How to hire a home inspector
A home inspector assesses a property's condition before purchase — and who recommended them matters, because an inspector wanting more referrals from an agent faces an obvious conflict.
What the job usually involves
- Pre-purchase inspection of structure, roof, systems and appliances.
- Pre-listing inspection for sellers.
- New construction and pre-drywall inspection.
- Specialist add-ons: radon, mould, termite, sewer scope.
- Written report with photographs.
What to ask before you agree to anything
- Can I attend the inspection and walk through with you?
- How long will it take, and what is explicitly not included?
- Do you offer sewer scope, radon or termite, or do I arrange those separately?
- When do I get the report, and does it include photographs?
- Are you licensed and insured, and who referred you?
Warning signs
- An inspection completed in under an hour on a full-sized house.
- An inspector chosen only because the buying agent recommended them.
- A report with no photographs or no detail.
- Repairs offered by the same person who inspected — that is a direct conflict.
Common questions
Should I attend my home inspection?
Yes, if you can. Walking through with the inspector tells you far more than the report does — where the shut-offs are, what needs watching, what is urgent versus cosmetic. Plan to join at least for the final walkthrough and summary.
What does a home inspection not cover?
Inspectors generally do not open walls, and commonly exclude sewer lines, radon, mould, termites and swimming pools unless booked separately. Ask for the exclusions list before the inspection so you can add what matters for that property.
Should I use the inspector my agent recommends?
You can, but understand the incentive: an inspector who repeatedly kills deals gets fewer referrals. Getting at least one independent name of your own is cheap insurance on the largest purchase most people make.
How does Region Beacon work for home inspectors?
You describe the job once. The first nearby business that takes it gets your details and contacts you; nobody else does. You deal with whoever you pick directly, and you pay them directly — Region Beacon never handles the money and takes no commission, so nothing is added to your price for using it.
How do I know if a home inspector's quote is fair?
Get more than one. A single quote tells you what one business charges; three tell you what the job is worth where you live. Ask each for the same scope in writing, and treat a quote far below the others as probably missing something rather than a bargain.
Get quotes from home inspectors near you
Describe the job once and the first nearby business to take it contacts you. Only that one gets your details, no commission is added, and your details are not sold on to anyone.