Kenmore Undressed

Home Inspectors: Can My Uncle Fred Do an Inspection?

Christiania, Glass House, Copenhagen, August 2007

My wife and I saw a great bumper sticker today that applies to having your home inspected: “Don’t believe everything you think!” As a realtor, several of my clients insisted on having their “friend” the contractor or, worse yet, their father inspect the houses they were buying. When I gently suggested they consider hiring a “professional” I was reminded that their hand-picked person was charging far less for doing the inspection or that “my Uncle Fred knows everything there is to know about houses.” But do your friends and family understand how an inspection contingency works in a real estate transaction? Take a look at the first paragraph of an inspection addendum:

If you read the highlighted section, you’ll note that there isn’t any language requiring a “licensed” inspector to conduct the inspection. It even says that the buyer’s inspection MAY include any number of items. Sure, you can go ahead and hire Uncle Fred to do the job but let me remind you:

We Americans suffer from the modern day affliction of I KNOW IT ALL!!!! We believe that we are experts if we visit enough websites or watch enough DIY programs on cable TV. Well, I’m afraid that this attitude has created an environment in which real professionals (e.g. home inspectors, realtors, carpenters, pilots, etc.) have been reduced to commodity status. Remember, commodities are products or services that cannot be differentiated from one another. So, I’m here to tell you that not all inspectors are equal and, DON’T ENTRUST THE INSPECTION OF A HOME TO NON-EXPERTS.

Please note: as of July 2009 “home inspectors” will be required to have a license. The new law (signed by Governor Christine Gregoire). This will be the first time that minimum standards of competency in the home inspection industry in Washington State. I bet you didn’t know that there is no licensing requirement for inspectors today. The only “licensing” required by an inspector is a Pest and Wood Destroying Organism Certificate. You should do your homework when selecting an inspector. I highly recommend inspectors who hold themselves to high ethical and professional standards. You will often find they are members of:

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)

The National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI)

Most inspectors welcome the new law as a way to ensure a higher level of service in the industry. According to the new law, a Home Inspector Advisory Board will be formed under the Department of Licensing. This board will develop a Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice and select or create a licensing test. This is good news for anyone considering the purchase or sale of a home.