It would help if you also asked for photos of any previous work they have completed for clients. References are precious, as they show you the work ethic and professionalism of the company and ensure that the building inspection you are getting is completed professionally.
Another thing you should consider before hiring home inspectors is whether or not they offer guarantees on their work. Most companies offer guarantees, but it’s essential to read through the fine print to determine if the guarantee is worth the risk. For example, many building inspectors do not offer guarantees because it increases the risk for the client by allowing them to assume that problems won’t happen. On the other hand, if a home inspector offers a guarantee, it means that the inspector believes in their abilities and that if something does happen, they are willing to handle the problem.