Home inspections are extremely important. Your home is, most likely, the biggest investment you’ll ever make, and you need to know – before all the papers are signed – if that home is full of problems that will end up costing you a lot of money and taking up a lot of your time. A home inspection can also help you to decide if you’d just rather not buy the home at all.
A home inspection is important, and so is choosing the right home inspector. Here are some tips for choosing the right home inspector for you.
Choose a home inspector with experience
Oftentimes, problems lurk in the nooks and crannies of a home – not all issues are glaringly obvious. You want an inspector who knows what to look for and where to look for it, even if that means going beyond just what can be seen with the naked eye. Christian Amend, owner of ACM Home Inspection uses moisture detection and thermal imaging. ACM Home Inspection even does air quality testing to identify hidden allergens and other airborne particles that may cause adverse reactions. We will go into places you don’t want to like attics and crawl spaces and let you know if there are any gremlins or other defects hiding there.
Choose a home inspector with credentials
When interviewing an inspector, ask about any national, professional, or state certifications, and ask if they belong to any organizations. Professional organizations typically require their members to take part in continuing education, successfully complete examinations, and provide proof that they have performed a certain number of inspections. That’s why membership in one of these groups can give you an idea of the inspector’s qualifications.
At ACM Home Inspection of Shawnee, KS we are:
- Members of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
- Licensed professional engineers
- Licensed to perform Radon measurement and do
- Licensed to perform termite inspections
- Certified for Air Quality and Mold Testing
Get a sample of their work
In a home inspection, as in any other business, there are those who cut corners. A sample report from an inspector you are thinking about hiring is a great way to see what kind of work they do. It lets you see just how thorough they are in their inspection and how detailed they are in reporting what they find. If they won’t give you a sample report to look at, you should consider that a red flag. See a sample report from ACM Home Inspection HERE.
Consider their other services
When choosing a home inspector, it is a good idea to pick one who has expertise in things beyond a home’s construction and plumbing. Some inspectors have extras that can be added on to inspections, such as testing for radon. There is typically an additional charge for these, but when your home is being inspected, it is the perfect time to have these other tests performed. And, the fact that the inspector provides these extra services shows that he or she knows how to find problems of all kinds. With a background in engineering, Christian is also a licensed contractor.
When choosing a home inspector, such an important decision should not be taken lightly. Ask your friends and coworkers for recommendations, and when you are talking with inspectors ask about their experience, their credentials, and the procedures they follow during a home inspection. ACM Home Inspection has the experience, the attention to detail, and the know-how to give you the information you need before you purchase a home. Call (913) 353-6869 today to schedule your inspection!
Posted in General, Home Inspector