Choosing the right home inspectors is more than just another step in the home-buying process; it's a decision that can turn your dream home into a money pit in the blink of an eye.
And with an abundance of home inspectors in Kansas City, it's easy to pick the wrong one.
That's why we've compiled this list of regrets shared by home buyers and real estate investors to keep you from learning these lessons the hard way - like they did.
New, inexperienced, and part-time home inspectors do not have the experience or intuition to see homes through a critical lens that finds uncommon issues, connects the dots to complex problems, then communicate these findings in a way you understand.
Home inspectors are NOT created equal. This means when you shop for a home inspector based on the lowest price, it will almost always cost you more in the long run.
That's because low-priced home inspectors are new and inexperienced (see regret #1 above), which leads to rushed, shallow, and confused home inspections. This can lead to major oversights, where big, expensive defects go unnoticed until after you already own the home. This is how low-priced home inspectors end up costing you more money in the end.
And why quality should never be compromised in exchange for a few dollars.
Large inspection companies can offer quick turnaround and convenient scheduling, but they fall short in the one thing you need most: a comprehensive home inspection.
That's because they employ hourly employees, amateurs, and apprentices to do your home inspection.
This isn't a problem for low and no-skill services like radon or mold testing, but when you need interpretations, predictions, connections, and details between certain defects and how they impact other areas around the home - and yourself as the new homeowner putting 6 or 7 figures on the line - they fall egregiously short of the mark.
Plus, employees aren't equipped with autonomy to make last-minute or unexpected decisions. The owner depends on the income to pay their expenses and employees, which sometimes means you home will get inspected whether it's ready or not.
Employees and apprentices also come and go. Turnover is high in the home inspection industry and there are no guarantees that someone you like using today will be there tomorrow.
Because their business and personal reputation depend on the outcome of every inspection.
You won't be getting some random employee, amateur, or apprentice who's only working for a paycheck and whose best work is still subpar to the value of your home, family, and expectations. In a nutshell, the owner will be thorough and careful and also wants you to understand the condition of your home.
Experience makes all the difference.
Just like new drivers who pay more for insurance than experienced drivers - new home inspectors don't have the same awareness as master home inspectors. Inexperienced home inspectors will make all sorts of claims that promise a thorough inspection, but without a mastery of their trade, you're gambling with your peace of mind.
Why 10 years? Assuming the average home inspection takes 3 hours and assuming good home inspectors do 300-400 home inspections per year, 10 years translates to 9,000-12,000 hours of experience.
By this point, a seasoned home inspector knows what to look for, where to find it, and how to uncover defects you can't see. They have an awareness honed by immersion and experience that will find things less experienced inspectors might miss.
You don't have to gamble with your new home.
Steve Rodriguez is an award-winning professional home inspector who has performed over 15,000 home inspections since 2003 and does every inspection himself.
And he's not just one of Kansas City's best home inspectors, in 2019 Bulldog Professional Inspection Services also became one of its best small businesses.
His 2000-item home inspection means your inspection will be thorough; his experience means you'll understand what it all means, and his dedication will deliver an easy-to-use report on the same day.
Don't leave your home inspection to chance. Get Bulldog on your side today.