Shopping for a new home? Take it from me — you should be shopping for a good home inspector too.
Knowledge is power and a thorough home inspection can potentially save you thousands in nasty surprises that tend to crop up after you have signed on the dotted line.
Hire a home inspector to check every nook and cranny before you buy. Have the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical systems thoroughly checked. The inspector will look for structural damage, signs of leaks in the roof, and corrosion around windows and doors. Some home inspections even cover appliances. The structure’s foundation will be checked thoroughly. If the home has an attic, the inspector will take a good look there too.
You’ve invested some serious time into finding the right Utah home. Be sure to search just as diligently for the right home inspector.
Here are five questions to ask a home inspector before hiring:
- What does a home inspection cover?
Home inspectors are held to a high standard of practice and a professional code of ethics. Know your state’s requirements for a home inspection and make sure yours adheres to those. Ask plenty of questions and make sure you and the inspector see eye to eye. Now is not the time for vague answers. - Do you have experience conducting residential inspections? Ask for references. Check those references with questions about thoroughness, accuracy, and integrity.
- How long will the inspection take? The on-site portion of the inspection should take two or three hours for a single-family home at minimum.
- How much will the inspection cost and what kind of a report will you provide? The cost of home inspections varies significantly. Some determining factors include:
- home value
- home size
- type of report
- home location
- home condition
Before hiring an inspector, decide what you expect to learn through the inspection process. Ask for sample inspections. Find out how and when you will receive the completed report (a 24-hour turnaround is typical).
5. May I go through the inspection with you? Accompany the inspector on-site for a great education about your home. A home inspector should welcome you, don’t hire one that declines your request.
If you have questions about hiring a home inspector to examine your Utah home, contact me at 801-673-3333. I’m here to help. I have a great inventory of Utah homes for sale right now. You can shop for Utah homes for sale online 24/7. Browse through our homes and if you need more information, I’m only a phone call away.
