Questions That You Should Ask When Shopping for a Home Inspector

Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
A: Home and commercial inspectors come and go. The long time firms are here to stay. They'll be here if you have a question or a problem down the road. Shamrock Home Inspections Inc has been in business since 1998.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR INSPECTORS' QUALIFICATIONS?
A: The industry is essentially unregulated. Anyone can call themselves a home or commercial inspector. Our inspectors are actually college graduates. They have all graduated from home inspection and commercial inspection college programs.

Q: CAN I FOLLOW ALONG AT THE INSPECTION?
A: If they won't let you go to the inspection, don't use them. We actually encourage you to attend. This is a valuable learning experience for most home buyers. It is the perfect opportunity to ask specific questions about the condition of the home. Also, where defects are identified, the inspector can discuss these so that you understand what repairs are required, when and at roughly what cost.

Q: ARE YOU A MEMBER OF A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION?
A: Yes. All our inspectors are certified members of NACHI.

Q: DO YOU DO REPAIRS OR RECOMMEND CONTRACTORS?
A: NO. We consider it a conflict of interest for a home inspector to recommend or refer a contractor to perform repairs. We offer an unbiased opinion on the condition of the home. We accept no referral fees from anyone.

Q: HOW MUCH DOES AN INSPECTION COST?
A: Our typical fee for a home inspection is $300 - $400. However, some factors will affect the fee. If you are comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the sole deciding factor, unless of course the level of service offered is identical. Commercial inspection fees vary based on the client's requirements.

We suspect the house or building you are buying is not the cheapest property, but rather a property that you feel represents good value. We urge you to choose your inspector the same way.

Q : HOW LONG DOES AN INSPECTION TAKE?
A: A typical home inspection takes between 2 and 3 hours. Some older and/or larger homes can take longer. As a courtesy to the vendor, they should be informed of the time involved once the inspection is arranged.  Commercial  inspections take much longer depending client requirements. 

Q: DO YOU PROVIDE A WRITTEN REPORT?
A: Yes. Our home inspection report is ready for you upon completion of the inspection itself. No delay. We use a comprehensive report writing system. A commercial inspection report usually takes 3 business days to complete.

Q: CAN WE CONTACT YOU WITH QUESTIONS AFTER THE INSPECTION?
A: Certainly. We would be glad to answer any questions you might have after the inspection or even after you move into your new home or take possesion of the commercial property.

Q: WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT?
A: We visually inspect the major systems of the house. These include the Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation and Interior. Our goal is to identify any existing major problems that would affect a typical purchaser's buying decision.

We will add significantly to your knowledge of the home or property, but still cannot tell you everything about the house or property. All home and commercial inspections are entirely visual. No destructive testing is performed. The inspection and report will put you in a much better position to make your decision.