Before signing the dotted line to purchase a property, one of the most critical steps you need to take is to conduct a professional building inspection to make sure that you will get a good deal. Building inspectors can help you detect existing problems in the property so you’ll have an understanding of what you are getting into. It can also help you in your decision whether you want to negotiate the price or walk away from the property and look for another one.
There are lots of building inspectors nowadays in the market. It’s necessary if not crucial to find an excellent building inspection service for you to have absolute peace of mind. Not all inspectors are created equal. Therefore, you should know what to look for. Here are some things you should consider when hiring a professional inspection service.
Qualifications
This may seem an evident quality. However, it would be best if you remembered that there are no specific qualifications required to conduct a building inspection. Anyone can call themselves a building inspector just as long as they carry a business card.
Take time to research the company that you are looking to hire. Know how long they have been in the business and ask them about their building inspection experience. A good building inspection service consists of certified and licensed architects, surveyors, builders and engineers who understand better the ins and outs of building construction. They should be able to show you their license and registration details.
Experience and expertise
You want inspectors who are professionals and have been conducting inspections for years. They should have an extensive background regarding the structural system, mechanical system, plumbing, and electrical system, building materials, building modification, pest infestation issues, and energy-efficient issues.
Building inspectors who have adequate experience may not be a requirement, but only those who are experienced know what to look for, and only they can see the problems that are present in the building. Those who are new in the industry might overlook major issues that may cause you problems later on.
Every inspection job requires a different skill set. If you need a pest inspection service, make sure to hire an inspector who is an expert in pest tracking and analysis. If you need a pre-purchase building inspector, you need someone knowledgeable in building trade. It’s very important that you find the right person for the job to avoid hassles and avoid spending too much.
Thorough and honest inspection
You want an inspector who is not only meticulous but also truthful. They conduct their inspection thoroughly. They ensure that all areas and corners are checked, evaluated, and investigated.
You can measure their meticulousness by asking them how their inspection is going to last. If they answer you that it will take less than an hour, then that’s a warning that you should not hire them. A good and elegant inspector will ask for certain details like the size of your property, the complexity of the issue, and other information related to the house, so they can calculate how long the inspection would take. Instead of answering you right away, they’ll ask you for details first. That’s a good sign that the inspector is meticulous and would want to dedicate time depending on the kind of property you have.
Detailed reports
Not only you should look for an inspector that can give you an inspection report in less than 24 hours, but you should also look for an inspector who can give you a comprehensive yet detailed and easy to understand report.
After the inspection, your inspector should be able to provide the report that contains all the problems and issues found in the property, including photos and infrared images if necessary. It should also include information on possible repairs and replacement and the budget that it requires. Most of all, the report should be accurate and not biased.
Excellent customer service
When hiring a professional inspector, you know that they are going to conduct and inspection of the property. However, you may not know the details that come with. This is where a good inspection with excellent customer service comes in. They will help you understand the report that they made. They’ll explain to you the problems, issues, and other deficiencies they found in the property, in detail.
If you are going to buy a property, it’s only understandable that you’ll have a lot of questions. The inspector should be patient in answering all your questions regarding the property. Not only are they willing to answer your questions, but they should also ask you what it is that you want in their service. They should be able to communicate with their clients regarding their service and the processes conducted during the inspection.
A good inspector should have good communication skills and should be able to build a good working relationship with their customers.
