On the day of the inspection, the inspector conducts an initial assessment of the site. The inspector then takes you on a tour to pinpoint assets and any potential issues. Pay attention, watch, ask questions and learn. A thorough inspection can find problems related to water ingress, roof leaks, insect infestation, unsafe wiring, faulty septic systems, poor plumbing, damp basements, mold and mildew, and safety hazards.
For an inspector to obtain ASHI certification, he must perform more than 250 professional inspections. In essence, it's just another level of qualification. This isn't to say that there aren't some fantastic home inspectors who aren't ASHI certified. It's just another level of trust when you have this designation.
If you are looking for historic homes or any type of specialty home, try to find an inspector with some experience in the type of home you are buying. Use these additional references to make wise decisions when choosing a home inspector and learn about the home inspection process. The 32 hours of continuing education must include 4 hours of Legal Inspector & Ethics and 4 hours of Review of Practice Standards. While you may not want pricing to be your top priority when choosing a home inspector (the goal is thoroughness), it's wise to compare rates.
Some real estate agents will “guide their clients to a carefully selected list of home inspectors who are less observant than others when it comes to finding problems. Using Google to find a home inspector is a good start, but there are other methods you should resort to if they're available to you. In addition, your home inspector will likely take additional steps, such as social distancing, disinfecting equipment, and more. Keep in mind that these questions only cover a small part of what you can and should ask a potential home inspector.
That is, instead of inspecting the home with the buyer present, inspectors will now do this process alone. It's common for real estate agents to recommend home inspectors, but it's not necessarily an advantage for you to take that advice at face value. Having a license often means that the inspector received adequate and accredited training, gained a certain amount of experience, and took (and passed) an exam to demonstrate their knowledge. However, with so many home inspectors in Texas, it can often be difficult to know which inspectors are reputable, honest, and have their best interests in mind.
I highly recommend selecting a home inspector who will provide color photographs of problems they encounter. However, a good home inspector should be willing to provide you with a list of past customers to talk to you. Sometimes it is difficult for non-specialists to discern problems without seeing exactly what the inspector is referring to. An inspection report from a licensed home inspector is usually 50-100 pages long, and is clear and detailed about housing conditions, defects, and recommended repairs.
