Are you price shopping inspectors? If so, what is your reason for having an inspection? Are you looking for someone who really knows what they are doing and will look out for your best interest? Or do you think all inspectors are the same and finding one based on a low fee is all that counts? If you had a serious legal problem, would you price shop attorneys, or would you search for one who could solve your issue? Then why would you ignore the credentials and experience of someone who is going to assist you in evaluating the largest monetary purchase of your life? Do top professionals of any profession need to offer a low fee to attract clients? In the long run, a low cost inspection could turn out to be very expensive if the inspector fails to uncover a major issue or fails to properly convey important findings. One example of how a $750 home inspection was less expensive than a $350 one. Home inspectors know the value of their service and charge accordingly.
Being a carpenter, plumber, electrician, real estate agent, builder, architect or even an engineer for 25 years does not qualify someone to be a home inspector. Does the inspector use a $3 dollar outlet tester or a $350 circuit analyzer? Have you viewed a sample report? Does it include photo documentation? Also be leary of someone who claims 30 years home related experience, this does not mean home inspection experience. If you think the best home inspectors are too expensive, look how expensive the low cost inspectors really are: Items that low cost, inexperienced home inspectors failed to report.
Have you verified that the inspector has a valid Home Inspector's license?
One price should not fit all houses. Be wary of inspectors who charge the same fee regardless of the house size. The size, style and age of the property should all be part of the fee determination (old, large houses should take longer to inspect than small newer ones.)
Do you really want an inspector who gives you an on-site handwritten report? View 3 pages of a $300 inspection report. Having a hard time trying to understand the handwritten comments? Do you see any inspection photos? If a thorough inspection, full narrative report and photo editing of an average size home takes 5 to 6 hours, (not counting travel time) how "thorough" is the inspector who does two or three inspections and reports in a day?
What's the alternative to a cheap, practically useless inspection and handwritten checklist report?
Click to view sample professional narrative report:
Click to view sample inspection photos 1-6 included with report
Click to view sample inspection photos 7-12 included with report
Money: Let's put home inspection fees in perspective: If you're buying a $500,000 house and the inspection fee is $750, that's less than .0016% of the cost of the house! Most real estate agencies charge 3.0% to 6.0% to sell a house, that's $15,000 to $30,000 for a $500,000 house! The cost of a home inspection is a bargain, even if you paid $1,600 for the inspection and most inspections cost less than half that. If the owner of a house is willing to pay a real estate agent $15,000 to $30,000 to sell a house, is $750 too much to find out the property's condition?
The real value of an inspection and report should be measured by its usefulness. A home inspection report should fully inform a prospective buyer about the property condition. It should help the buyer make an informed decision about purchasing (or not purchasing) the property. See what some clients of Able Home Inspection have said about their home inspection experience. Client Comments.
Dennis R. Robitaille (MA License # 007) (NH License # 111)