Is Your Inspector Qualified?

You may have been led to believe all inspectors are the same which is far from the truth. There are no apples to apples. It's easy to become a home inspector in Texas with no experience or background in construction. One sits through various courses provided by for-profit entities under pressure to produce and then the inspector takes a takes a test over basic elements. Essentially anything above an "F" is a passing grade.

"New inspectors can be licensed without ever having performed a single home inspection. Their only training is on your home."

The inspector may be licensed/catagorized as an apprentice or a real estate inspector (under a professional inspector) or a professional inspector. These titles are for licensing purposes. There may be multi-inspector companies that are loaded up with apprentices or real estate inspectors (not professional inspectors) looking for work or just getting started.

A buyer should ask what level the inspector is licensed beforehand or look at their inspection report to see how an inspector is licensed. Better yet ask for a resume for the person that is about to inspect your largest single investment. The license number is also a clue of the age of the license. The higher the number the newer the license.

"A license is not a certification. It's a occupational business license to do business"

A buyer should hope any inspector would spend the time to become ICC code certified as the standards of practice are based on codes and national standards. Code certification is for the lucky few that have taken the time to obtain credentials through extensive education and examination. A background in residential construction is essential if one is to inspect homes built in an environment with a lack of enforcement, supervision and a marginally qualified trade base.