warning signs that you hired a bad home inspector!
Does Not Want You There
A telltale sign that you hired a bad home inspector is if they don’t want you in the house
while they are doing the home inspection. That’s a major red flag. Most reputable home
inspectors will welcome home buyers to be present in the house while they’re doing the
home inspection.
I strongly advise all home buyers to be present and to walk around with the home
inspector the whole time they are inspecting your home. This way, if there are any
issues, you see them firsthand. Plus, you can learn a lot about how to maintain your
home by spending a few hours with the home inspector!
No Ladder
One major warning sign that the home buyer has hired a bad home inspector is if the
inspector’s truck does not have a ladder. The most hardworking and thorough home
inspectors will usually climb up to visually inspect the roof. While a comprehensive roof
inspection requires a roofer, it’s still important for the home inspector to check the roof.
Keep in mind, no inspector is required to climb a roof they decide is dangerous due to
steepness or weather conditions, or if it may damage the roof covering.
Inadequate Home Inspection Report
One clear warning sign that you hired a bad home inspector is if you get a home
inspection report that lacks detailed information. Meaning there are no pictures and not
enough details. It looks like a generic report, more of a template, where the home
inspector just ticks off the checkboxes.
Slow in Getting Inspection Report
If your home inspector is taking an unusually long time to provide the inspection report,
it might be a red flag. Normally, you should receive the report within 24 hours. If it takes
them a week, you might have hired an unreliable inspector, putting your potential home
purchase at risk!
Lots of Availability
It’s a red flag if you discover that your home inspector has plenty of availability. A busy
schedule is a sign of a reputable inspector, as their calendars tend to fill up quickly.
Keep in mind, our Alaska busy times are between March and November typically.
Inexpensive
If an inspector is significantly cheaper than the rest this could be a sign they want the
work even if they don’t earn what they need to have a successful business. They may
be new to industry, or new to the State which poses other issues.
Not Licensed in Alaska
Check the State of Alaska Professional Licensing link and check if the inspector is
current on their licensing. Home Inspectors, Professional Licensing, Division of
Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (alaska.gov)
Everything is Fine
When working with a home inspector, it’s a red flag if you ask about any issues, and
they respond with “everything is fine, no problems.” This is a major red flag because
there’s typically no such thing as a perfect home with zero issues.
There are always minor problems like plumbing issues, GFCI receptacle upgrades, or
faulty wiring. These minor issues can sometimes be overwhelming for new home
buyers, but they are not deal breakers.
If the home inspector claims there are no issues, that’s a warning sign. You might end
up buying the house, moving in, and later discovering many costly problems.
Obviously, you may find a home with little wrong so if all the other signs are good that
you chose the right inspector, then chances are there really is nothing wrong with the
home. I have had only two of these in my 20+ career as an inspector, however.
Unavailable after inspection
Not available to speak after the inspection, or doesn’t want to talk with home sellers,
listing licensees or general contractors after the inspection is also a warning sign. A
good inspector would be willing to take whatever time needed to help explain the issue
to all concerned parties.
Remember that a referral is a great way to pick an inspector but still perform your due
diligence by checking the company’s website, asking about how many inspections
they’ve performed, and remembering the above recommendations.
We want you to have the best inspection possible and are here to help! Contact
Discovery Inspection Services for your next inspection.