Tips to choosing a property inspector

When you have reached the point where you have chosen the perfect home, its time to get a professional home inspection. You need to know everything about the property you're going to purchase. You must be sure if the home you have chosen is really what you think it is. That's why it is important that you find the best possible home inspector. After all, you only have one chance of having the home inspected by a professional, so act wisely. Home buyers in San Diego often have a difficult time looking for a qualified home inspector as there are dozens of them in this area, and approximately 30,000 in the nation. In addition, not all of them are experts in their field. Some of them have only undergone nominal training on the Internet and with a small bag of inexpensive tools and a stack of business cards they are in business. Others only pursued this occupation for the sake of money with little vested interest in the profession as a whole. For this reason, you must be cautious when hiring an inspector. Do not rely on a home inspector just because he is certified or licensed, you must be meticulous; perform a background check, look at websites such as Yelp and Kudzu for reviews, visit the BBB and see if there are any complaints filed aggainst the company. Find out everything you can that is related to his work performance. To help you narrow your search, you should look for an inspector who is associated with one of the respectable home inspection organizations in the U.S.

Consider the following questions when selecting a professional home inspector:

What are the home inspector's qualifications?
Home inspection is a trade that requires special training, knowledge, and skills. The more experienced a true professional home inspector is, the more likely they will be able to uncover any problems. Look for professional home inspectors that have sufficient practical experience, a general understanding of all components in a home, and a background in related trades. Reputable home inspectors are also more likely to be certified with a well-known association, such as ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) that requires them to adhere to a strict code of ethics and specific standards of practice. Always ask about their membership in various associations. You also have the right to see proof of their membership.

What is the scope of the home inspection?
A standard home inspection report summarizes findings from a visual inspection of the home's interior and exterior components. Exteriors components include roofing, flashing, chimneys, gutters, downspouts, wall surfaces and the foundation, including the grading around it. Interior components include electrical, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, insulation, flooring, ceiling and wall finishes, windows and doors, and any visible structures of the home. Upon completion of the inspection, the certified San Diego home inspector should provide a clear, easy to read report detailing every major home system and component within 24 hours. A quality home inspector will also provide you with pictures of various elements to help you see and understand the true condition. Hire a professional home inspector today to help you make an informed decision on one of the largest investments of your life by providing a clear picture of the property condition. It will give you confidence and peace of mind.

Can the home inspector provide quality references?
A highly regarded professional home inspector should be able to provide you with references upon your request. Be sure to take the next step and contact the people named as references and ask them if they were satisfied with the inspector's complete service and their overall experience with them.

Will the home inspector allow you to participate?
A professional home inspector should feel comfortable allowing you to participate throughout the inspection. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and ask questions along the way. A home inspectors purpose is to educate you on your home and all of it's components. A good suggestion is to do a little research on your home beforehand and come prepared with a list of questions for the inspector.

Does the home inspector carry insurance?
Only the top inspectors carry insurance, and the costs could range from $5,000 - $6,000 per year for a basic policy. Part time home inspectors will forego this expense to try to add more money in their pockets at the expense of their clients security. There are two types you should ask about. The first is Errors & Omissions insurance. This type of insurance protects you in the event that the home inspector misses a critical flaw that should have been discovered. The next type of insurance that your home inspector should carry is good old liability insurance. If a ladder falls for example and causes injury to a nearby child this insurance would cover it. Average costs for a

One last thing. A quality home inspection takes three to four hours for an average sized home so if someone informs you that it will only take about an hour or less you might want to look elsewhere. It may be difficult but you should be very cautious when choosing a home inspector in San Diego. Make sure that the home that you are about to purchase is worth the money you're paying.