Best Home Inspection Companies and What to Look Out For

Home Inspections

Home inspections are a standard part of the home purchasing and selling process. Inspectors conduct a visual examination of the house to examine its structure, HVAC, plumbing, and other home features. The goal of the inspection is to find any significant flaws with the house that need repair and endanger its inhabitants due to safety and security issues. Buyers request the inspection to know the ins and outs of the house before they buy it.

Licensed inspectors can be found throughout the country. They offer homebuyers a report on the health of the house and can sometimes save buyers money based on what they see.

There are several great inspection companies in the country. Here are the top five. The companies are rated based on years of experience, well-known certifications and licenses, thorough but easy-to-understand inspection reports, warranties, and affordable costs.

Top Five National Home Inspection Companies

Best Overall- National Property Inspections (NPI)

Positives

• In-depth inspections completed by certified inspectors
• Located in the US and Canada with 200 locations
• Use the latest technology and methods
• Customizable home inspection services

Negatives

• No warranty beyond errors and omissions insurance
• No online pricing page

National Property Inspections is the top-rated home inspection company.They started home inspections in 1987 and have an excellent reputation with over 200 locations. They conduct over 1000 properties on an annual basis. Their reporting is very detailed and thorough and includes high-quality images and descriptions with easy-to-understand explanations of findings.

Best Value- AmeriSpec Inspection Services

Positives

• Conducted over 1.5 million home inspections
• Highly qualified and certified inspectors
• Include a maintenance checklist
• Offer an in-depth inspection report with 400 points of inspection.

Negatives

• No warranty beyond errors and omissions insurance
• No online pricing page or estimates

AmeriSpec offers long-term support with maintenance checklists along with a place to store, free of charge, all home information such as:

• Reminders of maintenance
• Ability to request home improvements based on the inspection report
• Valuable documents
• related to the home
• Details on appliance make and models
• A detailed home inventory for insurance backup

The home inspection company, founded in the 1980s, offers licensed home inspectors with services available in 39 states.

Best Expedited Service- HouseMaster

Positives

• An express inspection report for quick and efficient service
• Employees with over 200 inspectors
• Founded in 1971
• Inspection
• report offered on-site right after an inspection
• Online guide as a resource about inspections

Negatives

• Not all franchisees have the same guarantees.
• Some enhanced services are not available in all areas.

HouseMaster can deliver expedited inspection services with a fast turnaround on reporting. Instead of waiting a couple of days, they have a special report that provides the inspection results as soon as it’s completed.

Best for Seller- US Inspect

Positives

• Target home sellers with specialized services for their needs
• Sometimes services can result in faster closings and higher selling prices for the seller Ability to pre-list online with a scheduler
• Sample reports for sellers to see to know what to expect from their report

Negatives

• The warranty is not expressly written; you need to confer with your local inspector

for details.

• Home inspection services are available in only 20 states
• Prices for home inspections are higher and closer to $500

US Inspect specializes in pre-listing inspections for sellers who want to determine if there are any issues with their house before the buyer conducts an inspection. The company originated in 1987 and is located in 20 states.

Best Customer Service- BrickKicker

Positives

• Customer service is outstanding.
• Robust code of standards and ethics that abide to based on InterNACHI and ASHI
• licensing organizations
• Special training programs for home inspectors
• In-depth background checks for home inspectors

Negatives

• Concise FAQ list of only three questions
• Several locations in 21 states but no services in most of the midwest United States
• Limited amount of detail about the inspection process and what is covered on the company website

BrickKicker offers the best customer service due to its two professional programs for its inspectors. In addition, the certifications ensure consistent service across all locations by home inspectors.

What to Look Out For When Hiring A Home Inspection Company

When hiring a home inspector, you want to look for a reputable business with certified inspectors. Also, shop around and ask about the inspector’s experience before selecting the one to use. Here is a quick overview of what to look for and questions to ask.

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Look at online reviews.

Peruse Google, Angie’s List, and Yelp to hear customers’ feedback from their home inspections and their experience with the home inspection company. If you see several negative reviews, this could be a bad indicator.

Interview potential home inspection companies

Shop around several home inspection businesses and ask the following questions:

• Are you certified and licensed? Not all states require a certification or a license, but most home buyers are looking for home inspectors with licenses.
• Are you insured and bonded? Home inspectors should be certified to cover any mistakes in the inspection reports that homeowners take legal action over.
• Are you a full-time home inspector? Full-time inspectors are more likely to have been successful enough and good enough at their job to make inspecting a full-time role. Therefore, they are in demand if they can cover enough home inspections required for full-time employment.
• How long will the inspection take? Inspections should take two to three hours. If an inspector quotes any less than two hours, they may not do well.
• Do you have details of what I should expect from the report? Details should outline what to expect in the full report. For example, what topics will the report cover, if photo examples will be taken, and how long will it take you to receive the final report from the home inspector.
• Are you a licensed member of any home inspector associations?
• Some of the most significant associations include:
  • National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI)
  • American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT)
  • American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
  • National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI).
• How do you keep up with the expertise required to do your job? What ongoing training do you do?
• Can you provide details from your last references so I can contact them?

Red flags might include:

• Inspector insists you do not need to be present at the inspection. However, you should always be there.
• Inspectors that say they can do home repairs that are needed. They should not have this service available as it creates a conflict of interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection includes a detailed review of the inside and outside of your house by a licensed home inspector. The inspector has a checklist of items they look for to determine any hazards or safety issues with the home. The goal of the inspection is to protect buyers from potentially costly needed repairs before buying the house. The inspector produces a report for the homebuyer to review at the end of the inspection.

How do I book an Inspection with Inspectify?

If you are buying or selling a home, Inspectify helps you find the best home inspectors in your area. Inspectify’s tech-driven marketplace for home inspections helps create a seamless booking process for all parties involved in your home inspection. The platform is completely free to use, and every home inspection comes with Hippo Inspection Protection.

[Book an Inspection Today]

What issues cause a home inspection to fail?

Health and safety issues cause a failure on a home inspector’s report. Common causes of the failure include:

• Safety issues with the electrical system
• Basement moisture
• Major HVAC issues such as the inability of the system to manage the demands to heat and cool the home. Also, problems with the equipment include ductwork, exhaust systems, pipes, etc.
• Issues with the roof that causes leaks or shows water damage
• Problems with moisture in the attic due to mold or mildew
• Masonry issues on the outside of the home
• Significant problems with the plumbing system
• Rotting wood that is extensive
• Issues with the monoxide and smoke detectors
• Cracks in the foundation, walls, and doors

Which home inspection certification is best?

The most widely respected organization for home inspectors is The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). The group has a Standard Practice and Code of Ethics inspectors must adhere to. In addition, home inspectors must pass a criminal background check as of 2017 to receive the certification.

ASHI hosts a yearly conference, provides an online learning center, and webinars for those wanting to continue their education and keep up with the latest trends in the industry. The organization also has a program for members to submit a finished report for review to comply with the ASHI’s Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics.

When should you request a property inspection?

Buyers should ideally request a home inspection when their offer is accepted.

How do you schedule a home inspection?

There are several steps to effectively ordering a home inspection.

1. Schedule the inspection as soon as the seller accepts the offer. The house’s purchase price is not finalized until closing, so you want to find any potential problems as soon as you can so you have time to negotiate repairs with the sellers. Also, based on what is found in the home inspection, you may want to renegotiate the offer entirely.

2. Get referrals for home inspection companies from friends and based on online reviews. Vet the home inspection companies by asking for details about their history as a company, process, and other information about expectations from the home inspection. Of course, you will want to also get an exact price quote for the inspection.

4. Schedule the appointment for your home inspection. You will want to be at the inspection, so make sure you schedule a time when you will have plenty of time to walk the house with the house inspector and learn all of the details about the home. Most inspections take approximately two to three hours to complete.

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What are the top home inspection companies in Miami, Florida?

According to Yelp, the highest rated home inspection companies in the vibrant city of Miami include:

1. Real Choice Home Inspections
2. Evolve Property Inspections
3. Sterling Property Inspections
4. Truview Inspections
5. Rolfs Home Inspections

Which is the best home inspection company in the US?

Nationally, the best overall home inspection company is National Property Inspections (NPI).

How can I select the best home inspection company?

According to Consumer Reports, there are several key points to pay attention to when finding a home inspection company. Here are some of them:

• First, beware of the Real Estate Agent’s Referral.
• Identify Qualified and Trusted Candidates.
• Favor Credentials, but Know Their Limits.
• Compare Home Inspection Reports.
• Consider Training and Experience.
• Ask What You Get for the Price.

How much do home inspections typically cost?

Most home inspections range from $300-$500. Inquire about the exact price and what services are included when vetting your home inspecting company.

Summary

Do your homework to find a top-rated home inspection company. Several qualified inspectors operate nationally, and many others provide service just locally. Be on the lookout for home inspectors that have been in business for an extended period and can quickly answer questions about the home inspection process with clarity. These companies are most likely to have top-rated home inspectors.