“Your home inspection will be performed with the same degree of thoroughness, integrity, attention to detail, and care as if I were buying the home for myself. My candid inspection will educate you (my client) about the true condition of the home. I’m not part of the sales team.” Michael Del Greco, Certified Master Inspector Instructor
Questions To Ask Home Inspectors During Home Inspections
Home inspection clients are often unsure of what questions to ask during home inspections. One mistake is failing to ask any questions that you may have. I can assure you if you feel your question is too silly to ask you should ask it anyway. Chances I can answer it and put your mind at ease. Don’t just take our word for it. Take a look at our reviews on YELP 100 + Reviews, Google Business 350 + Reviews
Home Inspection Questions To Ask
I can count on one hand the times I have been asked one of these important questions.
The first question you should ask is one that I have yet to be asked by any home buyer since 1993 despite having 13,000 or so clients (except by the few who have read this). “May I please see your home inspector license”? Better yet, may I see your FAA Remote Pilot Certificate?
Please ask. I have been carrying ID’s in my wallet for years not only because I am required to do so by law, and so once a year or so I get to show them to a client. If your inspector can’t find his or hers, it is time to stop the inspection and try again with another company.
FAA Remote Pilot Certificate 395008 allows Home Inspector Michael Del Greco to inspect a high roof.
The very next question to ask during your home inspection is to ask the home inspector is “Are you working for my real estate agent?”
If the answer is YES then that home inspector is not working for YOU as the home buyer. Stop the inspection and run away. Set up another home inspection with a real home inspector. Please touch to call (973) 812-5100
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Please realize if you are hiring the home inspector and you are paying for the home inspection, you are entitled to have a home inspector who is working for you and only you. If the home inspector indicates, the real estate salesperson is the home inspection client or worse yet does not understand the question run away QUICKLY.
Another question you should be asking the home inspector is “What is your education, training, and experience”. A good home inspector will have a decade or so of home inspection experience, a few hundred hours of classroom experience and be able to tell you about the last few continuing education classes attended. New Jersey law requires inspectors to have at least 40 hours of continuing education in home inspection every two years. I have taught many of those classes and found many students learned quite a bit.
What do I need to know so I know the Home Is Prepared For A Home Inspection
Home inspectors expect questions to be asked during home inspections. If you ask a home inspector a question, then nod your head up and down when you hear the answer the home inspector is likely to feel your question was answered. If you do not understand the answer a home inspector gives you, tell the inspector. I have no problem at all explaining things more than once and in different ways until the buyers understand.
Your Inspector Must Have A FAA Remote Pilot Certificate To Legally Use A Drone
Ask the home inspector about any of your concerns. Please touch to call (973) 812-5100.
Do not bother asking the inspector if:
You should buy the home
If the home is right for you
If the price is right
Who has to fix what and the like
Home inspectors can answer your questions about most issues. However, the above questions are outside of the field of expertise of most home inspectors.
Feel free to question the home inspector about the drainage around the exterior of the home, how to help keep your basement dry, how to prolong the useful life of the roofing and if there are problems with the roofing and or siding. Home inspectors answer those questions all the time and can provide useful tips.
While outside, ask the home inspector if there are any signs of improperly abandoned oil tanks, if there are, the home inspector can advise you and your attorney how to proceed.
Home inspectors can tell you how many amps the service is, the service voltage if there is room to expand within the electric panel, if amateurs have caused problems with the wiring and if the wiring appears to be safe. If the home is older make sure you ask the inspector if aluminum wiring or knob and tube wiring exists, both are potential fire hazards and may make it difficult to get home owner’s insurance.
When the home inspector is inspecting the plumbing system ask if the sewer cleanout cap is newer. If it is suspect problems with the sewer pipe may exist and budget for replacement. Ask the inspector how old the plumbing supply, waste and vent pipes are. If the pipes are old replacement may be necessary sooner than you would like.
Heating systems must be inspected and you are entitled to be told how the heating system works. If you do not know the parts on the boiler or furnace, now is the time to find out. Ask the home inspector questions about what part does what and why they are there. Every home inspector I know is anxious to teach you everything he or she knows. If the inspector does not know the names of the parts on the equipment, you should be concerned.
Many buyers have questions to ask home inspectors about the structure of the home. Keep in mind home inspectors can not see into or through walls. Home inspectors can see what they can see and make a few educated guesses.
Home inspectors are likely to miss hidden damages from insects, rot, water and construction defects unless obvious symptoms exist. Home inspectors who provide an answer of “I do not know” when asked the question is there hidden damages are not being evasive they are being honest.
Please allow us the opportunity to assist you!
Michael Del Greco, President, Accurate Inspections, Inc.
Certified Master Inspector Instructor, New Jersey Home Inspector # GI121 (2003 , first year licensing was offered to present), FAA Certified (Drone) Remote Pilot Certificate # 3950081 (2016 to present), Credentialed Wood Destroying Insect Inspector (2001 to present), Radon Measurement Technician # MET10521 (1993 to present), Commercial Pesticide Applicator # 27091A (1993 to present), American Society of Home Inspectors ACI #102273 (1996 to present), Independent Home Inspectors of North America (2002 to present), InterNACHI Member # 09091610, Department of Housing and Urban Development Plan Reviewer/Consultant (inactive), New York Home Inspector # 16000011881 (2006, first year licensing was required to 3/08). Click for links to verify Michael’s credentials and his resume.
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