Q: How do I choose a Home Inspector?
A: Regardless of how you find an inspection firm, by referral from a friend, a real estate professional or on the internet, you should contact the company and ask about the credentials and experience of the individual that will be performing your inspection. You must feel that the inspector is qualified, experienced and attentive of your needs.

You should also review several sample reports. A good report is computer generated, easy to follow, includes color photography and is delivered at the time of the inspection. Explanations and descriptions should be clear and easy to understand. A good report will also comply with a recognized Standards of Practice, such as those established by the American Society of Home Inspectors©.

Q: What qualifications or credentials should a home inspector offer?
A: It’s important to remember that the state of Georgia does not license or regulate home inspectors so an inspector’s certifications and qualifications are your best indicator of an inspector’s abilities. An experienced inspector will have a minimum of 4 years of experience and have performed 1,000 inspections.

Certification is an indication that the inspector has proved their knowledge through examination. Appropriate certifications and registrations include one or more of the following; Professional Engineer (PE), CABO (building codes) and ASHI© (American Society of Home Inspectors©). Be skeptical of other certifications, some organizations will certify anyone that pays a membership fee.

Your inspector should also carry both Professional and General Liability Insurance to protect you in case of a catastrophic event. As an example, if the inspector’s actions were to result in a fire that destroys the house and is not insured, you could be held responsible because the inspector was working for you.

Q: What will the inspection cover?
A: A thorough Inspection covers everything from roof to the foundation.

Q: How long will the Inspection take?
A: The average inspection of a single-family home will take 2½ to 3½ hours. The actual time for an inspection vary depending on the size, age & condition of the home.

Q: Should I be present during the Inspection?
A: That’s totally up to you. Most of our clients will be present for the entire inspection. However, if that is not possible you should try to be present for the last 30 minutes so that your inspector can discuss the report. If you cannot attend the inspection don’t worry. We produce a thorough and easy to read report that includes color digital photography and your inspector is available to answer any questions by phone or email. We can deliver your report via fax or email or upload it to our web site so that you can access it from anywhere in the world. If you choose not to attend the inspection arrangements will need to be made in advance for payment of the inspection fee.

Q: How much does a professional inspection cost?
A: Our fee is based on the amount of time required to perform a thorough inspection of your particular home. The time required is determined by the size, age and condition of the property. This approach is fair to you and to us. It’s impossible to estimate the amount of time needed for an inspection based on the sales price alone. For example, a $125,000 home that is 60 years old, has a crawl space and two additions will take longer to evaluate than a $250,000 home that is 4 years old and is built on a slab.

By structuring our fee system this way you are assured that we can schedule the appropriate amount of time to properly evaluate your home. Most of our inspections are in the $275 to $325 range. Additional fees apply for pools, radon testing, unique properties and other services.

Inspection fees vary greatly in metro Atlanta. However, if you compare inspectors with similar qualifications, experience and report formats you will find that HomeTech is your best value. If you consider the fact that most of our clients receive repairs or compensation from the seller that exceeds $1,500 you quickly realize that a quality home inspection is the best investment you can make. A 60-minute inspection that costs $150 is money wasted because no one can properly evaluate a home in that short amount of time.