Buyers Beware!
Purchasing a new home can be a very exciting experience, or a nightmare. Having a professional home inspection is the key to assuring that your new home purchase is a sound investment. In the state of Florida, all realtors and home appraisers are heavily regulated for consumer protection. Unfortunately, Home inspectors are not regulated at all in the State of Florida! No licensing, schooling, continuing education, insurance or previous experience is required. So where do you start looking for a qualified inspector for possibly the largest investment you will make in your lifetime? When you begin your search, there are a few key questions that you should ask.
- Is the company licensed and do they carry errors and omissions insurance? Many companies carry general liability insurance, but that does not cover any problem areas missed during your inspection. Liability insurance only covers any mishap that may happen during the time that the inspection is being performed.
- What are the qualifications of the specific inspector performing your inspection and how many inspections have they performed? Many companies will say that they have been in business for 20 years, but that does not mean that the individual performing your inspection is qualified. Your home may be the first inspection he or she has ever performed.
- What memberships are they affiliated with? Many inspectors are here today, gone tomorrow. They do not want to invest the time, effort, or money to get involved with an organization that will hold them accountable and responsible for their actions. The two largest and most respected organizations are: NACHI, the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors and ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. These organizations require applicants to be tested in the field of home inspection to qualify for membership and for all members to adhere to a strict code of ethics. Belonging to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Chamber of Commerce also shows that a company is committed to their community.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is your new home, so make sure that you get off to a good start and make the right choice… Patriotic Home Inspections.
