What to ask a property inspector

Question

What would you recommend to look for when hiring a property inspector? What kind of questions would you ask them?

Alecia Loveless · Answer

@Justin Rockitter In my area there’s one inspector that is WAY more thorough than the rest. The realtors don’t like him because his reports tend to scare nervous buyers over small things. I’ve tried to get him for all my stuff but until my last property I’ve never been able to get him because he’s just booked solid.

However on this property he found things my contractor missed when we walked through including rotted floor joists throughout the basement and a partially unsupported chimney.

I brought in my “estimating contractor” who is familiar with pricing out work and knows the current costs of lumber as he is also a finished carpenter and he looked at everything and gave an estimate of $100,000 for the work needed on this $300,000 property.

At this point I could have taken or left the property and told the realtor my new price was $200,000. He negotiated a lower price and I said sorry I was firm at $200,000 and that is the price I got.

While I do have to pay out of pocket for the renovation it will all be write offs and I can fight my taxes on the lower price.

Between the $550 for the septic inspection by a septic inspector only not a septic company and the $500 for the very thorough building inspection it was the best money I’ve spent yet on my home inspections. My advice is don’t skimp get the inspections, check references, find the best inspector you can they can be worth their weight in gold.

Alyson Anderson · Answer

@Bruce Woodruff

100%!  Inspectors with experience not only help find potential hazards/ issues but a lot of the time they provide great recommendations to add equity and provide long term success. I look for inspectors who have experience with other investors and potentially own their own.

Ask your local realtor for recommendations. My inspection always provides great helpful tips. For example, always tie in the fan with the light to prevent mold in the bathroom on rentals.

Robert Belz · Answer

Hi @Justin Rockitter,

BP is the definitely the best place to find this info. I found that this blog post by @M. Ian Colville really nails it.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/...

Some of these questions will be answered by doing some quick due diligence on the PM, however a question I would ask in addition to #7 is... asking them to explain the process for an eviction.

The most important piece of advice in that blog is following up with question #2. References are essential before committing to a PM. Even if it's a larger PM firm, attempt to find references on the individual who is assigned to your property. Good luck!

Reinaldo Lopez · Answer

Hi, you can find lots of information and very good home inspectors from  this national associations, nachi.org and ASHI , also look for local state groups or associations.

Skyy Dugger · Answer

@Justin Rockitter

How long you been doing this 😅

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

I've been a GC for a long time....did Home Inspections for a couple years to supplement income. I would always use an inspector who's actually built something......

Just my .02

Peter M. · Answer

Property inspectors usually have a form they fill out with all the information and pictures of what was inspected. They will give you recommendations and tell you to get everything checked by a professional in that specific field (i.e. roofer, electrician, HVAC, pool guy, foundation). You could spend a fortune getting more inspections. Its all about liability and a home inspector isn't going to put their career on the line and give you and solid answers unless they are 100% sure. So try to use an experienced one and just do the inspection with them. You'll learn a lot and theyll end up answering more questions than you would ever have known to ask on your own.

What to ask a property inspector

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