Finding the Right Home Inspector for
You
Fortunately, in Texas, all Home Inspectors must be licensed by the Texas
Real Estate Commission (TREC). TREC has established minimum standards by
which all home inspections must be performed, as well as the report format
in which findings are to be presented. These are documented in the TREC
Standards Of Practice for real estate inspections. Even so, its important
to know, not all inspection companies and certainly not all inspection
reports are created equal. Here are a few pointers to assist you in
selecting the inspection company that best suits your needs (also see our
guide on
10 Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Home
Inspection Company):
Ask to see a sample home inspection report
Inspection reports range from handwritten, checkbox style (often
delivered on-site) to extensive computer-generated narratives that include
photographs.
Review the home inspection agreement
Many inspectors use contracts, known as inspection agreements that
define the scope of the inspection. Ask to see the agreement before the
scheduled inspection date to ensure that it is fair and not one-sided
against you.
Optional home inspection services/add-ons
Make sure you know of any additional fees you might incur for crawl
spaces, septic systems, sprinkler systems, etc.
Do you want to attend your home
inspection?
Most inspectors encourage clients to be on-site during the inspection. If
you want to attend, make sure that your inspector is willing to accommodate
you.