(If you don't read anything else on our website, please read this!)
Price is important when considering hiring a home inspector. But no price is a bargain if the inspector is not properly qualified or does not conduct a thorough inspection. An unqualified home inspector can cost you thousands of dollars in after- purchase repairs.
Beware of sales gimmicks such as having the word "certified" in the company's name. This implies that the inspector (or inspectors) at that firm is ASHI and/or code certified. This may not be the case. Also beware of such phrases as "all inspections are conducted to ASHI standards". Anyone can claim that they follow ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) standards. But are they ASHI Certified? A truly professional inspector will list his or her qualifications up front, without having to resort to trick names or phrases.
When considering home inspector fees, we recommend you first
select the inspectors who have equal qualifications, certifications, and
experience. Then, compare their services (i.e., on-site computer reports,
digital photographs, online report uploading, etc). When you have located two or three
inspectors who are equal in these areas,
then compare their prices. No one wants to overpay for a home inspection. However, choosing an inspector based on price alone can be the biggest mistake a homebuyer can make.
Below is a list of questions and critical information that every buyer should ask or collect from a prospective inspector before requesting fee information:
- Are you a current full member of ASHI ? This can easily be confirmed by visiting ASHI's website.
- Are you fully code certified? Full code certification means the inspector is a certified Residential Combination Inspector by the International Code Conference (ICC - formerly known as CABO). This requires passing four separate certification exams. Some inspectors pass only one of the exams and then claim to be code certified. Ask the inspector for his certification number and check it against the ICC website.
- How many inspections have you conducted? An experienced inspector will complete between 300 and 500 inspections per year. Someone who has conducted 4000 inspections probably has 7 to 9 year's experience.
- Ask for a sample home inspection report. If the report is short, has only a few photos, or is difficult to follow, you may want to consider another inspector..
- Visit the inspector's website. Look for real credentials and not slogans and sales phrases.
- Stucco Inspectors: Are you EDI and Moisture Warranty Corporation (MWC) Certified?
- Radon Measurement Providers: Are you NEHA/NRPP Certified?
- Mold Inspectors: Are you IAQA Certified?
- Do you carry liability, worker's comp, and Errors and omissions Insurance?
Pro- Spect Building Science Consultants, Inc. is a full-service building science consulting firm. Our inspectors are the best qualified in the industry. When comparing our prices to others, please compare our qualifications, experience and services as well:
All Pro- Spect Inspectors are certified members of ASHI, GAHI, ICC and NACHI.
- Inspectors are Code Certified.
- Industrial Hygienist/Board Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIAQP/CIEC) on staff.
- MWC/EDI Certified Stucco Inspectors.
- NEHA Certified Radon Measurement Service Providers.
- Structural engineer on staff.
- Free
telephone consulting after the inspection/assessment (for 12 months).
- Computer printed reports on site (in most cases) with digital photographs.
- Reports can be uploaded to internet for easy downloading from anywhere.
- Weekend inspections available.
- Lockbox key access.
Services and Areas of Operation
Services:
Home Inspections (existing and newly-constructed homes)
Commercial Building Inspections
Stucco Inspections
Radon Tests
Asbestos testing/Assessment
Lead-Based Paint Inspections/Testing
Mold/Moisture Testing/Inspections/Assessments
Infrared Camera Imaging
Crawlspace Evaluations
Areas of Operation:
Atlanta (all metro cities)
Decatur
Marietta
Kennesaw
Acworth
Dallas
Lawrenceville
Snellville
Stone mountain
Roswell
Alpharetta
Cumming
Covington
Buford
Sugar Hill
Cobb County
Dekalb County
Fulton County
Paulding County
Gwinnett County
Forsyth County
Hall County
Clayton County
If you do not see your area, ask for a travel quote. We have conducted inspections as far as Albany Georgia.