New Home Inspection Cheaper?

[John McKenna]

I posted an article at AllExperts.com regarding a question about new home inspections being cheaper. (look under "answered questions" regarding "inspection cost").

If price is the primary consideration you are looking for, then you are setting yourself up for a real problem. I suggest you look for the most experienced, most thorough, most picky home inspector money can buy. Why? Because a home is one of the most expensive investments most people make in their life time. A home inspector who brings thermal imaging, various testing tools and many years of experienced is worth the money they charge. They should have an independent attitude that they DO NOT write soft reports to please the local realtors or builders in the area (yes this goes on all the time). If this requires that you hire the most expensive home inspector in the area, then this is the best money you will ever spend. Those that are just getting started, or trying to market the lowest prices are not usually the right inspector to hire.

Finding someone who writes a professional report and will take the time to really explain various issues to you from their years of experience, usually charges more. A new home inspection requires a high level of knowledge of current requirements and local codes. People's expectations are higher when inspecting a new home as well. Defects in a new home are harder to find sometimes, because they are covered with fresh paint and look so nice with all the new parts. To say that new homes have less defects and are somehow easier to inspect is not really true. To expect new home inspections to be cheaper may be formula for unintended error.

Do not approach any inspection casually. Remember 90% of home inspector's go out of business within 3 years and these are usually the ones charging the lowest price as they struggle to stay afloat. Those who charge the most usually do so because their skills can demand such a higher price. Their services are worth it. I am the executive director of the Master Inspector Certification Board, so I think I know a little about this subject.

Hope this helps.

John McKenna, CMI
Certified Master Inspector
http://texas-inspection.com
http://www.infrared-certified.com