Home Inspectors: Are They Worth The Money?
In the real estate market, there is a lot of skepticism about home inspections. Why would you pay more than $400 for an examination that you could handle yourself? Why do the reports constantly propose that observed differences be evaluated by a competent professional? Why aren’t house inspectors capable of repairing the issues they uncover? This post is intended to provide answers to these queries and to help house inspectors overcome their unfavorable reputation.
Why pay someone up to $400 for an examination that you could do yourself?
The simple answer is that a house is a fully operating system made up of smaller, more complex components, and the average homeowner cannot complete the examination themselves. A complete assessment of structural components, the outside, the roof, the plumbing, the electrical, the heating system(s), the cooling system(s), the interiors, insulation and ventilation, and fireplaces is usually included in a home inspection. A professional house inspector is trained to spot symptoms of potential harm that the average homeowner might miss. More importantly, a home inspector can identify potential safety dangers in a property that would be easily overlooked by someone who isn’t familiar with these issues. Hiring a skilled professional to check your home is the best method to discover if you’re buying a lemon.
Why do the reports constantly propose that observed differences be evaluated by a competent professional?
Aren’t house inspectors experts in their field? To respond to the topic, I’ll provide an example that everyone is familiar with: our family doctors. In the United States, general practitioners are the “gatekeepers” of health care delivery. Do you go to a neurologist or an oncologist right away if your head or stomach hurts? No. You visit your primary care physician, who will EVALUATE you and then RECOMMEND you to a specialist. Home inspectors are in the same boat. In the United States, house inspectors are general practitioners who serve as the “gatekeepers” of home maintenance services. A house buyer has the right to have as many experts check their home as they want, but it is in their best interest to employ a Home Inspector first.
Why aren’t house inspectors capable of repairing the issues they uncover?
Most house inspectors are “Do-it-yourself” enthusiasts who could easily correct the majority of the flaws they uncover. When a house inspector becomes a contractor, though, his inspections lose their objectivity. A house inspector has nothing to gain from what he writes in his report except the satisfaction of knowing that he is safeguarding you. If you imagined you’d employ him to fix your residence, this would not be the case. An excellent house inspector is one who will not repair whatever he discovers. If a house inspector offers to repair something for a fee, you should be wary. In addition, most house inspectors are members of ASHI, NACHI, or NAHI and adhere to their code of ethics. All of these codes of ethics prohibit their inspectors from conducting any repairs on a home they examined during the previous year. In summary, a skilled house inspector will not be able to solve the majority of the problems he discovers.
