The Best Home Inspection Solution
Ever since people have asked me about getting a home inspection, I’ve advised them that the best home inspection solution is to hire individual professionals from each field they want inspected. Such as, hire a licensed electrician to inspect the electrical system; hire a plumber to inspect the plumbing; hire an HVAC contractor to inspect the heating and air conditioning system; hire a roofing contractor to inspect the roof, and so on. Let’s take a look at why I ALWAYS make this recommendation.
It’s inevitable. A buyer contracts to buy a home, and one of the first things they do is hire a home inspector. Now, I’ve got nothing against any home inspector, or the industry as a whole. I just think, that if I want a professional opinion on the condition of my eyes, I’m going to an ophthalmologist, not an MD general practitioner. And, if I want a skin condition checked, I’m going to a dermatologist, not a cosmetician. You get my drift; the right professional for the job at hand.
In theory, hiring a home inspector is a great idea since the buyer wants to know in advance of buying a property if there are any significant problems that will make the place a money pit. More importantly, the buyer wants to know if the home is safe to live in. In fact, when a buyer pays someone who holds themself out as a professional home inspector, the buyer DESERVES to know all there is to know about the physical condition of the property.
But, the problem that a large number of buyers face, is that their home inspector misses significant problems, which cause the buyer substantial financial consequences, not to mention the physical dangers they may face.
If you doubt me, you MUST SEE a terrific show on HGTV called Holmes Inspection that airs in the US on Sundays at 9:PM Eastern, and in Canada on Thursdays at 8:PM Eastern & Pacific time. The show is hosted by a Canadian building contractor named, Mike Holmes who goes into people’s homes to correct problems that were totally missed by a home inspector. And, these are some pretty serious problems; problems you would think aren’t possible to be missed by a competent professional home inspector. And, there lies the key word: competent.
Now, I’m sure there are some competent professional home inspectors running around the country side. But, based upon things that I’ve personally observed, as well as circumstances I’ve learned of in my career, I’m inclined to believe there are many more borderline competent and substantially incompetent people out there calling themselves home inspectors than there are truly competent home inspectors.
And, if the lack of competence isn’t enough to shake your tree, then take a few minutes to read the typical home inspection contract and report.
If you don’t have the time or the desire to read one, let me give you the short summary: The home inspection contract and report contains so many loopholes, that the home inspector and the inspection company are generally not responsible for anything they miss. This raises the question: Why hire someone who isn’t responsible for anything they tell you or anything they FAIL to tell you?
So, let me repeat myself: The best home inspection solution is to hire individual professionals from each field they want inspected. Such as, hire a licensed electrician to inspect the electrical system; hire a plumber to inspect the plumbing; hire an HVAC contractor to inspect the heating and air conditioning system; hire a roofing contractor to inspect the roof, and so on.
In addition to the probability of getting the best possible inspection from a professional who specializes in the field of the system they are inspecting, these people are typically more easily held accountable for their inspection.
So, when you hire an electrician or a plumber or an HVAC contractor, make a written agreement that says, 1) they will tell you every unsafe condition and code violation they see, and 2) they will make recommendations on how to correct the problem. That’s a pretty simple agreement that any reputable professional would agree to sign. If they refuse, get somebody else.
Don’t forget to watch Holmes Inspection on HGTV. (And, No, I don’t have an interest, financial or otherwise, in the show or HGTV.)
