Houston Home Inspectors - INSPECT-A-HOME
Inspections - Houston Texas 832-573-0771

Buying a home represents a major investment of time, money, and effort.

It also is an exciting and rewarding experience. Now is the time to be an

informed consumer, and to select an inspection company that offers you

value. We suggest you ask the following questions when comparing home

inspection companies to help you select which one best meet your needs.

How Do I Select A Good Inspector?

Is the inspector properly licensed and certified?

Many new inspectors have entered the industry in recent years.

Make sure the inspector is state-licensed, if required, or certified by a

national professional association, such as the National Association of

Home Inspectors (NAHI) or TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission).

Does the company carry General Liability (GL) and

Errors and Omissions (E & O) insurance?

Appropriate risk insurance protects businesses, clients, and property

owners. Many new inspectors joining the industry do not carry insurance.

Check the inspection company’s insurance status.

How are the inspection reports delivered?

Inspection reports should be clear, concise, easy-to-read, and available

quickly. You’ll want to have a firm understanding of the condition of the

home prior to the contingency period of your real estate contract.

Ask whether they deliver reports on site or via e-mail soon after the

inspection.

Does the report provide a summary of defective

items and pictures?

The report should provide a summary of defective items. This

"summary page" allows you to easily see what functional or safety

concerns exist with the property. Additionally, digital cameras allow

inspectors to effectively illustrate their reports, especially items that are

difficult to describe. No other item has so positively affected

communication of reports in recent years as the digital camera.

What is the inspector's experience and background?

Inspectors should have attended an in-depth training course to learn how to

perform home inspections. They should also have an excellent experience

base and ideally be part of an organization with a strong continuing

education program. Find out how long the inspection company has been

in business. Can you order more than one inspection at the same time?

Is the fee too high? Too low?

Newer inspectors tend to compete based on price; therefore you may have

to pay more for an experienced inspector. The $25, $50, or $100 to hire

the "right" inspection company is minimal compared to the thousands of

dollars it could cost you by hiring the "wrong" inspection company.

Does the company encourage you to attend the

inspection?

Attending the inspection is a great opportunity for you to learn

first-hand what is included in the inspection and about the

systems and components in the house you are purchasing.

Be wary of inspectors that do not include you in the inspection

process.

Is it a well-established inspection company?

Well-established inspection companies have more availability for

inspections, especially for those needed immediately. Additionally,

they have the resources to provide ongoing inspector training and

comprehensive post-inspection customer service.