Top 10 Home Inspectors in Derby, CT
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.
Recent reviews for Derby Home Inspectors
We used Home Quest twice and both times they did a thorough inspection. Awesome experience! Trusted company! Thank you!
John is the only Home Inspector I have used on any of my properties, whether it was my personal home or my business locations. He saved me a major headache on one location we were considering, and allowed us to find a better location. He is thorough, prof...
We have had two prospective homes inspected by Johnny from Home Quest and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. Johnny is a true professional with his knowledge and superb attention to detail and thoroughness. His dedication to the customer is e...
John is always professional and I know my clients are in good hands ans being protected. He reaches the buyer about their house and always has a list good service providers for any issues. He also does inspections for home owners putting their home on the...
Johnny has done two inspections for me. He was very thorough and informative at the same time. Since I haven't bought a home in 45 years, this process was all new to me. Following Johnny through the process was like listening to a tutorial, which it was. ...
John was great. Very patient and informative, very thorough and detailed. Highly recommend John & his team for the entire inspection process.
I am in the process of buying my first home. I contacted Home Quest to schedule my home inspection. They arrived a little early, which I found refreshing. Thank you for the great service!
John inspected our condo on very short notice. He was GREAT. Arrived early and inspected everything outside the home. Then moved inside to the attic and worked his way down to the basement inspecting everything … and I do mean everything. It took approxim...
John booked an appointment right away knowing we had a limited amount of time before our closing date. He is prompt, thorough, easy to talk to and explains in detail as he goes along with his work. I have used him and his son in the past and will again.
John is absolutely incredible. He is thorough - takes time to make sure you understand every aspect of the inspection. Leaves time for questions and to make sure you're comfortable understanding all the findings. This company is helpful, professional, and...
It was a pleasure to have John do the inspection on our future home. He was very knowledgeable and knew every aspect of his job. From the basement to the roof he didn’t miss a thing. Had our inspection report sent out very quickly, ahead of our deadline. ...
John Koch did an excellent job with the inspection. He was very thorough and informative and explained everything very well to my buyer client. I especially liked how when I called to schedule the inspection appointment, Home Quest also conveniently coord...
All Home Inspectors in Derby, CT
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51+ years
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