Frequently Asked Questions;
Why choose an ASHI®
certified home inspector?
Not all membership or “certifying” organizations are the same. Compare & choose a qualified ASHI® inspector.
ASHI
requirements for membership
are;
¨
Verification that all
reports, documents, and processes meet or exceed ASHI Standards & Code
of Ethics,
¨
Pass proctored tests on
skills & ethics (NOT open book or online),
¨
Have conducted at least
250 actual fee paid inspections (NOT mock inspections conducted
online),
¨
Complete at least 20-hrs of
continuing education each year,
¨
Conduct yourself and your
business in accordance with the ASHI Standards of Practice & Code of
Ethics.
¨
To protect the investment
in your home it is important that you choose a fully insured,
qualified
home inspector.
Where can I find an
ASHI® certified home inspector in my area?
Go to
www.ashi.org
and choose "Find an Inspector". You can perform a search by
zip-code or name.
Can a house fail
an inspection?
NO. An inspection is
the examination of the current condition of the house,
not a pass or fail
process.
It is an inspection of the
physical conditions,
certain performance standards, and
will indicate if repair or replacement of inspected items may be
required.
When do I contact
a home inspector?
Resale
Inspection;
Most inspections during resale are on a contract driven timeline;
typically all inspections must be completed within 10-days of the
contract execution and all findings must be delivered within 5-days of
the inspection. Consult your
contract, professional Realtor® and/or legal representative for specific
timelines that are contract driven.
New Home Warranty Inspection; For purposes of your builder’s New Home Warranty plan, it is best to contact us 1-2 months prior to the ONE (1) YEAR anniversary of your closing date. Most builder warranties require all deficiencies be reported prior to the closing anniversary date. Consult your builder and/or the warranty documents they provided you at closing for specific timeline requirements.
New Construction Preclosing “Punch List” Inspection; For the purposes of a preclosing punch list for new construction the scheduling will need to be coordinated with your builder. In most instances the builder will need copies of the inspector’s licenses, workers comp, and liability insurance certificates before they will allow the inspector on their property. Make sure you enlist the services of a qualified, licensed and insured inspection service.
How are the
inspection findings communicated?
We will produce a comprehensive hardcopy report for your records, a summary letter for you, and picture pages outlining the inspection findings. The summary & photos will be emailed (or faxed) within 24-hrs after the inspection to you, your Realtor®, your builder, and/or legal representative, and any other party you request. The full hardcopy report is delivered to you via USPS Priority mail.
Do I have to be at
the inspection?
No,
but it is advisable and
highly recommended that you are. The advantages are that you will get
first hand knowledge of the inspection process and findings as well as
invaluable information and tips on care and maintenance of the systems
and components of your home. You will also find the written report
easier to comprehend.
Should I expect my
home inspector to submit bids to correct the deficiencies identified?
Absolutely
not! If your home
inspector does this or indicates he/she is willing to contract to
perform the work this is a direct conflict of interest and a violation
of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice as established by
ASHI® (The American Society of Home Inspectors).
Do I need a home
warranty on the house I'm buying?
All systems and
equipment have a "statistical" life expectancy. For example Heat
Pump systems "typically" last 12-15 years, Water Heaters 10-12 years,
and so on. Your inspection report should give you a pretty good
idea on age and serviceability of the major components of the home and
you can judge if the warranty may be of value. Many sellers offer
a home warranty as a marketing tool; you may wish to ask about one as
part of the sales contract.
Where can I find
information on a home warranty protection plan?
Ask your real
estate professional about availability & pricing, your agent may be able
to provide this information to you prior to closing. Three home
warranty plans we are aware of are (in no particular order);
¨ American Home Shield, 1-800-247-4749 or www.ahswarranty.com
¨
¨ 1st American Home Buyers Protection Corp; 1-800-444-9030 or www.homewarranty.firstam.com
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Copyright © 2008 Premier Home Inspection Services
Last modified: 07/03/08