Choose Home Inspector With Care
By Frank Ross
 
Melanie’s Realtor called a few weeks ago.  “I’ve heard some good things about your company, and I’ve given your name to one of my clients.  She’d like to use you, here’s her number.”  I called Melanie and scheduled an appointment for the following Saturday.
 
As I’m finishing an inspection Friday afternoon, my phone rings.  Melanie, with a hint of apprehension in her voice, says that she has some questions to ask me before the inspection.  I found out later she’d been on the Internet and had found a list of questions to ask an inspector.  Following are Melanie’s questions and my answers:
 
Q: Do You Have Errors and Omissions Insurance?    
Pillar To Post: Yes, Pillar To Post requires each franchisee to have Errors and Omissions Insurance.  I carry $500,000 of E&O as well as General Liability and referral insurance.
 
Q: Are You a Member of any Professional Organizations?
 Pillar To Post: I am proud to say that I’m a full member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.  I also abide by the American Society of Home Inspectors’ Code of Ethics and our inspections meet or exceed the ASHI Standards of Practice.  I give every customer a copy of these documents with their inspection report.  Readers who would like a free copy should call me at (435) 867-6400.  
 
In order to be a full NACHI Member I am required to have performed or participated in more than 100 home inspections. I must have passed NACHI’s Inspector Exam twice. I must have completed NACHI’s Ethics Obstacle Course and abide by the Code of Ethics.  I must have successfully completed NACHI’s comprehensive Roofing course and the Standards of Practice Course, agreeing to adhere to the Standards of Practice.  And I must continue learning by completing 24 hours/year of continuing education. 

 
Pillar To Post certifies me as a Home Inspector.  In order to gain certification, I had to complete over 75 hours of classroom instruction and conduct four graded home inspections in the field with instructors present.  Each day included a written review test of previous material.  I then had to inspect a “test house” (translation: money pit) and have that report graded.  Next I took a three-hour written examination.  

 
Q: Are You a Full Time Home Inspector?
Pillar To Post: Thanks to great customers like you, Melanie, we are full time home inspectors. Pillar To Post requires franchisees be full-time inspectors. The difference between a part-timer and a professional home inspector is important.  First, a part-timer is not likely to have the insurance we discussed earlier.  Insurance companies don’t like the risk of insuring part-timers, so their rates are higher.  Even as a full-time inspector, I pay thousands of dollars a year for insurance.  
 
More importantly, a part-time inspector is less likely to have developed the knowledge base needed to conduct a professional inspection. He probably does not have the tools or expertise to detect moisture problems in walls or assess foundation cracks.  And a part time inspector is unlikely to give you a written report.  I’ve heard stories of inspectors that simply give their reports over the phone.
 
The Professional’s Choice™
 
Melanie, relieved, confirmed the Saturday appointment.  The home she was buying had been a rental for a few years, with out-of-state owners.  They were adamant that the home was for sale “as is”.  During the inspection, we found numerous items of concern.  I explained each item and made recommendations for correction.  Melanie, as you would expect, was pleased to have the information she needed to make a wise decision.  Her Realtor called a few days later, and left a nice message thanking us for “going above and beyond the call of duty” and that he looked forward to working with us again.  Perhaps that’s why Pillar To Post is the Professional’s Choice.  
 
Frank Ross is a Certified Utah Home Inspector for Pillar to Post Professional Home Inspection and a full member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.  Readers may contact Mr. Ross at (435) 867-6400 or frank.ross@pillartopost.com.  You can learn more about Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection at www.pillarposthomeinspection.com