Buying a home? It’s probably the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. This is no time to shop for a cheap inspection. The cost of a home inspection is very small relative to the value of the home being inspected. The additional cost of hiring an InterNACHI-Certified Professional Inspector® is almost insignificant.
You have recently been crunching the numbers, negotiating offers, adding up closing costs, shopping for mortgages, and trying to get the best deals. Don’t stop now. Don’t let your real estate agent, a “patty-cake” inspector, or anyone else talk you into skimping here. InterNACHI certified inspectors perform the best inspections by far. But why is that? Let’s look at what sets InterNACHI certified home inspectors apart from the crowd.
The licensing of home inspectors only sets a minimum standard. Much like being up to code, any less would be illegal. And in Michigan, there isn’t even a licensing requirement for home inspectors. Imaginary people, children, psychics (who claim to “sense” if a house is OK) and even pets can theoretically be home inspectors. InterNACHI, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, front ends its membership requirements. In other words, all members must fulfill certification requirements before they can become certified. Other associations have few or no entrance requirements, and encourage their members and associates to go out and perform hundreds of unqualified inspections for unsuspecting consumers.
InterNACHI inspectors:
- must pass InterNACHI’s Online Inspector Examination, and re-take and pass it every three years
- must complete InterNACHI’s online Code of Ethics Course
- must take InterNACHI’s online Standards of Practice Course
- must submit a signed Membership Affidavit
- substantially adhere to InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice
- abide by InterNACHI’s Code of Ethics
- must submit four mock inspection reports to InterNACHI’s Report Review Committee before performing their first paid home inspection for a client
- within the first year of membership, must successfully pass all of the following accredited courses and exams:
- InterNACHI’s “Safe Practices for the Home Inspector” course
- InterNACHI’s “25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know” course
- InterNACHI’s “Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Perform Roof Inspections” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Inspect HVAC Systems” course
- InterNACHI’s “Structural Issues for Home Inspectors” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Perform Exterior Inspections” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Perform Deck Inspections” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion” course
- InterNACHI’s “How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves, and Chimneys” course
- must pursue inspection-related training by taking 24 hours of additional accredited Continuing Education each year
- must maintain their Online Continuing Education Log, per InterNACHI’s rigorous Continuing Education policy
- have access to InterNACHI’s Message Board for exchanging information and tips with colleagues and experts
- have access to InterNACHI’s “What’s New” section so that they can keep up with the latest news and events in the inspection industry
- have access to InterNACHI’s time-tested Inspection Agreement, which keeps them (and you) away from lawsuits
- have access to InterNACHI’s Report Review/Mentoring Service
- must carry E&O Insurance if their state requires it
- have access to a real estate agent Hold-Harmless Clause
- and have access to many other benefits, training, marketing tools and information to help themselves, as well as consumers and real estate professionals, provided by the world’s largest inspector association.
Looking for a Home Inspector?
As you can see, InterNACHI certified home and property inspectors are qualified professionals with extensive training. So, the next time you need a home inspector (or need to refer your clients to one), make sure that inspector is a member of InterNACHI. You can schedule your InterNACHI certified home inspection with U.P. Home Inspection, LLC today.
You can see the original version of this article on the InterNACHI website here.
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