Frequently asked questions about home inspectors

Buying a home is the biggest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to buy your next place, there are many benefits of hiring a professional home inspector.

Walking through a home, you may notice a few things you want to fix or rooms you want to paint. The home inspector will assess important HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Inspectors notice structural or insulation problems that you and your real estate agent probably missed. The inspector outlines all their findings in a report and walks you through the property to explain major issues.

If you decide to go through with the purchase, the home inspection report offers a roadmap for repairs you may need. The inspection report is also great leverage for contract negotiations with the seller. If there’s a major repair on the report, you can ask the seller to cover it or come down on the sale price.

Of course, the main benefit of hiring a home inspector is that they’ll help you avoid buying a home that needs more work than you’re willing to pay. As long as your offer is contingent on the home inspection, you’ll be able to walk away with your down payment and find the property that works best for your family and your budget.

Before you hire a home inspector, make sure they’re certified. Not all home inspectors are members of the American Society of Home Inspectors, so check that yours is. Members of AHSI adhere to a standard of ethics, continue their education, and have access to more resources.

Check to make sure your home inspector is insured. Home inspectors usually carry professional liability (aka errors and omissions) insurance and general liability to cover things like property damage claims.

As part of the home buying process, your local home inspector will have a certain number of days to examine the property. Then, you’ll walk through the house together so the inspector can point out any problems they may have found. In the end, the inspector will give you a report detailing everything you need to know.

When choosing an inspector, ask for previous inspection reports to see how thorough they are. Good reports are thorough and include photos. Reading reviews gives you a better idea of what to expect from the home inspector. If you’re choosing between a full-time inspector and a part-time one, hire the full-time inspector – they’ll have booked more hours and experience.

Of course, if you already have a good rapport with your real estate agent, ask who they would recommend. Real estate agents often deal with home inspectors, so they’ll know the best option for you in your area.

You’ve bought your dream home and noticed some water damage in the basement a month later. You hire a contractor to assess it, and they say this isn’t the first time the basement has seen water damage – the foundation wall is bowing from it. This issue should have been on the inspection report. Is the inspector liable?

They can be. That question is why it’s best to hire an inspector who carries errors and omissions insurance, as well as general liability insurance. The inspector will have to file a claim to cover the repairs, but they will be more likely to cover those costs.

As with any legal action, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your money back. Pursuing legal action against an uninsured home inspector will become an even bigger headache, and they may not have the funds available to cover the repairs you need.

You also have to prove that nothing happened to alter the home's condition after you completed the inspection report. For instance, if there aren’t any issues with the roof at the time of inspection, and you notice leaks a few months after a big storm, the home inspector would not be liable.

The cost of a home inspection depends on a few factors, including the location and size of the property. Generally, you should expect to pay a couple hundred dollars for one home inspection. A few things about local home inspectors could increase that price:

  • Experience - When hiring a more experienced home inspector, they tend to charge more.
  • Age and condition of the property - Older homes may cost more to inspect.
  • Travel time - The inspector may charge for commuting if you buy a country home off the beaten path.
  • Additional inspections - Depending on where you buy your home, you may want to invest in specialty inspections. Radon tests, pest inspections, and well inspections will run up the bill. Ask your real estate agents which inspections they would recommend, and plan for them when finalizing your budget.

In some real estate markets, the seller may pay for an inspection ahead of time. Ask your real estate agent if they trust the company that performed the pre-inspection. This awareness can help you decide whether or not to invest in another inspection.

If you’re selling a home in a competitive market, investing in a pre-sale home inspection may be a good idea. As a seller, some pros include the following:

  • The inspection report will paint a realistic view of the property, helping you and your real estate agent set a competitive listing price.
  • A pre-sale inspection allows you to make any necessary repairs or updates to get a greater return on investment when the time comes to sell.
  • You won’t be surprised by the buyer’s home inspection report. If you’re selling your first home to upgrade to a second, the pre-sale inspection will help you avoid any costly negotiations that the buyer’s report might unearth.
  • If you are selling a relative’s property that you inherited, the pre-sale inspection will give you all the details you need about the property's condition.

While it may seem beneficial to have a pre-sale inspection before you put your home on the market, there can also be downsides. Here are a few cons that impact homebuyers and sellers alike:

  • The seller is legally obligated to reveal any problems with the house to potential buyers. If the pre-sale inspection uncovers some major problems, your plans may need to change.
  • As a homebuyer, remember that the pre-sale home inspection usually benefits the seller. The home inspector likely had the seller’s best interests at heart and not yours. It’s always a good idea to invest in your home inspection.
  • Finally, a pre-sale home inspection doesn’t guarantee the buyer’s inspector won’t find anything wrong with the property.

Everything You Need to Know About Elk River Home Inspectors

Home Inspection Agencies isn’t exactly what I’m looking for. Are there more specific services similar to home inspectors available in Elk River?

If you’ve determined that home inspection agencies are not quite what you were looking for, or if you had a specific project in mind that is similar to home inspection agencies, we can still help you find the right professional in Elk River.

Elk River has 50 home inspector professionals that can help you with your home inspection agencies job. Head to our Pros Page to find specific home inspectors-pros in Elk River.

How do I know that I found the right Home Inspector in Elk River for my home inspection agencies project?

Finding the right home inspector for your project can be stressful.... when you don't search with Porch. We've pulled together everything you need to know about Home Inspection Agencies in Elk River so you can have some peace of mind before starting your project.

Here’s what you need to know to choose the right home inspector in Elk River:

  • Are they BBB accredited? 2 pros in Elk River are.
  • Check if they are they BBB rated: 9 are A-rated in Elk River.
  • Is the quality worth the price? Make sure to find the home inspector that can deliver the quality you're looking for, without going way over your budget. Don't forget that every job is going to be different.
  • Speak with them over the phone: Contact multiple home inspectors pros to see if you’re on the same page when it comes to your project.

How does invoicing/payment work for most Home Inspector projects in Elk River?

Every project differs, but you should ask any home inspector for an estimate, before they do any work. In fact, ask for their general payment terms before any home inspection agencies work is done.

If the job is large and going to take longer than a day, it's common practice for home inspectors to request a down payment. Usually, this will be around 25% so they can commence work on your home inspector project.

If it's a quick job, you'll likely be given an invoice/bill when the job is complete. Then it's up to you and the home inspector to determine if you pay immediately or can send payment at a later date.

Latest projects near Elk River

Recent projects booked on Porch
Orofino 83544
Roofing Inspection
Start Date
I'm flexible
Roofing project type
Inspect a roof
Roof slope
Sloped or pitched
Roofing material
Metal
Reason for inspection
Snow brakes installed
Previous leaking or damage
No
Number of stories tall
Two floors
Orofino 83544
Home Inspection
Start Date
Within 48 hours
Purpose
Purchasing property
Inspection type
Whole home
Property type
Single family residence
Property size
4,001-5,000 sq ft
Property age
51+ years
Foundation type
Basement
Relationship to property
Agent
Occupied
Yes
Utilities turned on
Yes
Specific services
Sewer cam inspection
Orofino 83544
Home Inspection
Start Date
Within a month
Purpose
Purchasing property
Inspection type
Whole home
Property type
Single family residence
Property size
0-1,500 sq ft
Property age
21-30 years
Foundation type
Slab on ground
Relationship to property
Buyer
Occupied
No
Utilities turned on
Yes
Specific services
Mold test