Be wary of red flags when looking for a home inspector.

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Always get a sample report.

Reputable home inspectors carry Liability and Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance. These are critical, considering the nature of inspection work and the possible risks involved.

Clients who who got an incomplete or inaccurate report that led to financial losses may seek a lawsuit to recover the damages. For a realtor, this not only protects your clients, but it shields you from liability, as well.

Ask home inspectors about their insurance. If they avoid the question or just don’t carry any, just tell them, “No, thank you.”

You get what you pay for

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” Some believe Ben Franklin said this. Others aren’t sure. Either way, when you’re hiring a home inspector, resist the temptation to go for the cheapest on the block.

This can be a big red flag that may point to a newbie, an inexperienced inspector lacking the qualifications and experience needed to identify problems accurately. They could miss important details that may lead to big repair costs later. So, forget cheap and hire an inspector with long experience and a successful track record.

What’s the rush?

Home inspections must not be rushed. It takes time to perform a detailed examination of a home and property, including roof, plumbing, foundation, electrical systems, HVAC, basement or crawl space, appliances, and more. An average-sized house (less than 2,000 square feet) takes about three hours. Rushed inspections are bound to miss critical problems.

No samples

An inspector who won’t or can’t give you a sample inspection report is a serious red flag. Always ask for a sample report, and look it over to see what your inspector will be checking.

You need a thorough inspection report to understand the condition of the property you are considering. The sample inspection report should provide thorough details about the home, all its components and systems, and should highlight material defects with recommendations for repair as needed.

Who is this guy?

A big red flag is an inspector without references. Either he’s hiding something, or he’s so new to the business that he doesn’t have any references yet.

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Next, we’ll take a look at some green flags for hiring a home inspector. These are like a reverse mirror image of the red flags.

Here’s what to look for:

• Inspector has adequate and up-to-date Liability and E&O insurance coverage. You don’t want to find yourself financially liable if something goes wrong.
• The inspector charges fair and competitive prices in the local market. Avoid extremes. Too low or too high are warning signs.
• Glowing online reviews – while this is not an airtight guarantee, a pile of positive client reviews is a strong green light.
• Thorough attention to detail, reflected in sample inspection reports. That’s how you know what you’re getting into.
• Abundant references from past clients. Competent inspectors have no shortage of references and are happy to provide them.
• Clear and open communication: The inspector should answer all your questions thoroughly and give a detailed description of what services he or she will provide. The inspector must be willing to address your concerns at all stages of inspection, especially before you’ve signed on the dotted line for services.