Common Mistakes People Make When Hiring A Home Inspector
Whether you’re planning on purchasing or selling a house, having a home inspection carried out is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll have to make. Even if the house is new or looks perfect, there could be several flaws, and an inspector uses his or her trained eye to reveal damage that you may have overlooked. An inspection could reveal faults with electrical systems, roofing, plumbing, or even the structure of the house.
By enlisting the services of a home inspector, you will receive unbiased opinions on the condition of the house that reveals issues that need to be addressed. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize the importance of a home inspection or hire one based on price, which could have a detrimental effect on you and your house.
To help you avoid errors like these, and find the right professional, SETX Home Inspections has put together a list of the most common mistakes people make when hiring a home inspector.
1. Using an inspector based on price.
It’s understandable that you don’t want to spend additional money on an inspection when you're already saving up for the house. However, merely working with an inspector based on price won’t guarantee quality service. Instead, speak with your inspector to gain an understanding of who they are and what they will do for you. I’ve had people tell me I wasn’t the cheapest, but they went with me because I took the time to discuss the process and made them feel comfortable.
2. It’s not required so it must not be important.
While it’s true that most lenders do not require a home inspection, it’s essential that you access the condition of the house before purchasing. The lender isn’t the person who is going to live in the house, and once you sign the papers, it’s your responsibility to correct any issues such as a leaking roof. People often judge a house based on the listing pictures, age or physical appearance, but you’ll be amazed at what an inspector can find, even in new homes.
3. The seller says it’s okay.
Sometimes, the seller doesn’t know the issues with their own house. How often do you climb up on the roof or go in the attic to inspect its condition? Most people don’t examine their house to the same degree as an inspector, and even if they did, they might not know what signs to look for. It’s just not normal for the seller to be able to recognize the problems that aren’t obvious, like wood rot or broken windows.
4. Everything looks fine, so I don’t need an inspection.
Not everyone is trained to spot issues. Most see a crack in a wall and assume someone bumped into it, but this could be an indicator of a larger problem. People may see stains on the ceiling or the wall and not understand what those mean and what can happen if left untreated. I once had a client tell me that her husband walked around the house for half an hour and found nothing wrong with the home. I convinced her to let me inspect it and upon further examination, I found significant damage to the roof structure that they hadn’t noticed as well as some significant electrical issues. Most people like to think they can spot defects, but in truth, they don’t have the experience or the time to perform a thorough inspection as I do.
5. It’s a new house, so it doesn’t need inspecting.
Here’s a short list of issues I’ve found in brand-new homes: ground wires not connected to the ground rod, receptacles missing covers, lights not working, incorrect roof flashing, leaking roof jacks around plumbing vents, no insulation in the attic, doors missing various parts; such as hinge pins, door knobs, striker plates, weatherstripping, cabinets not finished, toilets that won’t flush, drains that leak, air conditioners or furnaces that won’t operate, improper framing in the attic that allowed the roof to sag, and many more. Just because it’s new, doesn’t mean it can’t have problems.
6. I’m selling, not buying, so the inspection won’t help me.
The truth is, the inspection for a seller is far more critical than you realize. It can help you assess what a client is going to focus on and what you can do to alleviate any ‘deal-killers’ before you have a potential client. In a buyer’s market, it’s hard to get a home sold but having your inspection report documented can convince potential buyers that you’re making a genuine deal. People are scared about plunking down a whole lot of cash, so anything you can do as a seller to promote the safety of your home is a strong selling point to a potential buyer.
To avoid these and other mistakes, reach out to the experts at SETX Home Inspections. We perform home inspections to a high degree of quality and commitment to provide home buyers with peace of mind about the potential issues with a home purchase. We offer our professional home inspection services to clients across Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, China, Nederlands, Lumberton, Silsbee, Buna, Hamshire, Winnie, Sour Lake, Vidor, Mauriceville, Deweyville, and the surrounding areas.
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