Looking for a good home inspector?
Beware, there are some that are...well, NOT SO GOOD.
Here are some of the DANGER signs.
Advertises "Flexible scheduling" such as "Evening Inspections Available".
Sounds good but remember, a home inspection is a VISUAL examination of a home. It is very difficult to see exterior items such as siding, roofing, deck framing, etc. in the evening. This can lead to big mistakes!
Advertises discounts for work to be done upon completed home inspection. Example: "15% off on any roofing work".
Discounts always sound good but this is a "conflict of interest". An inspector should be unbiased in their evaluations and should not try to gain work on completed inspections. Bottom line...You may get a discount on a new roof that you did not need!
Advertises "In compliance with" or "Adhere to" inspection standards and ethics but are NOT MEMBERS.
This
can be confusing when looking for a good inspector. The best way to
check for qualifications is to go to
www.ASHI.ORG and search for an
inspector using a Polk county zip code.
Advertises something like "Over 15 years experience" or "Inspections Done In Half The Time".
Lots of experience sounds good but is the "15 years of experience" in the field of HOME INSPECTING or is it in building maintenance or something else? And saving time is good for long lines in supermarkets but cutting the time for inspections is a sure bet for making mistakes and/or rushing you through something you definitely do NOT want to do! We will take the time needed to answer your questions and provide you with a quality report.
Danger Signs When Looking For Inspector
Advertises a LOW rate for inspections.
A low rate indicates that something is lacking. It could mean the inspector is short on experience or proper training or it may mean their reports are difficult to understand (handwritten) or unprofessional. Remember, there is NO certification required in Iowa for inspectors! So, expect to pay around $300 for a quality inspection.
"Don't buy a home without it"
All American Home Inspection, Inc.
Phone: 515.276.1147
