What You Should Expect From Your Home Inspector You should expect courteous, competent, and professional behavior from your home inspector. Here are a few things you might want to consider when looking for a home inspector: Training: Your inspector should at least hold a Residential Builders License, especially when no licensing is required for home inspectors in Michigan. This is very important! Affiliations: Your inspector should be affiliated with a national home inspection association whose membership requires a minimum number of continuing education annually such as the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors – NACHI. Insurance: You should ask about the inspector's insurance coverage, including General Liability and especially Errors and Omissions insurance. Error and Omissions insurance is comparable to malpractice insurance. If you find an inspector who does not carry this type of insurance, then it could indicate that the inspector has had no formal training, has a poor track record in the industry, or chooses not to obtain this important type of insurance coverage. Get a guarantee: A qualified inspector should be willing to provide a written guarantee to back up his inspection findings. Avoid a conflict of interest: A professional home inspector should be just that - a home inspector. Avoid part-time inspectors who are also contractors. The inspector should not use his findings to feed his contracting business opportunities found during your home inspection. What is a Home Inspection The home inspection process is the non-invasive physical examination of the readily accessible and installed structures, systems, and components of your home from top to bottom. We provide an impartial evaluation and a detailed comprehensive report on the condition of the grounds, exterior, foundation, roof, plumbing, heating and air, electric, interior, garage, kitchen and bath(s). You will also receive specific recommendations to correct or monitor any significant deficiencies that exist at the time of the inspection, as well as helpful tips on maintaining your home. Elements of a Home Inspection and Home Inspection Report All of the items listed below should be included in your home inspection and home inspection report. Move your mouse over an item for details: Why is a Home Inspection important Whether you are buying or selling a home, it is always a good idea to have it inspected and here's why. Before you buy: It is very important that you understand the condition of your new home, even if the home inspection contingency clause has been removed from your contract, it doesn't mean you shouldn't get a home inspection. Homes in our area are listing on average at $500,000.00, isn't it worth a couple hundred dollars to know what you're buying? Most interior repairs cost less if completed before you move in and are generally less stressful. A professional home inspector understands each element of your home, how these elements are inter-related, and is familiar with their proper function, maintenance, and most importantly, the results of their failure. The professional you choose will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to make an informed buying decision. This knowledge is crucial in both the protection and enjoyment of the most significant investment most people ever make.   Before you sell: Is it wise to wait for the purchaser's inspector to assess the condition of your home? As a seller, advance knowledge of repair items gives you control of the negotiation and sale process. You have time to review written estimates, if needed, and weigh your options. You'll know exactly where you stand without the pressure of last minute repair or upgrade decisions that could cost you thousands. A Pre-Listing inspection covers the same elements as the pre-purchase inspection; uncovering any existing hot spots that could worry or alarm potential buyers. Small problems to you could be a warning sign to the buyer, perhaps lowering your home's market value. A Pre-Listing Inspection will enable you to do everything you can to get the house in good condition before you list it. Eliminating deficiencies in your home before a potential buyer sends in their Inspector will better protect your investment and increase your selling advantage. No home is perfect. Here is your chance to control pre-sale repair negotiations!