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A Home Buyer's Guide to Choosing the Right Home Inspector

Christina and Drew Faulkenburg • May 06, 2024

Kick A-Z Home Inspections

Introduction

There's much to consider when you're on the journey to buying a new home. One of the most critical steps is getting a comprehensive home inspection. This step ensures you're making a sound investment and not encountering unexpected issues. At Kick A-Z Home Inspections, we understand the importance of this decision and want to help guide you through choosing the right home inspector. Here's what you need to know.



Why a Home Inspection Matters

A home inspection thoroughly examines a property's condition, from the foundation to the roof. It can uncover potential issues such as structural problems, electrical hazards, plumbing leaks, or HVAC inefficiencies. An inspection report can give you peace of mind, provide leverage for negotiations, or even help you avoid a bad investment.


Key Factors in Choosing a Home Inspector


Qualifications and Licensing

Start by checking the inspector's qualifications. Look for certifications from reputable organizations like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). Ensure they have the necessary licensing to operate in your state or region.


Experience

Experience counts. An inspector who has conducted hundreds of inspections is likely to have seen a wide variety of issues and knows what to look for. Ask about their experience with homes similar to yours, whether it's age, construction type, or location.


Reputation and Reviews

Word-of-mouth recommendations and online reviews can give you insight into an inspector's reliability and professionalism. Look for reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or Angi. If possible, ask for references and follow up with past clients.


Insurance

Ensure the inspector carries liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance. This coverage protects you and the inspector in case of an oversight or error in the inspection process.


Thoroughness and Detail

A good home inspector should be thorough and detail-oriented. Ask about their inspection process and what they cover. Do they climb onto the roof, inspect the attic, and check the crawl space? Do they use technology like thermal imaging or moisture meters? A comprehensive inspection leaves no stone unturned.


Communication and Reporting

Communication is key. The inspector should be able to explain their findings clearly and answer your questions. Ask to see a sample inspection report. It should be detailed, easy to understand, and include photos of any issues. Some inspectors offer digital reports with interactive features.


Flexibility and Availability

When you're on a tight timeline, you need an inspector who can accommodate your schedule. Find out how quickly they can complete the inspection and provide the report. Flexibility can be crucial in competitive real estate markets.


Why Choose Kick A-Z Home Inspections?

At Kick A-Z Home Inspections, we embody all these qualities. Our team of certified inspectors has extensive experience with a wide range of homes, from historic properties to new constructions. We're dedicated to providing thorough, accurate, and easy-to-understand inspection reports. Our customer service is second to none, and we're committed to helping you make informed decisions about your new home.


Choosing the right home inspector is a critical step in your home-buying journey. By considering the factors outlined above, you can ensure that you select an inspector who is qualified, experienced, and reliable. If you're ready to schedule an inspection or have questions, contact Kick A-Z Home Inspections. We're here to help you navigate this important process with confidence and peace of mind.








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14 Dec, 2020
Here in Colorado, I feel like we've been waiting months for Winter and the snow to arrive. It has been beautiful weather and our family is grateful for the sunshine and warmer winter days. It allows us to get out easily and often. With the winter weather and colder days finally here, it's important to know how to care for your home during this season. I grew up in Southern California, luckily Drew is born and raised in Boulder so he helps me understand how to best care for our home. Here are three tips on how to care for your home during the Winter. 1. Do not use your air conditioner. While we're not supposed to have dinner parties and our Holiday celebrations are more virtual, if you're heating up your home with lots of baking and cooking or your quarantine pod family is over for dinner, make sure you do not turn your air conditioner on. Open a window or two to let in some cool air. 2. Avoid placing snow near the foundation of your home . Whether you're clearing snow from your walkway, roof, or deck you should avoid piling snow next to the side of the house. Piled up snow could lead to possible frozen pipes or cause cracks which can lead to moisture intrusion. Clear the snow towards the street or into the yard. 3. Seal up drafts. The EPA says a well sealed home can be up to 20 percent more energy efficient. And we're all looking for ways to save money. Most drafts can be found in the basement, around windows, or the attic. You can probably seal a lot of leaks with a simple caulking gun, but here are tutorials from EnergyStar.gov. Here at Kick A-Z Home Inspections, we hope you have a happy holiday season.
19 Nov, 2020
You won the bidding war on the home for your family. Congratulations! Now what? Your Realtor will tell you to hire a home inspector. With everything else you'll have going on to complete this transaction AND get ready to move, we wanted to share with you three ways you can get the most from the home inspection. 1. Hire a Certified Home Inspector. Many states, like Colorado, do not require a home inspector to have certification. Kick A-Z Home Inspections went the extra mile to get certified with InterNachi. This means, we follow a Code of Ethics and Standard Operating Procedures that allow us to serve Clients in the best way possible. 2. Ask Questions. A great home inspector, and their staff, is readily available to answer your questions - before, during and after the inspection. We have answered questions via phone, text and even on FaceTime. If you are in person at the home inspection, this is a great time to see what the inspector sees. Kick A-Z Home Inspectors finds our Clients like to come at the end of the inspection to review what has been inspected. Sometimes, there are items the inspector can't get to or see, and that is good to know so you can be aware of something important. The inspector can also point out key components of the home. 3. Review the inspection. The inspection report is one of the best resources you have to make repairs and maintenance. It's helpful at the negotiating table and down the road once you have moved in. If there are repairs the sellers won't make prior to closing, you can refer back to the inspection report time and again as you repair those items. We recommend getting a home health check every couple of years to make sure that your home is safe and healthy for your family. This helps in recognizing things that have come up since the initial home inspection, and gives you an updated view on your home.
13 Oct, 2020
Fall is here,,, and Winter is creeping in. When you're looking to buy a home in late fall and winter here in Colorado there are a few things that may not get inspected due to weather. Here are a list of items that may not be able to be seen during the home inspection if there is incremental weather: The Roof - This is a big one. But if there is snow on the day of the inspection it may not be safe for the inspector to walk the roof or visible to the inspector. The Inspector will mark in the inspection that the roof was inaccessible due to weather. It's going to be important after the snow has melted to have the roof inspected. Air Conditioner Unit - Inspectors can't safely turn on an AC unit to check if it is working properly below an outside temperature. If it is not possible to test the AC Unit in Winter, the Inspector will note it. Exterior Grading- If there is snow piled up outside, it may be hard to tell if there is proper negative grading. Negative grading can help keep moisture away from the foundation. You can always request a recheck on the items that were not visible to the inspector at the time of the home inspection once the snow melts. It is always important to read through the entire report you receive to see what was and wasn't visible to the inspector at the time of the home inspection. Happy Buying! Kick A-Z Team
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