QUESTIONS TO ASK A PROSPECTIVE HOME INSPECTOR:

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How Many Home Inspections Have You Completed?

Make sure the person you're talking to is the one who actually will be doing the inspection, some home inspection companies may have several inspectors, some who are experienced and some who are just starting out. I am the only inspector for Able Home Inspection, Inc. and have been performing home inspections since 1982 and have completed over 6,500 inspections.

What Professional Home Inspection Organizations Do You Belong To?

I was a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors from 1986 to 2003.
(If you want to know why I resigned.)

I am the founding member of the Independent Home Inspectors Of North America.
Members of IHINA do not actively solicit real estate agents for home buyer client leads.
This helps insure there is no conflict of interest. IHINA Code of Ethics.

Are You A Licensed Home Inspector?

In Massachusetts home inspectors must be licensed.
My MA Home Inspector license number is #007.

Are You Insured?

Hopefully, the need to submit a claim will never be necessary, however, nobody is perfect. I carry professional general liability insurance as well as errors and omissions insurance (malpractice).

What Type Of Testing Equipment Do You Utilize?

Although a home inspection is primarily visual, the use of testing equipment is essential in making a proper diagnose in certain situations. My tool bag includes: A Tramex electronic moisture meter, a Tiff 8800A combustible gas detector, a couple of different carbon monoxide detectors, a Sure Test receptacle / circuit analyzer, retractable mirrors, electromagnetic field (EMF) sensor meter, & more.

What Type Of Report Do You Provide?

Some inspectors offer only a handwritten checklist and prepare it on site within a half hour after the inspection. This might seem to be efficient, (and it is for the real estate agents) but a detailed, helpful and useful report takes more time and thought to prepare. My report is a computerized narrative report. It is prepared off site and e-mailed to the client as a .pdf file within 5 hours after the inspection is completed.

Do You Take Photos?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I take between 6 and 30 pictures at each inspection. Most of these photos are included with the report and each picture has a caption giving a brief explanation of the photo. Sample Photos.

Do You Do A Follow Up Survey?

A good inspector should welcome feedback. I usually include a questionnaire with the report asking about the usefulness of the report and overall client satisfaction. Some of those responses can be found on the Past Client Comment page.

Do You Solicit Real Estate Agents For Client Leads?

In MA it is a violation the Real Estate Licensing Law for a seller's agent to refer a home inspector. If an inspector depends upon real estate agents for client leads, in whose best interest is the inspector working for? The real estate agent is working in the best interest of their client, the home seller. I work in the best interest of my client, the prospective home buyer. Even though in MA it is against the MA Real Estate Licensing Law for a selling agent to directly refer a home inspector, there are several home inspection companies whose brochures can be found in real estate offices, do you think these inspectors are going to work in your best interest?

Check out this link to read some stories about conflicts of interest when inspectors get client leads from real estate agents. Independent Home Inspectors Of North America.