What to Look For in a Professional Home Inspection Team
Questions that should be asked of a prospective home inspector:
What
is the inspector's experience?
How many years have they been in the business?
What type of report? Will it be written or oral or both? Will the
report contain suggestions for corrections of deficiencies?
How long will it take? A good house inspection should take between
2 and 3 hours, depending on the size of the house.
What certifications do they have? Are they ASHI certified?
Insurance? Does your inspector carry professional liability, general
liability, bonded, and all necessary licensing?
Before the Inspection:
You have a goal, you want to be well informed, and you want to make a wise investment. Choose a home inspection company that understands your needs and has the experience to work with you to help you meet your goals.
White Glove inspectors are highly trained, experienced professionals who adhere to the industries highest standards of practice and code of ethics.
• Be Sure To Obtain A Written Home Inspection Report
Be sure that your home inspection report will be a detailed written report, not a hand written checklist that is given to you at the conclusion of the home inspection. A checklist may be void of details and may not provide all of the information and advice you need.
White Glove provides the client with 2 copies of a 16 page comprehensive report that is received at the completion of the inspection.
• Ask About Important Professional Affiliations
Be sure that the home inspection company you retain has professional affiliations, such as The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
As members of ASHI, White Glove inspectors meet various entrance requirements, are highly qualified in the home inspection profession, and adhere to a strict code of ethics.
• Check the Companies Certifications
In Illinois, it is a necessity for home inspectors and inspection companies to be licensed to test for radon through the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety. Also, it is important that the company be able to inspect homes with Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS) and are certified to do so. A good inspection company should offer services such as lead paint testing, asbestos testing, water testing, and commercial inspections. A company offering commercial inspections is expansive in their knowledge and confident in all aspects.
White
Glove has the proper licensing and certifications to provide the client
with these tests at the time of the inspection.
• Be Sure To Attend The Home Inspection
Be sure to attend the home inspection; the inspection should take between two and three hours based on the size of the home. During the inspection, the inspector should provide the consumer with insight into the home's inner workings, solutions or probabilities to problems found and how to maintain the home, which offers a necessary and unique opportunity to learn about the home and its systems.
The White Glove staff will try to accommodate your scheduling needs. We offer inspections Monday through Saturday; Sunday's with an additional fee.
• Be Sure That The Home Inspector Is Well Equipped
The home inspector should be fully equipped with the necessary tools including electrical testers, a fuel gas and carbon monoxide detector, moisture meter, ladder, inspection mirror, flashlight, and other home inspection tools.
White Glove's inspectors arrive at their inspections fully prepared and ready to overcome any hurdles they may encounter.
• Be Sure To Follow The Home Inspector To Observe And Ask Questions
Look for an inspector with knowledge and the willingness to discuss and answer your questions. No questions should be left unanswered; a good inspector will display their knowledge and provide a learning experience for the consumer.
White Glove inspectors take your questions and concerns seriously, just ask!
• Be Sure To Consider Optional Tests
Where applicable, testing for radon gas in air, Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS), lead paint, asbestos, a variety of tests for drinking water, etc.
White Glove can test for environmental concerns for your safety and peace of mind.
After
The Home Inspection
• You should know the condition of the home you are purchasing, including all positive and negative aspects. You should know what repairs are needed, as well as the urgency of those repairs. You should know a proper course of corrective repairs and whether alternatives are available. You should know if there are any unsafe conditions, and whether there are any risks of hidden deterioration. You should understand that this inspection is a visual inspection of what is accessible and an assessment of the mechanical components at the time of the inspection.
White Glove encourages their clients to accompany them on the inspection, so they will benefit from the inspector's knowledge.
• You should expect an easy to understand detailed written home inspection report at the completion of the home inspection. You should expect the home inspector to provide answers to any questions you may have regarding the report at any time. You should expect to be a homeowner who will discover more about your home as you live in it, and make updates and corrections.
