Are you buying a new home or commercial property? Or do you suspect there may be issues with your current building that need inspection? Getting a professional building inspection is crucial to understanding the true condition of a property before making a major purchase or repairs. However, not all building inspection companies are created equal. Using an unqualified or inexperienced inspector could lead to missed issues and cost you dearly down the road. That’s why it’s so important to find a reputable, reliable building inspection service you trust.
Look for a building inspector
- Licensing & certifications
At a minimum, building inspectors should be licensed to operate in your state and locality. Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). These certifications require proper training, continuing education, and adherence to a code of ethics.
- Experience level
More experienced inspectors are better able to identify potential issues. Ask how long they’ve been conducting inspections and approximately how many they’ve completed. As a general guideline, look for someone with at least 3-5 years of field experience have a peek at this web-site.
- Inspection process
A quality inspector will have a thorough, standardized process for evaluating properties from top to bottom. This includes checking overall construction, electrical, plumbing, roofing, insulation, ventilation, appliances, and more. They should spend 2-4 hours carefully going through the property.
- Sample reports
Reputable inspectors will provide detailed reports, often with photos and videos, explaining their findings. Ask for a sample report to evaluate the level of detail and understand ability before hiring.
- Referrals & reviews
Get first-hand feedback by asking friends, neighbours, realtors, or contractors if they can recommend a reliable inspector. Online reviews also provide helpful insight into an inspector’s service and professionalism.
Types of building inspections
- Home buyer’s inspection
This general property inspection assesses the overall condition before purchase. It aims to identify any major defects or health/safety issues with the home’s structure, systems, and components.
- Commercial inspection
Larger buildings and commercial properties require more in-depth inspections of items like fire protection systems, ADA compliance, zoning issues, environmental concerns, and infrastructure.
- New construction inspection
These phase inspections occur at multiple points during the construction of new homes or buildings. This allows any code violations or defects to be caught early before being sealed off.
- Specialized inspections
Some inspectors specialize in detecting specific issues such as mould, pests, radon, asbestos, energy efficiency, foundations, roofing, and more. These specialized inspections are often add-ons to general inspections.
Tips for getting inspection quotes
- Get multiple quotes
Contact at least 3-5 local inspection companies and request detailed quotes breaking down service costs. This allows you to compare pricing as well as what’s included in each inspection package.
- Ask about experience
As you collect quotes, inquire about each inspector’s background, certifications and how many inspections they’ve conducted. The most experienced inspectors may charge slightly higher rates.
- Discuss report details
Find out the typical turnaround time for receiving the full inspection report and what media formats will be provided (hard copy, digital, video). Having a faster, more robust reporting process may be worth paying more. Many inspection companies bundle common services like termite, radon testing, or sewer scope at discounted rates versus purchasing each separately. Bundles are more cost-effective.
