California Home Inspector
The job of a California home inspector is one that requires special training, knowledge, and communication skills. However, there is presently no uniform certification and no requirement for California home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests. Anyone can say that they are a California home inspector, when in fact, they know as much about construction as the next guy. Therefore, when you choose a California home inspector, it is important that you choose wisely.
Looking for a California Home Inspector
Reputable California home inspectors are generally members of a state or county trade association. These associations, like the American Society of Home Inspectors, set standards of practice and code of ethics to which all members must conform to. Often, because of the absence of any state laws regulating the licensing of California home inspectors, these association standards and rules are the only dividing line between a home buyer hiring a professional and a fraud.
So how exactly do you find a California home inspector that is a member of a trade group?
The most obvious place to look is the Internet. Associations like these usually put up their own websites that serve as a portal and a gathering place for both the California home inspector and his potential new client. If not, you can also try the yellow pages or housing or home trade magazines.
If you have any friends or family members who is knowledgeable about construction or has recently purchased a new home and had it inspected, you can also ask him for referral. Your real estate agent may also make a suggestion as to who you should hire as a California home inspector. However, you must be aware that California home inspectors that are working too closely with one particular agent may not have your best interest in mind.
Do your Homework
Once you have a list of possible candidates to hire as your California home inspector, the next step you need to do is to do your homework. Research on how long the California home inspector has been in business. The more experienced a California home inspector is, the more he has seen and the more likely he will be able to detect any less obvious problems. Often, the seasoned California home inspector is a full-time professional home inspector, not just renovators or contractors looking for off-season work.
Next, find out what the qualifications your California home inspector has. Especially, look for people who belong to a trade association or group, however, do not limit yourself with these. You can also find a good California home inspector in someone who is not even a member of any of these group, but has taken some courses, such as defect recognition, building sciences, or civil engineering. This type of educational background provides the California home inspector with the technical skill to handle the job well.
Professional California home inspectors are bound by a strict code of ethics and must adhere to specific standards of practice. They should have a general understanding of all the various systems and components in a home.
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