There is currently no state regulation of home inspectors in the
state of Minnesota, which means pretty much anyone can print business
cards and sell home inspection services. While you may save a hundred
bucks on the inspection, working with a less than qualified inspector
can end up costing you thousands in the long run, as illustrated in
Monday night’s KARE 11 news story.
So what can you do to make sure your inspector is a qualified professional?
1. Make sure your inspector is ASHI Certified. While our state has no licensing requirements, the American Society of Home Inspectors does offer certification, which establishes educational, experience, and ethical standards for inspectors. Many inspectors will tell you they are members of ASHI; however, that’s not the same as being certified. Inspectors can become members of ASHI just like you can join many other professional organizations. In order to become certified an inspector must pass the National Home Inspector’s Exam, which is the test 33 U.S. states use for licensing. There are fewer than 30 ASHI certified home inspectors in the state of Minnesota. Make sure your inspector is one of them.
2. Make sure your inspector is insured. According to Ken Rowe of Minnesota Home Inspectors, ninety percent of inspectors carry no liability insurance. The only way an inspector can stand behind their work is to carry insurance to cover themselves—and you—should they miss a significant defect in a home they inspect for you. Without errors and omissions liability insurance, your odds of recovering any losses are very slim, even if you do go to court and get a judgment.
3. Interview Potential Inspectors. Ask questions about the inspector’s experience, the scope of the inspection, and what kind of report or information you will receive about the subject property. Incorporate these questions into your discussion. Keep in mind that the number of inspections performed is a better measure of experience than how long an inspector has been in business. There are some excellent inspectors who have only been in business a couple of years who have much more experience than a part-timer who does 20 inspections per year.
Many Realtors will recommend inspectors if you ask, but you shouldn’t take their recommendations without asking some questions. A home inspection’s purpose is to protect the buyer, and it’s in your best interest to make sure the inspector you hire is properly trained, experienced, and competent. At some point state lawmakers may require licensing of home inspectors, but in the meantime, I protect my clients by only recommending inspectors who meet the criteria above.
So what can you do to make sure your inspector is a qualified professional?
1. Make sure your inspector is ASHI Certified. While our state has no licensing requirements, the American Society of Home Inspectors does offer certification, which establishes educational, experience, and ethical standards for inspectors. Many inspectors will tell you they are members of ASHI; however, that’s not the same as being certified. Inspectors can become members of ASHI just like you can join many other professional organizations. In order to become certified an inspector must pass the National Home Inspector’s Exam, which is the test 33 U.S. states use for licensing. There are fewer than 30 ASHI certified home inspectors in the state of Minnesota. Make sure your inspector is one of them.
2. Make sure your inspector is insured. According to Ken Rowe of Minnesota Home Inspectors, ninety percent of inspectors carry no liability insurance. The only way an inspector can stand behind their work is to carry insurance to cover themselves—and you—should they miss a significant defect in a home they inspect for you. Without errors and omissions liability insurance, your odds of recovering any losses are very slim, even if you do go to court and get a judgment.
3. Interview Potential Inspectors. Ask questions about the inspector’s experience, the scope of the inspection, and what kind of report or information you will receive about the subject property. Incorporate these questions into your discussion. Keep in mind that the number of inspections performed is a better measure of experience than how long an inspector has been in business. There are some excellent inspectors who have only been in business a couple of years who have much more experience than a part-timer who does 20 inspections per year.
Many Realtors will recommend inspectors if you ask, but you shouldn’t take their recommendations without asking some questions. A home inspection’s purpose is to protect the buyer, and it’s in your best interest to make sure the inspector you hire is properly trained, experienced, and competent. At some point state lawmakers may require licensing of home inspectors, but in the meantime, I protect my clients by only recommending inspectors who meet the criteria above.
