Isight Home Inspections Index Page -- Bakersfield and Lancaster, California

To Schedule a Home Inspection in the Bakersfield or Lancaster Area Call:
661-300-0332

Hiring a good home inspector can be a difficult task. Whether you are looking to get a home inspection because you are buying a home or selling a home, you are still going to need a good home inspector

As for information seekers, I have outlined some of the reasons for getting a home inspection and provided a fairly concise list of the primary information to look for in finding a good home inspector. I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit.

Why is it a good idea to get a home inspection?

As a buyer, a home inspection is a great safety net against buying a home with unwanted defects. You probably do not want to find out after purchase of your home that there are numerous defects that require exhaustive repairs in order to make it habitable. Even new homes often have numerous defects that can affect the safety and comfort of the home. I would strongly advise seeking the support of a good home inspector when you set out to buy a new home.

As a seller, it can be advantageous in some cases to know the defects in the home you are selling. Getting a home inspection may boost buyer confidence when you present them with a detailed home inspection report. In the case where a buyer's home inspector may seem over zealous or unqualified, an additional home inspection hired by the seller would be a good way to ensure legitimacy. Buyers may find a defect with the home later on and feel that it should have been disclosed. Getting a home inspection and disclosing the defects may help a seller ensure buyer satisfaction and avoid liability for any future lawsuits.

I Have included a links page that you may find useful. It contains a number of articles detailing the hazards of buying a home without a home inspection performed by a good home inspector.

Here are some guidelines to help you find a good home inspector:

There are some home inspectors out there that are licensed but do not have the experience in the construction trade or home inspection practice to understand the full nature of a problem. In some cases home inspectors aren’t even licensed because the state may not require it. So, these are some things to look for:

Certification: There are several certifications out there that are a good indication of proper training. Some of the more common ones include: ASHI, NAHI, NSHI, and CREIA. Take a few minutes to check out the web site for the inspector’s certification. A good organization will be non-profit and will include information for sellers and buyers on their standards of practice.

Insurance: It's an accepted practice for home inspectors to have some kind of insurance. There are different kinds of insurance for home inspectors. There is general liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance. General liability insurance covers any damage the home inspector may cause to the property being inspected. Errors and omissions insurance is meant to protect the home inspector against lawsuits for failing to point out a property defect whether it is intentionally or accidentally overlooked. A home inspector is expected to perform his duties according to a standard set by the state in which they are doing the home inspection or by their certification organization. Since they are in a position of trust, some home inspectors are required by state law to get surety bonds to ensure that they fulfill their fiduciary duty. This protects the client from a breach of trust on the part of the home inspector. So, be sure that the home inspector you hire at least has general liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance.

Experience: It is believed that a home inspector does not need a construction background to be a good home inspector, but it can be advantageous. I know several home inspectors that do not have a construction background that are good home inspectors. Nevertheless, a background in related fields such as construction, appraisal, real estate, or engineering is generaally a good experience for a home inspector to have. The most important qualities of a good home inspector are to have the integrity to report what they see, to have a thorough knowledge of observable property defects, and to be able to report them in a concise and efficient manner. Knowing what to look for is extremely important.

Knowledge: It stands to reason that a person who has been in the home inspection trade for a long time should be a more qualified inspector, but that is not always the case. A good sign of a home inspector is their body of work. A good home inspector will have a variety of background information that will add to their knowledge of home inspection and construction procedures. Some good things to see on a resume include: home inspection certifications from reputable organizations, contractor’s license, engineering certificates or licenses, background in home inspection (meaning numerous inspections performed including references), background in construction engineering, background in construction practice, and background as a real estate appraiser (an inspection report is not an appraisal of value so don’t expect a home inspector who is also an appraiser to give you a value for your home). Experience is vital to an inspector. So, choosing an inspector who is new is not always a bad thing if they have extensive knowledge in related fields. They may spend more time on an inspection and inadvertently do a better job. Either way, a sample of the inspection report is a good sign of their competence.

References: A good inspector will give you references if you ask them. Hiring a home inspector is like hiring a babysitter. You want someone who is responsible, has integrity, is knowledgeable, and above all honest. References are a good way to demonstrate a person’s character. Be careful in getting a reference from someone who has a vested interest in the home inspector. The best references have nothing to gain from a positive review.

Sample of Home Inspection Report: Good home inspectors have a sample of their work that they can provide. This sample will show you what to expect in a home inspection with an extensive breakdown of the different categories of home inspection. A good home inspection can be up to twenty pages of information and more. But, be careful to look for information that is actual inspection material and not just filler. Some home inspectors may include information as filler to make their reports look more substantial. Some of the more important things that need to be in a home inspection report include: a disclaimer for services rendered, a description of the home including address and general appearance, a breakdown of all the major components of a home with detailed descriptions of the condition, an immediate actions section which will include the things that are in extreme need of repair or unsafe, a picture and description of every reported problem, and an advisory section giving suggestions for improvement.

IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO HIRE A HOME INSPECTOR WITHOUT SEEING A SAMPLE INSPECTION REPORT!!!

Pricing: Pricing isn’t always a good indication of quality service. This is where a sample inspection report is essential. Inspections may run between $250-$1000 depending upon the size of the home. Some good home inspectors may offer better pricing than others. So, don’t use pricing as the most important gauge of an inspector’s work. An inspector’s price might be affected by other factors that have little to do with the quality of their service. For instance, market fluctuations can affect their prices. Price alone should not be the primary factor in hiring an inspector.

Service-oriented: A good home inspector is service oriented. When you pay for a home inspection make sure you get a breakdown of services rendered. As a courtesy, some inspectors will offer to reinspect a home after repairs have been done. A reinspection is a crucial benefit in making sure that a seller has complied with a repair request or to demonstrate good faith as a seller that a repair has been done. It is an important consideration in hiring an inspector. A good home inspector will allow you to follow them as they inspect the property. They will also not make recommendations about specific realtors or contractors, but they may make recommendations on how to find one. Their recommendations will be similar to this page’s breakdown on finding a good home inspector.

Time: The amount of time it takes for a good home inspector to do a quality inspection is an important factor in finding one. Some home inspectors are faster than others due to experience and knowledge, while others are faster because they are rushing the job. The most important thing to consider is the quality of the inspection, but I would shy away from an inspector offering to do an inspection in less than a couple of hours. A good inspection can take between 3-6 hours depending upon the size of the home, the condition of the home, and the age of the home.

For more information please visit the links page

My California Service Areas Include:

Bakersfield, Lancaster, Kernville, Lake Isabella, California City, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, Keene, Stallion Springs, Bear Valley Springs, Alpine, Mojave, Rosamond, Oildale, Rosedale, Shafter, Weedpatch, Lamont, Wofford Heights, and Bodfish. Feel free to contact me with questions about home inspections in your area and pricing.

Mike Nichols, NSHI certified Home Inspector, Isight Home Inspections, 600 S Dennison rd sp #4, Tehachapi, CA 93561, 661 300 0332