• How long have you been doing inspections?
  Make sure the inspector has experience.
   
• Approximately how many inspections have you performed?
  Make sure you're not the first on their inspections performed list.

• What did you do before becoming a home inspector?
  A person with previous experience in building trades may be a wiser choice than an ex-circus clown, unless the clown had extensive inspection training.
   
• Are you insured?
  Some states require home inspectors to carry E&O Insurance. Check your states laws to make sure.
   
• Can you give me references?
  Inspectors should be able to offer references from previous clients if requested.
  
  
• What type of report do you offer?
  Ask what type of report they offer and how soon it will be available.
  

• What do you inspect, roof, attic, etc?
  Some inspectors will not traverse a roof or enter a crawlspace. This is understandable if unsafe conditions exist but if not, ask if they will do it.
   
• Do you include estimates in the report?
  A large number of home inspectors do not offer any repair or replacement costs in their reports and still others are determined by their state laws. No harm in asking.
   
• Do you accept credit cards?
  Most established home inspection companies are set up to accept credit card transactions.
  

Two Inspections?
At first thought it almost seems redundant and costly to have two home inspections on the same property. A seller is more than likely in the same process of purchasing another home and will not want to incur the cost of two home inspections; one for the home they are buying and the one they are trying to sell. This is acceptable logic, but not reasonable. Once a seller decides to hire an inspector for the home they are selling, they should also ask the inspection company to negotiate a reduced inspection price if they plan on using the same company for their future home.

Pre-Sale Inspections:
The cost of two home inspections aside, the seller must anticipate that some issues are going to arise during the homebuyer’s inspection. Some buyers will try to use these issues as negotiating leverage to lower the sales price or get major work done and more than likely slowing the process or even possibly killing the deal entirely.

The benefit of a pre-sale inspection is that the inspection will mention the deficiencies, if any, and provide a cost analysis. More importantly, however, the pre-sale inspection will highlight the homes assets / perks and provide the seller with firm reasoning for the asking price and leave little room for the buyers to negotiate a reduced price after receiving their home inspector’s report.

A Pre-Inspection Helps in Many Ways:
Eventually your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first.

The following 10 tasks will ensure a better inspection, thereby creating fewer items of note in the report:

1. Confirm that gas, electric, and water services are on, including the main gas and water shutoff valves, and the main electric circuit breaker.
2. Confirm that gas and water shutoff valves for individual appliances and components are on (furnace, wall/floor heaters, cook tops/ovens, sinks/toilets, etc.).
3. Confirm that all circuit breakers in the electric panels are on for circuits in use.
4. Replace burned out light bulbs, screen windows, and screen doors.
5. Have excessive storage and/or furnishings moved away from interior/exterior walls.
6. Replace or clean dirty heating and cooling filters.
7. Replace dead batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
8. Ensure that pets are secured or removed at time of inspection.
9. Notify alarm services of the date and time of inspection.
10. Ensure that inspectors will have access to all areas. Locks should be removed or keys available.