Common Home
Inspection Mistakes
By Kathleen Bunn
Photo: © Frances Twitty / iStockphoto
 When someone decides to get a home inspection, there are several things that they should and should not do. If you are thinking of hiring a home inspector, you will want to look through these common mistakes that people make when not properly preparing for a home inspection. By avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure that your home inspection goes well.
1. Trying to Perform an Inspection by Themselves. The most common mistake that people make is thinking that they can perform a home inspection themselves. Only a licensed professional has the training and skills needed to find the problems that may be present in a home. When performing your own home inspection, you will only be able to pick up on obvious problems like weak spots in a floor, or a leaky roof. However, you may miss hidden hazards like faulty wiring or corroded plumbing that lie deep within the home.
2. Not Viewing the License or Experience of a Home Inspector. Those who do not view the license of the home inspector that they hire might as well perform an inspection by themselves. If an inspector shows up without a license or a list of their experience, they are more than likely not trained or certified to be a home inspector, and your money will be wasted. While they can pick up on a few underlying problems, they will not be able to provide you with the level of service that you are paying for.
3. Paying Too Much or Not Enough. Many people who need a home inspection make the mistake of paying too much or not enough. |
When you receive a rate for a home inspection that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Rates that are far below those of other home inspectors may be an indication that the home inspector or company is not properly licensed or capable of doing a full home inspection.
Paying too much is also a common mistake. Those who charge hundreds more than the median amount are not providing any more of a service than the ones who charge a normal rate. Save some of your money and shop around for a company that will charge you fairly, and is fully licensed and insured.
4. Not Being Involved. By not being involved in your home inspection, you are missing out on valuable information and extra benefits. When a home inspector is conducting an inspection, it is the opportune time for you to ask about different aspects of the home, and inquire into the likelihood that things will go wrong. Making a list ahead of time and going over your concerns with the inspector can help you have a more comprehensive home inspection experience.
5. Not Taking the Home Inspector's Warnings Seriously. The worst mistake that you can make when getting a home inspection is to not listen to what the home inspector has to say. The buyer hires this person in most cases, and it is their job to inspect the home and fairly report what they find.
The results of a home inspection can often help you make the final decision of whether you want to purchase a home or not, and can also help you to reduce the cost of your home if items needing significant repairs are found. |
