InterNACHI featured in Timber Homes Illustrated 2007 Annual Buyer's Directory.

"The Better Business Bureau's Hiring a Home Contractor video provides practical tips to help owners protect themselves from unethical or incompetent builders.  The National Association of Certified Home Insepctors lists private inspectors throughout the United States and Canada at www.nachi.org.  The site's FastReply email option can help you find inspectors..."

"Trust, but Verify. If you aren't knowledgeable enough about construction or cannot regularly visit your job site, consider hiring a third-party consultant or inspector to serve as your watchdog."

"Private home inspectors abound throughout the country and are easy to find in the telephone book or online.  Here, again, make sure the supposed expert is qualified and impartial. 

 

 A good place to start looking for a private inspector is with InterNACHI, the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.  One of the country's largest associations of home inspectors, InterNACHI also serves Canada.  The organization doesn't accept advertising on its website and requires its members to meet a lengthy set of written professional standards.

 

The total cost for an inspector depends on the scope of work a homeowner needs, says Nick Gromicko, InterNACHI founder.  Count on $400 per visit, which includes the inspection and written report.  InterNACHI relies heavily on technology to communicate with its clients who can access their online reports, including photos, with a password.

 

Most homeowners use an inspector in two ways, Nick says: Multiple times throughout construction, what InterNACHI terms phase inspections, and after construction is complete but before a client closes with the builder.  Some homeowners also use an inspector to develop a punch list several months after moving into the house and just before the typical one-year warranty period expires."