HOME INSPECTION RECOMMENDATIONS

Home inspections are very important to protect you from possible problems in the home you want.  A licensed building contractor who is trained at doing home inspections knows exactly what to check for and will take between 2 and 3 hours to go over the inside and outside of your perspective new home to be certain there are no major defects.  An inspection costs between $200 and $275.00 depending upon the inspection company.  This may be the best money you have ever spent in terms of protection.

The Home Inspector you choose should carry Errs and Omissions Insurance.  That means if the inspector misses something and it is later discovered to have been there and was undetected, he has insurance to cover both you and himself for a mistake he may have made.

I would also check to see if the inspector you are considering is a member of the National Association of Home Inspectors.  There are no licensing requirements for home inspectors. Therefore, the membership in MAHI means they continually update their knowledge and attend educational sessions to improve on their ability to do an excellent inspection.

A list of highly recommended  Inspection Companies are as follows:

1)       CHECK IT OUT INSPECTIONS - BOB GRUMBLING  810-300-2244, 810-329-3313

Local Company-inspector resides in St. Clair and has over 10 years experience in the field and 30+ years as a builder.  $275.00 for full verbal & written report- $50 for single item inspection- Inspectors, inspect Repo´s for the day $275 and up- On the spot verbal inspection without a written report- $175.00

2)      INSPECT IT FIRST -  GARY RAVIN 985-1075, 810-343-4607, 385-8629

Local Company handling St. Clair County homes

$275.00 for full verbal & written report, $175.00 for on the spot verbal report only

      3)  HOUSEMASTERS  - NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED COMPANY- 313-254-8448

Different inspectors constantly do inspections - written report at the time of inspection  Price varies from $245.00 to $275.00.

      4)  CLASSIC HOME INSPECTION- GREG NIKKEL  810-981-4948

Local inspector  Used to work for Housemasters - $250.00

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MY BROTHER, FATHER, FAMILY MEMBER, OR FRIEND IS A BUILDING CONTRACTOR, CAN THEY DO THE INSPECTION FOR ME?

 Yes, but here are the possible problems with that plan.  1) If they miss something major and should incur liability, are you going to sue your family member or friend?  2) People emotionally involved with you think they are saving you.  They tend to overdramatize a concern about the home and pick it apart in the interest of helping you.  They, however, have not been shopping and looked at all the homes you considered and rejected in your price range.  This may be the best home for you, so let a professional inspector tell which problems, if any are serious and which just need some attention in the future.

DO I NEED TO BE THERE FOR THE INSPECTION?

Yes, you will learn a lot about your new home during the inspection.  The inspector will cover a lot of maintenance items, such as how to change the filter on the furnace, etc.  Most importantly, he can point out areas that may need attention in 2 or 3 years as well as any serious items that may need attention now. If you ask him a question while right there at the property, the answer can be very valuable to you in the future.