What’s the best way to find a reliable home inspector?
Consider your real estate agent’s recommendation, but still do your homework. Call several home inspection companies and don’t just shop for the price. The more qualified and professional the home inspector, the more valuable the service provided.
Inquire about their qualifications and licenses, as well as error and omission insurance. Ask how long they have been in business, and verify the information with Yelp or Google, etc. While Michigan does not license home inspectors, you can ask the state licensing board if the home inspector is a licensed builder and how long they’ve held that license. You can also inquire about complaints against the individual or the home inspection company. It is not unusual for someone in the business to have complaints lodged against them, or even be sued, but how many times and how the problems were resolved can be relevant. Information on established standards, practices and ethics is available through the American Society of Home Inspectors (www.ashi.org / 847-759-2820)