Their job is to make an objective evaluation of the condition of a home, from exterior inspections of roofs, drainage systems, chimneys and decks to interior assessments of furnaces, electrical outlets and plumbing fixtures. This service, which can cost hundreds of dollars is usually ordered by the buyer, whose purchase contract could include a contingency that would nil the whole deal if the home doesn't'' pass muster. Sellers use inspectors, too, to help market the property and to get a third party to shoulder some of the disclosure responsibility. It's best to hire an inspector with years of experience looking through attics and crawl spaces evaluate a home's structural condition. Many inspectors have a background in contracting.
Experts recommend against hiring an inspector who is chosen by the seller's real estate agent.
ASHI warns consumers that home inspectors are not specialists. They are generalists who examine a house to assess its current condition. If a serious problem is discovered, a specialist should be called in. A Nationwide construction boom has made wallboard more expensive and harder to get . A year ago, Builder Steve Blackburn could call his supplier and have wallboard on the construction site of an upscale home in 48 hours.