I’ve written a few posts recommending that buyers always have a home inspection, even if they’re buying a new build. It also can be helpful to sellers to have an inspection prior to listing their home. But those inspections are only as good as the inspector selected to actually do the inspection.
Real estate agents are in a position to best know whether their client received a competent and thorough inspection. We’ve seen the “good, bad and ugly”!
Contrary to some opinions, we really do want the inspector to do a thorough job so the client is made aware of potential serious issues prior to buying. We want inspectors who are very knowledgeable of wiring, HVAC, roofing, structure and city building codes. We want inspectors who use various testing meters, not just a ladder and flashlight. We prefer inspectors who provide a thorough typed report rather than trying to decipher their scribbled handwriting which can lead to misinterpretations. An extra bonus are those inspectors who also take photos of any problems and know how to email them and the report, which again prevents misreadings from multiple faxes.
Many states require inspectors to be licensed, pass tests, and take continuing education just as real estate agents must. Ohio is not one of those states, but it’s being discussed in the legislature.
While requiring a license won’t weed out all the poor inspectors – just as it doesn’t prevent poor real estate agents – it would raise the bar for performance and provide ramifications for poor performance.
We can’t select the inspector a buyer should use. All we’re allowed to do is provide a list of inspectors that we know to be reputable and knowledgeable of local codes*. Sometimes buyers use our recommendations, and sometimes they choose their own. But worst of all, sometimes they use Uncle Joe because he’s “handy with things”. We always cringe when buyers do this because we know that the buyer isn’t getting a “good” inspection.
I come down on the side of supporting licensing for inspectors – anything to hold them to a higher standard. There’s just too much of a financial investment at stake for buyers to not be protected from this very crucial aspect of the home-buying transaction.
Some inspectors are very much against licensing. I really question why an inspector would be afraid of being asked to get a license and to take continuing education in order to stay in business. Simply belonging to one of their industry organizations isn’t enough.
If you’re in the market to hire an inspector, you might want to ask the inspector what his thoughts are on licensing. If he’s against it, ask why. If the answer has anything to do with “not being controlled by the government” you might want to rethink using that inspector.
* Use a local inspector that works in only a couple counties to better ensure they know local building codes. For instance, Delaware County has very strict codes that differ from Franklin County. Some outside inspectors provide erroneous reports or judgements because they lack the knowledge.
UPDATED 6/3/08. This news item was just received from the Ohio Association of Realtors®: “OAR is pleased to report that today the Senate Insurance, Commerce & Labor Committee conducted its first hearing on HB 257 – Home Inspector Licensure. The bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Michelle Schneider of Cincinnati, did an excellent job in presenting sponsor’s testimony. Committee chairman, Sen. Steve Stivers of Columbus, indicated he will do everything he can to facilitate passage of the bill before the end of the current legislative term. The bill has already passed the House.”
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In Texas, we inspectors are licensed, which I find to be a good thing. Recently the legislature here has placed further provisions on obtaining a license, which may be too much, but it does ensure that someone inspecting your house has been exposed to the systems, and knows where to look for issues. We are required to have sixteen hours of continuing education each year, which keeps us up to date on new technology. I think an inspector who would want to prove to his clients that he is working for them, you welcome being licensed.
Frank, thanks for your input … especially from a state that already has the licensing. There are some local inspectors here that are against it which really makes me question “why?”.
I’ve had some inspectors that faulted certain issues in my seller’s homes that were built to code and the home was only 3-4 years old. DUH! One would think that an inspector would be more knowledgeable than that. Of course, there are also some inspectors that go too far out of their territory so they’re not up on the codes by various counties or cities.
I think ohio does need to license the home inspection industry as it does with contracters. I’ve heard of people quitting there job at mcdonalds to start a home inspection buisiness. at the very least a home buyer should inquire about ones qualifications.
The home inspector is only human but his insurance is not and it suposedly will protect a home buyer against loss if a problem shows up later.Check on the cost of insurance before you decide to become a home inspector. When my state adopted the license law ,I was forced out of business because the insurance cost more than my income from home inspection.
Water or drainage of the yard was one of the most common problems.