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 Cedar Falls Home Inspectors

Who should I hire if I need Home Inspection Agencies in Cedar Falls?

Right now there are about 50 companies in and around Cedar Falls ready to help you with your home inspection agencies project.

    Below we've listed a few of the top Home Inspectors on Porch:

    • Sloan & Associates Inc
      • Quality Home Inspections
        • Priority Plus Inspections

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

          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 Cedar Falls.

          Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls.

          How many home inspectors does Cedar Falls have?

          There are around 50 companies throughout Cedar Falls to help you with your next home inspection agencies job.

          • 5 of them have an A or A+ rating from Better Business Bureau.

          Latest projects near Cedar Falls

          Recent projects booked on Porch
          Cedar Falls 50613
          Home Inspection
          Start Date
          Within a month
          Purpose
          Purchasing property
          Inspection type
          Whole home
          Property type
          Condo or townhome
          Property size
          1,501-2,000 sq ft
          Property age
          11-20 years
          Foundation type
          Basement
          Relationship to property
          Buyer
          Occupied
          Yes
          Utilities turned on
          Yes
          Specific services
          Radon test, Mold test, Termite inspection
          Cedar Falls 50613
          Roofing Inspection
          Start Date
          Within a week
          Roof slope
          Sloped or pitched
          Roofing material
          Asphalt or composite shingle
          Reason for inspection
          Just a routine check-up
          Previous leaking or damage
          No
          Number of stories tall
          One floor
          Cedar Falls 50613
          Home Inspection
          Start Date
          Within a week
          Purpose
          Purchasing property
          Inspection type
          Whole home
          Property type
          Single family residence
          Property size
          1,501-2,000 sq ft
          Property age
          41-50 years
          Foundation type
          Unknown
          Relationship to property
          Buyer
          Occupied
          Yes
          Utilities turned on
          Yes
          Specific services
          Lead paint test, Sewer cam inspection, Termite inspection, Mold test, Radon test
          Cedar Falls 50613
          Home Inspection
          Start Date
          I'm flexible
          Purpose
          Purchasing property
          Inspection type
          Whole home
          Property type
          Single family residence
          Property size
          3,501-4,000 sq ft
          Property age
          11-20 years
          Foundation type
          Unknown
          Relationship to property
          Buyer
          Occupied
          Yes
          Utilities turned on
          Yes
          Specific services
          Radon test, Sewer cam inspection, Mold test
          Cedar Falls 50613
          Home Inspection
          Start Date
          Within a month
          Purpose
          Purchasing property
          Inspection type
          Whole home
          Property type
          Duplex
          Property size
          2,001-2,500 sq ft
          Property age
          51+ years
          Foundation type
          Basement
          Relationship to property
          Buyer
          Occupied
          Yes
          Utilities turned on
          Yes
          Specific services
          Lead paint test, Mold test, Radon test, Sewer cam inspection, Termite inspection