How to select a Property inspector
What should I look for?
Selecting an inspector can be a fun experience because you can select one that fits your personality and needs. Coldwell Banker George Realty provides a list of inspectors who do business in our area, so from that list you can take a look at their websites to find out more about them and their experience. I recommend that you interview at least 3 before making a decision.
It is highly recommended that inspectors be members of an organization that agrees to follow industry standards. California Real Estate Inspector Association (CREIA) and National Inspector Organization (NACHI) are two organizations.
It is best to select an inspection company that has errors and omissions (E&O) insurance and which will freely tell you how much they are insured for. This insurance is to protect both the inspector and the client in the event of an error the inspector has made or if they fail to find a problem that is in the scope of what they are hired to inspect. Some inspection companies will show you their certificate of insurance upon request, while others will limit their liability to the cost of the inspection, so be aware of this language. I recommend you seek legal advice as to whether this could hold you up in the event there is some liability that cannot be waived by the inspection company.
Your real estate agent will want you to select an inspector that can meet your deadline for property inspection as soon as possible, provides an emailed report that contains enough detail (pictures and explanation) to understand any areas that may need addressing. You will be sharing this report with the seller, so it’s important you find someone who can communicate their findings clearly.
What qualifications are important?
When you hire an inspection company, find out information on the actual inspector that will come out to the property. Will you get the newbie or the seasoned inspector?
On the CREIA website there are two types of inspectors CCI or MCI. Both agree to the standards of the association but the Master has earned their title because they have attained the level of experience in order to be called a MCI. You will also pay slightly higher for a MCI inspector than a CCI.
To get the best inspector, try to select one that has a background in construction. A current license in construction is not necessary (he/she is a full time inspector after all) but previous experience can be very useful.
What information do I need to give them?
Have your information ready prior to calling. The inspection company will require:
Address: 12 N. Granada Avenue #44
Type of Property: Condominium
Square Footage: 1398
Crawl Space or Slab: Slab
Type of Roof: Composition
Number of Units: 47
What should you expect?
The Buyer (and Agent) should be at the property inspection and be prepared to dedicate between 2-4 hours with the Property Inspector.
A basic inspection will not cover all aspects of the property, but it will cover an inspection of the main components of the property. The inspector will provide their opinion as to whether a qualified expert needs to be hired when the property shows areas of concern that need further investigation by a trained professional. Additional inspections should be scheduled as soon as possible to meet your property inspection contingency deadline.
Buyers sometimes think the inspector and real estate agent are the ones that will resolve the issues discovered. In actuality, the buyer has hired the inspector and the buyer and inspector need to come to terms as to what the findings are with respect to the property. The inspector will explain these findings to you at the end of their inspection, so as a buyer, pay attention to what is being said and ask for further clarification until you understand.
Most inspectors expect to be paid by check immediately after the inspection is done. Some will take credit card and very few will allow you to bill through Escrow (for a fee).
By Camelia V. Vera, DRE 01871575