Anyone who has watched an episode of Holmes on Holmes (HGTV) knows the current problem within the Home Inspection Industry: many Home Inspections fail to notice, and bring to the home-owners attention, major, potentially dangerous, and expensive faults.
This is a blossoming and booming industry which the public has a real need for, but it's also an industry that is not regulated, or controlled by one, professional governing body, and the "good guys", the Home Inspectors that know their stuff, risk being tarred with the same brush as the "bad guys"...the ones that don't! It's a major problem, with expensive side-effects...
“Our course is designed to teach anyone how to become a competent home inspector in as little as 1-2 weeks of instruction, testing, and hands-on practice. This course teaches the basic fundamentals of home inspection in compliance with national standards of practice...The basic course is 90 hours and the optional advanced course is 30 hours, but both can be completed in considerably less time...” And this is not a fly-by-night training facility, they meet all the current standards of the industry!
The report these Inspectors issue can be the reason you say “Yes” to what's probably the biggest investment of your life: Your home. You want it to be safe, you want to be sure it's not hiding any costly surprises. So, what's the answer?
Look for a Home Inspector that stands behind his report!
Accepting to check out ALL areas of your home: many contracts list what the Home Inspector WON'T check, rather what he/she WILL check.
Find a Home Inspector that's ready to take responsibility for the report they issue, and check out the level of insurance they carry.
If you find one, then go for it: There are some competent guys out there. (Take a look at "Mike Holmes Inspections" who have gathered together inspectors that work to Mike's Mantra: "Make it Right". Prices from $395-$695)
But if you don't find one in your area, bring in a professional building expert: surveyors, building engineers, build technicians. These professionals have years of study behind them. Their governing bodies set national, and international standards, and ensure that they are met. So, of course these Guys will cost significantly more than the $300-$500 you'll spend on a Home Inspector, but what is the value of knowing the pitfalls of your future home? and more importantly, what's the potential cost of not knowing? I know which one I'd go for.
Please note: This is my personal opinion on the home inspector industry as it stands today. I hope that the Government will implement plans to protect the interests of home-owners very soon, by creating a regulating body who can impose the standards that will bring this industry up to speed. There are many “good guys” out there who get effected by the less capable ones, and a real need for their services. Lets hope the rules and regs come soon!
However, I do feel strongly enough to start putting together a list to benefit our customers in their search for a competent professional. Build technicians and surveyors that can issue a full report on the condition of your home, or a property you are considering buying. You'll have access to professionals in your locality when using the Design to Sell service, and our goal is to make a national contact list available to all visitors to www.designatdistance.com during 2012.
Your home is most likely the biggest investment you will ever make. Protect yourself by using qualified experts, from recognized professions to check it out...before you sign on the dotted line!
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