How To Find The Best Building and Pest Inspectors
When you are in the market for buying a new home or property, the building and pest inspection can be very important and help you save a lot of money in the future. The inspections could find issues such as asbestos or hidden termite damage that could end up costing you thousands of dollars to fix. No one wants to buy a building and end up spending a lot of money fixing hidden damage they were not aware of before buying. There may also be structural damage lurking that makes the building unsafe to occupy.
Because of what is at stake when you purchase a property, it is important to find the best building and pest inspector company possible. Obtaining a pre-purchase inspection report from independent experts can be a great tool to use before you purchase a property. Not only will it give you some peace of mind concerning the buying process, but it will also give you room to negotiate a price if any issues come about. Newer properties can also benefit from a good inspection. Below are some tips on how to find the best building and pest inspector, such as Building & Pest by TPC.
Basic Requirements
The most important requirement to verify when hiring a building and pest inspector is that they are qualified and licensed. According to Fair Trading, you should not be afraid to ask a company for their license details. Additionally, they should have the proper insurance for the services they provide, such as having professional indemnity insurance. This type of insurance offers protection in the future if you deem the company was negligent and you want to take action against them.
Other Considerations When Hiring A Building And Pest Inspector
Background
When speaking with potential companies, ask them about their background. Inquire on how they were trained and decided to get into this field. Additionally, ask them how long they have been working as building and pest inspectors.
Tools Used
In order to perform the job properly, inspectors need to have the proper tools. Some of the most common tools are moisture detectors, thermal imaging devices, and laser sound and level devices. If you are not sure, ask what each tool they have will check for during the inspection process.
Service Areas Covered
Ask potential companies what areas they cover geographically and what common issues they find in those areas. They may be able to tell you what their expertise is and what is commonly found during inspections of properties in the same area.
Time To Complete Services
Before you settle on a company to hire, ask them to give you an estimate of how long the inspection will take. When the inspection has been completed, obtain a copy of their report so that you can verify how comprehensive their services were.
Understanding The Inspection Limitations
It should be understood that building inspectors are only human. This means that there is always room for error. Standard building and pest inspections are not always a failsafe method because they are visual by nature and not typically intrusive unless you pay for a more comprehensive inspection beforehand. This can often allow sellers an opportunity to hide issues their property might have in order to sell for a higher price without disclosing problems.
Before you pay for an inspection, you may want to do a little research on how many vendors prepare their homes before selling. Finding out that sellers lock doors or disallow access to inspectors in certain areas of their home should be a huge red flag. Additionally, it should be acknowledged that the equipment inspectors have is not always foolproof and issues may be found later on during a renovation.
Specific Expertise And Knowledge
When you find an inspection company that has been in the area for many years, you may have an advantage on your part. Oftentimes, local building inspectors will have inside knowledge of certain building companies, types of buildings and the way structures need to be built to withstand ground conditions, local weather and other common problems for the geographical area. For example, some areas may be more prone to termite infestations than others. Find an inspector in your area who has been around for many years and will be able to offer you intimate knowledge of problem areas for you to watch out for.
Personalized Services – Inspectors That Go Above And Beyond For Customers
Unfortunately, more and more building and pest inspectors are becoming worried about getting sued by customers. However, with a little due diligence, you may be able to find a company that will offer you a little extra information about your report from them over the phone. They may allow you to ask them informally some questions about the cost of certain repairs they suggested. They may also suggest whether the damage they found should be a deal-breaker for buying the property. If this type of service interests you, find an inspector who is offering personalized services. If you are not able to find an inspector that is comfortable giving you repair cost estimates, consider taking the report you were given to a builder for advice.
Extra Services To Consider
When you purchase a property, you want to make sure you are not going to be hit with unexpected hidden dangers or issues. Because of this, it may be worth considering getting extra services most inspectors offer. Some building inspectors will offer a video walkthrough of the inspection in addition to the report. Not only can a video be a good educational tool to help you make a decision on a property, but it can also be a more visible representation of the extent of damage a property may have.
Take your time when finding a building and pest inspector. Most reports cost around $500 for a single report and up to $800 for a double report. However, prices will vary significantly between companies in different regions. It should be noted that a detailed report can often take several days to be completed and put together. If you are on your way to an auction, be sure you give yourself enough time in advance to get the process completed before putting a bid on a home.
