Did you recently buy a second-hand home? Or did you recently move your business to a new location? Then you need to consider scheduling a comprehensive building inspection.
A building inspection ensures that the house or building you are moving into is safe to use. Prices can go north for larger buildings. And since safety is at stake, finding a reputable building inspector is paramount.
But how do you find the right construction and building inspector? What are the qualities you need to consider before hiring one?
Continue reading below for the answers.
1. A Keen Eye for Detail
One of the first things to look for in a building inspector is a keen eye for detail. Ensuring the safety of homes and structures requires someone meticulous.
A good inspector doesn’t rush things. Instead, he takes his time to look at all the key areas for any signs of underlying problems.
One of the keys to see if an inspector is meticulous is the time he spends on the inspection. When interviewing candidates, ask them how long they take to complete an inspection. If they answer around 30 minutes or anything under an hour, that’s already a red flag.
If they finish their inspections in half an hour, it means they don’t take their time to look closely into all the details. There is a possibility of them missing out on crucial signs that may compromise your safety.
Instead, find a commercial building inspector who will ask you more about the details of the building. Go for an inspector who will inquire about the size and specifications of your property. If they are proactively asking about these details, it means they are trying to estimate how long the inspection process will be.
2. A Building Inspector Knows His Limits
A good building inspector should also know his limits and boundaries. It is a fact that not all inspectors are equal. Though they share some fundamental knowledge, they still differ in terms of skills.
For example, not all inspectors have extensive knowledge of plumbing and roofing concerns. Hence, it is important to find an inspector who knows his limitations. This will ensure that the inspector will not force things especially if they are not his expertise.
The good thing about hiring an experienced inspector is his existing network. If your building requires inspecting an area that is beyond his skill set, he can tap his network and call another professional for help.
3. Knows How to Listen
Another important quality to look for is the ability to listen to clients. An inspector must be a good listener first before a good doer.
Though he may already have an idea about the issue and how to address it, a good inspector will take the time to listen to the client. He will take down notes and allow the home or building owner to share everything about the property.
Moreover, he will not make the client feel uncomfortable. He will also involve the client in the process. He will ensure that the customer knows that his opinions and suggestions matter.
4. Excellent Communicator
A good inspector should also be an excellent communicator. After listening to what the property owner has to say, he should explain his inputs clearly.
He should be able to answer all the questions the customer may throw at him. Also, he should know how to adjust to the client’s level of knowledge. Some clients know a lot about buildings. Others know little and require some guidance.
Thus, an inspector should know how to choose the right words. He should be able to pick the right terms that will send the message clearly and avoid confusion on the client’s end.
Additionally, he should be polite and friendly. Regardless if it is the property owner or a regular staff he is talking to, he should treat them with respect.
5. Comes With a License and Insurance Coverage
You also need to ensure that the inspector has a license to show for. Never hire an inspector who doesn’t have one. Having a license means the inspector can legally inspect buildings in your area.
It means he knows how to conduct a proper inspection at the very least. Furthermore, you want to find an inspector with insurance coverage. As we mentioned earlier, inspecting a home may require going up the roof.
Climbing up the ladder always comes with risks. If an accident happens, the insurance will protect you from liabilities.
Furthermore, personal liability insurance protects the inspector in case his work is shoddy. This means you will get proper compensation in case the inspector missed out on anything.
Thus, find a reputable inspector like ABIS that comes with all the necessary licenses and insurance. Doing so will also help you maximize the benefits of building inspection.
6. Carries the Right Tools
Having ample knowledge in building inspection is good, but an inspector also needs the right tools and equipment to execute the job. Tools allow inspectors to inspect the vital areas properly. In turn, they can come up with accurate assessments of the property.
A reputable inspection company uses a myriad of tools. These include fuel and gas analyzers, digital cameras, and thermal sensors, among others.
7. Excellent in Evaluations and Analysis
Last but not least, a trusted inspector has the knowledge to come up with sound evaluations. They can analyze their findings and provide a comprehensive report about your property.
Increase Your Knowledge in Property Management
By considering these top qualities, you can find a building inspector who can assess your property accurately. You can ensure the safety of your building and increase its market value in the process.
But a building inspection is only one of the many tasks to cover in property management.
We invite you to expand your knowledge by checking out our other articles. We discuss topics that will increase the value and safety of your properties.
