You may also need to hire a geologist or structural engineer. Ask the inspector to provide a sample of his or her checklist or inspection report. Ask the inspector for the names and telephone numbers of several homeowners who have used his or her services. Call those people and ask them whether they were satisfied with the report and other services they received. Be sure to talk to some people who have owned their home for a few months or longer.
Some problems overlooked by an inspection can take a while to surface.
Many good inspectors don't belong to a national or state association of home inspectors. However, all else being equal, an association membership is often a plus. Even top-notch inspectors are only human and can make errors or overlook problems they probably should have noticed. Ask about the company's policy in such situations. Many companies ask customers to sign a waiver limiting the company's liability to the cost of the inspection.