When it comes to buying a home, one of the most crucial steps in the process is a thorough home inspection. Hiring a reputable and experienced home inspector is essential to ensure that you make an informed decision about your prospective property.
Part of determining how reputable and experienced the home inspection company is that you’re looking into, doing your due diligence as a homeowner is needed. Knowing the right questions to ask the home inspection professionals will help you arrive at that answer more quickly.
HouseMaster Serving Harrisburg and Lebanon is a trusted name in the industry, providing detailed and professional home inspection services to both home buyers and sellers. Read for ten essential questions you should ask your local HouseMaster home inspector to ensure a comprehensive inspection and peace of mind.
How long have you been serving the Harrisburg and Lebanon areas?
When selecting a home inspector, it's best to choose someone with local expertise. By asking this question, you can determine the inspector's familiarity with the specific characteristics, building codes, and common issues that homes in Harrisburg, Lebanon, and surrounding areas may face.
Dan and Scott Ayers of HouseMaster Harrisburg and Lebanon have extensive experience in local towns like Harrisburg, Lebanon, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, and Hershey.
Are you certified and licensed as a home inspector?
It’s not a good idea to hire a home inspector that doesn’t have the certifications and licenses to back up their services. The home inspector you hire should be certified and licensed to perform inspections in Harrisburg, Lebanon, and their surrounding areas. Proper certifications validate their knowledge and expertise in conducting thorough home inspections.
By hiring HouseMaster Harrisburg and Lebanon, we offer extensive training and certifications. We are tested annually to meet the industry standards of continuing education, inspection, reporting, and customer service.
Can you provide references from previous clients in the Harrisburg area?
Requesting references allows you to gauge the inspector's reputation and the satisfaction of their past clients in the local community. Positive testimonials from homeowners in Harrisburg and Lebanon provide further assurance of the inspector's reliability.
We encourage you to read through some testimonials from our past clients to help you make a decision.
What aspects of the home will you focus on during the inspection?
A comprehensive home inspection should cover various components, including the structural integrity of the home, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and more. By asking this question, you can ensure that the inspector will thoroughly evaluate all essential aspects of the property you are considering.
Can I be there during the inspection?
Attending the inspection gives you an opportunity to ask questions, learn about the home's condition firsthand, and gain a better understanding of any potential issues. Many reputable inspectors encourage client participation, so it's important to confirm their policy regarding homeowner involvement.
We welcome any and all questions and we will make sure to take the time to discuss our findings so that you fully understand. We will also explain items that you should consider for proper home maintenance and demonstrate how to operate the systems of the home.
How long does the typical home inspection process take?
Understanding the duration of the inspection will help you plan your schedule accordingly. While the duration may vary depending on the size and complexity of the home, a typical inspection should take several hours to ensure a thorough evaluation.
What will be included in the inspection report?
Request a sample inspection report to understand the level of detail and clarity provided. A comprehensive report should outline all findings, including pictures and descriptions, to help you understand the home's condition and prioritize any necessary repairs or improvements. HouseMaster Cloud goes a step further, providing a digital copy of your HouseMaster report that will always be available. You can also download a PDF of your report or print it.
Do you carry professional liability insurance?
Professional liability insurance protects both the home inspector and the client in case of any mistakes or oversights during the inspection process. Ensuring that the inspector carries this insurance provides an extra layer of protection for you as the homeowner.
Can you provide any additional services beyond the standard inspection?
Some home inspectors may offer additional services such as radon testing, termite inspections, or mold assessments. Inquiring about these services can save you time and effort by allowing you to consolidate multiple inspections into one.
What sets HouseMaster apart from other local home inspectors?
Ask the inspector what sets their company apart from other local home inspectors. Understanding their unique selling points, such as advanced technology, specialized training, or exceptional customer service, can help you make an informed decision.
Dan and Scott belong to multiple local associations and are proud member inspectors of the American Society of Home Inspector (ASHI), the international Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS® (GHAR), members of PRE Linglestown and have been certified as professional home inspectors via the NHIE.
A thorough home inspection is a critical step in the home buying process, and choosing the right inspector is essential. By asking these ten essential questions to your local Harrisburg home inspector, you can ensure a complete evaluation of your future property.
Harrisburg home inspectors Dan Ayers and Scott Ayers, like all HouseMaster home inspectors, have extensive training and certifications and are tested annually to meet the industry standards of continuing education, inspection, reporting, and customer service. As part of the oldest and most trusted nationwide home inspection business, Dan and Scott have been able to put their decade long experience in fire and water property restoration and their passion for customer service to good use in the professional home inspection process. Request an inspection today!
