When it comes to hiring a home inspector, it is crucial to allocate ample time for thorough research. Rushing this process can lead to making hasty decisions that may have negative consequences in the future. By giving yourself sufficient time, you can explore various companies and inspectors, comparing their qualifications, experience, reporting system, tools/systems used to inspect, and customer reviews. This in-depth research allows you to make an informed decision based on the professionalism and credibility of the home inspector. Remember, the quality of the home inspection can significantly impact your future property investment, so investing time in selecting the right inspector is paramount. Take the time to schedule consultations, ask relevant questions, and ensure that the inspector you choose aligns with your needs and expectations. By being proactive and diligent in your search, you can avoid the pitfalls of last-minute rushed decisions and have some comfort that your home inspection is in capable hands.
Where does one turn to for a list of qualified home inspection firms? If you ask your realtor, you may want to exercise caution. Some realtor's may not have your best interests as a top priority when referring a home inspector to you. You can also ask friends, family, your lawyer, mortgage agent, or even perform a search online. Another option is using a reputable Home Inspection Association website where you can view a list of Home Inspectors that service your area. In Ontario, I would recommend using the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors website (www.oahi.com) to find Registered Home Inspector's that service the area.
After you have a "shortlist" of Home Inspectors, take some time to browse their websites as some are filled with valuable information and answers to most of these 11 key questions. Here, you may be able to make your "shortlist" even shorter.
Next, actually call them one by one. Don't be shy to ask lots of questions like the ones below. Professional Home Inspectors know that you are doing your due diligence as a cautious consumer. If you sense a Home Inspector becoming very defensive or uncomfortable to your questions, that could be a red flag. Remember, not all Home Inspections are created equal. Here are my top 11 questions to ask:
What did you do prior to performing home inspections? Look for a Home Inspector with related experience. Direct in-the-field experience, such as a trade or being involved with renovation/construction goes a long way. A good Home Inspector should have a sound understanding of how the various components and systems of a home are assembled and work together as a system. Some Home Inspectors proudly display a personal profile showing their past work history and experience on their company website.
How long have you been a home inspector? Experience speaks volumes. Find out how long the inspector has been performing Home Inspections on a full-time basis. How many inspections has he/she performed? Tip: avoid "part-timers" or those that have only been performing Home Inspections for a short time, such as a year or less. Part-timers sometimes cut corners just to "make a buck". They may not have or be using professional grade tools, the use of a professional electronic reporting system, or not carry insurance (which is a hefty expense and also currently voluntary in Ontario).
What professional associations do you belong to and do you carry professional liability and E&O insurance? Find out what professional associations/organizations he/she belongs to. A professional Home Inspector who takes their job seriously, will be a member (in good standing) of at least one Home Inspector's association. Some are members of other related associations and/or organizations which show a true commitment and industry involvement on behalf of the Inspector. Tip: it is mandatory that a Registered Home Inspector (R.H.I.) carry insurance in Ontario. A consumer can even verify this on the OAHI website (www.oahi.com) or by calling OAHI directly. This is one way to know a Home Inspector carries insurance. Also, earning (and maintaining) the R.H.I. designation has some of the most stringent qualifications for practacing home inspectors in the industry.
Do you have any specialized training and education? A professional Inspector would be glad to share his/her educational accomplishments and training with you. Continuing education is also key for an Inspector to stay at the "top of their game". It takes many years of experience and specialized training to develop the necessary skills to become an exceptional Home Inspector. Caution: some "Certified" Home Inspectors obtain this title through quick study courses.
What kind of inspection report do you provide? Make sure your Home Inspector will be providing a detailed written report in a timely manner (within 24 hours of the inspection is reasonable). In this day and age, Home Inspectors should be generating electronic reports in full colour with photos. You don't want a "check-off-the-box" hand written report providing only basic information.
How long will the Home Inspection take to perform? With the client attending, a typical detached house should take 2.5-3 hours while a typical condominium unit should take 1-1.5 hours to Inspect on site. Of course a larger home, a "fixer-upper", or older homes will take longer. Any significantly shorter times required should be taken as a red flag when interviewing Home Inspectors.
What type of tools and equipment do you use? Here, you'd like to get an idea if the Home Inspector will only be showing up with a basic flashlight or a proper range of tools and equipment at his/her disposal. A Home Inspector today should not only posses the basics such as a ladder and flashlight, but high tech gadgets such as a moisture meter, outlet/circuit tester, and ideally a professional grade thermal imaging camera.
Do you have any references, testimonials, and reviews from past clients? Look for and read client testimonials and reviews. There are various websites/platforms where customers can post reviews on Home Inspectors. I recommend actually reading these to gain some more insight on the company or inspector you are considering. Some inspectors will also have these posted on their company website as well as various online platforms.
Can I attend and follow you around during the Home Inspection? Verbal explanations, discussions, visual observations, and interaction between you and your Inspector are a vital part of the home inspection process. It provides you the opportunity to better understand the home or condo unit and conditions/issues observed on site. If a Home Inspector answers "no" to this question, this would be red flag.
Can I contact you after the inspection with questions? This is a "no-brainer". An Inspector should be open to offer his/her help even after the Inspection. Most Home Inspectors will offer free telephone/email support should you have any questions or require clarification of any aspect of the inspection or report itself. If not, this would be another red flag.
How much does a Home Inspection cost? Unfortunately, this is often the first
and only question some ask. Home Inspection services are not like buying a product such as an electronic device. For example, one can compare the make and model number of a specific product at various retailers, and it would be safe to assume price can play a major deciding factor as the actual item should be identical from one retailer to the next. Home Inspection services on the other hand, vary greatly from one company to the next. If you shop by placing a high priority on Inspection fees, you may be disappointed by the overall service and it could also be a stressful and costly mistake down the road. Low home inspection fees could mean the inspector is new in the business or a part timer, does not have insurance, no proper/professional tools, lacks the level of education/knowledge, or does not spend sufficent time performing the inspection.
Remember, if you're dealing with a multi-inspector firm, some of these questions relate directly to the Home Inspector - make sure you're not getting the inexperienced "new inspector" who just got hired last week. I hope this article has helped shed light on some questions you should be asking before choosing a Home Inspector. The bottom line is that when it comes to Home Inspections in Ontario, it's "buyer beware". Find a Home Inspector who is a passionate, experienced professional, and who provides the best value for the fees charged.
Vahn Balabanian is the founder/owner of Solex Group Professional Home Inspection. He is also a dedicated Home Inspector serving the Greater Toronto Area with trusted advice to inform and protect his clients. For more information, visit www.solexgroup.ca